Page 103 of Starcrossed Colorado

“Unless?”

Unless you ask me to stay.

I was shocked when that thought surfaced in my head. It was one thing to consider sticking around Silver Ridge if I hadn’t gotten into a new program. But turning down an offer to transfer? Giving up my master’s? To do what?

I loved teaching music to the kids of Silver Ridge. And I loved a lot of other things about my life in Colorado. But my lease with Dixie ended soon. I didn’t have my own place here. Ashford didn’t want to share his space with me forever.

“Unless I don’t get off the waitlist,” I finally said.

“You will. They’d be idiots not to want you.”

I stared into the remains of the fire, no longer sure whatIwanted.

“Aunt Grace is here!”

Before Ashford could stop her, Maisie dashed across the parking lot. Thankfully there were no cars moving anywhere near us. Grace had just gotten out of her sedan, and she knelt down, opening her arms for Maisie to run into them. The girl knocked Grace’s glasses askew and nearly sent the both of them sprawling on the concrete.

“I swear, I’ve taught her better than that,” Ashford said through clenched teeth.

“You’ve been blessed with a courageous kid.”

“Or maybe cursed.”

Grabbing our bags from the truck, we walked over to meet them. Grace hugged her brother, then opened her arms to me. “Warning you, I smell bad,” I said. “Haven’t showered in days.”

“I’m sure I’ve smelled worse. Oh. Wow, thatisintense.”

We both laughed.

For the last three days, Maisie, Ashford, and I hiked, sang, and stargazed to our hearts’ content. Now we’d arrived at a hotel next to a public hot spring. All three of us could use a shower. Make that four, because Stella needed a more thorough bath than she’d gotten in the creek.

It had been idyllic, though. Spending every waking moment with them. Laughing at Maisie’s jokes and Ashford’s dry humor. Nestling in our sleeping bags in the tent with Maisie’s in between us. And no internet access.

Of course, I saw Ashford scanning his phone the first chance he got during check-in.

I leaned in. “All good?”

He nodded, tucking his phone away. “No news.”

“I’ve been keeping an eye on the tabloids and gossip sites,” Grace chimed in. Maisie and Stella were over by the hotel lobby’s aquarium, watching fish swim around. “Everything on Ayla has gone quiet since she checked into the rehab facility.”

“I hope she’s okay,” I said.

Ashford scowled. “I hope she stays on the other side of the country. And forgets my number.”

The clerk at the reception desk finished with our check-in and handed us key cards for two rooms.

I nudged Grace. “Guess it’s you and me, roomie.” I assumed Ashford and his daughter would take the other.

“Oh, I’ll stay with Maisie.”

“You don’t mind?” Ashford asked.

“Please, like that wasn’t your plan all along, big brother. A romantic hotel stay. Just keep it down, okay?”

“I would say something obnoxious, Gracie, but I don’t want you to change your mind.”

“I accept payment in Swiss chocolate. And French cheese.”

---