Page 1 of Hollywood Fairytale

1

Miserably I drugmyself down to the beach. I’d left my heart with Luke, but I needed this time to breathe and think. I was too upset to talk rationally and I knew that my old defenses would come into play if I stayed and tried to talk.

About halfway down, I looked back to find him missing from the balcony. How badly had I fucked things up with the best thing that had ever happened to me?

Luke didn’t deserve anything but the best of me. Not the irrational side that would yell and likely say something I’d regret. The look on his face when I walked away nearly killed me.

I needed to remember that taking this time would be for the best.

Sitting down on a lounger next to Anna, I looked out at the water. I loved hearing the sound of the waves crashing, but even they couldn’t stop my heart from aching.

“Is everything okay?” I wasn’t sure how long I’d been sitting there not saying a word. Maybe they thought it was because of Ruby that I was keeping quiet.

“No,” I shook my head and continued to look out at the water.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I don’t know.” I answered truthfully.

“Why don’t we go up to the pool and talk? We don’t have to talk about what’s bothering you if you don’t want to,” Anna said as she stood gathering a few of her things. “Where’s Luke?”

Looking to where I’d left him, Luke was nowhere in sight. “He’s back in our room.”

Since I’d forgotten everything I was planning on taking down to the beach, I waited for Anna to tell everyone that we’d be back before I followed her up to the pool at our villa.

We waded in silently and didn’t stop until we were each at the edge with our arms crossed on the ledge, looking out at the ocean once again.

Anna didn’t pressure me to talk. Instead she seemed content to stare out at the ocean and wait until I decided if I wanted to talk.

“I don’t normally open up to people about my problems,” I confessed after we’d been there for quite some time.

“Most people are like that, but when someone is your friend, you should be able to talk to her and hopefully she can help you. If not, the least she can do is listen.”

I thought about what she said for a minute and realized she was right. I did want to talk to her and see what she thought about the house and what Luke had thought. I told her everything. From Luke buying a house, hearing Luke talking to Colt, to how I needed some time because I didn’t want to overreact or say something I’d regret.

“That’s an awful lot to take in.” She finally said with a sympathetic glance. “It was probably wise that you gave you and Luke a little space even if it hurt you both.”

“He looked so sad,” I responded, my chin quivering.

“Because I truly believe he was sorry. It was a knee jerk reaction. At least he told you the truth when you asked him. We’re all human and we’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to fight every once in a while, honey.”

“I know it's normal, but it brought back the horrible feelings of being with Decker. All the fighting and the way he changed almost instantly when we moved in together. I told Luke I loved him last night, and he loves me back. I don’t want to ruin what we have.”

“Of course, he does. I’ve known it since the moment I saw the both of you when you got here.”

“I never thought I’d feel love again in that way or that I’d find a good man who’d want me. He’s perfect forme, but I need to realize that not everything is going to be perfect forus. Being with Luke here has been wonderful and to know that he loves me now… I already knew the next few months were going to be tough, but now I don’t know how I’m going to cope with missing him.”

“I can tell you it’s not easy and it will test your relationship. It’s hard enough when you’re in the same time zone but with the time difference it will make it harder.”

“I’ve had a little taste and the time difference definitely made it difficult. I know that Luke’s going to have long hours and we’ll just have to make time for each other. It’ll be a lot harder this time.”

“Well, you know that if you want to talk, I’m here for you. I’ve been through it all and had my share of failed relationships because of what you’re going to go through. And with the Ashlyn bullshit you know that you can’t believe everything people or the media say. You know you can trust Luke.”

“I know I can. He could have easily lied to me earlier.”

“Exactly. It would have been easy for him to do that, but he told you the truth even though it hurt you both.

“Someday Ashlyn is going to mess up and get caught. Until that day happens, you have to continue to document the things you know about. She’s crazy, and you have to watch out for her.”

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