“I’m

the one who’s supposed to be protecting someone, not you. Summer, whether you like it or not, we’re all in this together, we decided that when we stepped on to that plane. You can either accept it or keep trying to deny it, but either way, it’s true and we’re not
going anywhere.”

“Zane,” I started after a moment of silence, “Can you come down here?” While waiting for him to respond, I carefully laid back down onto my bed, dropping the note onto the floor as I went.

“To your room?” he asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice, “Do you think your mom would-”

“I just don’t want to be alone,” I interrupted as I stared out the open window, admiring the star’s beauty from my window pane.

“I’m on my way,” he assured me, his voice full of protection and love and in less than a minute I heard his soft knock at my door. “I’m sorry,” he murmured with a frown as he pulled me close, “You really don’t deserve any of this.”

“I’m glad all of this has happened,” I whispered into his shirt as I felt his fingers begin to comb themselves through my hair, “because without all this pain, I would’ve never met you.” Zane smiled warmly at me for a moment then leaned down and gently brushed his lips against mine.

“I’m sorry I’ve brought you pain,” Zane whispered as he stared down at me, our bodies so close I was almost certain he could hear my racing heart beating.

“Don’t be,” I responded breathlessly as I stood on my toes to kiss his lips gently. At first, his shoulders were tense, tight with anxiety but they turned gentle as he wrapped me up in his arms and held me. I didn’t want the kiss to end, I wanted it to go on forever, for it to replace all of the bad, and for it to take away any pain or hurt. But Zane seemed too stressed to simply let go of our problems for the night and he reluctantly broke the kiss, pulling away and shattering my illusion like broken glass.

“It’s late,” he whispered as he glanced at the door apprehensively, and I could tell from his expression that he was worried we would get caught.

“Please don’t go,” I begged, “I meant what I said before, I don’t want to be alone, I’m not sure if I can handle it right now. I’m not flirting, or getting you to stay the night

, I just want the comfort of knowing that the man I love is sleeping right beside me.” Zane’s tense eyes instantly softened and he pulled me close once more and kissed my hair gently.

“I won’t ever leave you alone; you’ll never be alone, not as long as I have something to do with it.”

“So you’ll stay?” I prodded as I blinked innocently up at him.

“Yes,” he emitted, “I’ll stay.” A loving smile played on his lips as he sauntered over to my closet and produced an old wool blanket. Seeing me just standing there watching him, he shot me a mocking smile and shook his head, “Go on! It’s late, get sleeping,” he tisked as he stretched out on the floor next to my bed.

“I love you,” I whispered as I pulled the blankets around my up under my chin and smiled down at him.

“And I love you,” he declared with a flirtatious grin before laying his head down on his pillow. With a tiny sigh, I tried to clear my mind and drift into sleep, but something kept prodding at my mind. Snapping my eyes open, I leaned over the side of the bed and gazed down at Zane. “Yes?” he asked as he propped himself up on one elbow to listen in.

“Tonight, has been…indescribable. If I had to put it into words, I’d have to describe it has a phenomenon, a magnificent miracle, but even those wouldn’t describe it to its fullest. I am, no doubt, madly, crazily, and sometimes stupidly, in love with you, Zane VanLouge, and I realize that this ring only enforces that. But I want you to know, whether we get married tomorrow or ten years from now, I will never

stop loving you.” I reached down gracefully and gently grasped his hand with mine. His skin was warm against mine and his eyes sparkled with pride and absolute undying love as he bent forward and kissed the top of my hand.