My uncle and aunt weren’t exactly well off. Even though I knew they’d buy a ticket for me to come home, I refused to let them pay for my flights. I was an adult, and I had a full-time job. Plus, I was stubborn. I paid my own way. Eventually, I’d find a way to pay Alex back for the tickets he’d insisted on paying for.

“Spring is too far away,” my aunt replied with a huge sigh.

“It’ll go by quickly,” I said. “And I’ll be all done with school.”

“Good,” she said. “You should plan on coming home to stay. Your family is here. Your life is here.”

She continued on as I climbed in the truck and smiled at Alex. He smiled back but didn’t say a word, since I was on the phone. My aunt continued to talk about how I needed to go back to New York as we pulled back onto the street and headed toward the airport. Alex’s hand found my thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze, and I couldn’t imagine a time when I’d want to move thousands of miles away from him.

“Auntie, I’ll have to call you back,” I said when there was finally a break in her reasons why I should leave Missouri.

When I got off the phone, I dropped it in my purse with a dramatic sigh and turned to look at Alex.

“Sorry about that.”

“No worries,” he said. “How are your aunt and uncle?”

“Good.” I grinned. “Mad that I’m flying off to Oregon with you when I could have flown home to New York for the weekend.”

“Oh no,” he murmured, glancing my way.

“It’s silly. I wouldn’t have flown there for the weekend, anyway,” I said.

“Well, I’m glad you’re coming with me,” he said happily. “Do we need to stop anywhere before the airport?”

“Oh yeah,” I said. “I need to stop and get my nails done. Maybe a haircut?” I lifted my hair and pretended I was searching for split ends.

“I meant for food or something, smart-ass.”

“Nope.” I dropped my purse on the floorboard and got more comfortable. “I’m all set.”

“A few hours and I’ll be back in the Northwest again,” he said excitedly, letting out a deep sigh. “Just wait until you see it. Everything’s green—a million different shades. And the rain makes the air smell incredible.”

“I’m excited to see it,” I replied, smiling at his animated description.

“You’ll like my family, too.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh yeah. They’re impossible not to like. My dad is kind of quiet, mellow, you know?”

I nodded.

“My mom’s the outgoing one. She’s going to love you.”

“I do have a winning personality,” I said easily, making him smile.