My Guardian Angel

Chapter 11

The smile couldn't be helped. It just couldn't. She had a dream and it was wonderful. Her and Ben were strolling on the beach hand in hand, laughing, kissing and just enjoying each other. It bubbled up the feelings she's been trying to seriously avoid, but it got her thinking.

Maybe they could work this out. They have each other's numbers, they can keep in touch. Maybe one day he'll be in Los Angeles on a trip, or she'll be in the U.K. She knows they have undeniable chemistry...but was it undeniable to just her?

These are the thoughts that keep her hopes at bay. At the same time, she'd like to try.

As she stretched the sleep from her body and her eyes still closed, she turned over to snuggle with the hot British man that invaded her every sense. She put her arms over where his chest would be, but her hands only met the comforter.

She opened her eyes and saw his side of the bed was empty. She looked towards the closed bathroom door and smiled. He's probably getting ready to take a shower before he leaves. She wouldn't mind hopping in with him.

The robe she had been wearing the past few days stayed ignored on the floor as she crept over naked. She turned the handle and opened it to an empty bathroom. Her face dropped. "He probably went to get breakfast," she mumbled to herself.

Speaking of breakfast, her stomach was grumbling at her. She decided she'd hop in the shower and get ready before meeting him down there. Turning back to face the room, she noticed something odd. For some reason, it just seemed emptier.

She looked around with her eyebrows furrowed, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. This was definitely Ben's room. Shrugging it off, she grabbed her towel and headed back towards the bathroom.

That's when she noticed it.

A white piece of paper, flapping from the breeze coming into the room from the balcony. She forced down a gulp and shakily walked over to it. She had a very bad feeling.

My Guardian Angel,

Forgive me, but I am afraid I am not much for goodbyes. Meeting you on this trip has been the highlight of many, many years. Thank you for that. To make up for my sudden disappearance, I made sure this room (and the view of course) is yours for the remainder of your stay. It's been paid for already. If you ever find yourself in London, I would love nothing more than to see you.

All my best,

Benedict xx

His name became nothing more than a smear when a loose tear hit the paper. She must have read it over a hundred times. She read it in his voice and in every tone of voice she could think of. What was any of this supposed to mean? They have each other's numbers, can't they just keep in touch? He never said anything about that, though. He only said if she's in London.

She so badly wanted to crumple the paper and throw it in an absolute rage, but another side of her wanted to keep it. She came to a middle ground and crumpled it up, but threw it in her clutch.

She put on the shirt he let her keep. She inhaled his scent, then told herself how stupid and creepy that was. Once that oaky smell hit her nose, however, she couldn't help the extra tears that came down. She let herself collapse onto the bed and cry until she couldn't anymore.