Page 109 of Starcrossed Colorado

“Maybe three.”

“Fine. Three. Then I’m coming to get you.”

Maisie ran up, crashing into Ashford’s legs. “Daddy, can I have another waffle?” She looked over at me. “Emma, what’s wrong?”

I knelt. “Nothing, Maisie-doodle. But I have a bunch of work I need to do, and I’ll be gone a few days.”

“You have to?”

“I do. I’m sorry.” I gave her a hug, closing my eyes as a tear slipped free. “You are so special,” I whispered. “So precious.”

“When are you coming home?” she asked.

“I’m sure I’ll see you soon. But remember, I’m only here for the summer. That’s just a few more weeks.”

She frowned. “I know. I remember.” After another squeeze, I let her go.

Ashford kissed me on the cheek. “Call me later.”

“I’ll text.”

He was going to keep arguing, but Maisie called out for him to help her.

“Go,” I said. “I’ll be okay.”

Grace asked me a few questions on our way to Hartley, but I struggled to form any coherent answers. My phone kept buzzing with more calls and messages, and I couldn’t avoid them forever.

What was I going to tell them?

In a way, the truth about last semester was easier to face now. I was deeply ashamed of what had happened and the way I’d left my master’s program. But now, it was out there. Dad knew. I couldn’t do anything about that.

The far worse part of it was that I’d hurt Ashford by association. That tabloid was trying to use me to make him look like an unfit father. It was ridiculous, but plenty of people would think worse of him because he’d welcomed me into his daughter’s life. Hard to believe some people still thought that way, but they did. As that tabloid reporter had expected. People loved salacious gossip, and they loved to pass judgment.

I’d thought I was wiping my slate clean by coming to Silver Ridge for the summer. That had been a fantasy. My past had followed me.

Silver Ridge wasn’t really home. I’d known it all along. I didn’t belong with the O’Neals. It was time for me to face that fact.

I never should’ve let myself fall in love with Ashford and his sweet little girl. Because I wasneversupposed to stay.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Ashford

I’d agreedto give Emma a few days. Three at the most. It had been two.

I wasmiserable.

“You should go to bed. Get some sleep.” Grace walked into the kitchen in her pajamas. “Or at least turn a light on. Sitting here in the dark is creepy, and it can’t be making your mood any better.”

“You think a light is going to help my mood? It’ll just signal to the vultures outside that we’re up.”

It was the middle of the night, and I was sitting at my kitchen table doom-scrolling through social media. My phone had dozens of emails and voicemails from reporters seeking comments. I’d given up on deleting them.

The reporters had descended within hours of us returning home after our trip. We’d had to cancel classes. Chief Landry had increased his officers’ patrols down our block, but if the reporters and news vans stayed on the public sidewalks and street, there were limits to what he could do to keep them away.

Grace and Callum had been braving the paparazzi to bring us supplies, but Maisie and I were pretty much trapped here,and my little girl had no idea why these strangers were suddenly bothering us.

All she knew was that Emma wasn’t here, and she didn’t understand why.

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