Page 116 of Starcrossed Colorado

“It’s true,” I blurted out.

Jessi looked up, her fork poised in front of her. “What’s true?”

I already wished I hadn’t said anything, but now that I had started, it would be better just to get it out. Even though my breakfast rebelled in my stomach.

“I did what that article said. Slept with a married man. I had no idea he was married, but there were probably signs I missed. I should have figured it out. I should’ve known better.”

I wrapped my hands around my coffee mug and stared into it. A distorted reflection of myself looked back from the surface.

Jessi put down her fork. Reached across the table and put her hand on my arm. “Emma, I am so sorry that happened to you. That man should be ashamed. I’m sure it’s hard for you to talk about, so I appreciate you telling me.”

I nodded, still feeling sick.

“Believe me when I say this, honey, because I found myself in bad situations too before Aiden came along. No matter what signs there may or may not have been, it wasn’t your fault.”

“Thanks.” I knew all of those things in theory, but that wasn’t the same as believing them. Hearing it from Jessi helped me get one step closer.

“What about the father and daughter mentioned in that article?” She bit her lip guiltily. “I tried to resist reading it, but that’s all people seem to be talking about around here. How Ayla Maxwell’s family lives over in Silver Ridge. All the family she has, from how that article made it sound.”

Another rush of longing hit me at the mention of the O’Neals.

“I was shocked about that too. When I first got to know Ashford and Maisie, I had no idea they were related to her. They’re both…” There I went, getting choked up again. “The article makes Ashford sound like the bad guy. But he’s not. Not even close.”

“Tell me about him.”

I started with meeting him at the beginning of my summer. How Ashford and I had to share a space. How I wound up living with them.

Falling for them.

Once I got to talking about Ashford and Maisie, I couldn’t stop. Even with all the heartache I felt, I was smiling. But that smile faded as I got to the end.

“I was only supposed to be in Silver Ridge for the summer. Until I could get things sorted out with transferring to a new music program. But then I fell in love with him. Fell in love with them both. And I feel like I’m torn in two different directions. Which is aside from the fact that I don’t even know how Ashford feels.”

“Was it his idea for you to come here after the story broke? Or yours?”

“Oh, definitely mine. He didn’t want me to leave. And he’s called and texted every day. He’s trying to be patient, but I know he wants me to come home.”

Home. Just saying that word twanged a chord in my heart.

She hummed. “That seems to be an indication of how he’s feeling about you.”

“Maybe.”

Jessi took another bite of biscuit. “There’s someone else who’s been calling. Madison and your dad.”

“They’ve been calling you too?”

“Only about five thousand times. They said you haven’t responded.”

“Just didn’t know yet what to say.”

“What you just told me explained it all. But if you could do me a favor and call them back, it would clear up my phone line. They know you’re safe, of course, but they just want to hear it from you.”

“I know. I will. I have several calls to make.”

“Want to make them in my office? I can sit with you.”

“No, I’m a big girl. I’ve got this.” But her offer somehow solidified my courage. Just knowing I had that support. She was going to be an incredible mom.

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