Matt returned and put his arms around Jorden’s slim waist. “I’m not feeling the best. Do you mind if I lay down.” It wasn’t a question. He slipped back onto the bed. In an instant, he was out for the rest of the night.

Jorden laid down next to Matt, closed her eyes, and listened to the early morning birds chirping outside. She drifted into a fragile sleep. She stirred first and watched him doze. He didn’t look so bad now; at least, he had shaved and brushed his teeth last night.

Matt stretched and groaned; his eyes met hers sheepishly. “Sorry about last night. It’s obvious I had too much to drink. You did that to me—I never thought I’d see you again.” He touched her face. “You’re a beautiful sight. What happened? I was stunned to see you.”

“Alex and I . . . we had a fight. Words not to be taken back. I tried this week, but it’s not meant to be.”

“Does this mean the wedding is off?” Matt’s eyebrows lifted.

“It’s off.” Jorden tenderly touched the outline of Matt’s face.

“You are amazing. Tell me I’m not dreaming.” Matt buried his face in Jorden’s neck and held her gently.

“No. This is reality.”

They lay there holding each other until they heard one of his roommates moving around.

Jorden rose and sat on the side of the bed. “I should get back to my apartment.”

“What are we going to do?” Matt touched Jorden’s shoulder.

“I don’t know . . . only I know it’s not going to work for me and Alex.”

Louder sounds came from the hallway. “Listen. I hear someone moving around. I better go. Think I can sneak out?”

“Don’t be silly. Lyon won’t care, but he may wonder how you got in here.” Matt grinned as he reached for his cutoffs. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.”

Jorden peered out the door. “The coast is clear. I think I can hear Lyon. It sounds like he’s in the kitchen.” She pulled at Matt’s arm. “Come on.” She took his hand and dragged him down the hallway and out the front door. Jorden laughed with a sense of relief when they reached her VW Bug. “We made it.” She got in behind the steering wheel.

Matt held onto the open door. “What next? We need to talk. You can’t leave like this.”

“Get in. Let’s talk.”

Matt stepped to the other side and slid into the passenger seat.

“Move in with me . . . I . . . I love you.” The words slipped out of Matt.

“I can’t. It’s just not right.” Jorden protested before his words even registered. She touched his hand; love had been a forbidden word.

“We’ve been blind.” Matt squeezed her fingers. “Tell me . . . tell me you don’t love me.”