Page 85 of Heart Set on You

“What…?” I scratch my fingers through the scruff on my jaw, missing what she said. I know it’s not Georgia’s fault, but I still feel aggravated at all the things I have to do instead of the things I want to be doing. Like Rylee.

“I said you haven’t touched your chicken. Is it not okay? Do you want me to ring room service and ask them to send you something else?”

“No, no, it’s fine. I’m just not that hungry.”

“You’re not hungry?” She frowns, removing her reading glasses from her face, then makes a show of peering around the hotel room. “Are pigs flying?”

I smile. If anyone can shake me out of this funk I’m in, it’s Georgia. She’s always known how to handle me.

“You sure you’re okay?” she asks, squinting at me over her computer screen.

“I’m fine. It’s just been a long day.”

“Okay, but if something is bothering you, you need to tell me, Miles. I can try and fix it.”

“I’m fine.”

You see, the thing no one tells you about long-distance relationships is that they’re not just hard, they’re fucking impossible. I’m only four weeks into this and I’m not sure how I will survive. I’m tired of missing her. I’m tired of counting down days on a calendar until I can see her again. I’m tired of not being able to focus because of the reel of images of her that are constantly replaying in my mind.

I also worry about her, and how she’s handling the distance between us and being back in Deer Lake. This move is what she wanted, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy transition after living in L.A. for so many years. I hope she’s taking care of herself. I know Rylee well enough to know she puts everyone else’s needs first.

“Okay, well, we’re done here,” Georgia says, closing her computer. “I’m meeting some friends for drinks at Dream Terrace if you want to join. It will be fun. You should come.”

“Thanks G, but I don’t know that I’m up for it tonight.”

Truthfully, I’m not up for much of anything these days. There was a time not that long ago that I would never had said no. I was always up for going out. But tonight… I just can’t. I have nothing left in the tank.

“Another time,” she says, shoving her laptop in her bag. “I’ll be at your door at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow so we can catch our flight back to L.A. Get some rest.”

A couple of hours later, I’m lying in bed staring at the ceiling with a heavy feeling in my chest. I called Rylee after Georgia left, but she didn’t pick up. She’s been taking photos for people she knows to pass the time until she finds a job and I know she had a session scheduled for today. It must have gone longer than expected.

I reach for my phone, hoping by some chance I missed a text from her. Nothing. So I open her socials account and check her stories for a glimpse of her. I’ll take anything I can get. She’s posted a video of a field of flowers at sunset. Another of two little girls on a swing under a large tree. And another of a family holding hands, standing on a dirt road. The images come to life on my screen and I can’t help but be so damn proud of her. She’s incredible with her camera. The photos are fantastic.

I scroll her feed, needing to see her face. There are photos she’s taken of the farm. Others of her and her friends. She’s smiling, laughing. She’s so damn beautiful and I find myself wanting to know the story behind every shot.

I type out a quick message to her before setting my phone on the nightstand and turning off the light.

Stalked your socials account. The photos are as beautiful as you. Miss you like crazy. M. xo

Then I stretch one arm over my head, resting it on the pillow, and realize yet again just how much I feel for this woman.

I wake up the next morning to a missed call from Rylee and a text.

I’d do anything to see you right now. Ry

Sitting up in bed, I video call her. I’m desperate to hear her voice. When she answers, I smile. She’s wearing my sweatshirt and it makes me stupidly happily. I lean back against the headboard and she smiles back at me, her green eyes shining. I’ve missed those eyes.

“Hey you,” I say. “How’s my girl?” I run my hand through my bed-tousled hair.

“I’m good. Better now. Sorry I missed your call last night.”

“It’s okay. I knew you had the photo shoot. How did it go?”

“It went great. The family was so sweet. She’s the daughter of a friend of Gran’s at church. I guess Gran has been telling everyone she knows all about me. Word travels fast around here. I have two more bookings this week.”

“Oh yeah? That’s amazing. I’m really proud of you, Ryls,” I tell her, because I really fucking am. “Have you thought about starting your own photography business instead of looking for a job?” I ask her, watching her eyes roam over my naked chest.

“I guess I’ve considered it. But I don’t know. I don’t have any formal training. I’m not sure how much work I could really get.”

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