Black Rose

Six

It's been a week since my visit to the cemetery and I've kept my promise of being there for Raine just as he's been here for me. If neither of us is working, we're constantly joined at the hip. So, far I've been enjoying his company and most of my old feelings for him has resurfaced. However, I wouldn't dare act on them because I'm not going down that road again. We're better off as friends and Raine have finally accepted it.

Checking the time on my watch, I shuffled around my closet at a quicker pace, stuffing my suitcase with clothes and bathing suits. Every year after I visit Bella's gravesite, I take a two weeks spring break vacation to clear my mind and recuperate. Although it doesn't help me recover one hundred percent, it's nice to wake up to a new environment with positive vibes. This year I'm visiting Dorado, Puerto Rico--a place I've wanted to go a while now. Living in Seattle where it's mostly wet, dull and muggy, I'm looking forward to this trip. Raine doesn't know about this and I'm sure he's going to be disappointed when he finds out. I plan to let him know today when he stops by. He should be here any moment.

"The king has arrived!" He announces from the front of my apartment.

"I'll never understand how he does that." I mumbled, dropping the last of my clothes in the suitcase to greet him. Strangely, he pops up every time I'm thinking about him. I walked into the living room to see that he's already made himself comfortable on my couch, flipping through the tv. "Just make yourself at home, will you?"

Never breaking his gaze from the tv he spoke. I did. Don't worry."

"Anyways, I need to tell you something." I said, sitting on the love seat across from him. He motioned his hand for me to continue. "I'm leaving tonight to go to Puerto Rico and I'll be gone for two weeks."

His head snapped in my direction with a raised brow. "Say that again."

"I'm going on vacation and I'm leaving tonight." I repeated.

"And when were you planning on telling me?" He grilled me.

"Right now." I replied smartly trying to annoy him. Giving me a blank stare, I covered my mouth to keep from laughing. "Stop staring at me like that."

Standing to his feet, he pulled his keys from his pockets, heading towards the door. "I'll be back in an hour or so."

"Where are you going?" I followed him closely.

"Home, so I can pack." He stated in a duh tone.

"Why? You just got here and I wanted to hang before I left." I pouted, completely missing the part about him packing.

"We can hang for the next two weeks in Puerto Rico." He smiled down at me.

Frowning, I shook my head. "I didn't say you could tag along."

"Which is why I invited myself." I opened my mouth to speak, but he shushed me with a finger. "I don't want to hear it, Mel. Just have your stuff by the door when I get back."

Not giving me a chance to deny his demands, he was out of the door. The corners of my mouth curved upward into a smile. Secretly, I wanted him to come with me, but I didn't want to seem too forward if I had of asked. All vacations are amazing, but they're even better with people you care about accompanying you. Jogging to my room, I grabbed luggage, rolling them to the door as I was told. With nothing else to do, I laid across the sofa and searched my phone until I found my music app. In the midst of listening to Promise on repeat, Raine sent me a text telling me to cancel whatever hotel reservations I made. Instead of interrogating him, I called them and canceled. Thirty minutes later, another interruption halted my music from playing and I grew irritated at the person calling me. Debating on whether I should answer or ignore, I braced myself and took their call.