Book One: Young Love

Don't Say Good-bye

It was a rare treat for Melissa to have Saturday evening free to spend with JC. What made it even better was they had the house to themselves, since Aunt Liz was gone for the weekend. She had made a light supper and then they retired to her bedroom. JC made slow, delicious love to her, taking his time to give her ultimate pleasure. Afterwards, they lay in each other’s arms. As much time as they were able to have that night, Melissa was strangely quiet.

“Baby, something wrong?” JC asked as he nuzzled her in the aftermath.

She said nothing, snuggling closer.

“We can talk about anything, sweetness.”

“Can we?”

“Sure.”

She still hesitating, biting her lower lip, as was her nervous habit. “I’m leaving Orlando in a month,” she finally said quietly.

It took a moment for her words to sink in, then he bolted into sitting position. “Leaving? How can you just up and leave?” he demanded angrily.

“I’ve got the scholarship I was hoping for. I can’t pass it up.” Tucking the sheet around her breasts, she sat up, touching his arm. “Josh, you knew I was saving for school.”

“I thought you’d go around here.”

“Orlando can’t offer me what I need.”

“You can’t just up and leave me, Mel,” he told her.

“I’m sorry, Josh. I have to,” she whispered, trying very hard not to cry.

“But you said you love me,” he reminded her, tossing it at her like an accusation.

“I do love you. But we’re teenagers. So much can change in even a few months time and my opportunity would be lost—“

“I am not just gonna fall out of love.”

“You have so much to accomplish with your music, Josh. I’d just hold you back.”

“You aren’t doing this for me.”

“No, but part of me knows you’ll need freedom to do what you have to do for your career.”

JC got out of bed and starting yanking on his clothes. He could barely see through the blur of tears. Damn her! She was ripping the heart right out of his chest!

“Josh, we have a month—“

“Why prolong the agony?” he growled. Stomping into his shoes, he called, “Good-bye!” as he headed for the door.

Hearing the front door slam, Melissa crumpled to the pillows. This was not the way she had meant it to end – with JC hating her.

During the drive home, JC kept swiping at his eyes. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine Melissa would leave him to go to school. He’d been living in a fool’s paradise, thinking she cared enough to stay with him forever. A girl like her had a lot to offer. He was just a boy with a dream of making music. He had nothing to offer, only his love.

“You’re home early,” his father commented when JC came in. Immediately, Roy Chasez saw that his son had been crying. “What happened?”

“Mel…She’s leaving for school…I mean nothing to her…She won’t stay…” JC blurted out between heart-wrenching sobs.

“Calm down, son—“

JC tossed his car keys on the sideboard and ran to his room. He spotted the picture of Melissa and him on the bedside stand. They looked so happy together. “Lies!…All lies!” He picked up the frame and dashed it against the wall, then threw himself on the bed. That night, he cried himself to sleep.

Late Monday afternoon, the regular group had gathered to decide what the wanted to do that evening. JC didn’t know why he had bothered to come. He just didn’t feel like being alone. When he was alone, he thought too much about Melissa breaking his heart.

“Whoa! Does Mel look that bad?” Joey asked of JC’s sullen, tired countenance.

“I have no idea,” JC snapped.

“Oh-oh, lovers’ spat.”

“Mel and I are finished. Don’t bring it up again.”

“Oh-kay…”

A few minutes later, Kelly came up to them. “Nice to know Mel isn’t the only rough looking one.”

”They broke up,” Joey informed her.

“That’s not exactly the way it went, is it, JC?” Kelly asked.

“She’s leaving,” JC answered.

“She gave herself a month to say good-bye—“

“I don’t need a month to get left behind, “ JC told her gruffly.

“Good. ‘Cuz she’s leaving tonight.”

JC stared at Kelly. “What?” he demanded.

Kelly shrugged. “She decided to leave early to look for work, since she quit her job here to spend more time you. She has no reason to stay.” She looked at her watch. “She should be arriving at the airport about now.”

“No!” JC went running for the door.

JC scanned the airport for that one sweet face. Please, God, don’t let me be too late, he prayed. Then he spotted her, third in line to check in her luggage. “Mel!”

Melissa turned to see him, her tear-washed eyes met his. “Josh?”

Running to her, he cupped her face, kissing her softly. “Don’t go yet. Please, baby. Give me that month.” He pressed his forehead to hers, his tears mingling with hers on her cheeks. “Please, Mel.”

“Maybe I should go. I don’t wanna hurt you even more.”

“No, baby. Please. I wanna love you till we have to let go.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. I am very sure.”

Melissa managed a timid smile. “Okay.”

JC grinned, wiping at his eyes. “Okay then.” He grabbed up her bags. “Let’s go.”

Every spare moment JC had belonged to Melissa. They played the tourists together: seeing Disney World as visitors, going to Universal Studios. They went to the beach. They took day-trips. Melissa took along her camera, capturing all she could on film – and they made love. Tender, desperate love.

JC’s eighteenth birthday party was a bittersweet event. Many of his old friends had come to celebrate the milestone, his passage into manhood. But what loomed larger was that the end of August, Melissa would leave him for college. As he moved through the throng of people, he kept her hand firmly in his, like he was staking his claim to this girl. He knew it was a possessive jerk thing to do, like saying, ‘she’s mine, look but don’t dare touch’. She seemed to understand his need and didn’t balk. She simply smiled and played the part of the besotted girlfriend for his benefit.

“Are we ready for cake?” Karen Chasez asked and received enthusiastic affirmations from the partygoers. “I’ll have you all know Melissa made and decorated this cake all by herself.”

JC turned surprised eyes to Melissa. “Thanks, baby.”

“You haven’t seen it or tasted it yet,” she murmured.

Someone flipped the light switch off as Karen entered the room carrying a sheet cake illuminated by 18 candles. She set the cake on the table in front of JC. The decorations were a clever motif of music and Disney. Everyone sang happy birthday.

“Blow out the candles, Josh,” his mother prompted. “And make a wish.”

“And don’t waste that wish on me,” Melissa warned softly.

JC couldn’t help himself. His wish was for her to stay with him. Taking a deep breath, he blew out the candles amidst the whoops and cheers.

“It’s a beautiful cake, sweetness,” he told her as the lights came back up. “You are a girl of many talents.”

Taking a bit of the frosting of the tip of her finger, she offered him a first taste.

He wished others hadn’t surrounded them; then he could have lingered tasting her as well as the icing. He had to be content with a quick flick of the tongue to remove the fluffy white confection from her finger. “Good.”

Karen cut the cake, offering the first slice to JC.

He took a few bites. The cake was delicious. He offered a bite to Melissa, who shook her head. “It’s wonderful, baby.”

“I tasted enough of it while I was putting it together.”

“Looks, brains, dances and sings – and now, she cooks, too!” Joey called out. “She’s a keeper!”

“I wish I could keep you,” JC whispered, a little sparkle taken from the occasion.

“I think I’ll murder that moron – and put us all out of our misery,” Melissa growled lowly. “The insensitive son of a—“

“Whoa!” JC chuckled at her vehemence.

“I’m sorry, Josh. I love you so much and he’s—“

He kissed her softly. “It’s okay, baby.”

“No, it’s not.”

He took a dab of frosting and smeared it on the tip of her up-turned nose. Leaning close, he licked it of. “Mmm…this has possibilities.”

“Not in front of an audience.”

“I wasn’t thinking about now.”

She grinned. “Not in my bed. How would I explain the mess to Aunt Liz?”

“Ready to open gifts, Josh?” his mother called across the room.

“Sure, Mom!”

“Josh, my gift—“ Melissa started.

“Is you.” JC took her hand. “C’mon.”

After the guests had departed, Melissa helped Karen clear away the mess while JC listened to his new portable disc player. At one point, Karen nudged Melissa and indicated she should look up. Whatever JC was listening to had to have a long guitar riff as he was playing air-guitar as he danced around. The two females grinned, stopping to watch.

JC glanced up to see his audience. Sheepishly, he removed the earphones. “Uh, hi.”

“We were enjoying the show, weren’t we, Mrs. Chasez?” Melissa asked innocently.

“Tremendously.”

“Are you taking requests?” Melissa asked of JC.

“Mel—“

“How about a request from me?” Karen asked.

“Sure, Mom.”

“Why don’t you take Melissa home?”

“But I was—“ Melissa protested. There was still more cleaning up to do.

“I can finish up. You did the cake. You did most of the decorating. And you sent out the invitations. You’ve done more than you’re fair share.”

“I did it for Josh—“

“I know. And you were wonderful about pulling it all together. Go rest on your laurels.” To her son, Karen said, “Take her home.”

“Yes, ma’am.” JC grabbed Melissa’s hand and tugged her towards the door. “Mom has spoken, Mel. You might as well give in.”

“Good-night, Mrs. Chasez!” Melissa called as she was hauled out of the apartment.

JC put Melissa between him and the car. Grabbing her hands and entwining their fingers, he rested them at the small of her back. He leaned down to kiss her. He’d only meant a teasing peck. When she opened readily for him, he drove his tongue into her mouth aggressively, taking in all her sweetness.

“Josh,” she whimpered helplessly as his mouth skated along her jaw and down her neck.

“I love the taste of you.” He nibbled at her neck, making her tremble.

“Should we be doing this here?”

With a frustrated sigh, he released her. “No.” He opened the car door for her. “In you go.” Once she was seated, he slammed the door closed and got in on the driver’s side.

“Blue-eyes, I’m sorry—“

“No, I’m sorry.” He started the car and pulled away from the curb. “I shouldn’t be mauling you in front of the apartment.”

“You weren’t ‘mauling’ me. You never have. You’ve been very gentle and caring of me.”

“Sometimes…I just wanna lose it, ya know? Let everything I feel just come out and take over… Not worry if we’re caught…Not worry about what others think…Not wear a damned condom…” he growled unhappily.

“I’m sorry, Josh. I didn’t know you felt such a constraint,” she said softly.

The hurt in her voice was not lost on him and he immediately felt chastened. Why in the hell did her feel the need to unload on her? Melissa had done everything she possible could to make his birthday special. Just because he had a high load of testosterone didn’t mean he had to dump on her. “No, I’m the one who needs to apologize, sweetness.” Guiding the car into a parking spot, he reached for her and drew her close. “I’m lucky someone like you loves me. I thank God everyday that you came into my life. The fact that you’re willing to share your body, to let me become part of you for that short time, well, that’s outa this world.”

“Do you really mind using condoms?” she asked in a small voice.

“No guy likes it, but I know it’s the right thing to do.” He stroked her hair. “And I told you I would. It’s more than worth it to me, to love you.”

Melissa tilted her face up to meet his eyes under the streetlights’ glow. “What’s really wrong, Josh?”

“Every teenager can hardly wait to turn eighteen. I was champing at the bit for it myself – but now that means you’re one week closer to leaving me. I wanna say, ‘Stop! I need more time!’, but the calendar keeps changing days.”

“I should have left before. You wouldn’t be hurting this way. Maybe I should leave—“

“No! No, Mel, promise you won’t leave early.”

“But, Josh—“

“No. Please, baby, I want these next few weeks.”

“So, do I,” she whispered against his lips.

JC covered her mouth hungrily, desperately. “Mel…” His hand slipped beneath her blouse to caress her ribs. “Baby, I want you tonight…”

“Aunt Liz is home.”

“The cove’s too far.”

Her hand dropped to the front of his jeans. “I can take care of you,” she offered.

“No. I want you, to be inside you.”

They’d never done it in the car and Melissa wasn’t big on the idea of being a contortionist. Still, she understood the very real need he had to be connected with her. For him, she’d do what she had to do. “Can you find a secluded spot?”

“I know a couple.”

She smiled bravely. “We only need one.”

JC lifted his head. “You mean?…”

“Get us there.”

JC dropped his head back as he sucked air into his oxygen-starved lungs. What a wild ride! He smoothed his hand down the panting Melissa’s back as she rested against his chest. He pressed her closer. His baby had to be one of a kind. When they had arrived, they had climbed into the back seat. She had slipped out of her clothes and moved astride him.

“Baby, if I live to be a hundred, with our great-grandchildren running around, I’ll remember this night.” He’d been surprised when she had lowered herself on him without bothering with protection. It felt so hot and wonderful to feel himself inside her. It was much better than any fantasy he could have spun! Taking her face between his hands, he kissed her softly. “Thank you, sweetness.”

It was worth it to see him so happy, Melissa decided. Aunt Liz would lecture her on the foolishness of what she had done, if she were to find out. What mattered to Melissa was JC. “Did it feel that different?”

“Yeah. I can’t describe it. I just felt more of all of it. I know it sounds crazy…”

She grabbed her blouse to slip it on, not bothering with her bra. “I think it is blatantly unfair that I have to get naked and all you have to do is open your shirt and pants,” she teased.

Smiling, JC straightened and helped her button her blouse. “There’s more of you to see, Mel.” He located her shorts and underwear. “Sweetness, you took a big risk. If you – uh – find out – uh – that you’re…” he trailed off.

Melissa wiggled and shimmied into her shorts, then sat back on his lap. “If I’m pregnant, I’ll let you know. That’s a promise.” If they made a baby, everything else was null and void. The child had to come first.

He sighed, “I almost wish you were.” He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

“We’re too young.”

“Mel—“

“As nice as this is, I think you’d better get me home.” Breaking the embrace, she got out of the car.

JC followed once he fastened his jeans. He opened her door but blocked her path. “Thanks for giving me the one thing only you could give me on my birthday.”

“I only gave you what I wanted to, Josh.”

He slid his arms around her, needing to hold her close to his heart. “Melly…” He could feel tears threaten. Their time was so short. “I just wanna hold you like this forever.”

“Mmm…It is wonderful, isn’t it?” Her arms went around his slim waist. She knew very well his mother was probably wondering what was taking him so long to run his girlfriend home. Right at that moment, it didn’t seem to matter; his need did. “I love you,” she whispered in his ear.

He shivered with her warm breath in his ear. “Mel, that makes me nuts…”

“What are you gonna do about it? Her lips touched his ear as she spoke. She felt him grow hard against her belly.

“Grab the blanket outa the back and have you right here,” he muttered.

“Okay.”

“Mel?” JC rose up on one elbow as they lazed on the beach one afternoon.

“Hmm?”

He picked up a handful of sand and slowly let it trickle onto her bare mid-drift. “I’ve been thinking…”

“That’s dangerous,” she mused.

He chuckled. “Brat.” Another scoop of warm sand sifted through his fingers.

“You planning to bury me one handful at a time?”

“No, baby.” He brushed the sand away to rest his hand on her warm flesh. “I love you, Mel.”

“I love you, too, blue-eyes.”

“I could come with you, Mel. I could get a job in L.A. We could be together.”

“You’re only eighteen, Josh. You have a job here.”

“But I love you.”

“I know, baby.” She stroked his wavy hair. “And because we really do love each other, we’ve gotta let go.”

“Marry me.”

She smiled sadly. “Ask me in another six years or so, then I’ll say ‘yes’.”

“I’m holding you to that.”

“I promise I won’t love anyone else the way I love you right now,” she told him.

“And nobody’ll ever love you like I do.”

JC rang the doorbell at Liz Cargill’s house. It was the last Saturday he would have with Melissa. Boldly, he had told his parents he wouldn’t be home until very late. He wanted as much time with her as possible before she flew off to school. Then he’d have to sustain himself with letters and phone calls. Hopefully, they could afford to fly her home during breaks and holidays.

When the door swung open, the sight that greeted him stole the air from his lungs. Melissa stood before him in a bronze satin nightgown that reached to her naked toes. Her glorious hair fell over one shoulder. She looked like a goddess – or an engraved invitation.

“Come on in, blue-eyes.”

Stepping passed her, into the living room, he turned to face her – only to discover that the back of the gown didn’t exist! The thin spaghetti straps that held it up in the front, criss-crossed her back and connected at her waist.

“What?” she asked when she turned to see his stunned expression.

“You gotta know how sexy you are.”

Going to him, she ran her hands up his chest and linked them behind his neck to urge his head down. “I wanted to make this night special.”

“Anytime we have is special, sweetness.”

“Extra special then.” Her mouth reached for his.

Lowering his mouth over hers, he wrapped one arm around her shoulders and the other around her waist. He pulled her tightly to him, cradling her against his body as he kissed her again and again. When he felt the buds of her breasts harden, the hand at her waist slid around front, cupping one plump delight, while his thumb strummed over the nipple. At her helpless whimper, he scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom, never breaking the kiss. The bed was ready, the blankets pulled back, and their box of condoms sat on her nightstand. Gently, he lay her down and for a few moments simply gazed down at her – her eyes lambent, her lips swollen from his kisses.

“What, Josh?”

“Just drinking in the sight of you, Mel. You’re so damned beautiful – inside and out.”

“I love you, too,” she whispered, holding her arms out to him.

Removing his tee-shirt, he dropped it to the floor, then moved onto the bed, coming over her. He smoothed her hair as he looked into her eyes. “Okay. What’s wrong?”

“Why do you ask?” She was biting her lower lip, his tip-off.

“You’re talking to the guy who loves you, Mel. Give me some credit.”

“Josh, can we not talk about it until later?”

“Don’t you mean wait until I make love to you and I’ll be so blissed-out that I’ll forget?”

“Mmm-hmm. I was kinda hoping…”

He leaned forward to kiss her. “Spill, Melissa.”

“I don’t want you to get mad at me again.”

“You’re leaving early?”

“No…”

“You decided to stay?” He grinned down at her. That would be a wish come true!

“No…”

“Umm…” He thought about it some more. “You’re pregnant?”

“No!”

“Oooh…that one was pretty vehement.” JC sighed, “Just tell me, baby. I don’t wanna play twenty questions all night. We got better things to do.”

“You’ll get mad and leave.”

“I promise I won’t get mad and leave.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“Mel!

She touched his face as if trying to memorize his dear, sweet features. “I really do love you, blue-eyes, but I think this is for the best.” She qualified the statement she was about to make.

He felt a knife twist in his chest. Whatever she was going to say was going to hurt like hell. Still he had to hold onto his temper as he had said he would.

“When I leave, I think we should make a clean break.”

“What?” he roared. He sat back on his heels, numb with disbelief.

“I told you you’d get mad!” she sobbed and put her back to him.

“I’m not mad exactly. I’m stunned.” He moved to snuggle against her back, placing soft kisses on her shoulder. “Why, baby? Can you tell me why?”

“I think in a year or two, you’ll have to be making some big decisions career-wise. I don’t want to interfere.”

“I love you. How could you possibly interfere?”

“You’ll be making decisions with me in mind and not doing what is really best for you. Show business is so fickle; you could miss an opportunity because of me. You need to be free.”

He pressed his face against her neck, his tears falling on the front of her gown. “I don’t wanna be free of you, Melly,” he whispered hoarsely.

Turning within his arms, Melissa kissed his tears away. “It’ll be for the best. You don’t think so now—“

“I love you, Mel.”

“I love you, too, Josh, but we have to let go.”

“Promise me a couple of things.”

“If I can.”

“If you decide you made a mistake, you’ll call me.”

“Okay. I promise.”

“And when you go, don’t say good-bye.”

“I promise, I won’t say good-bye.”

He swiped at his remaining tears. “God, you probably think I’m a baby, bawling all over you.”

“No. I think you are a fine, very sensitive, caring, young man.”

For a moment, they gazed into each other’s eyes. The pain, the sorrow, the love shone all too clearly.

JC finally lowered his head for a soft kiss. “I love you, baby girl,” he whispered. One kiss led to another, becoming more and more hungry, desperate. He slid the straps of her gown off her shoulders. Skating his mouth down her throat, he placed opened-mouthed kisses along her collarbone and the exposed tops of her breasts. He tugged on the straps until her breasts were bared.

Melissa pulled her arms from the straps that had trapped them.

“You made this easy enough,” he mused as he swept the gown off the rest of the way, sending it to meet his shirt on the floor.

“I didn’t want to make it difficult.”

Starting at her ankles, he trailed his fingers lightly up her legs, over her hips, along her ribs, until the cupped and fondled her breasts. “You’re so beautiful, Mel. I’ve never quite believed you were mine.”

She ran her hands up his arms to his shoulders. “I am so yours, Josh.”

“For a little while longer, at least.”

She shook her head. “I think, I’ll always be yours.”

“Then I’ll find you again someday,” he promised.

“I’ll be waiting.” She moved her hands from his shoulders, down his chest, over his abdomen. Finding he fastenings of his jeans, she opened them. “One of us is wearing too much.”

JC grinned as he discarded his clothing and returned to her. “Are all girls this bold?”

“I don’t know. Is that bad?”

“No, baby. It’s beautiful. You don’t play games with me. You put it all out there.”

“It’s the way I am.”

“Another reason I love you.”

JC kissed her lips, her eyes, her temple, her cheeks, and her chin. “You’re mine, Melissa,” he told her firmly. “No one will love you more.”

With hands and mouth, he courted her body until she was writhing, begging him to come to her. Sheathing himself, he entered her slowly. When she had adjusted to him, he lifted her legs to wrap around his. He linked his fingers with hers. As he slowly thrust in and out of her tight center, he kept his eyes locked on hers. He was connected to her in every way he possibly could.

“Mmm…Josh…”

When she started to close her eyes, he commanded, “Keep looking at me, baby.”

Melissa gazed up into his hot blue gazed and smiled at the extra intimacy of the moment.

“You feeling it, Mel?”

“Oh, yes!”

He quickened his pace.

“Josh, baby, I can’t…” Her eyes drifted shut as her body tensed for the final waves of pleasure.

JC closed his mouth over hers, drinking in her whimpers and cries as she rushed head long into rapture, her release triggering his.

After a long moment, he opened his eyes to see her crying. “Did I hurt you, Melly?”

“No,” she whispered. “I’m missing you already, blue-eyes.”

“You can stay, baby. I’m eighteen now. We’ll get married—“

“No, I won’t do that to you.”

Releasing her hands, he eased away, disposing of the used condom. He sat on the edge of the bed, trying to rein in his emotions. Part of him knew she was probably right – he would need freedom to pursue his dreams. But were his dreams worth losing Melissa? Knowing he would sacrifice for her, she had taken the decision from him.

Melissa got to her knees behind him. She began kissing his neck, then nipped at his ear lobe and sucking on it, making certain her breath tickled his ear.

“Oh, God, Mel—“

“That makes you nuts,” she finished for him.

“Yeah.”

“Come back to bed, baby.”

JC lay back on the pillow.

She propped up on one elbow to look at him. Reaching out, she traced his facial features with a light finger. “You’re gonna break hearts someday,” she predicted.

“You already do.” He knew his was breaking at the thought of being left behind.

“I’m sorry. I wish I knew how to do this without hurting you.”

“The only way that could happen is if we’d never seen each other. I loved you at first sight.”

“I know. Me too – or I wouldn't have stayed at your side all night, trying to get you to notice me.”

“I noticed you, all right.”

“How was I to know I was dealing with a terribly shy guy?”

“The way I stammered when you looked at me.”

Melissa leaned forward to kiss him tenderly.

JC wrapped an arm around her to hold her against him. Lifting his head, he kissed her. “If I only have until Monday to love on you, I’d better get busy.”

“I guess you’d better.”

His voice was husky when he said, “Then c’mere, baby,” and tightened his arm to urge her even closer.

The night before Melissa was to leave, JC told his parents he would not be coming home that night. There was no way he would leave her side until she got on that jet the following morning. The Chasezes held back their disapproval, knowing their son needed to say his final farewell to his first love. They had seen Melissa with JC. There was little doubt that she was leaving him behind out of a greater love than he suspected. It would have been easier for her emotionally to succumb to his pleas for her to stay.

“Hey, baby,” JC said to Melissa when she opened the door that evening. Gone was the perky greeting; he was solemn.

“Come on in, Josh.” She closed the door behind him and watched him just stand there in the living room, his back to her, duffle bag in his grip. Not saying a word, she leaned back against the door, waiting for him to do or say something.

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” he said quietly.

“I know. Me, too.”

“I’m gonna bawl like a baby.”

“We both will.”

“I love you, Melissa.”

“I love you, Joshua.”

Finally, he turned to face her, tears rolling unchecked down his cheeks. “I don’t know if I can do this, Mel. It hurts too bad.”

“We’ll get through it together, Josh.”

He dropped his bag and opened his arms to her. “C’mere. I need to hold you.”

She went to him, burying her face in his shirtfront as he crushed her to him.

“I wish we hadn’t used condoms. I wish you were pregnant and I could make you stay. I want to make you stay, Melly. I don’t want you to leave me. I want you to promise to stay.”

“I can’t do that, Josh. You know I can’t.”

“Lie to me. Just for tonight.”

“No.”

JC sighed heavily. Melissa was nothing if not honest. He loved it about her.

“Josh, you can say good-bye right now and go home. Maybe it would be easier for you,” she suggested quietly.

“No. I’m gonna spend every minute with you I can.”

“But if—“

“I am not going now. Just forget that,” he told her firmly.

“I never should have gone with you that first night. I should have gone with Joey—“

“Shut up!” he snapped.

The anger in his voice hurt and she pulled away. Putting her back to him, she attempted to hide her tears.

Realizing what he had done, he went to her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. “I couldn’t have watched you with someone else. It would have killed me.”

“But you wouldn’t be suffering now.”

“Shh…Baby, I’m sorry. These last six months…You’ve meant the world to me. You’ve been my love and my lover. I don’t regret any of it – except your leaving.”

“But, Josh—“

JC’s mouth unerringly found that spot on her neck that made her knees weak. When she slumped back against him, he scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom. He set her to her feet by the bed and silently undressed her. Urging her to lay back, he ate her up with his eyes as he stripped out of his own clothing. When he was finished, he went to her open arms.

“I hope you aren’t planning on getting a lot of sleep,” he told her as he touched his lips to her cheek. “I plan on lovin’ you till dawn.” And he started with tender kisses.

JC rose from the bed and went to the living room. When he returned, he brought in his bag and had a jeweler’s box in his other hand.

When Melissa spotted the box, she frowned. “Josh—“

“Don’t scold, baby,” he said as he rejoined her in bed. “I wanted you to have something to remember me by.”

“I already have that. You’re my first lover—“

“I want to be your only lover.” It was unreasonable and he knew it.

“I don’t have anything for you—“

“You gave me something you could only give once, Mel.” He ran his hand gently over her hair. “I’d give you the world if I could.”

“I don’t want the world, Josh. I just want you,” she whispered helplessly.

It helped some that it wasn’t easy for her to leave him behind. “You have me, sweetness.” He kissed her softly then handed her the box.

“I feel guilty—“

“Don’t.”

She slowly lifted the lid. Inside was a gold locket etched with two entwined hearts. “It’s lovely.”

“Read the back.”

Holding it up, she read the engraved words. “Mel. Love forever. Josh.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Baby, it’s wonderful.”

JC took the locket and opened it. “See? Pictures of you and me. When it’s closed, we’re kissing.”

She smiled through her tears.” Thank you, Josh.”

“I couldn’t afford a fancy, expensive one—“

Melissa pressed her fingers to his lips to silence him. “It’s perfect. I love it. I’ll keep it with me always.”

“Put it on,” he commanded.

“Do the honors?” She turned so he could fasten the delicate chain around her neck. The locket hung between the tops of her breasts.

“I’ll be close to your heart all the time,” he remarked when she turned back.

“You’d be there without the locket,” she assured him.

He touched the entwined hearts. “That’s us.”

“Thank you, baby.” Melissa kissed him deeply, spearing her fingers into his hair.

JC laid her back, coming over her. “I wanna love you, Melly.”

“Oh, yes, blue-eyes.”

The trip to the airport passed in silence. Both of them were lost in their separate misery. JC was somehow praying for a last minute reprieve. Part of him was in denial; Melissa couldn’t possibly be leaving him. When somebody says she loves you, she’s supposed to stay. That’s how it was supposed to be. Once in a while, he’d look over at her. She was staring blankly out the window, studiously avoiding his eyes.

Once at the airport, he carried her bags to check in. Now, all they had to do was wait for her flight to be called.

“You’ve hardly talked to me all morning,” JC pointed out.

“I don’t know what to say that won’t make it worse,” she confessed.

“Then just let me hold you.” He put his arms around her, pressing her close.

Their hearts thudded together in the same panicked beat, breaking a little more with each minute that came closer to her departure.

Their eyes shed the same salty tears.

Her flight was called – they both stiffened.

When Melissa didn’t pull away, JC relaxed a little.

They called her flight a second time.

“I have to go, Josh,” she whispered against his lips.

“I know.” His arms tightened around her.

“I really have to go.”

“I love you, Mel.”

“I love you, too, baby, but you’ve got to let go now.”

“I don’t want to.” Tears trickled unchecked down his cheeks.

“Blue-eyes, don’t.” Melissa was losing her own battle with tears. “You’ll be okay. You’ll see. You’ve got a great big world out there just waiting to hear your music.” She kissed his softly, then gained her release. “Take care of yourself.”

JC watched her disappear – she was gone. Removed from his existence as if she had never been – except the gaping hole in his chest where his heart had been.