Page 24 of How to Catch a Rockstar

Does she know? Does she know I’m obsessed with Aurora?

It doesn’t matter. I’m not acting on my obsession. Not again. The first time was a mistake. A mistake I can’t get out of my mind but a mistake, nonetheless.

And I know how to learn from my mistakes.

Chapter 9

Surprise – can be good or bad but will almost always cause your heart to want to beat out of your chest

Aurora

I sigh as I cross the border into Winter Falls. Although the band members of Cash & the Sinners live here, I haven’t visited the town yet. I don’t need to be in the same town as them to be their assistant, although I do travel with them when they are on tour.

I notice the sign for The Inn on Main, the only place to stay in town, and turn left into the parking lot. I’m surprised by how few cars there are considering the owner claimed she was fully booked except for one suite.

Whatever. It doesn’t matter. Mike is paying for the room anyway. I convinced him I needed to be in Winter Falls since the band has settled here.

I walk to the entrance of the bed and breakfast. It reminds me of a Southern plantation with its big columns and wraparound porch. It’s cute. What I’ve seen of the town thus far is cute. I can understand why the band wanted to settle here.

Except Jett. He’s not going to settle anywhere as boring as a small town. His words. Not mine.

I enter through the front door and scan the area. It’s as adorable as the outside. The entry is wide with a small reception desk off to the side. To the other side is an entry to a cozy looking sitting room. In front of me is a small seating area with cookies and coffee.

I eye the cookies and my stomach rumbles in response.

“Help yourself,” the woman at the reception desk says. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”

Don’t mind if I do. I study the cookies. There’s a variety. Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and something with nuts. I pick up an oatmeal raisin. Oatmeal is healthy, isn’t it?

I bite into the cookie and moan. Holy cow, this is yummy.

The receptionist giggles. “I have the same reaction whenever I eat a cookie from Bake Me Happy.”

“This cookie can bake me happy anytime.”

“I’m Ellery, the owner of The Inn on Main, and you must be Aurora.”

She holds out her hand and I wipe the cookie crumbs on my shirt before shaking hers.

“Sorry, I’ve been driving for days.”

“You’re fine.” She glances around me. “Where’s your luggage?”

“In the car, I didn’t feel up to dragging it inside.”

“Let me show you to your room. I’ll have someone deal with your luggage while you get settled.”

Her words are music to my ears. I’ve been schlepping my suitcases in and out of motels for three days. I’m ready to spend more than eight hours in one place.

We climb two sets of stairs before we reach the attic.

Ellery opens the door to the sole room on this floor. “The executive suite. It’s my favorite room. The bathroom is through there. You have a bathtub and a separate shower. You’ll find extra bedding in the closet but with the fireplace, you should be warm enough.”

Fireplace? I somehow missed the large fireplace across from the bed. There’s a comfy looking chair in front of it. This place is nearly as large as my apartment in San Diego. It’s definitely nicer.

“You said you’d be working while you’re here?”

I nod.

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