Page 64 of Starcrossed Colorado

I flipped it over absentmindedly, not meaning to be nosy. But my eyes went straight to the return address before I could stop myself.

A post office box in Los Angeles.

Who did Ashford know in LA?

Maisie’s bedroom door shut, and Ashford’s footsteps padded along the hallway rug. “You’re home.”

I turned around, leaving the envelope behind me on the counter. “Hi.”

“How’s Dixie?”

“She’s good. She said hello. Did you have dinner with Callum?”

“Yeah, he stayed. Asked what was going on with you.”

“What did you tell him?”

“Nothing. Wasn’t sure what to say.” He touched my hip, his fingers playing with the edge of my shirt. “I wasn’t sure how to take the fact that you ran off after our kiss.”

“It wasn’trightafter. But I needed to do some thinking.”

“Come to any conclusions?”

“That I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” He came closer and rested his hands on either side of me on the counter. “I had a hard time thinking about anythingbutyou all evening.” He leaned in like he was going to kiss me. I lifted my chin.

Then his brows knitted, and he peered past me.

“What’s that?”

“Oh, the mail? I brought it up.”

He moved to one side of me and reached for the pink envelope. Flipped it and read the return address.

His skin went ashen. “This arrived today?”

“Yes. What’s wrong?”

Ashford walked toward the other side of the kitchen. Facing away from me, he tore open the envelope and glanced briefly at whatever was inside.

My eyes widened as he tore the card and envelope into several pieces and shoved them deep inside the trashcan.

“What was that?” I asked.

“Something that shouldn’t have come here. It was a mistake.”

“But it was addressed to Maisie.”

“And you shouldn’t have seen it.” His voice was tight. Angry. “Just pretend you didn’t.”

“How can I pretend I didn’t see it?” I knew I wasn’t entitled to Ashford’s private business. But how could I just ignore that?

He was upset. More than that. Ashford wasafraid. Something I had never seen.

“The return address was in Los Angeles,” I said.

“So?”

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