Where The Heart Is: A Bay City Paranormal Investigations story

If she guessed what he really felt, she’d never leave it alone. She might even go talk to Sommer, which would be a disaster.
Would it really? What if he decided all he needed to be happy was you? What if he left Chapel Hill for you, and you could be together for real?
Dean shook himself, forcing the hopeful little voice into the back of his mind where it belonged. It was a nice fantasy, but that’s all it was. Those things didn’t happen in real life.
“I gotta go,” Dean said, glancing at his watch to prove his point. “My flight’ll be boarding in a little while.”
For a moment, Kerry looked ready to argue. Then she shook her head, stood on tiptoe and wound both arms around his neck. “Bye, Dean. Have a good trip.”
“I will.” He hugged her tight, then pulled away and kissed her cheek. “Love you.”
“Love you too.” Taking his hand, she gave it a hard squeeze. “Don’t forget to call.”
“I won’t.” He let her hand fall from his. “Bye.”
She gave him a watery smile, eyes suspiciously red, then turned and walked briskly toward the terminal door. He watched her until she was out of sight.
Grasping the handle of his bag, he went to join the line at the security checkpoint. He wished going through the metal arch to the gates didn’t feel so damn final.
    ~ * ~
    Soft moans. Deep, hungry kisses. Hands on his body, hard cock fucking him slow and sweet. Brown eyes aglow, silky hair brushing his face. A whispered “I love you,” and it was everything he’d ever wanted…
    A hand nudged Dean’s shoulder, jarring him from his fantasy. He blinked up at his coworker and friend, Sam Raintree, who stood frowning at him. “Sorry, Sam. I zoned out.”
    “I’ll say.” Easing into the chair at the desk beside Dean’s, Sam gave him a worried look. “Is everything all right? You’ve been out of sorts ever since you got back from Chapel Hill.”
    Dean faked a smile. “I’m fine. Just been kind of tired lately, that’s all. It’s probably just a cold or something.”
Sam didn’t look convinced at all, but he nodded. “Why don’t you go on home? I can finish up your research for you.”
Dean grimaced. He’d much rather stay here in the back room of the Bay City Paranormal Investigations office, up to his neck in research, than face the empty hours alone in his tiny apartment. Especially now, on Valentine’s Day. A day meant for lovers.
He’d hoped two weeks would be long enough to show him he didn’t really love Sommer after all. All it had shown him was how irretrievably he’d fallen. No way could he face Valentine’s Day alone with memories, wishes and his own cowardice.
“No thanks,” Dean answered, trying to sound casual. “I’m fine, honest. I like doing research.”
Crossing his arms, Sam arched a skeptical brow at him. “Okay. If you say so.”
“I do say so.” Dean laid a hand on Sam’s arm. “Thanks for being worried about me, though. It’s kind of nice.”
“What are friends for?” Smiling, Sam ruffled Dean’s hair and moved back to the other desk in the back room, where he was writing a report of their latest investigation. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
Dean nodded and waved Sam away with a smile. Sam’s concern was endearing, and comforting. It was nice to know he could talk to Sam—or, in fact, any of his friends at BCPI—about what had happened with Sommer. He wasn’t ready to do that yet, but knowing they would listen helped tremendously.
Shaking his head at his own pathetic behavior, Dean turned back to his computer. He had work to do.
    ~ * ~
    The day wore on, the individual minutes ticking away hour after busy hour. Bay City Paranormal had picked up three new cases since Dean had returned from his trip, and they’d all been working nonstop ever since. Dean was glad of it. Sommer stayed on his mind constantly, but he hadn’t had time to dwell on thoughts of the man, and all that had and had not happened between them.
    Okay, so he’d lost himself in romantic fantasies a couple of times. They hadn’t lasted long, and Dean was determined that it wouldn’t happen again.
At the next desk over, Sam yawned and stretched. “Is it time to leave yet?”
Dean glanced at the red plastic clock sitting on the empty desk next to his. “Four thirty. But you and Bo have been here since, what, seven?”
“Mm-hm.” Sam yawned again and rubbed his hands over his face. “Damn. Okay, I think I’ll go see if I can talk Bo into leaving a little