Only in Your Dreams

Mack took Vicky home a few hours later, his mind still on Rose and what she'd confessed to him. It didn't sound like something he would do- promise to return only to come back with a girlfriend who wasn't Rose. It didn't sound like Rose, either, marrying Dax only to keep herself from being lonely. It worried him. How could they have changed so much?

"I love your friends, baby," Vicky told him, shattering the silent spell that had wrapped itself around the two. "They're all so nice and funny, and their children are adorable. I…I hope whoever you marry loves them too."

"What?" Mack asked in a shocked tone. He certainly wasn't in love with Vicky, but this future him could easily be. How else could he have chosen Vicky over Rose? "I don't understand."

"You told me when we met that you had loved your best friend Rose and that you always would. I understood that, and I still do. She's a big part of your life, an important person to you. It's just that we've been together for four years now and she's still the most important person in your life. I can see it in the way you look at her. And that's not fair to either of us. I'm so sorry."

But all he could do was nod. "Be happy," Mack told her, and he meant it. She was a genuinely nice woman, and though he'd really only met her a few hours ago, Mack did want her to be happy. She was sweet.

"I do love you, Mack." Vicky's brown eyes bore into his own blue ones, begging him to understand the choice she'd made. "Part of me always will. I just have to get on with my life now…and maybe you should, too." She leaned in and kissed his cheek softly. "Good night. Drive safe."

Mack nodded again and watched the woman hop out of his car and go up the walk to her home. She turned to wave before going into the house and disappearing from sight.

He didn't know how to feel. He had no attachment to Vicky, but the twenty-five year old Mack did. 'Maybe he should have thought of that before he let Rose get away,' he thought bitterly. 'Anyone who would let Rose get away is an idiot and deserves to be lonely.'

It certainly had been an interesting day, Mack mused as he entered his apartment. His girlfriend had just broken up with him, he had flaked on the one woman who had always stood by and loved him, and he had no idea who he was anymore.

He was so bored…so lonely in this unfamiliar empty apartment. He wished desperately that he could fix the mistake he'd made so that maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't be alone anymore.

Mack searched through his book shelves, hoping to find one of his old favorites. A title jumped out at him.

The Baron's Betrayal. That was perfect. Mack snatched the book off the shelf eagerly and sat down on the plush red couch. As he opened the book, a folded piece of paper fell out from between the pages.

Mack unfolded the paper scrap, wondering what it was and how it had gotten there. It was in Rose's handwriting.

Dear Mack,

I can't believe I'm leaving tomorrow. It seems like I just got here and met you for the first time. Time does fly; the saying is true.

Mack, you've been my best friend since that first crazy day. I know you know this already, but I don't tell you often enough. You've definitely kept me sane through this whole ordeal.

It never mattered to me. I told you this right after we found out the truth about you, and it's still a fact. You accept me for who I am, and the least I can do is return the favor.

And now that the Corona Aurora has performed its little miracle on you, it's time you knew. I love you, Mack. I knew that first day, when you smiled. I love you, and I'll miss you while you're off playing Indiana Jones.

Take care of yourself…I need you to come home safely.

All my love,

Rose

Mack felt his heart break into a million little pieces. She'd poured her heart out to him…and he'd somehow thought Vicky was a better choice for himself. What an idiot he'd been. He wanted to call Rose and apologize all over again.

Wondering how he'd ever managed to screw things up for himself so badly, Mack took the note into his room, turning off lights as he went. He climbed into bed, weary and lonely and needing his Rose.