Page 7 of When Love Is Unexpected

"Would you consider coming to California with me?" There. I've finally asked the question I've wanted to ask her for over a month.

"What?" she asks, her eyes growing big with surprise. "You want me to go to California with you?"

I nod and watch her unfold her long legs and stand to her feet. She starts pacing the floor, walking back and forth between the couch and the fireplace on the other side of the room. She taps her bottom lip with an index finger. She considers my proposal, thinks it over, and calculates time and whatever she has to accomplish between now and when she has to report to Boston Children's Hospital in three months.

I wait thirty-seven seconds, to be exact. She walks back to the couch and stands over me, watching me, assessing me with a raised eyebrow and a penetrating gaze before pacing again.

"You don't have to give me an answer right now," I say, sensing her hesitation. "You can say no. It won't hurt my feelings," I lie.

After what seems like an eternity, she sits beside me with her back ramrod straight and her arms crossed.

"Why do you want me to go with you?" she asks. "And don't lie to me."

With all the courage I can muster, I only tell her half the truth.

"I want you to pose as my girlfriend," I say, almost in a whisper.

"Okay," she says before pausing, "I'll do it."

"Wait. What?!" I exclaim, my voice sounding shrill.

I can't help it. I hug her. She hugs me back, and I can feel our hearts beating almost as one. I allow myself to get lost in this moment, knowing but never saying that the other half of the whole truth is that I love her. I love her, and I've loved her since the first time I laid eyes on her. The other half of the whole truth is that I want to spend as much time as possible with her before I have to return to Greece, where I'll try once again to forget her.

"There's a lot I've got to do before we leave," she says. "Help me pack, yes?"

We spend the next hour packing the rest of her bedroom for her move to Boston. When I empty the drawer on her nightstand, I find a framed photo of Eric stashed inside. I guess this time, it is for good.

She glances at me when she starts packing a suitcase for our trip. "How much should I pack?" she asks.

"Pack enough for a week. Anything else, you can get there. Plus, you'll need a party dress for Emma's wedding."

She reaches into her closet several times, pulling out possible prospects for the wedding before deciding on a dress she describes as "A forest green, A-line cocktail dress with a chiffon skirt."

***

"I'm going to San Diego with Sam," she announces when we enter the kitchen.

Her mom is fixing sandwiches at one end of the center island while Jon stands next to her slicing some cucumbers.

"Do you two want to eat?" asks Sharon.

"Wait," says Laila. "Did you two already know about Sam's invite?"

"Here, have a pastrami sandwich," says Sharon, handing Laila a plate.

"I had to tell your dad," I say. "I didn't know what my chances were."

"I bought your ticket last week," Jon says, addressing Laila.

"I bet Adam knows," she says. "Probably my sisters too. So, I'm the last to know."

"You're smiling," says Sharon. "So, I'm not going to feel that bad about not telling you."

When the doorbell rings, Jon walks away to answer it. He returns a few seconds later with Katherine and her kids in tow.

"Sammy!" Tori exclaims as soon as she sees me.

"Well, hello," I say, bending over to shake her hand.

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