Page 47 of Starcrossed Colorado

I studied the pictures and words she’d drawn. There was a yellow dog-like creature with STELA scrawled beside it. “Wow. This is beautiful. Stella will love it too. But don’t let her get too close. She might love it so much she’ll try to chew on it.”

Maisie giggled. “Okay.”

I said thanks to Callum, and he took off. Then I decided to make myself and Stella scarce during Maisie’s bedtime routine. Just to help her calm down enough to sleep.

There were a lot of big feelings happening inside the Big Blue Monster this evening. Stella curled up beside me on the futon while I tried to work through mine. Would’ve been easier if I’d had my own journal. But snuggling was a close second.

Eventually, there was a soft knock at the door.

“Come in,” I said. The door wasn’t closed all the way, so Ashford pushed it open. He stood in the doorway, shoulder leaning against the frame.

“Finally got her into bed. Bedtime stories have been read, and the white noise machine is on.” Ashford spoke softly so we wouldn’t disturb Maisie next door.

“Sorry. It’s my fault she was up late.”

“Don’t be sorry. She was excited.”

I got up and walked over to him. But I stood just inside the room, like there was an invisible barrier between us. A line that neither of us could cross.

“She’s attached to you, just like you said. I kept trying to convince myself that was a bad thing. But she’s happy around you. That can’t be bad.”

I meant to agree, but I got a little lost in his dark brown irises. They had flecks of gold and amber. The moment stretched out. But it wasn’t uncomfortable. There was a different kind of tension. A feeling like warm honey poured through my veins.

His gaze shifted down to my mouth.

I forced myself to look away.

Ashford stuck his hands in his pockets, shifting his weight. “I’ll see you in the morning then.”

“Okay. Thank you again.”

“Night.” He smiled before walking toward his bedroom.

TWELVE

Ashford

“Daddy, something’s wrong.”

“Hmm?” I sat up fast, though I was still half asleep. My heart rate instantly revved into overdrive. “What? What is it?”

“It’s Emma.”

I blinked, remembering what had happened last night. Finding Emma near tears in that dilapidated apartment. Seeing her cry. I had been physically incapable of leaving her there. Only a monster would’ve done that.

And then, once she was in my home, I’d almost kissed her.

What kind of an asshole was I, tempted to make a move on a vulnerable young woman who needed my help? Exactly that kind of asshole, apparently.Hi, everyone. It’s me.

I got up, put on a T-shirt and sweatpants over my shorts, then followed Maisie to the guest room. The door was closed, and canine whimpers came from inside.

“See?” Maisie said. “Stella’s upset.”

I knocked gently. The whimpers increased, and there was a muffled groan that sounded far more human. “Emma? You okay?” I opened the door a crack. The room was dark.

Before I could stop her, Maisie squeezed past me and inside. She went to the pile of blankets on the futon where I assumed Emma was bundled up. Stella followed at her heels.

“Emma? Are you in there?” Maisie lifted the top of the quilt.

---