Chapter 12

Angela woke out of a dreamless sleep, taking a minute to re-orient herself. She lay on her belly, sprawled across the top of the bed in a tangle of sheets and blankets.

She was alone.

Two notes lay on the bedside tables, both with different writing styles. Jake's letter informed her lunch was already waiting for her in the kitchen, bagged and ready to go. Hunter's noted he'd be at practice until seven that evening and commented on the night's activities with a smiley face, large and winking at her.

She rolled onto her back with a groan before heading for the shower.

It was as if she'd been away from her office for a month, coming in and seeing everything through a different lens. The job offer of her dreams had a way of doing that, she mused.

The waiting voicemails and list of e-mails demanding her immediate attention brought her back to ground with a loud mental thump. Angela settled herself at her desk and went through her morning routine, finding comfort in the familiar actions.

It wasn't too long before the door opened, the tiny bell ringing away. She looked up to see Jenny sweeping in with a burst of cold air, the student bundled up like a snowman with her college-colors scarf wrapped multiple times around her face.

"Storm's coming in. Or it's here." She slapped her mittens together, sending a burst of white flakes into the air. "Are you okay?"

"Sure." Angela scowled as she looked outside at the falling snow.

"You sounded a little off when you called yesterday to tell me not to come in. Everything good in the House of Love?" Jenny hung her coat up and headed for the coffee machine.

Angela grinned at the nickname. "Everything is fine, thank you."

She resisted the urge to shift her hips, remembering the firm grip both men had placed on her last night.

"Okay. Because if you ever want to tap out for an evening, I'd be glad to fill in for you." Jenny smirked as she dumped three packets of sugar into her mug. "Because we're such good friends."

"Your willingness to take one for the team is noted and appreciated," Angela said dryly. "Here." She tapped the pile of folders to her right. "Let's start with these."

"Sure." Jenny went to her work area and put the coffee down before returning to pick up the stack. "But seriously, anything wrong?" She shot Angela a side glance before heading for the cabinets. "You do seem out of sorts."

"I—" Angela paused, weighing her options.

It's not like she won't find out eventually.

"I got a job offer yesterday."

Jenny's grin was wide and honest. "No way!" She dumped the folders onto the floor and plopped herself in the office chair opposite Angela. "Spill."

Angela couldn't help returning the smile with interest. "It's from a big legal firm. They've got branches in all the major cities. They want me to go to Baltimore first and to New York City if I play my cards right."

"Wow." Jenny slumped back. "They up and called you out of the blue?"

"No." Angela pulled the file folder out of her briefcase and laid it on top of her laptop. "One of the firm's partners came here to deliver the offer in person."

"Holy shit!" Jenny clapped her hands over her mouth. "Sorry. But that's incredible." She paused. "You are going to take it, right?"

Angela rolled her head from side to side. "I'm considering it."

Jenny stared at her for a second before it sank in, her eyes going wide as she took in the concept. "Damn. You'd have to leave them."

"For a bit." Angela put her palm on the folder again, finding it cool to the touch. "Not forever. Just until they can get out of their obligations here."

Even as she said it, the words burned through her mind.

Not forever.

But it'd be long enough.

"We're talking it over." She forced herself to put the folder into a drawer to be looked at later.

Jenny gathered the files from the floor and returned to the filing cabinet. "You'll make it work out. All of you." She threw Angela another wide smile. "Because the world demands happy endings."

The rest of the day flew by as Angela buried herself in her work, making up for the previous day's loss. Before she knew it, it was time to go home and she still hadn't spent any time considering the job offer.

Now, of course, it was all she could think of.

She parked in the garage and shuffled through the snow up to the front door, kicking a trail open for the others.

The house was empty, both men still at their respective jobs for another few hours. Jake was working a split shift that had him coming home at eight and Hunter's note had him arriving after seven. A note hanging on the small bulletin board in the kitchen told her to go ahead and have dinner by herself, the pair would eat on their own or when they got home.

Angela got herself a glass of white wine before going and sitting on the couch.

The blue file folder sat in her briefcase, which rested on the floor by the staircase.

She didn't have to open it up to look it over again. She'd committed each word to memory, every phrase embedded in her mind.

Another sip and she laid her head back on the thick cushions, mentally calculating how she would shut her office, close up her law practice in Glen Barrow.

The numbers didn't lie. She could do it within the six weeks offered by Gordon and his partners. It'd take a bit of juggling and she suspected there'd be at least one visit back to finish up some paperwork but it could be done.

That calculation over, she turned her mind to Jake and Hunter.

But there was one question she couldn't find the answer for. One that needed to be asked in person.

She put the drink down, scribbled a fast note for the boys and grabbed her coat.

Angela found Gordon in the lobby of the Touchstone Hotel, where they'd agreed to meet.

The slender man led her to a quiet table in the nearby bar, ordering them both drinks.

"I was glad to get your phone call," Gordon said. "Primarily because it took me away from the slot machines. Lost too much money chasing the quarters." He nodded at the waitress as their drinks arrived. "I'm about to drop down to the penny slots. There's only so much I can write off on the expense report."

She chuckled. "Those machines are addictive."

"But that's not what you called about." Gordon took a sip of his rum and cola. "Have you considered our offer?"

Angela nodded. "Yes. I'm still considering it. I hope I didn't mislead you with my call."

His smile was warm and friendly. "We didn't expect you to make a decision like this immediately. That's why we offered you the entire week." He eyed her over his glass. "I expected you to have questions. Please, ask away."

"I'm in a relationship. I'd like to be able to do the best by them."

"Our benefits package is one of the best out there—" Gordon paused and she knew he'd caught the wording.

"I have two dependents. Or spouses. Or however you want to categorize it." She kept talking, afraid her nerve would desert her if she paused for even a second. "I plan to marry one eventually but would like to be able to have full benefits for both of them, have them recognized as equals. Is it going to be an issue?"

Gordon didn't miss a beat. "We know about your two boyfriends." He smiled as she gave a short cough, hiding it with a sip of her wine. "You think we'd do all of this research on your clients and never look once at your home life?"

"Of course, you would." She studied his face, looking for any signs of disapproval. "It's not an issue to you?"

"Not to me. I don't see a problem getting it through our HR department, although you'll have to help with the paperwork. It'd be setting a precedent." He locked eyes with her. "I don't care if you're gay or straight, if you like two men or dance around your house in a rubber chicken suit. You're a damned fine lawyer and I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do."

"But the public relations…"

"You're worried about what will happen if it comes out you're cohabiting with two men. And your concerns are valid ones." Gordon glanced around the bar. "Look over there."

Angela followed his gaze and saw a middle-aged businessman chatting with a well-dressed woman, her hands all over him. He cooed and giggled like a teenage boy as she took a sip of his drink and waved the bartender over.

"Every time I've come to the machines, he's on that stool drinking with his hands on some young thing." Gordon smiled. "And I'm pretty sure none of them have been his wife."

Angela stayed silent, letting him lead the conversation.

"I'd prefer to have a woman like you, secure in a lasting relationship than someone like him or Eric."

The mention of his name brought her teeth together.

Gordon continued. "If anyone wants to try and make a fuss about it, they'll have to answer to me first and explain how this would be a negative for the firm. And I'm a hard man to convince to change my mind." He smiled and took a drink.

"Thank you. You'll have my official reply in a few days." She paused, weighing her words. "But right now, I don't see any issues with accepting your offer."

"Thank you. Send over the paperwork when you're ready and I look forward to seeing you in our Baltimore offices." Gordon reached out and patted her arm. "I'm anxious to see what you can do."

She lifted her drink and he did the same, toasting each other.

There, she said silently. That's done.

All she needed to do was work out the details with the men and—

The tiny hairs on the back of her neck rose.

She knew that sensation all too well.

Angela turned in her seat to see Jake and Hunter standing by the bar entrance.

"Yours?" Gordon followed her glance.

Angela nodded, shocked to see them. The plan had been for her to talk to Gordon and drive back home before either man knew she was gone, keeping the meeting secret.

Her heart swelled at seeing them, the emotions racing to the surface.

Gordon eyed the two men, his lips curving into a smile. " I'm jealous. They're both quite handsome." He finished his drink and gave her a wink. "I'm going to go lose some more money. Enjoy your night out with your men, and I'll see you in Baltimore."

He dipped his chin to the pair as he walked out of the bar. They nodded back politely, focused on her and her alone.

Jake was the first to reach her and pulled Angela into a tight hug. "Did you believe for a second you could sneak out like this and we wouldn't follow you?" He kissed the top of her head.

Hunter put his hands around her as well from the other side, matching Jake's intensity but kissing her on the cheek instead.

She gasped, seeing the curious looks coming their way from others in the bar.

"Don't." Jake's firm tone held her in place. "Don't be embarrassed." He pressed his lips to her temple. "Look at the way those women are watching you, envying you."

Angela risked a glance over to where a table of women, obviously here for a bachelorette party judging by the gaudy hats they wore, was unabashedly looking over at them.

"They'd love to be you right now," Jake rasped. "They're all imagining themselves in your place with the two of us adoring you, loving you, ravishing you." He leaned in and nipped her earlobe. "But you're the only one for us."

After a moment, Angela allowed herself a wide, selfish smile. "Hell, yeah." She pulled Hunter in for a heated kiss, relishing the giggles and jealous looks from the other women.

"Now that we've gotten that out of the way, what did you talk about with your new boss?" Jake's gentle interrogation brought her away from Hunter's eager mouth.

She gave him a deep kiss as well, matching the one she'd delivered a few seconds before.

The oohing and tittering from the women rose to new levels.

Angela pulled back. "I wanted to verify there'd be no problem with the two of you joining me." She felt the heat rising in her cheeks. "I want this to continue after we leave Glen Barrow, and I needed to make sure Human Resources wasn't going to toss a fit."

"I assume he told you it'd be okay." Hunter looked after where Gordon had exited. "Could have sworn he was checking us out."

"He was. And it is." She paused. "I want to take the job."

"Yes." Jake pulled her around for another kiss, generating even more appreciation from the bachelorette party. "Now let's get a room and celebrate."

"We have—you have—" Angela was breathless, the events of the past few minutes catching up with her.

"We figured it couldn't hurt to prepare for the chance you'd accept his offer. So we packed overnight bags for all of us," Hunter said.

"I don't have to be at work until noon tomorrow," Jake interrupted. "And Hunter said he's fine with cutting classes for once in his life."

"Sure as hell isn't the first time he's done that." Angela pressed her palm against Hunter's chest, his heart racing under her touch. "Let's go celebrate in private." She waved to the group of women, sending them off into a new round of chatter.

They were in the elevator headed up to the suite and Jake shook inside from a combination of need and desire, the realization this was going to be the last time he'd be with Angela and Hunter worry-free for a long, long time.

Angela grinned as the two men carried their bags to the door. "I can't believe you packed an overnight bag for me. What did you bring?"

"No clothing." Hunter leered at her as Jake slipped the card key through the slot. "Made it a lot easier to pack."

Her breath caught on a gasp as the door opened to show the luxury suite in all of its glory.

"Oh. My." She stepped in ahead of the two men, her eyes widening with each second.

Jake couldn't blame her.

The suite was gold and silver-themed, from the ornamental mirrors on the walls to the deep polished rosewood tables to the cream-colored walls, a lavish display that wouldn't be out of place in Las Vegas.

When he'd left Hunter to set up a room while he and Angie got the bags, he had no idea the man would check into one of the best suites the hotel had to offer.

"Let's check the bedroom." Hunter took her hand and led her around the corner, out of the suite's main room.

Jake went to the bathroom, curious as to what he'd find there.

Oh, yeah.

He let out a low whistle as he surveyed the super-sized tub and shower stall, his imagination already running wild.

Jake walked into the bedroom to find Angela half-undressed already, Hunter nibbling on her neck as he worked on her blouse. He looked over at Jake and raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not going to do all the work unless I get all the rewards." He pulled another button free, drawing a gasp out of Angela.

"You got the top, so I'll get the bottom." Without waiting for a reply, Jake knelt and pulled her shoes free, one at a time.

Caught between the two men, Angela laughed as she wobbled back and forth.

Jake upped the odds when he ran his hand up her bare leg to tangle in her panties, thrilling as she trembled under his touch.

"Careful there," Hunter warned as he yanked the blouse off her shoulders. He tossed it to the side. "Don't set her off too soon."

Jake brushed his fingers against the moist skin. "Look at her eyes. She's halfway there."

He couldn't hold back a note of pride in his voice—on the drive over, the two men had discussed what they wanted to do with Angela and with her, Hunter laying out the game plan as easily and confidently as if he were directing his team on the basketball court.

Over the past few weeks, Jake had gotten used to letting Hunter set the pace—in a way it was liberating, coming home after a hard day at work as a first responder and allowing either Angela or Hunter to dictate his actions. He didn't know if anyone else would ever understand, but they did—they got him and that was all he needed.

And now… it was all being flipped over, his happiness put on hold until they managed to get together again.

But he'd make it work.

They had to make it work.

Angela was caught in an emotional whirlwind. Part of her wanted to cry, to mourn now for the future time she'd spend away from her men, but the other part was reacting to the pleasure they were giving her, the impromptu romantic rendezvous already cranking her arousal dial up past her limits.

"When—?" She tried to focus again, dizzy in Hunter's arms as he expertly undid her bra. "When did the two of you plan this?"

"It was Jake's idea," Hunter murmured in her ear. "He figured you'd be an emotional mess after the meeting and didn't want you to drive home in such a state."

"Ah." She couldn't stop grinning. "So, this is to keep me from being a public menace."

"Yes." Jake dipped his head under her skirt and licked her thigh, sending shock waves through her body. "Protect and serve. But right now, I'm all about the serving." Another hot lick, and she was weak in the knees, the rasp of his tongue on her bare skin raising goosebumps everywhere he touched.

"I can't—" She let out a low cry as Jake tore away the flimsy underwear and replaced it with a hot, wet kiss.

"Slow down," Hunter grumbled, his hands now busy with unzipping her skirt. "I don't know why I'm doing all the hard work."

He moved behind her as Jake popped out from under the beige skirt with a wide smile, licking his lips.

Hunter stroked her sides, letting the skirt fall to the floor.

Angela smiled and gestured to the man in front of her on his knees. "We all have to be naked to make this work, right?"

Jake laughed and tugged his black sweater over his head. Behind her, she heard a grunt from Hunter and his hands were back on her, sliding up to caress her breasts as he pressed against her from behind.

"I think," he said in a heated whisper, "You need to get on your knees."

She frowned, her mind blank. "What?"

Jake stood up and stripped his jeans off, the underwear quickly following. Within a few minutes he was back on his knees and pulling her into a mind-blowing kiss, his hands running all over her trembling skin.

Something nudged the small of her back and Angela shivered—not from being cold but from anticipation. She heard a rustling and a sharp tearing noise, signaling Hunter's approach.

Her attention flew back to Jake as he pressed another wet kiss to her left breast, a light nip of his teeth catching her unaware.

"Ah." She grabbed at his hair to keep her balance, digging her nails into the short brown hair.

Hunter's fingers edged into her from behind and she gasped.

"Oh, yeah." One finger slipped in and out, setting a leisurely pace. "You're ready for this, aren't you? Just thinking about having the two of us has you wet and ready."

Jake chortled as he cupped her breasts and squeezed. "Should have invited those women up from the bar. Give them something to talk about when they go back to their boring, ho-hum lives."

Angela tried to say something but Hunter added a second finger, pumping in and out with an increased pace. She arched back against him, cursing as Jake kissed her hard, his thumbs brushing over her erect nipples.

Hunter's fingers withdrew, and she let out a whimper before feeling him press against her again, pushing her forward.

She raked her nails across Jake's scalp as Hunter entered her from behind, his fingers digging into her hips to keep her still.

Hunter grunted into her ear, his body pressed against hers. "Don't. Move." The strain in his voice almost pushed her over the edge, the control she had over his pleasure dizzying.

Jake gripped her ass, holding her in place as his tongue dueled with hers, stroking the fire building inside her.

Angela whimpered into Jake's mouth as Hunter's fingers dug into her waist, holding her tight against him. The first stroke was slow and measured, pulling almost all of the way out before easing back in.

The hungry growl was all the warning she was going to get.

Hunter's hold on her intensified as he pumped in and out, slamming into her with increasing intensity. She would have fallen forward if not for her grip on Jake's head and shoulders, his mouth fused to hers as his fingers caressed her breasts.

Angela pulled her mouth free and let out a sobbing cry as Jake captured her nipple between two fingers.

The pinch sent her soaring, the combined pleasure attack of both men shattering her inside and out.

She slumped and would have fallen if it hadn't been for Hunter's firm grip, keeping her upright until Jake got to his feet and helped move her to the bed.

Angela drew in staggered breaths as the ceiling came into focus.

"Oh, now we're going to use the bed," she whispered.

Jake came into sight. "Fighting gravity takes too much energy." He laid beside her and ran his hand along her side.

Tremors shook her muscles as she turned to see Hunter beside her as well, his eyes wide and soft.

"I do love you so." He leaned over and kissed her.

"I love you too." She closed her eyes, the tears building. "I'll miss you both."

"You'll miss my French toast," Jake said as he rested his hand on her thigh.

"Yes." She laughed and sniffled at the same time.

Hunter drew his fingers down her front, finally coming to rest above her navel. "We'll come as soon as we can."

Angela scrunched up her face at the phrasing while Jake let out a coarse bark.

Hunter smirked, unashamed. "I regret nothing." He glanced down her naked body. "Might have to mark your shoulder again. Give you something to remember me by."

Jake's rough laugh sent her heartbeat soaring. "I've got an idea where to put one." His hand shifted to dance over her inner thigh, drawing lazy circles on her cooling skin. "No one'll see it but us."

Angela let out a dramatic sigh. "I guess I'll catch a nap now."

"If you've got enough strength to speak, you're not tired enough and we're not doing our job properly." Jake pressed his lips against her neck, directly on the pulsing vein.

"I'm—" The teasing caught in her throat as Hunter nuzzled against her, licking the sweat from her skin before nipping at her earlobe. "I'm finding the strength to go on."

"That's good," Jake murmured. "So are we."

Angela gasped as he reached between her legs and found her already wet, the slow teasing from both men arousing her yet again.

"Hmm. You remember how we used to do it before class?" he whispered in her ear. "In your room before your roommate came back?"

Her heart fluttered at the memory.

"Yeah." Jake flipped her onto her stomach. "That."

She gulped as the world spun around her and settled once again, her body sinking into the lush mattress.

Jake moved out of sight and she heard the familiar sound of a condom being donned, a low curse accompanying his effort.

Hunter stretched out beside her again, a mischievous grin on his face.

She matched him, smacking her lips in anticipation.

He shook his head and reached out.

The world shifted again and she was now under Hunter, pressed against his chest. His cock bobbed back to life against her, teasing her swollen folds.

A sharp smack against her bare ass brought a yelp from Angela.

"Up," Jake ordered.

She moved up on her hands and knees, bracing herself over Hunter who continued to beam at her.

"This isn't going to work," she announced, disoriented.

"Yes, it will." Jake squeezed her ass with both hands before tugging her back on her knees and positioning her.

Hunter pulled her into a deep kiss, caressing her arms with both hands.

Angela's head spun as she pressed against Hunter, her sensitive breasts rubbing against his dark chest hair. The unintentional stimulation shocked her even as she trembled, undulating against both men.

Jake entered her from behind, his slow and gentle entry in sharp contrast to Hunter's previous frenzy.

Hunter reached up and pressed against her with his fingers, unerringly finding the tiny nub in her folds.

"Let's see who wins this race," Jake said as he continued with his lazy but deep thrusts, one hand possessively on the small of her back to keep her in place.

Angela wrestled her mouth free with a deep groan, the rising passion enveloping her and pulling her up toward the peak yet again. She clenched around Jake, relishing his sharp groan of surprise as he lost control.

Hunter gripped her hair with his free hand and pulled her lips to his again, devouring her mouth with a growing hunger.

"Angie." Jake let out a low keening cry as he slid into her one last time, shaking uncontrollably as he came.

Hunter didn't let her break away from the kiss but squeezed his fingers together, the pressure overloading her senses again.

She screamed into his mouth and slumped against him as Jake pulled out from behind, her muscles now officially turned to rubber.

Jake slid to sit on the floor, out of sight.

"Time to raid the mini-fridge," he choked out.

Angela curled up in Hunter's arms, all thoughts fleeing her mind.

Hunter was drifting in a warm, soft world, surrounded by love and caring. He heard a rumbling noise and realized it was his snoring.

No.

He opened his eyes to hear a trio of snores, his being the loudest. Angela lay beside him, a whistling escaping from her lips—a sharp contrast to the rolling thunder from Jake on the other side.

Angela wriggled her hips, pushing back against him and he found some in reserve.

Hunter turned and fished a condom from the nearby duffel bag, fumbling and cursing as he put it on with sleepy, tired fingers.

She might be leaving soon, but she'd remember this night.

He grinned as he pulled out the tube of lube.

He'd been the first to take her there, giving in to her whispered pleas. One night in her bedroom, when her mother was away…

The memory surged through his veins, banishing the last of his lethargy.

Since Jake had moved in, Hunter had only done this a handful of times, when the mood was right.

Now, before she left—he'd make sure she had a more recent, fantastic memory.

He put a generous dollop on his fingers and slowly, carefully, nudged against the puckered rosebud of her ass.

Angela let out something like a whimper and pressed back against him, against his hand.

Hunter grunted and slipped one finger in, then two. He moved slowly at first but as she relaxed against him, he increased the pace, his cock rising in anticipation.

"Oh." Her whispered reply almost sent him over the edge then and there. "Oh…" The throaty whine shot straight to his groin, the heat surging through his body in anticipation.

"Hold on, sweetheart," Hunter whispered in her ear. "Let's make this as good as possible."

He lifted his face to see Jake eying him, a smile on his sleepy face.

"Let's take her for a fun ride." Hunter nodded toward the other side of the bed. "Glove up, cowboy."

Jake grabbed a condom out of his own bag and slid it on as Hunter slicked up his fingers again and slid them home, depositing as much lube as he dared inside her.

"Baby," he cooed into Angela's ear. "I want to fuck that sweet ass of yours while Jake takes your pussy. Are you okay with that?"

She let out a moan at the dirty talk as Jake's hand snaked down between them. "Please. Oh, God. Please."

"Good," Jake rasped as he gripped her waist. "Because I'm going nuts over here."

He rolled onto his back and pulled her up to straddle him, his cock bobbing between them.

Angela looked down with half-lidded eyes as he lifted her again to slide, ever so slowly down onto him.

She threw her head back and let out a soft cry, bracing herself.

"Okay." Hunter sat up and moved behind her. He kissed her shoulder as he stroked her sides. "Your ass is mine now."

She whimpered and leaned forward to kiss Jake, still sliding back and forth on his cock.

Hunter held her in place for a second, his palm against the small of her back as he positioned himself.

He took a deep breath and pushed in, sliding easily past the initial resistance.

Angela gasped and bucked against him, pushing him dangerously close to the edge.

"Fuck." Jake ground the word out between clenched teeth. "I can feel that."

"Can you?" Hunter withdrew slowly before plunging in again. "Good." He wrapped his arms around Angela, reveling in her wanton whimpering. "When I go in, you go out. Then reverse." He chuckled despite the pressure building inside him, the pleasure threatening to pull all of the words from his mind. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah," Jake said hoarsely. He reached up and cupped her breasts, thumbs sliding over her nipples. "Time to take this to the edge."

It took only a few minutes to push Hunter to the edge, hovering dangerously close to coming.

Angela looked over her shoulder at him, a wicked grin on her lips. She tightened around him with a low gasp.

Hunter let out a cry and thrust forward one last time, losing control as he bucked against her in his release. Under him, Angela moaned as she felt him soften and slowly withdraw, leaving her to Jake's embrace.

He moved away only long enough to dispose of the condom.

When he turned back, she was shaking in Jake's grip, panting as he increased the speed of his strokes.

"Come on, Angie," Jake mumbled into her mouth. "One more."

Hunter put his arms around her and began to nibble on her earlobe, a familiar routine that had never failed him.

Nor did it this time.

She began to shake uncontrollably, the shrill wails bouncing off the walls.

Angela went limp, drawing deep breaths as she let out one last sigh and slumped against Jake's chest.

"Sleep." Jake drew a finger along her cheek. He looked over her shoulder at Hunter, waiting for confirmation.

"Sleep." Hunter moved off, pulling Angela into his arms.

Jake moved away, then came back against her, sandwiching her between them again.

Hunter closed his eyes and fell back asleep.

The next morning was bittersweet, the trio returning to the home they'd shared for only a few months together. Angela tried not to cry as she pulled out of the hotel parking lot, the men behind her in Jake's truck.

The next few days spun into weeks of whirlwind packing and paperwork, deciding what would go with her to Baltimore and what would stay behind.

It won't be forever, she told herself. Only a few months, and they'd be together again.

She'd already laid out her plan. Go to Baltimore and settle in the hotel, come back for Christmas and begin her search for a decent apartment upon her return to the city. The office wouldn't be doing much over the holidays anyway, and it'd be more showing up to work through the entrance paperwork than doing any actual casework.

But as she started to pack up the essentials, what she needed to set up her new life in Baltimore, a sense of dread settled over her.

What if Hunter can't find a new college to teach in, to coach basketball? Would Jake be able to find a decent job as a policeman, or would he end up working as a security guard in a major step down from his position as police chief?

Did I have the right to ask them to give up so much for me?

The questions nagged at her as she dug through her caseload, closing each one out with intense scrutiny, not wanting to leave any loose ends behind.

Jenny was a godsend, helping with the little details and making sure everyone knew the score. She'd decided to continue on with a legal career and kept congratulating Angela on her success in getting picked up by such a notable firm.

Problem was, Angela didn't feel so lucky.

Her mother picked up on her discomfort during one visit to go through some of the boxes left in the spare room and pick out what she'd need in Baltimore.

"You look more miserable than when you had your wisdom teeth out. And that was damned miserable." Mary-Ann took the sweater from Angela and refolded it before placing it in a suitcase. "I thought you wanted something like this, a chance to work for a big firm in a big city. It's all you talked about for years."

"I do." She ran her hands through her long loose hair, channeling her nervous energy someplace, anyplace other than letting it out in a scream.

"Is it Hunter and Jake? Because if they're giving you a hard time—"

"No. No." Angela shook her head as she picked up another sweater. "Both men want me to go. They understand how important this is to me. It's not like we're splitting up. We'll be together eventually, as soon as things come together."

"So where's the problem?" Mary-Ann took another sweater from her. "If you're all in agreement with this—"

Angela sighed. "I don't know. What I do know is I'm leaving in a week." She tossed the empty box into the corner of the room. "Everyone tells me I'm doing the right thing. So why does it feel like I'm not?"