Page 123 of Starcrossed Colorado

Ayla peeked out shyly from Maisie’s room. She nodded at me, and I nodded back.

Maisie took Emma’s hand. “Come on. This is Aunt Ayla.”

The two women met in the hallway. “I’msucha fan,” Emma gushed. “Is that awkward? It’s probably awkward.”

Smiling, I left them to it and went into the kitchen. Callum had joined our sister, and they were already bickering over the pots and pans on the stove.

“I didn’t touch your sauce, jerk.”

“Looks to me like you messed with it.”

My apartment was way too small for all these people. But I actually didn’t mind it. I put one arm around each of my siblings, pulling them in for a rough hug.

“What’s happening?” Grace asked.

“I love you both. I really appreciate everything you’ve been doing.”

Callum smirked. “You say that like you’re surprised at the feeling.”

“We love you too.” Grace waved a wooden spoon at me. “And we’re glad Emma is back, since she’s clearly the real reason you’re in a good mood. Now set the table for dinner.”

“I will. Cal, you haven’t been hitting on Ayla, have you? Is that why she was hiding in Maisie’s room?”

My brother looked offended. “I haven’t done a thing. I’m a gentleman.”

“She doesn’t meet his usual standards,” Grace said. “Because they’ll definitely be seeing each other again.”

Callum flipped her the bird.

“What was that about you being a gentleman?” Grace deadpanned.

“I learned it from Ashford.”

I moved to the next topic, ignoring their bickering. “Emma and I have a plan for getting Ayla to a secure location where she can stay as long as she needs. If everything goes well, the media will have no idea where she is. But they’ll know she’s not here.”

“Sounds good.” Grace bent over the stove again. “Tell us all about it after dinner. I never cook like this, so you people are going to eat it and enjoy it, so help me.”

Dinner was delicious. Grace had made chicken parmigiana and a spinach salad, with Callum’s penne alla vodka on the side. My table wasn’t made to hold so many, but somehow we managed it, with extra chairs pulled from various other spots and Callum standing and eating by the counter.

Ayla insisted on handling the dishes. Afterward, we gathered in the living room. Emma squished against me on the couch with Maisie on her lap. Stella tried to climb up too, but when there wasn’t room, she settled for lying on top of Callum’s feet. Ayla and Grace took the two upholstered chairs.

“I don’t want you feeling like I’m kicking you out,” I said to Ayla. “But this…” I pointed at the windows, where paparazzi vans were camped up and down the street. “This isn’t good for any of us.”

Ayla pulled her feet up into the chair and tucked them beneath her. “I really am sorry. I wouldn’t have come here if I thought the media would find out.”

Maisie got up and crawled into the chair with her aunt. “But I’m glad you’re here.” Ayla shifted to make room for her, closing her eyes as she kissed Maisie’s head.

“Thank you, sweet girl.” Ayla looked so much like Lori in that moment. I got a little choked up.

“I’m glad you came too,” I said. “This was long overdue. But Emma’s uncle in Hartley made us an offer that might solve the issues we’re having.”

I told them the rough outline of the plan. We had two objectives. Leading the reporters away from here, and getting Ayla to Last Refuge without the media knowing.

“My uncle and his friends have a lot of experience protecting people in danger,” Emma explained. “People who don’t want to be found.”

“He can keep me hidden at this Last Refuge place?” Ayla asked her. “I thought you said it was a hotel.”

Emma nodded. “They have secure areas with a heavy security presence, and they’re on an isolated mountainside. Plus, before you go, we’ll have a couple of decoys leave here separately disguised as you. Myself and Grace.”

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