“I’ve missed you so much,” I admit. I hate that we’re doing this over FaceTime. I smile through another onslaught of tears, this time evoked by his willingness to pursue a relationship, to come out to California, to leave his brother—all for me.

“I know. I feel it, too. I came out here to make sure—to be sure that I could promise you more and hold up my end of the bargain. But just seeing you now is all the assurance I need. When do you come home?”

“I’ll be back tomorrow night.”

He pauses, then and glances off past the camera, his face fraught with indecision.

“Is this okay, Maddie? Is it okay that I’m here? If this isn’t what you want, or if this is too much—”

I cut him off before he can make any sort of argument against what we both know is right and true. “There’s no such thing as too much when it comes to you.”

“Oh my God!” Fielding moans from inside the house. So much for giving us privacy.

“Now when it comes to your brother…” I holler to make sure Fielding hears me.

Dempsey chuckles to himself and shakes his head. “He’s the one who encouraged me to come out here,” he confesses, his words soft and just for me. “I don’t think I could have done this without his prodding. He’s going to take the MCAT and apply to medical school again. At least, that’s his plan. I’ve decided to believe him and to let go of the idea that I have to make sure he’s okay before I do anything for myself. If there was ever a time to take a risk… it’s now. It’s for you, Maddie.”

I blush at his confession, but quickly shiver as the night air reminds me that I’m soaking wet and coming down from an adrenaline spike.

“I was up at my brother’s cabin in Michigan,” I whisper, because that’s a particular detail I don’t need to rub in Fielding’s face. “Jake let me borrow his car, but I think I’ll sleep here if that’s okay with you.”

“Absolutely. There’s no way I want you driving back tonight.”

I would roll my eyes at his overbearing protectiveness if I hadn’t missed it so damn much.

“I didn’t bring anything with me. I didn’t even know what I was going to say when I got here. I guess I’ll just have to steal your clothes and sleep in your bed tonight,” I tease.

“You’re gonna FaceTime me later from my bed.”

“Oh, am I?”

“You’re gonna use your own phone for that, Little Wheeler!” Fielding hollers from the house.