Back in Texas, Victoria was overjoyed at seeing Madelyn again. It was hard for her to believe that only one week had passed since her leaving and catching her first glimpse of Colin Mengatti. So much had changed in so little of time. When it came to explaining to Madelyn what all had happened, it was much easier than she anticipated. "Oh, Maddie," she exclaimed, falling down on the couch beside her friend. "I don't know how to explain it other than I love him. I really do." She glanced at her roommate, reaching over to squeeze her hand.
"I'm happy for you, Vicky. I really am," she said, grasping her other hand. "It's what you wanted. I just can hardly believe it actually happened."
"I know," she whispered, sitting back into the couch and closing her eyes. "I can hardly believe it myself." She let her mind take her back to California, back into Colin's arms and she couldn't help but smile.
"I don't think I've ever seen you this happy," Madelyn said, watching her friend glow.
Victoria opened her eyes, and peered over at her. "Come with me," she said, suddenly.
"I can't," she said, always being the practical one. "It's crazy enough with you going." Victoria sat upright, looking at her seriously. Madelyn recognized her friend's look immediately, realizing that she was determined to talk her into going as well. "Vicky," she began, shaking her head, "What happens if things don't work out with your new job, what then?"
"That won't happen."
"What if things don't work out with you and Colin?" Victoria sat still for a moment, her eyes falling to search the carpet. Here Madelyn had mentioned the one thing that occupied Victoria's thoughts day and night.
"I guess that bridge will have to be crossed if and when I ever reach it." If she was totally honest with herself, Victoria knew that all depended on Colin. She wasn't sure about anything right now, just what was in front of her.
"Vicky, you know I'm not trying to knock down what you have with him . . ."
"I know," she said, looking back at Madelyn. "You haven't said anything that I haven't thought of myself." Then she smiled warmly at her friend. "Isn't there anything I can do to convince you to come?"
"No," she said sadly, watching her friend. They had been close for so long that she had a hard time imagining what life was going to be like without her. "My life is here and yours is just beginning somewhere else." Victoria reached over, taking her friend into an embrace. They sat like this for a while, both lost in their own thoughts and memories of the past. Sitting back from each other, but still holding hands, Madelyn said, "I want you to go Vicky, with no regrets. There is nothing here to hold you back."
"Nothing but you," she whispered, tears coming to her eyes.
Madelyn choked on her own as she said, "I'm not holding you back. In fact," She reached up to quickly wipe away her tears, and smiling said, "I'm throwing you out of the nest." Victoria reached over once more to take her college friend in her arms.
The three weeks that she was in Texas flew by quicker than she thought they would. Colin didn't call and she didn't either. The few times Victoria thought about it, she reasoned that he was busy and she was too. She had a lot of things to wrap up in three weeks. Madelyn helped her pack as much as she could when she wasn't working. They had to change the lease agreement since Madelyn would now be living here on her own and Victoria had to get her mail re-routed. Then there were bank accounts to change over and a moving van to rent. Then she spent as much time as she could with Madelyn. They did something everyday together and she took lots of pictures and videos. They made plans for Madelyn to fly up some to visit and of course, Victoria would come back to visit when she could. She knew that inside, Madelyn must think it crazy of her to be doing this, but she knew her to be a go-getter and a dreamer. She outwardly told her over and over that she thought it was great that she had made a positive move with her career in writing. But Victoria also knew Madelyn probably thought she was nuts for going after a guy seven years her junior! Honestly, she had to agree with that, it was nuts!
When the day came for her to leave, it was a tearful one. She hated to leave her friend but was filled with the hope that she was doing the right thing and that Madelyn was going to try to come for a visit in a month or so. She didn't know how she was going to last that long without her roommate, but was determined to try this new road ahead of her! She had called Steve's office to let him know when her flight was coming in and he had promised to send someone to meet her. The whole flight over, she couldn't help but wonder if things had changed between her and Colin in the past three weeks. He had filmed another film right after his blockbuster movie and it had just reached the theaters as well. So now both his movies were number one and number two at the box-office. It was insane! Victoria and Madelyn had gone to see this new one and this time, Victoria ached for him as she watched him up on the big screen. His other movie was still in the movie theaters, in every big magazine and all over the television. The love song from the movie was number one on the charts and was all over the radio. During her three weeks home in Texas, she kept meeting up with Colin's face and pictures of him. . . old pictures with his model girlfriend, Marisa. She couldn't help but feel a little insecure.
Victoria couldn't believe her eyes when it was Colin who was waiting at the gate! It had only been three weeks, but he already looked like he had changed. His hair was longer and he looked younger than she had remembered, but that smile had not changed at all. It lit up his face and made her stomach do flip-flops just seeing it! Trying to control the impulse of running down the gate and flinging herself into his arms, Victoria felt her feet automatically pick up the pace some. 'Slow down girl!' she thought to herself. She tried to keep her composure as she walked down the gateway, her eyes glued to his. At the end of the gate, he caught her up in his arms and suddenly, Victoria was relieved that things had not changed! Her shoulder bag slipped to the ground as her arms went around his neck, her hands in his hair. Their lips met and she hungrily tasted him, grinning at the same time. He pulled back. "Let me look at you," he whispered. "Have you changed?" His eyes raked over her, his eyes shining. "God, I can't believe how beautiful you are . . ." He drew her into his embrace again, kissing her eyes, her cheek, and her lips. "I can't believe you're finally back. It's been so long."
"I know," she whispered back, pulling him closer.
