I pick up the red mug and take a sip of the coffee then set it down on the table. It's one of Natalie's mugs. It has her work's company's logo on it. I like having her things in my apartment. No. I like having her in my apartment, period.

These past few days have been great. I know she has a lot to do with how well I feel since Monday. Today is already Friday and I can't wait for her to get home from work. I can't wait to go back to work myself. I've been off the whole week and won't be back until Monday. I tried going back today but I was sent back home by my own father.

I don't like being in the apartment all day. It makes me feel useless. So I've spent the last three mornings outside walking and trying to run. I feel better. I feel like I'm ready to go back to work. At the same time, I appreciate the time I get to spend with Natalie.

Tomorrow is a big day for us.

I told her I'd do the talking but I honestly have no idea of what I'm going to say. I'm hoping the words come to me on the spot. I better get it together. We only get one shot at this. That's it. I do feel some relief in knowing that whatever happens tomorrow, Natalie and I won't have to hide after that. We'll be free from this burden. It's important that we tell our parents before Brad to avoid misunderstandings. I know Brad is not going to react well with the news anyhow so I'm not too stressed about that. He'll get over it. He'll have to.

There is a knock on the door and I frown. I'm not expecting anyone and Natalie won't be home until a couple of hours. Plus she has a key. I set the mug down on the coffee table and walk to the front door to open it.

My mind goes blank when I see Cassie standing on the other side. I hadn't even thought about her. I've just been avoiding her calls and texts. I didn't think she'd actually come. I guess this would be the perfect time to set things clear with her once and for all. I have to remember that I can't tell her I'm with Natalie yet. The last thing we need is for Cassie to go tell Brad about us before we do.

I wish I wouldn't have dated her in the time Natalie and I were apart. I jumped off the horse too quick. I was just trying to move on. It was obviously not a wise decision. I know that I probably got her hopes up which sucks because the last thing I want is to hurt her. Then again, the things she said to Natalie weren't very nice. I look at her and can't believe she was capable of saying those things probably hoping Natalie would leave me alone. She doesn't understand that we don't choose who we love. If we could, then I wouldn't have chosen my brother's girlfriend....or maybe I would have. Yes. I definitely would've still chosen Natalie.

"Cassie, hey," I say not hiding the surprise in my voice.

"Hey," She smiles at me then her eyes roam over my naked chest. "You look-better."

"Thanks. I do feel better," I say. "What's up?"

"Uh-may I come in?" She asks looking inside my apartment.

"Right, yeah. Sorry." I open the door wider for her to walk in then close it behind us.

"Nice place," She says slowly looking around the living room. Her eyes stopping on the coffee table before looking up at me and smiling.

"Thanks," I say awkwardly keeping my distance from her. I wish I had a shirt on.

She smiles at me. "You've been ignoring my calls."

I'm a little surprised that she is calling me out on it but then again, I do remember her being pretty direct. I hesitate, not really knowing how to say what I want to say. It would be easier if I could tell her the truth-that I have a girlfriend that I'm very much into but I know I can't tell her. I don't know what she would do with the information and I don't want to find out.

"Sorry," I finally say. "I know it's a dick move. I just don't want to give you the wrong message."

"The wrong message." She repeats slowly.

"You've told me how you feel, Cassie, and I don't feel the same way about you," I say it as kindly as I can. I really don't want to hurt her. It's not my intention. I remember how it felt when I thought Natalie didn't love me back. Loving someone that doesn't feel the same way is a kind of pain that you don't ever forget. "I don't want you to get your hopes up or anything."

"That's kind of you," She says. "But don't you think it's up to me to decide?"

I run my hand through my hair feeling exasperated. I really wish she wouldn't have come today. If only she would have waited until the day after tomorrow...then I could just be honest with her. "Cassie," I say slowly. "I'm sorry. I just don't think I could ever feel the same way and I don't want to waste your time."

"Because you still love Natalie."

"Yes, I still love Natalie," I say trying to hide my annoyance. "You don't forget a person you love in weeks or even months. You should move on. I'm not worth it."

She looks a bit sad which makes me feel bad but I can't do anything to make her feel better. I'm just trying to be as honest as I can. "You're not going to let me fight for you, are you?"

I frown. "There's nothing here to fight for. I think I'm a one woman type of guy. My heart will always belong to Natalie so I guess I'm screwed."

"She doesn't know how lucky she is," she says sadly.

I don't say anything, not really knowing what to say. I need her to move on. She nods slowly. "Okay. I'll leave you alone."

"I wish you the best."

She smiles. "Thank you. My best wishes to you too. Sounds like you'll need them."

I'm not really sure what she means by that so I don't say anything. I want to think that she means me loving someone that doesn't love me back. She doesn't know the whole truth though. But she doesn't need to. I really hope this closure helps her move on.

"Goodbye, Josh."

I hold the door open for her and offer her a kind smile. "Goodbye, Cassie."

She walks out the door and disappears down the hall. The first time we parted ways, we didn't say goodbye. It was part of our pact. To act like we were going to see each other the next day. It seemed like a good concept. What we had was special but I think it was meant to stay in the past.

I shut the door, feeling relieved. At least that's over with. I won't have to worry about ignoring her calls anymore. One thing off my shoulders. Now onto speaking with everyone tomorrow.

I grab the mug and take a sip of the coffee then do the laundry and tidy around the apartment to keep myself busy. I'm cooking some dinner when I hear the key in the lock.

"Hey," Natalie says as she walks in.

"Hey," I say turning to look at her before turning my attention back to the stove. "How was work?"

"Good," She says from the living room. And then I hear her walk towards me. She puts her arms around me from behind. I feel her press her lips on my shoulder. "Mmm smells good."

She makes me feel so good in an instant. I chuckle. "That's good."

She stands next to me while I finish up. Then I turn around and kiss her. I pull away and look at her. She's so beautiful. I love her eyes, her nose, her cheeks, her full lips...one look at them and I'm pretty much gone. I look at her and I know I'd do anything for her. She doesn't know the power she has over me. "Cassie came to see me." I tell her.

Her smile fades a little. "Did she now?"

I run my thumb across her lower lip. "We just had a conversation and I made it clear that I want nothing to do with her."

She looks at me. "You didn't tell her we were together right?"

"No."

"Okay, good," She says then smiles. "She better leave you alone now or she'll have me to deal with."

I grin. "Wow, you just turned me on a bit."

She laughs. "I'm serious."

I lean down and press my lips against hers. How is it possible for me to miss her this much? I just saw her this morning. I told her once that the more she gives me, the more I want. I'm really starting to think there is no limit to that. No matter what happens, I know I'm always going to want her.

I put my arm around her waist and hold her as we begin to walk backwards to the living room.

"Isn't the stove on?" She asks as I hover over her on the couch.

"I turned it off, stop distracting me," I say kissing her neck. She laughs as she puts her arms around my neck.

We don't speak and just enjoy each other. We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow or the day after that. I've learned not to take my time with her for granted. So I forget about everything else and try to show her how much I love her.

~~~~~

The next morning, Natalie leaves for Newport early in the morning. I get there around noon. It's a beautiful day outside. I can only hope it's a reflection of what's going to happen. I'm trying to shake off the nervousness. The run this morning did not help at all.

When I walk into the inn, Mom and Dad are having lunch with Gloria and Larry, Natalie's parents. There is also a couple and a man sitting on the dinning room tables. I know they must be guests of the inn. I really wish we were all alone. I'll have to wait until they leave the room to start talking. I'm somewhat grateful for the time they buy me because I still have no idea of how I'm going to start.

"I'm so glad it was nothing serious," Gloria says after Mom tells her how my accident happened. My father and Larry are having their own conversation in the sidelines like they always do. They're really those type of buddies. It's always nice to see my dad interact with people outside of work. I notice a big difference when he's at work versus when he's here, around family and friends, just relaxing.

I look down the hall distractedly, wondering where Natalie is. I haven't seen her since I got here.

"Josh."

"Huh?" I look at my mother who just said my name.

"Gloria asked you if you are ready to go back to work."

"Oh." I look at Gloria. "I'm sorry. Yes, I've been ready. I would've been back earlier in the week if it were up to me."

She smiles. "Such a hard worker. I see more of a passion for the job in you than in Brad. You really enjoy it, don't you?"

I shrug. "I really do. It's a job to be taken serious."

"Of course," Gloria says with a smile and it reminds me of Natalie. Pretty much anything reminds me of her. I'd probably think of her when looking at a fucking wall...wait, I already do that.

I stand up. "May I use your restroom?"

"Oh, of course. You don't have to ask. You know where it is."

"Thank you," I say. "Excuse me."

I walk down the hall and make a right but I walk past the restroom and to Natalie's room. I knock softly, hoping nobody comes down the hall. The door opens and Natalie smiles when she sees me. "Hey," she says then grabs my hand and pulls me inside.

"Hey," I say looking down at her. "Are you alright? You haven't come out."

She has a loose strand of hair and she reaches out and puts it behind her ear. "I know. I'm sorry. I'm just a little nervous." She bites her lip.

I raise an eyebrow. "A little?"

She laughs nervously. "Okay. More like a lot."

I take a deep breath then put my arms around her and embrace her in a tight hug, wishing I could take all her worries away and carry them myself. "I already told you that you have nothing to worry about."

"Yes, I do, though," she says then pulls away to look at me. "We have no idea of how they're going to react!" She hisses and I realize how scared she really is.

"And we have no control over it." I tell her. "So stop worrying about it."

"Easier said than done."

"I know, baby." I reach out and stroke her cheek. "Just leave it to me. They'll probably hate me anyway. They'll think I seduced you."

"You did," she jokes, her lips breaking into a smile.

"You're right." I grin, proudly.

She rolls her eyes at me. "I don't want them to hate you."

I chuckle softly. "They won't. Just relax, okay? We'll go through this together. It'll be over before you know it."

She sighs but nods. I know she's going to worry regardless because she's selfless. She doesn't want to hurt anyone and I love her even more for that. There's nothing I can say to make her feel better so I run my thumb across her lower lip then I lean in and kiss her.

I kiss her like it's our last.

Please comment & vote!