They had fallen soundly asleep in each other's arms.

Scarlett had been awakened in the early hours of the morning to a very tenderly attentive Rhett. For several hours he had presented her with some of the most pleasurable moments of her life and a release that wasn't just physical.

Later in the morning, Scarlett was again awakened to the smell of food and coffee. Rhett had ordered breakfast and had insisted that she stay snuggled under the satin sheets while he fed her like a child. Only after she had taken her fill of the large assortment on the tray did he take his first bite.

After taking the tray to the kitchen, he had settled behind her, played with her hair and held her while they watched a daytime morning talk show and drank their coffee. Neither of them said much. Honestly, Scarlett was afraid to talk too much. Afraid that this tranquil communion would be ruined if they talked about all the things that people were forced to discuss when all of this happened between friends.

Twice.

Thrice.

She wondered briefly if Rhett's unobtrusive conversation was a result of him feeling the same apprehension before dismissing the thought. She doubted if Rhett was afraid of anything. This kind of thing probably happened all of the time to him. She winced at the thought.

However, when she recalled his chaotic explanation for his absence yesterday morning, something told her that wasn't true.

She wanted to pull her hair out, her frustration was so complete. For Scarlett, who was far from analytical, he was so intensely complex now! It was startling. It was made worse when she was faced with her perplexing emotions as well. She had thought that she understood him so well. She thought she had understood them so well.

And now?

What were they?

Scarlett snapped out of her musing when Rhett whispered in her ear, "I have an appointment. I have to get ready." She turned around and she looked at him curiously, quickly remembering that he had been packing last night—

Before she could stop herself, she snidely commented, "Is that your way of telling me that you are leaving?" She asked, pointing to the half packed suitcase on the floor. Rhett glanced at the suitcase and laughed loudly but said nothing in return. She felt the familiar irritation and embarrassment that often accompanied his laughter.

Part of her embraced it. It was something she knew. Rhett, who made jokes at her expense and laughed at her for everything and nothing…

The other part of her mind worked frantically, trying to reason whether he was laughing because he was leaving or because he was staying or just because…because he was an ass!

Her irritation with him mounted when, without answering her question, he merely stood, went to the closet and grabbed a zipped garment bag before going into the bathroom, leaving the door slightly cracked.

She climbed out of the bed. It was, of course, right after she heard the shower come to life that she realized that she needed to pee. And as much as they had been very personally acquainted recently, she was mad at him and didn't feel ready to relinquish her bathroom privacy to him just yet. She could wait…

She was only half dressed, so she slipped on her pants from the day before, still in a heap on the floor with her flats. She had also replaced her shirt with one of Rhett's at some point between her arrival last night and waking that morning. She removed it and replaced it with her own. In spite of her anger, she couldn't resist holding the shirt to her nose. What kind of detergent did he use? The shirt smelled positively delicious. Maybe it was just Rhett-smell.

Rhett emerged from the bathroom, freshly shaved. His hair was fashionably disheveled and he was dressed in the most delectable way: grey pin-striped suit with a skinny black tie. Why would he travel in that? If he was traveling… Maybe he really did have an appointment? But with whom?

For her conflicted mind, all of this insanity was like trying to comprehend Calculus when you haven't even learned Algebra yet.

She lowered the shirt from her face, embarrassed that judging by the sexy smirk he was sporting as he adjusted his tie, he had guessed what she was doing. He sauntered towards her and her mouth went dry.

"I will only be gone for a few hours. You can stay here and wait if you like, for as long as you like." He gripped her jaw.

"I have to go for my last fitting." She paused. "You aren't leaving…" She had meant for it to be a question.

He stroked her cheek and answered. "For New York? Not today."

Relief weaved through her, making her feel weak. She didn't care why she felt relief. She didn't care what it meant. She was just happy he was staying. She relished it.

She eyed him. "Then why all of the—?"

Rhett interrupted her. "Last night, I think we established that there are many questions…but we are going to have to save all of them for later. I am running behind because of you. You really are a most fascinating distraction." He smirked.

He was acting so…blasé. It was disconcerting to see him so calm when she felt barraged with conflict and confusion. Confusion made plainer by the fact that she continued to feel she was speaking with a person with multiple personalities.

One minute he was that blissfully attentive Rhett, with whom she had just recently been introduced. Rhett with intoxicating, burning eyes and lips that spoke with such passion it would make something as practical as a phonebook sound sensual. Then the next minute? He was indifferent and detached. Or laughing at her. Or being cruel with no explanation. It was enough to drive a sane person to madness! What was his motivation? Of course, if he really did love her—

He was right. There were a lot of questions. But she was beginning to think that all of her confusion concerning Rhett could be settled if just one was answered honestly…

He turned into the parlor. She followed him and stood in the doorway as he grabbed a black leather bag that resembled a computer bag, throwing it onto his shoulder.

"Where is your appointment?" She regretted asking as soon as the question left her lips. How clingy did that sound!

He grinned. "I'll tell you later."

With that, he was gone. He was the most infuriating—

As he closed the door, she stomped her foot.

Turning from the door, she walked over to where she had left her purse the night before and checked her phone. She had several text messages and one voicemail.

The voicemail was from her Pa. He acted like he was calling just to check in but she knew he was calling to see how she was doing after her breakdown last night. She smiled. She wished she knew that herself…

One was a mass-text message from Melanie:

Good morning to all of you! Just a reminder that we have our last fittings today! We—

Blah. Blah. Blah.

Three of the texts were from Ashley. Her breath caught.

Hey, I wanted to see if you wanted to talk before the rehearsal dinner tonight?

And again thirty minutes later:

Hey, I wanted to see if you wanted to talk before the rehearsal dinner tonight?

And again an hour ago:

Did you get my message?

She took a deep breath before texting him back, asking when and where he would like to meet. He was right. They needed to talk. She needed to talk to him. See him. In spite of the fact that yesterday had been kind of a…disaster. In spite of the fact that she hadn't wanted to see him or hear from him yesterday. Ashley was her clarity. Which she needed more than anything right now. If she could just see him—

Maybe she'd stop feeling so confused about Rhett.

Her phone vibrated.

Let's just meet at the venue about an hour before?

She responded:

Sounds good. C u then.

With that, she headed towards her own hotel room to get ready for the day.

When she pulled into the parking garage for the fitting, the first person she saw was India. She appeared to be waiting on her. Or on someone.

"You are late." India stated.

"A whole two minutes late. You really do need to find something better to do with your time, outside of watching my every move." Scarlett strolled past her.

India scowled as she walked quickly to keep up with her. "You fool…Melanie sent everyone a text, asking us to get here an hour earlier so she could take everyone out for coffee afterwards. Everyone is already gone." India sneered. "I was drafted to stay behind and wait for you when Melanie attempted to get in contact with you and you ignored her."

Scarlett glanced at her phone and noticed that there was a missed call. And then she remembered the text that she had blown off from Melanie earlier.

She looked at India and smiled sweetly. "Oops!"

As they entered the side entrance of the shop, Scarlett suggested, "As much as I enjoy your company, India, now that you have given me the message, why don't you just go ahead and meet the others and give me the address?"

India huffed. "Gladly." She handed her a piece of paper and, without saying another word, turned for the door.

"Always a pleasure, India." Scarlett called after her. She glanced at the address and knew immediately where they had went. It would be easy enough to think of some reason that she couldn't go and socialize with the "girls"…

The fitting went well. Everything fit fine and she left the shop with the dress on her arm. She pulled out her phone and saw that Melanie had texted her. Probably to see if she was coming. She would text her back later. She decided to head back to the hotel and take a nap. In reality, the amount of sleep she had gotten last night—and the night before, for that matter—was…minimal. She could feel it this afternoon. And considering that she never got less than, like, ten hours a night? She was dragging.

Just as she was about to pull out of the parking lot, her phone rang. It was Melanie.

Great balls of fire! Was she going to text and call until Scarlett finally responded?! Scarlett decided to go ahead and answer. She didn't want her interrupting her nap.

"Hello?" she answered harshly.

"Hi, Scarlett. I am sorry to continue calling and texting. I just wanted to check in and see when you thought you would be arriving? No rush…"

Scarlett rolled her eyes. "Actually, I probably won't make it, Melanie. I have so many…things to do today."

"Oh, of course. How silly of me to assume…yes, of course you have other things to do." Melanie's disappointment was obvious and it made Scarlett feel uncomfortable. There was a pause before Melanie continued, her voice was quieter. "Listen, I know that you and some of the ladies here don't get along, mostly because they are so jealous of you and your accomplishments, so…maybe you would like to meet, just you and I? Of course, if you really do have things to do that is understandable but…just in case that isn't the real reason. Not that you would lie! Just—"

"I understand." Scarlett interrupted. She couldn't bear to hear her fumble over her words a moment longer.

"I am just disappointed that we haven't gotten any time alone. To talk. Get more acquainted."

Everyone wanted to talk to her today, didn't they?

For the first time since she had arrived with her dimwitted plan to stop this wedding, she felt guilt. The sincerity in Melanie's voice was genuine. She really did want to get more acquainted. Melanie really did…like her. And what a strange feeling that was. Because she often had men fighting for her attention. But she couldn't remember a time when a woman had wanted her attention. To be her friend.

And, even more strange, she found herself elusively wishing that the situation were different and that she could be friends with this woman. This same woman, who was marrying the love of her life tomorrow—unless some miracle took place.

"I—," She didn't know what to say. Some things were becoming clear to her, even as everything else continued to be as puzzling as possible.

She had to begrudgingly admit that Melanie was…kind of an awesome person. Granted, annoyingly so. Sometimes in ways that didn't even seem real (I mean, who could be that nice?). Nevertheless, she was someone that a person could depend on. Even if she did fumble over every word that came out of her mouth.

…Like Ashley did.

"I…I really can't. I am sorry." And she really couldn't. She couldn't get acquainted. She couldn't be friends with her.

"Oh, I understand." Melanie stated. "Well, I will definitely see you tonight! Your fiancé will be attending as well?"

"I—I think so." Great…once again, she was reminded of how much of a mess her life was in at this moment. Fiancé…

They said their goodbyes and Scarlett hung up.

She turned out of the parking garage and headed towards the hotel.

She considered where she was going to go for her nap. To her very unused room, or to Rhett's. Maybe she should go to her room. She needed some relief for her mind. He probably wasn't back yet anyway.

As the elevator ascended to her floor, she remembered that she needed to make sure that Rhett could go with her to the rehearsal dinner.

She pulled out her phone.

U comin 2 the rehearsal dinner w/ me?

He texted back almost immediately.

Of course.

She took a deep breath as she exited the elevator.

Once in her room, she tried desperately to go to sleep. But in spite of her mental and physical exhaustion, her brain wouldn't let her sleep.

She wished to be friends with Melanie, though she hated her. She loved Ashley but had a sudden disinterest in the fact that he was getting married…tomorrow. And Rhett. All she could see when she closed her eyes was his face.

After tossing and turning for about an hour, she gave up on the idea of a nap. She couldn't find peace.

She looked at the clock and realized that she needed to leave soon anyway.

She wanted to see Rhett before she left.

Without thinking, she exited her room, took the elevator to the 42nd floor and entered Rhett's room.

He was back. He was seated at the dinner table, laptop open, tie loose around his neck and sleeves rolled up to his elbows. When he saw her, his eyes snapped joyfully.

He must have been on speaker phone, because he spoke to the air, "I'll call you back" before getting up and walking to her. Before she could say a word, he had bent her over backwards and kissed her soundly.

She was still bent over his arm when he pulled back and spoke, "I don't know if you can tell, but I am glad to see you." His face was as honest as she had ever seen it.

She smiled. "I am glad to see you too."

He pulled her back up before walking her over to the sofa. "Are you? You seemed a bit peeved with me when I left for my appointment earlier…" She sat down and he sat next to her, a grin still on his face.

"I was…I am!" She stated. "Are you going to tell me who your appointment was with now?"

He laughed. "All in good time…I was under the impression that there may be more pressing questions on your mind than that. Some so pressing that you felt that you needed to approach me somewhat—er—dominantly last night." His grin was smug but the way his eyes roamed over her as he spoke told her that he had no complaints concerning their recent activities. "I am willing to accommodate."

She was speechless. It amazed her how quickly his attitude could change. When she first arrived, he had seemed so genuinely happy to see her. And now he was back to that nasty, jesting attitude. Even making fun of her for last night!

She hardened and began to stand up. His insolence was all the answer that she needed to any questions she had. But he grabbed her hand before she could leave. His teeth still showed between those beautiful lips. "Don't be upset. I was only teasing you. I couldn't resist. Come on. You have questions. I have answers. And frankly, I have some questions of my own. I am a monster of selfishness, after all." He tugged her hand. "Come on, baby…"

She slowly sat back down, only slightly placated. "You have questions? For me?"

"I do. But we can get to those after you have eased your own mind. I know that you have been dwelling on a boundless number of perplexities since last night. Yes, don't look so surprised. You know I read you like a book. And I am feeling rather generous because of your own…generosity and I plan on answering every question you ask with complete honesty. Which—I can now be honest?—is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"All right." She said skeptically. He was acting almost business-like. It made talking about all of this feel controlled and…yeah. Nevertheless, she asked, "Why did you leave the other night without a call or text or…anything?"

Without a pause, he spoke. "Well, since I am being honest, I must tell you. I was afraid."

Scarlett started. "Afraid? Of what?"

"Of you. You see, I had revealed quite a lot to you that night. I wasn't ready to face that. I suppose that I thought you would think it all amusing." He pulled something from his pocket. "Do you mind?" He lifted a skinny-looking cigar to his lips and lit it.

"I didn't know you smoked…" She muttered.

"I don't on a regular basis. Only when I want to relax." He drew on the cigar deeply. She didn't know how she would react to the smell of cigar smoke, but she found that it smelled rather pleasant.

All at once, Rhett's strange behavior made sense. He wanted to relax because he was nervous. About talking to her. Just as she was about talking to him. For some reason he was reverting to this casual, practical stranger. He was being honest with his words, but little else.

"Do you feel you need to relax right now?"

He must not have expected her to ask that because his eyes went immediately to her face, searching, before stating, "Yes."

"Why?" She pushed.

He drew on the cigar again as he leaned back into the sofa, his eyes now alert and a bit guarded. "Well, when a man agrees to a full disclosure with you, he might get a little nervous, don't you agree?"

"Why would you need to be nervous about answering my questions?"

He laughed. "It's not the questions I am nervous about. It's what you will do with the information I give you that puts me a bit on edge."

The more he disclosed, the easier the questions were to ask. "What information are you referring to?"

Rhett continued to look at her through squinted eyes before releasing something between a laugh and a sigh. Leaning forward, he placed the cigar in the ashtray before folding his fingers together. "Well, I guess that's right to the point, isn't it?"

He rubbed his hands together and remained silent for a long time. The silence and his position made her nervous. Because this kind of transparency was so out of his character. She had the feeling that something was about to shift. Whatever he was going to tell her, it was going to change…everything. Her heart beat wildly while she waited for him to speak.

Without moving, he stated. "I suppose I should start at the beginning…and the end. This…secret, I suppose, has been the beginning and ending of everything for me since I met you. I've told you in a million ways in these last few days but your stubborn little mind won't accept anything but a black and white declaration." He paused but he never moved, never ceased rubbing his hands together. His voice deepened. "I love you. I love you as no man has ever loved a woman, Scarlett. It consumes me. You consume me. Your beautiful, hardheaded mind and your stubborn, unbending will. I want you. To possess you. I want your mind. Your heart. I want to consume you as you consume me. I want you to need to see my face to be able to breathe, like I need yours. I want you to crave my touch, my hands, my body the way I crave yours." He paused. "I thought it was possible…eventually. I knew that you were attracted to me. I could see that. So I had your attention. Maybe I could win your heart. I felt I was close…and then you walked into that restaurant a week ago and I knew…someone else already possessed you. How that cut me. To know that someone who could never know you like I know you, or love you like I love you, could have what I so desperately wanted. When he didn't even want it."

Scarlett's heart was in her throat as he continued. "And then, when…night before last…I thought that it might change but I couldn't face it. Because as much as I thought I loved you before, I felt that I was finding you all over again. Then you came here. And last night, well…last night was indeed the most erotic night of my life. But it was more than that. It was a fucking revelation."

"Revelation?" She choked.

He finally looked at her. "Yes. It was a revelation. A useless one, when you don't see it too. I wanted to you to realize it for yourself but…you love me." He leaned towards her. "And, God, saying it out loud...do you know what that makes me want to do to you…?"

His face was hard, as if he intended violence, and he appeared ready to attack. She couldn't breathe. "What?"

He leaned in further, now positioned over her, without touching her. "Guess…"

She couldn't. She just waited. Hoping, praying that he would do whatever was on his mind. She needed him between her legs. Deep in her, relieving the thundering, pulsing ache that demanded his complete attention. But he didn't move.

Her phone went off. She knew, without looking, who it was. "Bad Romance" filled the quiet room, breaking the spell. She cleared her throat before reaching into her pocket and answering.

Rhett's eyes were on her as she spoke to Ashley.

Omniscient.

She watched his response to their short conversation, his eyes growing hard and black. When she hung up, having reaffirmed her plan to meet with Ashley before the rehearsal, she was again waiting for him to speak. He appeared to be waiting to.

When neither of them spoke, Rhett stated. "Always Ashley." A moment passed before he said, "You don't want to be late." He got up from the sofa and walked a few paces before stopping, running a hand through his hair.

"The appointment I had today was with a very prominent magazine here in Atlanta. It was a second interview. My first interview was conducted about a month ago, in New York. But I didn't know if I was even interested in taking the position. Because of you. They have wanted me for a while. I will be getting a promotion and a significant pay raise. Opportunities to travel..."

Scarlett was stunned. Rhett, leaving New York? Leaving the newspaper? "You…you—"

He turned and faced her. "I will be accepting the position. They are going to allow me a six month notice for the paper and to settle my affairs in New York. Move. Very generous. I give them my official answer tomorrow."

Scarlett couldn't speak. "I…"

Rhett laughed mirthlessly at her. Scarlett again tried to speak but he interrupted her. "I just have one question before you go…" He walked back towards her, lifting her by her shoulders to her feet. "Do you agree with me?"

God, if he would just kiss her… "About what?" She whispered. She could just lean in a little closer and his lips would touch hers.

"Do you agree with me when I say that you love me?" His eyes bore into hers, looking for any sign of deception. She couldn't lie under such duress.

"I…I don't know."

Rhett's eyes bore into hers for a moment longer, before his face was wiped bland. The corners of his mouth down. He released her and moved away. "You don't know…don't you think that it might be more appropriate under the circumstances to say 'I love you Rhett' even if you didn't mean it?" He was joking again.

"No, I don't." The words came out fast. "I don't know how I feel about you. I don't know if I love you or hate you or…anything! I don't know what I feel." She paused, looking at him with pleading eyes. "But I know I feel something."

"It's not enough, Scarlett." Then suddenly his lips were violently, mercifully on hers and she sought to show him how she felt, since she couldn't tell him. He was leaving. He was taking a job miles from New York. From the paper. From her. He loved her and he was leaving.

He suddenly pulled away, grasping her jaw between his hands. "I told you earlier I wasn't leaving Atlanta today but I have changed my mind. I am leaving for New York tonight."

Scarlett's eyes widened and her jaw trembled before she clinched her teeth to steady it. "But Rhett, you can't." Her voice was small, even when her mind was screaming, He can't leave. He can't.

"I know, I know. You are worried about saving face tonight and at the wedding tomorrow. Fear not, my dear. I am sure that you can come up with some sort of lie to keep the gossip down. Tell them I was called away on important business. You can explain away our 'broken engagement' when you are back in New York, far from their clucking beaks." He glanced at the clock on the wall. "You should leave. You'll be late." He turned from her towards the bedroom. She could hear him lift the suitcase from the floor, placing it on the bed. He was packing…again…

She couldn't stay here and watch him. She practically ran for the door. Only once she was securely on the elevator did she allow herself to sink against the wall and cry.