Before I could ask him to clarify, he kissed me quickly and left to go use the bathroom. Confused by what was going on and feeling a little freaked out, I retreated to my own room to pack up my things and get ready. Which mostly consisted of me throwing things into my suitcase while trying not to panic. I got everything in my bag and put it by the front door. Then I wandered around to make sure that I hadn’t left anything behind.

I had to tell him. I had to. I couldn’t let things get more serious without him knowing the truth.

That sent a spike of pain through me so intense that it literally felt like I’d been stabbed. I doubled over, grabbing on to the back of the couch to keep from falling.

You’re going to lose him.

That was what I feared most. Him being out of my life. Never having another morning like the one I’d experienced today.

There was a knock at the door, and I took in a deep breath, practicing the exercises that Noah and I had worked on, and made my way over to open it. It was both Shelby and Allan, and I could tell that she wanted to question me but didn’t because she knew I wouldn’t say much with Allan standing there.

“Are you ready?” she asked, her eyes bright with unasked questions. “The concierge called and said the car was ready.”

“Yep.” I grabbed my suitcase and walked out into the hallway.

Noah stepped out of his room with his bag at the same time, and I didn’t know what to say. But he, either missing my awkwardness or deciding to ignore it, came over to take me by the hand, which was a relief.

Outside the hotel there was a bit of a traffic jam, and one of the valets apologized and said our car would be up front in a minute.

But a minute was all it took.

I heard murmuring and noticed people taking out their phones. Their voices became louder. “Isn’t that the guy who plays Malec Shadowfire?” “It’s Noah Douglas!” “Hey, can I get a picture with you?”

Then there were bright flashes. It wasn’t just hotel guests. There were paparazzi, and they started crowding in on us. Just a tsunami of strangers coming straight at us. Somebody must have tipped them off that Noah was here and would be leaving this morning. They were shouting questions at him, some of them about me.

“Get behind me,” Noah said, stepping in front of me, shielding me.

He turned to the paparazzi and barked a single word: “Back!” He was so furious sounding and so intimidating that they did exactly as he commanded them. That didn’t stop them from taking photos or all the other people from shooting videos.