"Okay, I will. I'm in," I said, nodding and talking quietly since we were so close.
"Tomorrow?" he said. His tone was hopeful.
"Tomorrow's going to suuuck," I said, groaning with a sad smile. Earlier today, we had moments when we weren't being overheard, and we had solidified his plans to come to my parents' house for Christmas. I knew I would be seeing him in a few days, but I wasn't looking forward to tomorrow.
"Then let's not," he said.
I grinned at him and shook my head. "I knowww," I said, feeling sad and longing for him already. "I hate that today's already over."
I thought back to where the day had gone. Henry had been at the ranch, but he was excited to see Amelia, so he drove to Missoula to get her. They both ate dinner with us, but they went back before the magic show. I had my dad's SUV, and I knew I had to take it back to the ranch. I also knew I would be leaving soon since it was getting late and I had been with them all day.
My heart felt changed. There was a dent in it… a Sam-shaped dent. And the thought of him flying back to California tomorrow made my chest ache.
"Stay with me," he said.
"You mean tonight?" I asked. I smiled.
I had already thought about getting a hotel in Missoula and then taking my dad's truck back to the ranch tomorrow after Sam flew out. It would be really easy to talk me into that plan, and I was pretty sure my dad would understand since I was with all my friends and I would be in Monterey for several days at Christmas.
"I had sort of already thought of getting a room at your hotel tonight," I said. "That way we can hang out longer and I don't have to make the trip tonight."
"Ty."
"What?"
"That's great and everything, and I hope you get the room, but I'm not talking about just staying the night. I'm talking about forever. I wish you could not leave me. Could you just please be mine from now on and stay with me starting tomorrow?"
"Like, what? Just fly to L.A. with you?"
"Yes," he replied, looking happy that I got it. He was still holding onto me. He was completely serious, and neither of us cared that there were eight other people in the room.
I smiled because I had money and the means to make more of it in L.A. I could promote shows in any big city, and I had revenue from YouTube in the meantime.
It would mean quitting college even earlier than I thought I would.
It would mean so many things.
There were so many reasons that a decision like this would be a questionable choice.
But I didn't care about those reasons.
All I could see was Sam's face, and all I could hear was an invitation to be with him forever, starting now.
I was about to open my mouth to agree to it when someone yelled out that Sam's commercial was on, and someone else turned it up. It was a preview for Echos, and we all sat in silence and watched. I sat up to watch it and balanced on the edge of his lap. He was holding my hand. After a day of not much PDA, the hand holding had me feeling like I might melt into a pool of goo right there in front of everyone.
I concentrated on the preview. It wasn't one of the ones that Sam was in… but we were all pumped about him being in that movie, and it seemed like it was going to be one epic blockbuster. We all cheered when it finished. I let go of his hand so that I could clap with everyone else.
"That's going to be so good," Alex said. "Congrats, bro, I'm so pumped for you."
"What was it?" Luna asked, wondering why we were all cheering.
Her mom went on to explain about Sam starring in a movie.
I stood up since everyone else was doing the same. It seemed like we might be leaving soon since our magic show was over.I knew Alex and Josie would stay, but Cameron, Judd, and the others were already getting to the door.
Sam stood up, and I glanced up to meet his gaze.
"I think yes," I said.
