Page 64 of Willow in the Wind

It was twelve thirty. Stella had to be up by seven to get ready for another day of her book tour. Interviews and book signings awaited her. After that, she’d head to Boston, then Charleston, then Miami. She’d meet thousands of fans who’d fallen in love with the story of Stella and J.

She wouldn’t tell them what had transpired tonight in her hotel room. That story would remain only for her and James.

Stella undressed and put on her pajamas, thinking about what James had told her about Matt.He’s still in love with you. Maybe you can find your way back.But she wasn’t sure if she could trust James. James was a stranger.

But the truth of her situation was this:

Ever since she and Matt had divorced, they’d gotten closer. They shared secrets with each other. They talked about their separate romances. They talked about the children. Now and then, Stella had checked in on herself, asking,Am I still in love with Matt?And her answer had always beenI love Matt. It doesn’t mean we’re in love anymore.

We’re in a modern family relationship.

We had love, but we’ve built something else.

But she realized now she’d been lying to herself.

Ever since the day of their divorce four years ago, she’d wondered if they’d made a mistake. She’d lain in the bed they’d once shared and listened to her heart pound and the wind rush against the windows. She’d ached, asking herself,Should I have handled it differently? Should we have worked harder to stay in love?

When Aunt Esme told her to write a book, Stella immediately thought of James and Greece. Outwardly, it was the biggest story of Stella’s life. It was cinematic. It was alive with emotion, questions, and change.

But in truth, the story of Stella and James was just a simple story of two people who’d met, had an adventure, and gone their separate ways.

The real love story was with Matt.

It wouldn’t fit in any book. It was too mundane. It was a traditional story of two people who’d made mistakes and made messes and fell in and out of love over and over again.

It was the story of nearly every marriage.

Except we really did mess up. We really did let go. We really did sign the papers.

Despite the lateness of the hour, Stella considered calling Matt on the phone. She knew he was going through something with Mandy. He was probably still awake, thinking.But had they really broken up?

She didn’t want to be Matt’s rebound. She didn’t want him to fall into her arms due to heartache.

Instead of calling, Stella texted him.

STELLA: Hey, Matt. I hope you’re well. I’d love to chat on the phone this week if you have time.

STELLA: This book tour is really stressful so far.

STELLA: It’s my dream, obviously. But it’s a lot.

Stella hardly slept that night. The heaviness of meeting James in real life weighed on her chest. Plus, she kept checking her phone to see if Matt was awake yet. At five, he read the message. And at six, he responded.

MATT: I’m awake and ready to talk whenever you want.

MATT: I’m sorry it’s been so stressful.

MATT: Thinking of you.

Stella erupted from bed and paced her hotel room. It suddenly occurred to her how ridiculous it was that she had so many rooms in this suite. She could have fit her entire family in here. She didn’t need all this space!

She wasn’t that important!

Nobody was!

Stella called Matt at six thirty-five. She sat on the white cloud of her bed with a mug of coffee. Her ears rang. But when Matt answered, a wave of calm fell over her.

It’s just Matt.

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