The next morning Andrew was gone, leaving his smoky scent on the pillow he slept on. Like a girl in love, I hugged it to my chest and pretended as if he was still with me. Padding into the luxurious bathroom, I turned on the steam shower and let the hot water pound my sore muscles into submission. A smile stretched my lips from ear to ear. I never would have believed it if somebody said I was going to have my happy ending. Breaking into a dance, my feet nearly slipped. I steadied myself against the shower wall and laughed. The universe was a cruel bitch; everything could vanish in a second. It didn’t matter though because the high I was riding was unwavering. Once I scrubbed my body and hair clean, I toweled off and changed into a floral patterned sundress. A chill from the cracked window seeped into the room. Shivering, I layered a cardigan on top and pulled tights over my legs. Adding boots, I instantly transitioned my summer outfit to an autumn ensemble.

Downstairs, Andrew and his family sat around the dining room table. A feast fit for a king lay before them. Everything smelled heavenly. Constance’s hands flew in the air as she told a story that caused Andrew and his brother to laugh. It was such a picture perfect moment, I didn’t want to interrupt.

Candy sensed my presence. Looking up, the wrinkles around her eyes creased as she smiled. “Haven, come sit. There is plenty left. Would you like coffee? It’s on the counter but I can pour you a cup.”

Andrew laid his hand on her arm. “Mom, you don’t need to play hostess anymore. The gathering is over and only family is left.”

Candy sunk into her chair with an exhausted sigh. “You’re right. Sometimes I forget to turn off the switch.”

My heart tripled in size when Andrew included me in the family category and his mom didn’t object. I would be a fool to leave all of this behind. Andrew was part of my story and the idea of experiencing the road trip without him was agonizing. If he was still interested, I wanted my next chapter to be with him.

Andrew flashed me a smile lit from within. “I’ll get you coffee. Do you want cream or sugar?”

“Both please.”

As he went to go grab a mug, I sat next to Andrew’s brother who bared a striking resemblance to Andrew. The family laughed as I did a double take.

“It’s freaky,” I said. “You guys are like twins.”

“We get that a lot.” His voice was lower than Andrew’s and smoother, like satin. “It’s nice to meet you, Haven. I was sorry to have missed the party but I’m glad we have a chance to get to know each other before you take off.”

He also had manners to boot. Candy had raised a pretty impressive lot. “Me too. Andrew told me you are a master craftsmen.”

The conversation came easily and the whole family soon joined in. We joked, ate, and shared hilarious moments from the night before. Although I didn’t want to leave, Andrew had to get back to the city for a meeting. As we were halfway out the door, Candy shoved a box into my hands.

She peeled back the cardboard flaps. “Andrew mentioned your apartment burned down. I can’t imagine how devastating that must have been. There are a few t-shirts, pants, and things like that from Constance and myself. Andrew’s dad also added a couple of his favorite books.”

Touched by their generosity, tears threatened to escape as I sniffled. “Thank you so much. You didn’t have to do that.”

She patted my cheek. “We take care of our own.”

Now I was really going to cry. These people I had met less than twenty-four hours ago had accepted me into their hearts without question. I handed the box to Andrew and embraced his mom in a hug.

She wrapped her skinny arms around my waist and the smell of her exotic perfume wafted in the air. “I’m glad Andrew found you,” she said.

“So am I.”

With one final squeeze, Candy and I separated. We waved goodbye to the rest of his family and climbed into Andrew’s car.

Cranking the heat, I blew on my hands. “I feel like it’s colder up here.”

“Probably because we are closer to the water.”

The McMansion faded into the distance as we drove down the winding gravel driveway. I would miss this place but Andrew and I would be back again. Candy had mentioned tentative plans for Christmas. I smiled at the image of lights strung along the eaves and carols sung around the grand piano. Last year, I’d spent Christmas watching ‘FRIENDS’ reruns with a microwave meal. Monica had been working, while my mom was my mom. Crazy how much could change within twelve months. Andrew turned on the radio to a jazz station. Miles Davis playing the saxophone streamed from the speakers.

“I love your family. You made it seem like they were super judgey and would greet me with pitchforks,” I said.

Andrew laughed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean for you to get that impression. My mom doesn’t normally warm up that quickly to my girlfriends like she did with you.”

“So I’m special?”

He looked at me from the corner of his eye. “Indubitably.”

“Nerd.”

With two hours of driving left, I opened the box and peeked inside. Like Candy had said, there were t-shirts, pants, and worn book covers of classics. What caught my eye though was a black leather jacket. It felt buttery between my fingers. A gasp dropped from lips when I read the label, Vince.

“What’s wrong? Did my sister sneak a fake rat in there?”

“No, it’s just this jacket….” I stared at if it was a cruel mirage. “This jacket cost more than I’m worth.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah! I can’t believe your mom gave this to me. It has to be at least five hundred dollars.” I folded the jacket over my knee while I continued to search through the box. The other clothes were equally as expensive. “I can’t accept this stuff, Andrew. It’s too much.”

“Of course you can. My sister and mom are designer whores. They give away perfectly good clothes just because they are not in season anymore.”

Acid crawled up my throat at the thought of them thinking I was their charity case of the month.

Andrew saw through my expression and squeezed my knee. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop. My mom knows what it’s like to have your home vanish. She wanted to help and that’s all. Same with my sister. Ok?”

“Ok,” I echoed.

“Besides, you deserve pretty things.”

I grinned and pressed my lips against the back of his hand. An overwhelming amount of affection toward Andrew swelled inside my heart. “Have I told you how much I like you? Because if I haven’t, it’s a lot.”

Andrew’s half lopsided smile was adorable to the ninth degree. If he wasn’t driving, I would have tackled him in a bear hug. “Say it again.”

“I like you a lot like donuts and coffee, a lot like fiery purple sunsets dipping into the ocean a lot.”

“Damn, how did I get so lucky to win your affection?”

“It was your mad ninja skills.”

Laughing, Andrew steered into the left lane toward Detroit. He peered at the box with curiosity. “What else is in there?”

“Ummm let me see.” Rifling through the clothes, my hand closed around a clear plastic bag. Inside was a ring that looked a lot like Brad’s fraternity ring.

Andrew’s eyes widened in excitement. “Yes! I was hoping that was in there. My mom actually listened to me.”

The ring was gaudy, not to mention screamed douche canoe. “Please don’t tell me you aren’t going to wear this in public.”

“Nah, but it does hold sentimental value.”

“Since my apartment burned to the ground, it has slowly dawned on me it is meaningless to attach value to objects. The real value is in the memories attached.”

“Who are you? And what you done with my girlfriend?” Andrew joked.

“Very funny.”

The rest of car ride we listened to the greatest hits of Miles Davis. The melody lulled me into a relaxed state. Kicking off my shoes, I rested my head against the window as the trees gave away to cityscape.