Page 145 of Starcrossed Colorado

Ayla had been doing a series of video interviews with the editor of the Hartley Gazette, Genevieve Blake. Genevieve also happened to be the girlfriend of Sheriff Douglas and a friend of Emma’s aunt and uncle. Ayla had spoken openly about her struggles with the pressures of fame. A little about Lori’s death, keeping the details vague. She’d asked the public to give her family and friends privacy. For now, it seemed to be working.

There had also been a social media campaign to support Emma. I had no idea who had started it, but Ayla had reposted the videos to help them gain traction. There’d been a public outcry against Emma’s cheating ex in LA and an online petition urging his bosses to fire him for his behavior. Just yesterday, he’d resigned from his director position. His wife, the music professor, had announced she would file for divorce, and she’d even reached out to Emma via socials to ask Emma to return to school in Southern California.

Emma didn’t want to go back to that school. Not because she was ashamed, but because it would feel like going backward. But she’d told me she felt vindicated. I was glad too, because it meant I didn’t have to fly to California, track down the cheating asshole, and deal out a punishment of my own.

But it could’ve been a bonding experience for me and Nash, Emma’s dad.

“Did you hear about the boycott against Dr. Carmichael?” Dixie asked.

I grunted, scowling at the one-way glass. “I don’t even want to hear his name.”

We’d learned that Danny was the one who’d tipped off reporters about Lori being Ayla Maxwell’s sister. Years ago, Lorihad let something slip at work. Danny had kept that secret in his pocket, and earlier this summer, he’d finally decided to sell the info because his dental office wasn’t making as much money as it used to.

Dixie sniffed. “The boycott wasn’t my idea. I’m staying out of it. Don’t want to penalize any of his staff, since it’s not their fault. But Ihavebeen organizing a donation fund for Elias’s ex-wife to cover any legal expenses she might have.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Elias had died without any heirs, and his ex Holly was working with lawyers to claim his assets, including his house and Flamethrower Burgers. It sounded like he’d intimidated her into accepting less than her share during their divorce, even though she’d worked hard to build the business with him.

Holly didn’t plan to move back to Silver Ridge. But I thought she deserved any proceeds from the sale of Elias’s assets. Lawyers were expensive though, and they would probably take a hefty chunk of the money.

Dixie reached up to pat my shoulder, making me feel like a kid though I towered over her. “I just want you to know that Silver Ridge is on your side. This town loves you and your family, Ashford. Nobody blames you for keeping the truth about Lori’s sister private.”

“Thank you. That means a lot.”

Dixie aimed a meaningful glance at the one-way window, where Emma was singing the goodbye song that ended every class. “The town loves Miss Jennings, too. We’d sure love to see her stay.”

So would I, I thought. But who said we always got what we wanted?

“Emma’s lease is almost up,” Dixie reminded me. As if I needed a reminder. “I stopped by today to offer some new terms. I just emailed them to you and Emma. I know this month hasn’tbeen easy for you with all the class cancelations, so I’ll throw in a discount on the first month of the new term.Andan updated sign for the building. That piece of paper in the window for Emma’s music classes just isn’t cutting it.”

“Thanks, Dixie,” I said, jaw so tight it barely moved. “We’ll let you know.”

“Please do. Don’t let these lease terms pass you by, Ashford. Who knows when you’ll get a chance like this again?”

“Yep. Okay. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Think about it.” She gave me a stern glare on her way out.

The door to the classroom opened, and parents streamed into the lobby. Emma saw me and smiled as she grabbed the cleaning spray.

“Don’t worry about cleaning,” I said. “I can wipe down the mats later. Come to my office? I have something for you.”

Her smile turned mischievous. “Oh. Do you?”

We made our way down the hall. Once my door was closed, Emma pulled me down to kiss her. “What do you have for me? Is it this?” She palmed my crotch, where my cock was quickly getting interested. But for once, I hadn’t pulled her into my office forthat.

I kissed her again, reluctantly stepping back and leading her toward the desk. “Actually, it’s something else. Something Ayla and I have been working on.”

“Really? You and Ayla?”

I sat in the chair, guiding Emma to sit in my lap. “She’s expecting our call.”

I set up the video call on my computer. My stomach burned, and my pulse increased. My grip tightened on Emma’s hip where I was holding her.

Ayla’s face appeared. She looked far better rested than she’d been the night she showed up here unannounced.

After some greetings and small talk, Ayla got to the point.

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