I woke up to the sun literally blaring on my face. Alright, next time, I should really close the windows. I turned to my side in order to get that brightness out of my face and felt around for a nice comfy pillow to hug.

When my hand felt something, it started to move. I may be tired, but I knew for sure that pillows weren't sentient.

My eyes cracked open and I had to stop myself from gaping when Adam's sleeping face was literally inches away from me.

Oh right, I didn't go home last night. I stayed in his hotel.

I pushed myself up into a sitting position, running a hand through the scraggly blonde mess that was known as my hair. I sighed and got out of the bed, but I made sure to pull the covers over his body so he wouldn't get cold. Releasing a deep yawn, I walked into the bathroom and observed myself in the mirror, hoping that I wasn't in too much of a mess.

You could say I was gravely disappointed.

I didn't take off my makeup so it was smudge city, my hair was a tumbleweed on top of my head, and I simply looked exhausted. From where I was standing, I could still see my clothes neatly folded inside the closet through the open door.

Adam graciously lent me his shirt and a pair of boxer shorts to change into so I wouldn't be stuck in jeans. I attempted to redo my makeup with whatever was in my bag and I pulled my hair into a bun just to mask how much of a wreck it was. I used one of the spare disposable toothbrushes that the hotel provided because there was no way in hell was I leaving with morning breath.

I fished around the room for my phone and I finally found it on one of the couches. When I lit up the screen to check for any notifications, my eyes bulged out at the time displayed, "I'm late!"

Right, work.

I grabbed a pillow and hit poor Adam with it in attempts to wake him up, "Adam, get up! I'm late for work!"

Looks like I was going to wear the exact same thing as last night. Gosh, the walk of shame.

Well, technically we didn't have sex so was it still the walk of shame?

"Adam!" I yelled, finally stirring him up. I had already gotten out of the boxer shorts and into my pants.

He opened one eye to look at me and I paused in my movement when he shot me a tired and lazy smile, "Good morning."

How can he look so fantastic just after waking up? His hair was disheveled, his eyes half open, his smile was leaning onto one side so it made it look like he was flashing me a smirk. Everything in me was trying to calm me down because if I lose control, I would definitely jump on his bones.

Focus, Gracie, you have work.

"I really need to go," I told him, snapping right out of my train of thoughts before I fully swooned at his features.

When I made the move to grab the blouse I wore yesterday, he shocked me by speaking in such a low and husky tone, "You can borrow one of my white button ups. Just tuck it in or tie the bottom."

"God, do you have any idea how much you saved me with that idea," I said, opening the closet and snatching one that was on a hanger. I changed into inside the bathroom and when I got out, he was already out of bed, bent over to grab a water bottle from the minifridge.

"I'll return this when I get off work," I told him, putting on my jacket. He stood straight with his eyebrows knitted together, causing me to stop my hasty movements.

"I have to be at the airport in an hour," he reminded me about one topic of our conversation last night, his voice now low and quiet, as if he didn't want to bring it up, "I'm going to California, Gracie."

You know during those moments when you have absolutely no idea how to respond? Yeah, this was one of those moments. Look, I wasn't the type to be awkward, even when it comes to these situations. I've slept with someone on the first date and even then, it was never compromising.

But this was different.

This was a very unique situation I was in. Last night was not a date, we didn't even have sex, and the creepiest fact that I have almost forgotten, I met him because my best friend used to go out with him.

Very weird.

"So how will I return this?" I asked quietly, tugging on the rolled up sleeves.

He was silent for a while and I knew that with every second ticked by, doubt creeped itself inside his mind. I wouldn't blame him if he was full of regret right now. He wasn't in the best position emotionally – he even admitted to it me last night.

You know, the logical thing to do was to comfort him after that speech, not kiss him that will end up with me spending the night with him.

While he may regret it, I didn't. I wanted to because that was the right thing to feel, but I just couldn't. Because I liked him and even if last night was the only time we would be together then so be it.

"I'll just give it to Sienna so she can hand it to you when she flies back to England," I told him, coming to my own conclusion. Remember? My best friend? The girl you liked about a year ago?

Shame, that was it. Shame was the only thing clouding my whole system. 

And what broke my heart more was that he didn't even say a single word. He just stood there, his eyes wide as if I suddenly reminded him how wrong this was supposed to be.

"Until next time, Adam," I muttered softly, the defeat pouring itself out, "Goodbye."

When I got out of his hotel room, I waited. I simply stood there with my back turned to the door in hopes that he will open it and ask me not to leave. But the numbers on my phone screen kept on changing, telling me just how long I waited for nothing.

So I left and tried to think that he was just another of those one night stands. He wasn't the first guy to do this to me, I have been ghosted many times before.

Then why did it hurt so much?

I wasn't like Sienna who found her Justin and decided that he was it. I shuffled through relationships, dating then breaking up wasn't out of the norm. I was still looking for my one and only. Yes, even if I didn't look like it, I could be a hopeless romantic when I want to.

"Somebody's later," Mister Annoying drawled out in a sing-song voice. I rolled my eyes and immediately went to my desk, trying to drown whatever thoughts of Adam with work.

My eyes kept switching to my phone as if he would call or at least message me. Weirdly, I didn't have his number. Most of our interaction were through Sienna – scratch that, all of our interactions except last night was through Sienna.

Whenever she was one of those moods, the person I usually talked to was her roommate, Julia. But Adam? We had no means of communication.

My phone started buzzing and I hastily tore my gaze away from my computer screen and to my phone. I grunted in disappointment when I saw Sienna's name.

No, this is not good.

I shook off any negative emotion and accepted the call, "Hey!"

"Gracie..." she trailed off, her tone far from chirpy. I felt my stomach drop because I had a huge hunch that she knew, "Do you have anything to tell me?"

I audibly gulped, my eyes switching around the room as if my dirty laundry was just hanging for everybody to see. I was fidgeting so much, almost like they knew what happened last night. Of course, that was just in my head. They were all focused on work, for once.

"Lili," I started off, hoping that her nickname would soften the blow, "Did he tell you?"

I heard her sigh, "He didn't say it directly, but he called me to ask for your number. I managed to connect the dots on my own."

"This is something I don't want to talk about on the phone," I said, "Can we just meet after I get off work?"

"I'm not mad and I'm not against it," she assured, "And to be honest, I'm not the one to complain about you hiding it from me. You and I both know that I haven't been the most open when it comes to relationships and the people that I like."

And once again, I was reminded of that awkward goodbye, "Don't worry, there will be no relationship. I'm a hundred percent positive that he doesn't like me."

Actually saying it out loud made it more painful than I originally thought. But it wasn't a lie though, the way he acted just made it clear to me that last night should have never happened. That everything was just because of the heat of the moment.

She clicked her tongue in disappointment, "You need major cheering up. I'll come over to your place later."

"Thank you," I voiced out my appreciation. There was also some kind of relief knowing that she wasn't upset at me for what I did.

Because I cannot fathom what would happen if she was. She and I have fought a thousand times, but those were all about petty things. It was never about a guy, we had this silent agreement that we will never like the same boy. If one tells the other who she likes first, then that person was off-limits.

That was why I have such a hard time wrapping my head around this situation. Even if she was dating somebody else already, she somewhat already called dibs on Adam on the virtue that she liked him first. Not only that, our friendship group never goes out with the ex of another friend.

I hung up the call and returned to the article I had to write. I didn't even bother with eating lunch, I just ate the protein bar I stuffed inside my bag the other day. Thankfully, Mister Annoying finally got the hint that I was in no mood to interact with anybody. Either he noticed the glares I gave when he as much as glance towards my way or it was when I sent him a massive middle finger when he tried to call my name.

No matter, at least the bumblebee was no longer buzzing around me.

The day ended with much less drama than yesterday. The whole Brady Bunch didn't bother with inviting me again to their little drink sessions and I peacefully got out of the building.

I decided to walk home, whether that was a good decision or not was debatable. I was sure that Sienna would call me if she arrived at our building before I could.

But I didn't have to worry about that in the end. Because standing right there in front of the glass doors of our apartment building was Adam, looking like another lost boy just looking around. The same way I saw him last night.

Was this the part where I turn back around and wait until he gets too cold and leaves?

Or was this the part where I actually face him?

I got nearer and when he finally caught sight of me, his wandering eyes stared into mine and gave me his undivided attention. Goosebumps erupted from body at the way he was obviously keeping his focus on me and away from the bustling surroundings known as New York City.

"What are you doing here?" I managed to ask when I stopped just a couple steps away from him, "I thought you were going to California."

If his eyes were filled with nervousness when I left him this morning, now there was nothing but absolute certainty in them.

"I said that I will regret it if I let you go," he stated, his voice not even wavering for a single second, "So I'm not going to."

He was so confident with his decision, he made sure that I knew that.

"And Sienna?" I dared to ask. Our history wasn't the smoothest it could be.

"Why do you think I'm here?" he pointed out, his feet closing the rest of the distance between us and we were now chest to chest, "I asked her and she gave me her blessing to chase you."

My heart felt like it wanted to beat right out of my chest. Our faces were so close that I could actually feel his breath. I prayed that this wasn't some dream, that this man was actually standing right in front of me.

I raised a brow, "Chase me?"

I had to stop myself from screaming, from letting myself drown in this undeniable happiness I was feeling. I was afraid that if I didn't, I would only get hurt.

"I like you, Gracie. As I said, I'm not going to let you go."

Oh fuck the uncertainties, I wanted him.

I grabbed the sides of his face and brought him down to me, capturing his lips with mine. The electricity was different from yesterday. If that one had this tension with it, this just had the feeling that everything was so right. That this was meant to be, that there were no need for overdramatics.

He wrapped his arms around my waist to bring me closer to him, as that was even possible. And I smiled into the kiss, because it was like he was keeping his word – he wasn't letting me go.

And Adam? I promise you too, that I will not let you go as well.

End.

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And that's a wrap everybody! I hope you guys enjoyed all of our fantastic adventures to get here. From your real life Sienna Clark, this is me signing out.

Oh by the way, today marks my 7th anniversary on Wattpad which is very appropriate. Who would have thought that the impulsive decision of my 14 year old self will get me to where I am today. Also, thanking her for choosing a not-so-cringy username because that username can be seen on the shelves of actual bookstores.

I love you guys so much and thank you being there with me throughout the multiple hiatus this book went through. I started writing this when I was in college and I only managed to finish it now I'm in med school. Even if I was busy, writing has always been my comfort.

Until next time! 

P.S. Next book project that I will finish: Cupid's Love Services. The book is on my profile and I'll be taking it out of hiatus status very soon.