Chapter 12

I wake up, the sun streaming in through my window. I have a vague memory of Dave making love to me in the early hours of the morning.

It was sweet and sexy and perfect.

I roll over to snuggle up to him…and then I jerk upward.

"Dave?"

He's gone. I look around the room. His clothes are also gone. I get up and pad to the bathroom, but no Dave. I wrap myself in one of the lush robes, grab my key card, and head across the hall.

I knock softly. "Dave?"

A moment later he opens the door. "Hey."

"Where did you go?"

"Uh…here?" He grins.

"Yeah, stupid question."

"Come on in," he says. "We need to talk."

My heart sinks to my stomach.

I've heard the we need to talk line before, and it never leads to anything good.

I swallow. "About what?"

His suitcase is open on his bed, folded clothes ready to be packed.

My heart sinks. "Dave…"

"I'm sorry, Maddie. I have to go home. My father called early this morning. Apparently there's some shit going down, and he needs me home."

"Oh…"

He holds a hand up. "But this doesn't change anything. I'd like to continue…seeing you."

"I'll be in Europe for the next couple of months, Dave."

"I know that. But Brock and I?—"

"Brock's going home too?"

"Yeah. Apparently this is a big deal. He wouldn't leave Rory otherwise, and the family wouldn't ask him to."

"What kind of big deal?"

He frowns. "Dad wouldn't tell me over the phone, which means it's a really big deal." He sighs, shaking his head. "Man, and just when I thought I could have a vacation. Now I have to get back on an airplane tonight."

"Oh my God!" I clamp my hand over my mouth.

"What?"

"If he needs everyone home, that means Brianna has to go too."

He cups my cheek. "Actually, no. Uncle Talon and Aunt Jade decided she could stay if she wants. Since she and Jesse just got engaged and all."

"Oh, thank God." Then I clamp my hand over my mouth again. "I don't mean to make this all about me, Dave. I'm so sorry. It's just, without Brianna, there's no one for me to see Europe with. Jesse and Rory will be with the band, and now Brock is leaving. Not that he and I are close or anything, but at least he's not with the band."

"I know, baby. But Bree doesn't have to go."

"I don't want you to go either," I say, trying not to whine.

"Believe me, I don't want to go." He brushes a strand of hair off my forehead. "I think what we found together is something… Something worth exploring."

I warm all over. "I think so too. And I never dreamed it would happen."

"Me neither. It was so far from what I came here for."

I cock my head at him.

He shakes his head. "Now don't go taking that the wrong way. I'm glad it happened. And in a fucked-up way, I'm almost glad of that near-death experience we all shared. I think it all helped us get our heads on a little straighter."

"You can say that again," I agree.

He brushes his lips over mine. "I can still spend the day with you. I don't have to be at the airport until around two thirty this afternoon for a flight that leaves at five."

"Okay. What would you like to do?"

"Stay in bed all day?"

"I'd say yes in a heartbeat," I say. "But that wouldn't be fair to you. This will be your last few hours in Paris. You haven't even gotten to see the Eiffel Tower."

He shrugs, frowning. "Honestly, I don't have any desire to see the Eiffel Tower. But I would like to stroll along the Champs-élysées with you. Maybe buy you a little token of my esteem."

"Your last few hours in Paris, and you want to take me shopping?" I can't help a laugh.

"I think I do. Besides, I can come back to Paris anytime I want. Once whatever this is blows over. Maybe if it blows over quickly, I can get back on the tour and join you."

A half hour later, Dave and I go down to breakfast in the hotel café. Jesse and Brianna are there, along with Brock and Rory.

"I think you should go," Jesse says, as Dave and I join them.

"I'm so glad you agree," Brianna says. "I don't want to leave you, especially since we've just come so far in our relationship. But if I'm going to prove to my father that I'm an adult and can one day take his place managing the orchards, I have to show him that I'm serious about our family."

"I agree," Brock says. "The only issue is whether I can get you on the same flight with Dave and me."

My heart drops. "Brianna…"

She grabs my hand and squeezes it. "I know, Maddie. I made a promise to you, but this is my family. Something big is going on."

Rory smiles at me. "Jesse and I will be here for you, sis."

"But you guys will be busy taking care of the band. This is your big shot, and you're already working with a substitute drummer. Neither of you can take the time to hang out with me."

Brock raises his eyebrows. "What if I try to get both Brianna and Maddie on that plane tonight?"

Jesse frowns. "This is Maddie's big chance to see Europe. I understand why Brianna has to go, and I agree with her. She needs to be there for her family."

"I don't understand," Dave says. "My dad told me that Uncle Talon and Aunt Jade said you should continue the tour and see Europe, Bree."

"My parents are treating me like a child," Brianna says, "and I honestly don't blame them. I acted like a child when I was back home. I let my father down by coming on this tour. I should've stayed, worked with him, begun my life's work."

Jesse puts his hand over hers. "But I'm glad you came. I'm so glad we found each other."

Brianna looks adoringly into his eyes. "I am too. Truly. And I was so looking forward to spending the rest of the tour with you. But this is something I feel I have to do."

"I know, and I agree with you," Jesse says. He turns to Maddie. "Tell you what, Mads. What if I promise to bring you back here someday? You won't get to follow the band around on tour, but you'll still get to see Europe. You've seen our set a million times at this point anyway. Maybe we'll get Callie and Rory to come too and make it a Pike siblings trip."

I look around at all their faces.

Jesse is serious, and he's going to marry Brianna, so he'll have the money to bring me to Europe. So will Callie and Rory.

Going home—and being with Dave—has its merits also. Maybe I can finish my last semester of college as well.

"I suppose it all depends on whether Brianna and I can get on the flight," I say.

"Not a problem." Brock taps on his phone. "I just secured your tickets. You leave on the same flight with Dave and me tonight, both of you."

I don't know whether to be happy or sad. I was so looking forward to seeing all of Europe, but it would be fun to return with just my siblings. And I'd like to see if anything can blossom between Dave and me.

I sigh and take a sip of my café au lait in front of me. "All right."

"I hope you understand, Mads," Brianna says. "You know I'd rather do almost anything than leave your brother or break a promise to you."

I nod. "Trust me. I know. You made your feelings for my brother quite clear. Even before they were reciprocated."

She blushes. "I was that transparent, huh?"

I nod. "Now that I've gotten over the shock of it, I'm truly happy for you two."

Brianna smiles across the table from me. "That means a lot to me, Maddie. And once we figure out whatever's going on with my family, you and I will be together in Snow Creek, and we can hang out. Spend time together."

I force a smile. "I'd like that, Bree."

The server brings our standard continental breakfast, and Dave and Brock order their standard American breakfast to supplement it. I'm good with the croissants. She brought baguettes today as well, which are surprisingly good slathered with butter and jam.

I'm loving French cuisine, and I'd love to explore more of it, but I guess Dave and I can have lunch today during our stroll on the Champs-élysées.

Then we'll both have to come back here, pack up our stuff, and leave.

I take a bite of croissant, enjoying the flakiness and buttery flavor.

And I wonder how I can be so happy and so sad at the same time.

And then something occurs to me that I've been trying like hell not to think about.

This afternoon… I'm going to have to set foot on a plane. I thought I had a couple of months to get used to the idea of flying again.

Turns out, I have a couple of hours.

My nerves do the chicken dance under my skin, and it's not pleasant.