The afternoon drive is mostly quiet and when Finn stops for fuel, I am relieved to get out and stretch my legs. I have tried--and failed--to stop thinking about mystery girl Lilah so rather than dwell on the unanswered questions, I've managed to at least push her into the back of my mind. So far, this approach is working and I'm able to drive myself a little less crazy.

While Finn pumps the gas, I head inside in search of something to munch on and find it rather quickly. The Milk Duds which are neighbours to the Junior Mints and I stare blankly at both wonder which is the better option. Despite being absolutely opposite in flavour it's a predicament. I stare into oblivion and try to determine if I want the zesty, minty goo surrounded by succulent dark chocolate or the sticky sweet caramels until Finn's voice cuts off my inner debate.

"Go with the mints," he says confidently.

"Mints, huh?"

He scratches his jaw in contemplation and follows with a sly smile. "Yes," he says, "mints. That way, when I spend hours kissing you later, you'll taste good for me. Definitely the mints."

"I beg your pardon? That's totally presumptuous, assuming I'll let you kiss me," I scoff. In defiance, I grab the Milk Duds off the shelf and stick my tongue out like an insolent child.

"Careful," he warns. He takes the Junior Mints from the shelf and snatches my Milk Duds from my hands. Once he's got both, he marches to the till and says over his shoulder, "Sticking out your tongue is an open invitation and you never know what kind of trouble that could bring."

I roll my eyes and head to the cooler for a chocolate milk while he leans against the counter and picks up a magazine. He brings it to his face and pretends to be reading--unless of course he's taken a sudden interest in scrapbooking. I stifle a laugh, looking at him in dark denim and a black shirt all pierced and tattooed reading a guide to scrapbooking pictures. His eyes peer over the edge of the magazine and if Finn were a cartoon there'd be a sparkling glint in them. The gas station is quickly filling with a crowd of travellers and I know in the very pit of my stomach that he's scheming. He's plotting something to make me blush.

I turn my attention back to the cooler thinking that if I ignore him, he'll stop whatever it is he's planning. That the wheels in his brain will stop turning so fast that I can't keep up but secretly I know he's going to make my heart soar and my soul smile. From the corner of my eye, I can see him close the magazine and place it back in the holder.

Ah hell. Here we go.

Despite my own inner protests, my body turns toward him like a magnet that's helpless to his charms.

He clears his throat, getting the attention of fellow petrol purchasers and then yells at the top of his lungs. "Hey baby!"

A couple of teenage girls start to giggle.

I sigh but really, I can't help but play along. It's like an itch I have to scratch. "Yeah Finn?" I say, equally as loud.

"How long will you love me for?"

I glance around. Patrons have amused smiles on their faces, some of the women are blushing, the men are all focused on me probably to see what kind of girl would make a guy crazy enough to proclaim his love in a gas station, but this, this is Finn and nothing about him has changed. And I love it. I love him. I love the two of us together.

"I'll love you just about until forever, Finn."

He gives a satisfied smirk. "Hey baby!"

"Yes Finn?"

"I'll love you until forever, maybe even longer than that." He leaves the Milk Duds and the Junior Mints at the counter, walks proudly over and grabs my chin with his hand, planting a huge kiss on my lips. There are some ooh's and ahh's and a couple of manly yeah's and I have never loved or wanted anyone more in my entire life.

His kiss erases my anxiety about everything. The last twelve hours dissolve into nothing and I know beyond any doubts that my dreams of writing and of Finn outweigh any risks.

I'm done being hypersensitive, I am done over-analyzing, I'm done obsessing. I will live for the moment and in the moment -- just like Finn does because it feels amazing. It feels right.

The crowd begins to applaud and as Finn pulls away, he grins and says, "I told you to get the Junior Mints."

Back in the car, it's like my smile is being kept in place with contact cement. The feeling of anticipation about my future is no longer something to fear. It's exciting and I can't wait to begin it. Tomorrow, we'll be in Los Angeles and I'll be able to say that I did it. That I surged forward and gave it all I had no matter what happens.

Finn puts his hand on my knee. "Laney, can I be serious for a second?"

I pop a Junior Mint in my mouth and nod. "Yeah," I say. "Of course."

"I know that all of this is happening so fast and everything but I want you to consider staying in L.A. for a while. I mean, you don't need to pack up your entire life right away but please stay with me at least for a bit. There's some things that you might need to work out in your head. I get it. I completely understand but please don't run. I can't lose you again."  

"I didn't run," I point out. "My father got a job in Charlotte. I didn't exactly have a choice, Finn, we were teenagers. I had to go."

"Right," he says. "I know but I lost you didn't I? In the process, I lost myself for a bit too. I can't do it again."

I know. I know because I can't either. "It's okay," I say. "I won't run."

"Good. There is so much time we have to make up for. So many things I need to show you, things I want to tell you."

I nod to the clock. "We have almost twelve hours. Give or take a few."

He laughs softly. "I can't drive straight through twelve hours. Besides," he says. "I reckon you've been eating those Junior Mints. I believe we have some making out to do so keep your eyes open for a hotel."

"You make me sound like a cheap floozy."

His hand inches up my thigh. "Floozy, maybe but you're not cheap. Do you know how much those Junior Mints cost?"

I slap him on the shoulder and he playfully recoils. "You know I'm just giving you a hard time."

Finn pulls into a small hotel off of the Interstate. He doesn't even bother with two rooms this time and doesn't ask me if that's okay. It's like he knows that I've come to embrace the idea of being with him and we've crossed over that fine line I'd thus far managed to steer mostly clear of.

He checks us in to the hotel and the door clicks shut behind him. He slides the chain lock into place and reaches his arm out to wrap around my waist and pull me to him until my body is flush with his.

His voice is deep and low and sends chills through me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. "Come here, pretty girl," he says. "Let me show you how much I've missed you."