Page 100 of Tinsel in Telluride

“Action. Stability. Someone who isn’t going to run.”

“Didn’t you already tell her you aren’t?”

The answer was there the whole time, but instead of listening, I did what I would have wanted.

Shit. I’m the chick in this relationship. I want the grand gestures. Leigh though—she wants the silent action. The quality time. The acts of service. She needs to know I’m not going anywhere and that she and Zach can count on me.

“Yeah,” I agree, a hint of a plan starting to form. “I know what I need to do.”

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

LEIGH

Why does it feel like I’m the villain in my own story?

This is what I wanted.

Right?

I finger the soft envelope, setting it down on the kitchen island—unopened—I pick up my phone and call Willow for the tenth time.

When she doesn’t answer, I try Indie. Only to end with the same result.

Sure, it’s three a.m. on Christmas Eve on the east coast. But don’t they know emotional panic has no time constraints, and I need them to confirm that I’m not insane? That my concerns are valid. That I didn’t go and ruin my chances for a beautiful, amazing thing because I’m freaking the fuck out.

Luca’s words haunt me.

Are you just going to live in a bubble and never let anyone love you?

Is that what I’m doing?

No.

I let people love me. Willow and Indie love me. The guys on the Renegades love me and Zach.

I can practically hear Luca’s mocking laugh.You know those aren’t the same.

Damn it.

I hate it when he’s right. Especially when he’s still wrong.

He might’ve thought he was choosing Zach and me with that stunt, but it was just a giant middle finger to his mother. What did he think? That I’d jump into his lap andsay take me I’m yoursbecause he said he wants to marry me, so Zach and I can be his family?

Maybe to other girls that would be romantic, but all I can think is, how the hell does that even work? Is wanting this enough?I’m in New York and he’s in California. He’s got a team, while I’ve got a whole philanthropy to run. Can we even make it outside the bubble of Telluride? Because that’s what this is—a bubble waiting to pop.

That’s why I need to know who Zach’s father is.

Right?

Logic has never failed me and yet that feels like the wrong answer. Not that the other guy is going to show up and be a problem. I don’t even know his last name. But should he ever show up again, or find Zach in ten years through a DNA test, will Luca be okay with sharing the role of dad? Has he even considered these kinds of things?

With his jump-without-a-parachute track record, I’m guessing that’s a hard no.

And those are just questions when it comes to Zach.

What about just normal, everyday relationship questions? Like, does he want more kids?Because I'm not sure I do. Or is he a dog person or a cat person? Because there is no way in hell I’m getting a fucking cat.

Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose. When did this all get so damn complicated?

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