“Does he have a girlfriend?" Amber asked with barely-concealed hope in her voice.

“No one but us," Cherys said in a possessive tone, but Danielle coughed conspicuously and Cherys' voice softened.

“He's a free man. We don't have any hold over him."

I croaked, “Yes, you do."

"David!" ALL three girls managed to exclaim at pretty much the same time. Cherys was instantly by my side, stroking my cheek while Danielle helped me to sit up. Amber hung back, her arms twitching forward in desire to help me but she held herself back. She didn't consider it her place anymore.

Instead, Amber darted out and came back a few minutes later with a glass of water.

“How much of that did you hear?" she asked tentatively.

I took a long swallow and then looked up at her.

“Everything, I think." “David, I-"

I held up my hand to stop her, and then took a few deep breaths as I sat up straight and gathered my focus. Barely an hour ago I'd been making love with Cherys, dreaming of building a family with her. Now, those dreams had been dashed and an old dream had made an unexpected return. I didn't know how to deal with that.

I wanted Amber back. I REALLY wanted her back. But I didn't yet know what that would do to me, The last time she left I was just an empty shell going through the motions with Brianna. My flailing heart had tried to latch onto Claudine, and then E-Beth. And even as close as I became with Cherys and Danielle, the love we shared was never meant to last. Even then, I'd nearly pushed Danielle aside to sate my own desire for permanence and companionship.

Amber had loved me and then left me to pursue her dream. Even though she was back now, she would always have other forces pulling her in another direction. Even if Amber had returned, how long would she stay this time?

And if she didn't stay, how much would it destroy me? I couldn't handle losing her again.

My head hung low while I kept my hand up, preventing anyone from speaking just yet. At last, I looked up and stared at the beautiful blonde across from me, as lovely as my dreams of her had ever been.

“You really gave up Stanford? You really came back here for me?"

“Only for you," she answered.

I breathed slowly.

“I thought WE weren't ready for that kind of commitment. I wouldn't have wanted you to give up your dream.

“I know. But my dream now is you. I can't go back to Stanford, but I can still become a doctor. I'd rather be a doctor and with you than be a Stanford-graduate without you. Don't you see, David? I came back only for you, that's how much I'm committing to this. Three years ago I wasn't ready. I am now

I groaned, “I'm not sure what to do with that right now. It's all just too much to take." My head hurt and I frowned.

“I think I need more time."

She reached forward to take my hands into hers. I remembered how I always held a woman's hands whenever I wanted to reassure her of my intentions. But as she approached, I pulled away from her. And Amber's face fell in worry. But still she said, "I will wait."

Amber sat up straight and nodded her head.

“I will wait." With that, she got her things and left.

And once the door closed, I lay my head back against the couch and closed my eyes. I needed to do some heavy thinking... later.