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made it back to your apartment safely.”
    “You could call me when you got home, that way you’d know I’m all right.” Beth peered at him hopefully. She wanted to delay their separation as long as possible.
    Aidan fixed her with a look that told her she wasn’t going to win this one.
    “You should get to bed. You need your rest. Plus, if something happened to you in the time it took me to drive home…” His face darkened, indicating the silence that followed was occupied by a disturbing thought. When his eyes met hers again, they were soft and admiring. “Please say good-bye to me here, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Beth frowned. “Tomorrow I’m at the studio from six in the morning until at least ten at night. Mr. Mertz wants us to make up for the time we lost by having today off.”
    Aidan’s jaw clenched. “You shouldn’t have to work such long hours. It’s not right.”
    “I know, but having Thanksgiving fall on a Thursday every year means one full day less of filming.” Beth shrugged. “I’m just grateful I had today off so I could see you and spend time with our friends.”
    The anger waned in Aidan’s expression, although he still didn’t seem to fully accept her justification. “How about Saturday?” he said, taking her into his arms. “I’m gonna ask Nate and Matt to help me with the move, that way I’ll have more time to spend with you.”
    “Saturday sounds wonderful,” Beth replied. “Olivia wants to show me the house she spoke about over dinner, but otherwise I’m free.”
    Aidan’s face alighted like the stars. “Perfect.”
    When he pulled away and opened the door, Beth felt his absence all the way through her. She tried to quell the ache by reminding herself of their weekend plans.
    Aidan stopped in the doorway and rested his forearm on the doorframe above his head. He leaned forward until she felt his warm breath on her face.
    “Thank you for a wonderful evening.” He brushed his lips to hers, followed by her cheek.
    “I’m going to miss you, Aidan. I—” Emotion came on quick and thick, pilfering her voice from her.
    “Whether we’re together or apart, you’re always with me.” He took her hand and placed it over his heart. “Always.”
    Beth felt his pulse under her touch as strongly as if she held his heart in her hand. At the fierce reminder that she wouldn’t be with him tonight when she laid down to sleep, went to work in the morning, or arrived home tomorrow night, she felt on the verge of tears. Now that they had reunited, she didn’t know how she’d managed without him.
    Aidan dropped his arm from the doorframe to take her cheek in his hand. “Please don’t cry, baby.” He brought his lips to hers again. His agony over their impending separation was evident in the grimace that graced his face when he pulled back. With great resolve, he looked into her eyes. “We’ll get through it, okay? I promise we’ll see each other again soon.”
    Beth nodded, unable to concur aloud.
    After another lingering kiss, Aidan backed away from her and out of the apartment, breaking all physical contact between them. Beth’s heart remained warm with the memory of his touch. She would harbor it within her until she saw him again.
    Aidan stopped in the hallway and stared at her, his hands resting in his pockets, his posture solemn.
    “Good night, little dove,” he said softly.
    “Good night, Aidan.” Beth’s voice wavered under the weight of her sorrow.
    Following his departure, she locked up and rested her forehead against the door, releasing a quivering breath. If she wanted to learn more about how to please a man properly and rid herself of her nervousness before spending the night with Aidan in Santa Barbara, she needed to take Olivia up on the offer to have the talk . Pronto.

 
     
     
    “Penis.”
    “P… Penis.”
    Olivia’s eyes narrowed. “Again.”
    “P–penis,” Beth repeated.
    “Better, but still not great,” Connie said. “Try again. But