After lobster rolls and a movie a few days later, Skylar and I were strolling through the streets of Gloucester. We were holding hands, doing the "normal" dating thing. And it was great . . . other than my persistent need to check lampposts, windowsills, and every godforsaken shadow.

A few blocks away from my apartment, Skylar suddenly emitted a gasp as if the greatest idea ever had just dawned on her. "We should totally go on a road trip!"

"What?" I replied. "I'm totally working next week even if you're not." I cast an amused sideways glance at her and squeezed her hand, assuming that would be the end of the conversation. But she had this undeterred scrunch to her face.

"Do you really want me to spend the week in Connecticut, facing the 'what happened to Sam' inquisition?"

Good point.

I didn't want her to think about him, talk about him, allude to him, or remember him. And I didn't want to either. "You could stay at my place," I offered.

"All week, alone and feeling sorry for myself? C'mon. It'll be fun. The worst your boss could say is 'no.'"

I had never asked for time off before. The concept was foreign to me. "It's a little short notice." It was Wednesday evening and she was talking about the following week.

"Please?" She pranced in front of me, and while walking backwards, she gave me the biggest, saddest pout I've ever beheld. "We can spend Easter on a beach somewhere warmer than here." Then her arms were around my neck and we tripped to a stop by the side of a brick building. "I have the perfect bikini," she practically sang to me. "And . . . we can make some memories in every state we visit."

"Memories, huh?" She shrugged, prim and proper, and then she laid one on me, a kiss so tempting I would have followed her to the end of the earth. "All right," I conceded, as if I even had a choice. "I'll find a way."

We walked slower after that, but closer to each other, knowing the night was about to end early. In front of my building, I pulled her into a hug. "Are you sure you can't stay?"

"Sorry. Not tonight. I have A TON of papers to grade by Friday. But I'll see you then? Five o'clock on the docks, all packed and ready?"

I agreed and walked her to her sexy black Jaguar. "You gonna let me drive this baby?"

She slipped inside and made the engine purr to life. "I'm not doing all the driving." She winked at me. "But I doubt you'll drive as fast as I do."

"We'll see about that. . . ."

I shut the door for her, patted the roof, and waved when I caught her eye in the mirror.

Watching her drive away made me realize how spoiled I was. Skylar had been staying at my place for four nights in a row. We didn't necessarily get to sleep early and then she had to wake up before sunrise to get to work on time. She was probably exhausted and sick of the long drive.

I still wished she could have stayed because I missed her as soon as I went inside. It was only 9:30 and I had no idea what to do with myself for the next two nights. I didn't think I would make it to Friday without her, but I had something great to look forward to. And that would get me through it. Things could be a whole lot worse.