Page 97 of Still Yours
“I can’t have you fixing this all on your own.”
“Stone, this is exactly why you hired me and the type of shit I deal with.” Aaron folds his arms over his chest as he regards me. “Well, me and your attorneys.”
“Noa’s having to relive the worst moments of her life because of me. My mother has to endure press at her door because of me. Falcon Haven will be swarmed by the exact types of people they hate—tourists who don’t pay for anything—and I can’t be responsible. I may have left this town because I felt like I was bigger than it, but I am not leaving my home to fight a monster.” I nod the further I get into my argument. “I’ll face it myself. Hold a press conference.”
“Whoa.” Aaron holds out a hand. “Slow down. We arenottalking to the press. What would you say? Is this pregnancy they’re talking about real? Did she get an abortion? Did you pay for it? These are things I have to know before you pick up a microphone, buddy.”
I ignore his questions. “I can’t have somebody else speak for me anymore.” I stride toward the door. “And I’m done running.”
“Stone.” Aaron’s tone is sharp with warning. “Don’t you turn that doorknob.”
I fling the door open.
“Stone!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Noa
I’m able to leave Mrs. Stalinski’s house while Stone is gone. Having him there to watch me pack would’ve been unbearable.
I make sure Mrs. Stalinski is comfortable on the couch with a blanket and a book before I head upstairs and collect my things. By the time I return to the living room with my suitcases, Moo has curled up between her legs and the couch cushion, purring loudly as she strokes him.
She looks up at my entrance, smiling gently. “Did you get everything, dear?”
“I think so.” My voice is raw. “I’m so sorry I have to go.”
“It’s hardly your fault. Besides, seek pleasure because I’m now at the mercy of Berta.”
Mrs. Stalinski pulls a smile from me. “I’ll tell her to take it easy on you.”
“I can face that dragon just fine. You make sure to get where you’re going safe and sound, you hear?”
“I will.” I turn my attention to my cat, that old curmudgeon, looking so comfortable where he is. The empty cat carrier sitsnext to my bags, and Moo’s lifted his head, eyeing it distrustfully. “Do you mind if Moo stays here? I hate moving him places. In his old age, he hates change.”
Mrs. Stalinski barks with laughter. “I can empathize. Yes, of course he can stay, as long as you don’t need him for comfort.”
I walk over and brush my fingers over his fur. “He’s given me so much. I feel I owe it to him to keep him where he’s happy, and he loves it here.”
“I’m fairly sure that’s because Stone feeds him anchovies nightly.”
The mention of Stone’s name causes a pang in my heart. I flex my fingers, then withdraw them from Moo. Moo’s also a reminder ofusand those moments of stolen happiness we had with each other.
“I’ll be back.”
I’m not sure who I say it to, whether it’s Moo or Mrs. Stalinski, or both.
Mrs. Stalinski catches my hand and laces her fingers with mine. “I’ll hold the paparazzi off until you’re ready to return.”
She makes me smile again, but it quickly falls as I compare her strength to mine. “Do you think I’m weak for running away?”
Mrs. Stalinski’s gaze narrows. “I don’t think any such thing. I was with you when you miscarried, remember, and when your mother passed. And I was with you when you bounced back both times. You have an enormous amount of strength in you, and you draw upon it when you must. To walk around strong all the time, that eats at the soul. What makes life worth living is the difficulties, the moments of softness coupled with the broken and the boring. Take this time for yourself, dear. I don’t think you’ve done that since my son hightailed it to Hollywood thinking he wasn’t leaving anything behind.”
“Why do I feel like I’m burying my head in the sand and hiding?”
“You’re dealing with another beast entirely. It’s a wonder to me that Stone has kept you out of the press this long. It convinces me that despite his mistakes, he truly is a good man. He wants to protect you. Let him.”
Swallowing, I nod. “I’ll keep in touch.”
