Page 46 of Starcrossed Colorado

“Is she going to leave my apartment intact?” He eyed the dog, and she gave him an innocentwho, me?look in return. Ashford sighed. “I guess we’ll need her food and all that.”

“And her bed and toys.”

“Show me where all this stuff is. I’d better call my brother. We’ll need a vehicle to carry it all. Callum can get my truck from the park and drive it over here.”

“You’re speaking to him again?”

“I guess I am now.” He got up, then reached out his hand to pull me up too. “Come on. Pack your suitcase.”

“Are you sure? Really?” I wanted to give him one last chance to change his mind.

“Yeah. Easiest decision I’ve made in a while.”

When Callum showed up at my door, he gave his brother a hug and asked me how he could help.

Callum bent to pet Stella, who was happy to have a new face to lick. Unlike his older brother, he laughed and seemed to love it. “So you’re staying at Ashford’s?”

“Just for tonight.” I doubted the repairs would be finished to my apartment, but I could see about that room Dixie had offered. The one at her friend Shirley’s, where I’d have to share a bathroom with her grandson in the basement.Ugh.

“Or you could stay at Ashford’s longer.” Callum grinned at his brother. “I have the feeling Emma’s going to fit right in at your place.”

Ashford rolled his eyes and went to grab Stella’s doggy bed. Which I took as confirmation that he didn’t want me moving in for the rest of the summer. Not that I had any intention.

He was doing me a favor. He’d been amazing tonight. Like Piper had said, once you were in with Ashford, you werein. But I didn’t want to wear out my welcome.

Luckily—for better or worse—I didn’t have much to move. No furniture, and my bedding was done for.

Callum drove us to Ashford’s. While we carried my things inside, Callum took off for Piper’s to pick up Maisie. It had to be close to her bedtime. I was exhausted myself. Crying always wore me out.

This had been such a long day, full of ups and downs. I needed sleep so I could start over again tomorrow.

I kept Stella on-leash as we went upstairs to his place. Ashford unlocked the door and held it open. “Come on in.”

Just a few hours ago, I’d been here as Maisie’s babysitter. Now, I would be staying overnight. It wasn’t so different really. This was temporary, and I was a guest.

But itfeltdifferent as I followed him past the living room. “That’s Maisie’s room,” he said, pointing. “Bathroom’s opposite.”

I smiled. “I remember.”

He scratched his forehead. “Right.” He suddenly seemed sheepish. It was cute. “This is our spare room.” Ashford pushed the door open and hit the light switch. There were some boxes stacked up against one wall. A futon against the other. “We use this space for storage, but I can move the extra stuff out of here.”

“Don’t worry about it. This is great.” NowIsounded awkward. Maybe because this hot dad who also happened to be sweet had brought me up to his apartment, and the bed wasright there. “There’s room for Stella’s things in the corner.”

She perked up, hearing her name.

Ashford helped me get things arranged. By the time Stella was comfy in her new spot, the door to the apartment burst open again.

“Emma!” Maisie shouted. “You’re really here?”

Stella went running. There was lots of excitement, both Maisie and Stella dashing around the living room until Ashford sternly told them both to calm down.

I explained about the leak in my roof. Maisie wasn’t too interested in those details. She was thrilled to be having a sleepover.

“Daddy, can’t Emma and Stella sleep in my room? Pretty please?”

“No, monkey. They need their own space, and so do you. In fact, it was your bedtime five minutes ago.”

“But I have to show Emma.” She went and got her new unicorn journal from Callum. He’d carried it in for her. She opened the journal to the first page. “See?”

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