Page 146 of Starcrossed Colorado

“Emma, I know you really want to get your masters, and you could absolutely still do that. But I have another opportunity for you to consider. I work with a private music coach here in LA. She’s amazing. She’s helped me take my music to the next level, and she works with a lot of other big artists as well. Names you would definitely know. I’ve been in touch with her about you, and she’s willing to take you on for a paid internship. You can learn to do what she does. Teach the best in the business.”

“Me?” Emma shifted in my lap, glancing at me, then to the screen again. “Are you serious?”

“Ashford hoped I could get you into a new master’s program. But trust me, this could be even better. I don’t think I can stress enough what a unique opportunity this is. All the contacts you’ll make. You’d be near your family in West Oaks, too. Back home in SoCal.”

Emma’s mouth opened and closed, clearly speechless. “Yeah, I…I have to think about it. But thank you, Ayla. That is so kind of you.”

“I did pull some strings, but I hope you don’t see this as a favor. Those sing-a-longs we’ve been having with Maisie over video? You are incredibly talented. You have a real knack for teaching too. You’ve earned this.”

“Thank you,” Emma whispered.

“My coach needs a decision in the next week. Let me know, okay?”

Ayla signed off. For a long moment, there was silence. I squeezed Emma’s hip. “What do you think?”

“You did this for me?”

“I want you to have the best,” I said softly. “Ayla really delivered.”

“I do appreciate it. It’s an unbelievable opportunity. But do you think I should take it? Do youwantme to take it?”

I touched her face, turning her to look at me. Even though her pretty blue eyes cut straight through my heart. “You deserve the world. And the moon and the stars too. LA seems to be full of those.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

My eyes stung. I pulled her closer and cradled her against me. If only I could hold her and never let go. “This summer has meant everything to me, and sometimes good things end. But you’d be going on to something even better.”

Her hands went to my shoulders and pushed, forcing my grip on her to loosen. “Wait a minute. Are you breaking up with me?”

“No. I mean, I don’t want to. But you’re twenty-three. You’ll be moving back to LA and hanging out with a bunch of celebrities. Do you really want to be saddled with some small-town guy in his mid-thirties with a kid?”

“I happen tolovethat guy and his kid. And this small town.” Her cheeks flushed red. “I can’t believe you’re saying this to me.”

“I love you too. But I’m being realistic. I don’t want to hold you back.”

“So you’ll happily wave goodbye to me, knowing it’s for the best.”

“Pretty much.”

“Bullshit.”

“Which part?”

“I want to know what you really want. Can you honestly say you want me to go back to LA and live a life without you? You want me to meet some other guy.”

I tried to swallow down the bile in my throat. She went on.

“If you turn on the TV one day, and you see me at some award show on the arm of the hot lead singer of some band, you’ll just smile and be happy because?—”

“You really want to know what I want?”

“Please, Ashford,” she whispered. “Please tell me.”

I cupped the back of her neck and tugged her close again. Her arms folded against my chest. Our noses were inches apart, close enough I could fall into the endless blue of her eyes.

“I want you to have everything. And I would love the chance to give that to you. I want you to stay here with me and Maisie and wake up every morning next to me. I want to share my training room with your music classes. Stay up late stargazing on the roof at night. Kiss you and make love to you until we’re both exhausted, and then do it all again the next day. But only if you’re sure that’s enough for you. Because it would kill me if you settle for anything less than the happy ending you deserve.”

She blinked at me. “I want everything too. Everything withyou. You’re my happy ending.”

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