Present Day The seed had been planted, and JB had a lot to think about.   He couldn’t count how many times the word “California” had crossed his mind in the days that had passed since Mark and Jackson’s unannounced visit. It was so tempting, to just get up and leave Miami, to buy a one-way ticket to California and not look back until he had done what he came to do. He was sure it wouldn’t be hard to find her, at least; Iris was the source of all the information that he needed, and all he had to do was ask. But at the same time, it wouldn’t be easy, not in the slightest.   He returned to his dorm after another long shift and let his thoughts roam as he settled in for the night, with a shower and a change of clothes. His phone was in his hand as he draped his body across his bed, and for the first time in years he pulled up the photo album he couldn’t seem to get rid of; his brow furrowed as his eyes passed over image after image of Aspen, both candids and posed pictures, some including him, but most starring only her. Looking at her, frozen in time from three years before and earlier, made the desire to see her that much stronger, and also strengthened his inhibitions. As he thought back to that day, he still couldn’t figure out what he had done to make her break up with him, and move completely to the other side of the country. Without knowing what he had done wrong, he didn’t know where to start to make it right. His scrolling thumb halted on a picture of them smiling together on the beach and he sighed, his eyes roaming over her features indulgently. There was a very real possibility that, if he decided to go, it would be in vain, and he would return to Miami empty handed. He knew that; he just didn’t know if he could live with himself if he didn’t try.   *  *  *   Two Years Earlier – November   Aspen wasn’t making it easy for JB to spend time with her.   Or to even find her, for that matter. After Iris had dragged her up to UM to see him, she had thrown herself into school and work, and had even taken on a second weekend job, all in the effort to keep herself busy. She told herself that JB had a life now, and she needed to have her own; if she stayed busy enough then maybe no one would notice her, and JB wouldn’t feel inclined to keep her company just because she sat idly at his door like a lost dog.   He sought her out, though, and managed to invite her over at a time when she was free from all of her new obligations; she hesitantly joined him on the trip to UM, with a packed weekender bag in tow. They didn’t encounter anyone on the way up to his dorm, and soon they were alone in his room, and together for the first time in a couple of weeks.   “Did you want to go out?” JB inquired of her as he closed the door behind them. “We haven’t been on a date in forever.”   “We don’t have to,” Aspen told him with a shake of her head. “I’m fine here.”   “Then we can order food,” JB went on to offer. Aspen smiled, nodding a little.   “That sounds good,” she agreed. JB remained quiet, watching her for a moment before crossing the space between them and pulling her into a tight hug.   “JB…?” He buried his face in her neck, his arms constricting around her waist.   “I’m really glad you’re here,” he said lowly, sending chills down her spine. “I missed you.” Aspen wrapped her arms around his neck after a moment and hugged him back, closing her eyes.   “I missed you, too.” They took their time settling into a comfortable, private space together, eating Chinese food and watching old Nicktoons. It was reminiscent of how