Tilting my head, I began the conversation that I hoped would end with our lives completely changing. “So, graduate…what’s next?”

She inhaled a deep, cleansing breath then gave me a radiant smile. “Anything…everything.”

Everything. I loved the sound of that. I leaned down to kiss her. My hand curled around her neck, and I savored the moment for a minute before I pulled away. Resting my head against hers, I said, “I have to go back soon, to finish the album.”

She seemed sad to be reminded of that fact. Her hand shifted to stroke my cheek as she sighed. “I know,” she whispered.

“And after that…will be another tour…to promote the album.” My smile felt sad to me; I didn’t want to go without her again.

Kiera kissed the corner of my mouth, brightening my smile. “It will be okay,” she said. “We’ll find a way to stay close, just like we have the past few weeks.”

I nodded. I knew we could keep going as we had been, and we would be fine—strong and secure—but I missed her. I wanted more. As Kiera laid her head against my chest, I debated how to ask for what I wanted. Kissing her head, I decided to just say it. “Come with me.”

Kiera looked confused as she pulled back. “What? Go with you…where?” She looked at the front doors, like she thought I wanted to take her somewhere right now.

A soft chuckle escaped me. Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, I murmured, “So cute…”

She frowned as she peeked up at me. The annoyance on her face amused me even more. “Come on tour with me. Hell, come to L.A. with me.” Right now, the day I leave, just come with me.

A look of surprise flashed over her face, like she hadn’t realized she could live there with me. But then she seemed sad, like she wanted to, but something was holding her back. She shook her head. “But my…” She stopped talking and her expression shifted into surprise again, like she’d suddenly remembered her major obligation here was over with.

Seeing that she’d grasped her newfound freedom made me smile. “You’re done with school now. You can do whatever you want.”

She frowned. “Shouldn’t I have higher aspirations than being a groupie?”

I laughed at her word choice. “You’re not a groupie if I invite you to come with us.” Ducking down, I met her eye. “When are you ever going to have another chance like this, Kiera? You have the rest of your life to find a job…or never find one. That would be fine with me.”

She pursed her lips. “My parents will be so proud.”