Breathing a sigh of relief, he smiled. "Nothing would give me greater pleasure."

Over the next two hours, I finally shared my past, all of it, right up until my sudden departure after we'd made love.

When I was done, Olly sat back, eyes wide, releasing a pent-up breath slowly through his lips. "Wow, Molly. I had no idea."

I gave him a tight smile, feeling better, lighter. Finally sharing something about myself had actually been therapeutic. "You deserved to know. I'm only sorry it's taken me so long. It could have saved us a lot of sorrow."

Oliver placed his elbow on the table, letting his head rest in his upturned hand, just staring at me, reading something within my expression. "Who is he?"

"Who is who?"

"The guy you're in love with."

"I don-"

He reached out and gently took my hand. "Do you know how much I wished you would think of me and look like that? Need me that desperately?"

"What?"

He dropped his gaze. "I loved you, Molly Shakespeare, but you never loved me back. I tried to break into your heart, but I failed. I wanted you to share your problems, your past, but you wouldn't let me in. You didn't love me enough and well, that was okay. I wasn't the man for you. I get that now." He glanced up with compassion in his blue eyes. "Whoever he is, he must be special. It's like you're a whole different person, not the shy, introverted girl I once knew. You're stronger... changed."

My head dropped to my hands and I began to cry. I heard Oliver move from his chair and sit beside me, wrapping me in his arms. It felt good to be held again, but I missed Romeo and his arms were bigger, more protective. Romeo's chest was broader and although Oliver smelled nice, of some expensive aftershave, it wasn't soap or mint.

Oliver wasn't my Romeo.

"Shh, Molly. Don't cry. Nothing's so bad that it can't be fixed."

I lifted my head. "It just went so wrong. We were put through too much and... and... I ran... again, just like I ran from you. I hate myself for leaving, but I just couldn't stay."

"Shh... calm, Molly."

But I couldn't calm down. I'd finally let myself feel and regret was flowing out of me with the strength of a geyser. "Something we both loved dearly was taken away, stolen, and I just left him to deal with it on his own. He has the most important game of his life coming up and all I do is miss him, think of him, but I've majorly messed up. I left him when he needed me most. How can I go back after doing that?"

Oliver shuffled back in his seat, his lips pursed in confusion. "What game?"

"He plays American football."

"Oh, right. Is he any good?"

I couldn't help it, but I laughed. "Yeah, he's pretty amazing."

Oliver shook his head in astonishment. "Molly Shakespeare with an American football player? Well, I never saw that coming. It's not polo or cricket, but I'm a big believer that all sportsmen are good men. Your man most probably is too."

I play-punched his slim arm. "He's not just a football player. He's the bravest, most caring person I've ever met. He understands me like no one before. He's my soul mate-he's my everything."

"Molly, a footballer's girlfriend." Oliver shook his head, smiling in disbelief.

"It's like nothing you've ever seen, Olly. The entire state worships the team, worships him. The stadium alone holds over a hundred thousand people. It's crazy. Games are televised. They're sponsored by international brands, and I ended up falling in love with the most revered player in the entire country."

Oliver took my hand gently and looked straight into my eyes. "Well, the question is, Molly, why the hell are you sitting in this bloody coffee shop with me instead of with your soul mate superstar in Alabama?"

I stared back at him as his words rattled in my brain.

Why the hell was I here?

I jumped from the chair. "Olly..."

"Go, Molly. I understand." He stood, like a true English gent, and kissed both my cheeks. "You left me a hollow man when you left last year without a word, but I realise now that you were never mine to keep. Your new chap is lucky to have you."

"No, I'm the one who's lucky to have Romeo."

"Romeo?"

"Yeah, his name's Romeo Prince."

Oliver rubbed his forehead and chuckled. "Well, Miss Molly Juliet Shakespeare-how very fateful. But you'd better get to your Romeo as soon as possible. If I remember rightly, he has a nasty habit of getting himself into lots of bother in your absence."

I smiled at his teasing, pressing a thankful kiss to his smooth cheek. "Good-bye, Oliver. Thank you for... everything."

"Thank you, Molly. Good luck with your new life in America."

With a new determination, I ran to the university guest accommodation as fast as my legs would take me.

I rushed into my room and began throwing my things in my bag. I'd almost fully packed when there was light tap on my door.

"May I come in, Molly?"

It was Suzy.

I let her in and she glanced at me in panic after she'd taken in my empty room. "Are you going somewhere again? Where to now, Molly? This has to stop-"

"I'm going back," I interrupted.

Her frown smoothed and a flicker of hope lit in her milky grey eyes. "To?"

"Alabama. Oh, no, actually..." I checked the date on the calendar on the wall. "I'm going to Pasadena, California, Rose Bowl Stadium."

A huge smile pulled on Suzy's crepe-thin skin. "Molly. Thank goodness. What made you change your mind?"

"An old friend made me confront just how much I miss and love Romeo. He needs me and I just left. I need to go and make it right." I played with my hands. "It will be difficult going back there, after... after... you know, but I have to, for him."

Suzy reached forward and gripped my hand. "Molly, I want to tell you a few things, just quickly before you depart."

"Okay," I replied, impatiently checking my watch.

A maternal smile tugged on her lips. "You remind me a lot of me, you know. You love philosophy, you want to be a professor, and you've had a difficult life."

I took a seat on the bed, nervous at the direction in which her conversation was heading.

"My father died in the war, Molly. Did you know that?"

"No," I responded, genuinely surprised.

"He was shot in France. I was very young when it happened, but it stayed with me, affected me, like your father's death did you. Years passed by and I eventually got to grips with my life. When I came to Oxford-quite the accomplishment for a girl in those days-I met Richard. He was so dapper and handsome and I knew, just by our first touch, that I was madly in love with him. We married six months later. You had that with Mr. Prince. I watched you in the lecture hall and saw the immediate change, and not just in your appearance."

I fiddled with my hands and I heard Suzy take a sobering breath. "I've lost five babies in my life, Molly."

I gasped and covered my mouth. She leaned over and patted my knee. "No tears. I'm an old, tough cookie."

I held her hand and squeezed it in support.

Suzy stared at our two hands, unseeing. "I could never carry a child full term and after the fifth miscarriage, I couldn't even get pregnant anymore. Eventually Richard and I came to terms with our destiny and together we've lived a wonderful life."

"Suzy, I-"

"Shh, child. I did not share this to gain your pity. In fact, it's quite the opposite. You've endured a lot in your young life, but these things make you who you are, give you strength, and they also lead you to your destiny. You can't always run."

I wiped at my eyes, expelling the moisture. "I just want somewhere finally to call home. Everywhere I seem to go just brings me more sadness."

"Molly, a home is not a place. It's not a country or a town or a building or possession. Home is with the other half of your soul, the person who shares in your grief and helps you carry the burden of loss. Home is with the person who throughout it all never gives up on you and brings you eternal happiness. That, Molly dear, is your home sweet home, and I think we both know that you found yourself a very handsome young man who might just be that person. Don't let go of it, Molly, even when things are tough, just don't let go."

I jumped up and hugged her tightly. After several seconds, she patted my back and shook herself right. "Now, now, young lady, none of this. We're British-stiff upper lip and all that. No need for over-affection."

I giggled and grabbed my things. When I turned around, Suzy was holding out her car keys. "Come, Molly, I'm going to show you how an old aged pensioner gets you to Heathrow Airport in record time."

I sat in the departure lounge and anxiously took my phone from my bag. I stared at the black rectangle with a lump in my throat. I knew it would be filled with messages, messages of hurt and pain. I eventually sucked up my fear, turned on the power, and a barrage of text messages and voicemails flooded the screen.

The first instantly made me cry as Romeo's gruff Bama accent filled my ears: "Molly! Where are you, baby? I'm so sorry for what I said and leavin' you like that. I've just heard from the nurse about my momma. My God, Mol, they said she attacked you... again! Please tell me where you are... You just left the hospital without tellin' anyone. I can't find you anywhere."

It rolled straight to the next mail.

"Mol."

His voice was broken, emotional.

"There's a story in the paper. It's about us... about losin' our angel. Christ, Mol, there's a picture of you. It's breakin' my heart and you're not here. My momma has been arrested for assault; my daddy has been arrested for money launderin'. Please, call me. Tell me where you're at. It's all fucked up. I'm going crazy without you. I love you. Come back to me."

Tears dripped onto my knees.

Next.

"Molly, it's Ally. It's Christmas day. Romeo's here with me and my folks. He's not good. He's completely heartbroken-he either doesn't speak or gets so angry that he has to leave the house. Please. He blames himself for everything. Call him. He's saying it's all his fault!"

Next.

"Molls, it's Cass. You better be back for the championship, girl, or I'm gonna track you down and kick your skinny English ass! The fans are freakin' after the story in the paper, and Romeo can't throw for shit in practice. No more feelin' sorry for yourself! Fix it, girl. Get here, like, yesterday!"

I laughed lightly at Cass's usual no-nonsense tone.

I spent the next hour listening to Romeo's messages of heartbreak, anger, or complete desolation and my friends all trying to convince me to return. The last voicemail was left this morning. I pressed the button to listen.

"Hey, baby, it's me. I'm in Pasadena now for the game tomorrow and wanted to call you... again. I guess since you haven't returned my calls, it means that you're really not comin' home. I know you're in Oxford. Professor Ross emailed me. I just want you to know that I love you and that'll never change. I need you, baby. I need you with me. You're my family, my everythin'. You're my home."

Home. I was his home sweet home.

I erased all the messages and sent two texts.

Ally, don't say anything to Romeo in case I don't make it, but I'm on my way to Pasadena. I need you to get me a pass for the game. I'll call you when I land... I'm so sorry for everything, but I'm coming back for him. I'm coming back. Xx The next was much simpler.

Romeo. I love you. I haven't given up on us. You're my home too. Xx I shut off my phone and headed to the departure gate. For the first time in my life, I was running to something, not away from it.

26.

"How long until kickoff?"

"Twenty minutes."

"Will we get there in time?"

"It all depends on traffic."

I flopped back in the back seat of the cab and texted Ally.

ME: Almost there. Traffic horrendous. How is he?

ALLY: Hurry, Molls. The fans and cameramen keep looking for you. Cass and I keep getting questioned. Romeo isn't good. Keeps searching for you as they practice. By the look on his face right now, he's decided you're not coming.

Bugger, that wasn't good.

"Any closer yet?"

The cab driver's knuckles on the wheel turned white in annoyance. "Look, lady. There's the stadium. You can see the traffic for yourself."

I stretched my neck, spotting the large imposing stadium at the end of a long, traffic-jammed road. I had to get there.

I could run that.

I tossed money at the driver, jumping out of the cab, and broke into a run heading in the direction of the Rose Bowl Stadium. People whistled and whooped as I ran by in my brown cowboy boots and white lace summer dress, but I ignored it. I had my hair down and flowing, and I'd even managed to makeup my face. I'd used the time on the plane wisely.