Page 83 of Happy Trails & Honey Pots

“Again, it’s about damn time.”

After I’d gone back to California and told Braxton that I’d poured my heart out to Zoe, and what her response was, she’d asked what I was going to do about it. I told her there was nothing to do. She’d had a different view of the situation. She’d immediately said that I needed to do more.

At the time, I’d been hurt, and after spending two months being a man who I knew I’d never live up to, honestly, I’d felt unworthy of Zoe. But now that I’d had a little space from the role and had more time to miss her, I just wanted to be with her. I’d make myself a man who deserved her.

“Are you good with holding down the fort at Ford Entertainment?”

“Do you really have to ask that?”

Braxton had not only settled into her new role in the production company; she was thriving. Under her leadership, it was growing at an exponential rate. We had four projects in development and three more that we had potential funding for. She’d had to hire additional staff just to keep up with the demand of our growth.

“Okay, well, keep me updated with how things go, and remember anything worth having…” her words trailed off.

“It’s worth fighting for. I know.” It was a poster she had on the wall of the production office. I was pretty sure she’d put it up just to annoy me because I wasn’t a huge fan of motivational posters, but I couldn’t be absolutely certain.

“Within reason, obviously,” she amended. “If Zoe sets clear boundaries, then you have to respect them.”

“Got it.”

“The line between romantic gesture andstalkeris a tightrope. Walk it carefully.”

Now she was just fucking with me. “Goodbye, Braxton.”

“Okay, wait,” she chuckled. “I had to. You’re too easy. Seriously, though, I’m really glad you’re doing this. Whatever happens, Zoe’s worth you putting your heart on the line one more time.”

“She is,” I wholeheartedly agreed.

“I just have one more question.”

“What?”

“Do you have your boombox, John Cusack?” she asked, referencing the 80s movieSay Anything.

“Goodbye, Braxton.”

This time, I did hang up. As I disconnected the call, I could hear her laughing at her own joke. To be honest, I was smiling too. But I didn’t want her to know that.

What Braxton had said was the truth: Zoe was worth putting my heart on the line for one more time. Hell, she was worth putting my heart on the line for ten more times. A hundred more times.

As I drove past the Firefly Pier, I felt my body relax while simultaneously filling with nervous energy. It was the strangest sensation. I’d lived in the greater Los Angeles area all my life. I was born in the San Fernando Valley, and once I started acting, my mother moved us to the heart of Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard. The house I just put up for sale was in the Hollywood Hills. I’d traveled all over the globe for my job, but no place had ever felt like home to me. No place but Firefly Island.

From the first time, I’d pulled up videos on YouTube of the trolley tour and watched the documentary:What is Love?I’d felt a familiarity with this place, even though I’d never once stepped foot in it. Something drew me to it, just like something drew me to Zoe. There was a magnetic force that I couldn't explain. Both she and the town felt like home.

I was just passing Southern Comfort, where I’d spent dozens of nights with Harlan and Dawson, shooting pool and playing darts, when my phone rang again. I was sure it was Tyler calling to ask me either to come back or cuss me out. When I saw the name on the phone, I did a double take. It was Zoe.

She hadn’t messaged or called me in the four weeks that I’d been back in L.A. I hadn’t either because I’d been respecting her boundaries.

Was it a butt dial?

Had someone seen my SUV already?

I knew that news traveled fast in Firefly, but this was ridiculous.

I’d purposefully waited to send the emails until I landed, just so there was no press at the airport.

My heart jumped into my throat as I pushed the answer button. “Hello.”

“Hi, um, Miles, this is Zoe.”

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