My Only Exception by Erika Trevathan

relationship when we had leased the 2000-square-foot condo directly on the ocean. It was not far outside of Wilmington and allowed me to easily commute to classes and was just a short drive from my new job at a local boutique. I was hoping to open up one of my own one day, so I was really excited about getting a position that would help prepare me for the future.
    For the past six months Braden and I had been alternating between me flying out to spend a weekend on the tour with him every now and then, and him taking short breaks to visit me. I had been learning to ignore both the magazine covers and Internet reports that seemed to document Braden’s every move and who, the majority of the time, reported all kinds of not-so-true things.
    I’m not going to say that it didn’t bother me when I did see a picture or hear a rumor, but I had come a long way in learning to trust him. I always made sure to call and get the story straight from Braden. And he always went out of his way to make me feel secure.
    Of course, there were the occasional paparazzi trying to catch a picture of Braden’s “live-in love interest.” I was pretty sure I’d never get used to seeing random shots of myself in magazines or on the Internet. Most of the time I had no idea that I was being photographed. I had taken to making sure I looked decent every time I stepped out of my apartment, just in case.
    But for the most part, Braden and I had weathered the “tough” aspects of being together and, trust me, when we were together it made everything worth it.
    The past four weeks had been the longest we’d been apart since making it official between us. Telephone calls and Skyping just weren’t cutting it.
    We craved each other so intensely that it was almost scary.
    And I had been counting down the minutes until we’d see each other again. Luckily, I wouldn’t have to wait much longer. His flight was coming in anytime now and he’d be staying for an entire week. It felt almost too good to be true. I hadn’t slept a wink the night before and had finally gotten up and put a pot of coffee on at the ungodly hour of five a.m. I then showered and dressed in a coral-striped maxi-dress that showed off my tan and the perfect amount of cleavage. My hair was behaving and I’d paid extra attention to my make-up. I wanted him to forget every girl that had ever thrown themselves at him on tour. I wasn’t quite sure I could accomplish that, but, looking in the mirror, I decided I was as close as I’d ever get.
    I grabbed my cup of coffee and wandered over to the window, hoping to see Braden’s cab dropping him off. When I didn’t see any signs of him, I had to stop myself from doing an antsy dance. I never had been a very patient person.
    When I finally heard the doorknob to the front door rattle, I quickly turned to watch it open. Anticipation pulled in my stomach just knowing who was on the other side.
    When I saw one tan, tattooed arm slip through the door, I couldn’t contain myself any longer. I went racing across the living room, jumping into Braden’s arms before he could even set his luggage down. I buried my face in his neck and breathed in the intoxicating scent that was only him.
    Braden wrapped me in his strong arms, burying his face in my hair. Having a long-distance relationship made reunions like this so much sweeter. It really sucked sometimes, being apart, but if it was the price I had to pay to have him, I’d pay it... And then some.
    Braden put his lips to my ear. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you?”
    I squeezed him even tighter. “God, yes. You’re all I’ve thought about since I left your tour bus last month.”
    He pulled back, holding me at arm’s length and letting his gaze slide seductively down me. “How do you get more gorgeous and sexy every time I see you?”
    I lifted a shoulder playfully. “Just a talent I have.”
    He sighed. “I’m tired of being separated. The minute you leave me, my mind gets