Page 73 of When Stars Fall

Standing in front of her, I run my free hand along the side of her face. With a deep breath, I say, “What do you want me to say? I’ll tell you whatever you want to hear.”

“I want your truth.” More tears slip down her cheeks. “I want your hurt, your anger, your sadness—I want all of it. I want you. I don’t haveyouanymore.” She gestures to the pill bottle. “That has you. Anna has you. Who knows who or what else has had you.”

“I wouldnevercheat on you. You’re it for me. I don’t want anyone else. I’m never going to want anyone else.”

“I don’t understand how to do this.”

“I’m having a hard time right now.” Panic seizes my chest. “But I’ll bounce back. I always bounce back.” I lace our fingers together and tug her closer, wrapping our linked arms around her back. “You’re not . . .” I search her face, dread building in me. “You’re not going to leave me, are you, Ellie?”

“I just want you.” She strokes my face and sighs. Tears pool in her eyes and spill over. “I want you back.”

“I’ll come to set with you. That’s what you want?” A rush of relief hits me. She won’t leave if I give her what she wants.

“I want to be sure you’re okay. At least if you’re there, I’ll know if you’re okay.” She leans her head on my chest.

I toss the bottle of pills onto the couch. They’ll be fine there until I get them later. With my hands under her legs, I lift her up so her face is flush with mine. “I’m going to be fine, Ellie. I’ve got you looking after me.” One of my hands slides under her ass so I can draw her head closer with the other one. I kiss her long and deep. She relaxes into me, her tongue slipping along mine. I’d do anything to keep her. “Let me look after you,” I murmur, deepening the kiss.

She loops her arms around my neck, pressing her breasts against my chest. “I love you, Wyatt,” she whispers into my ear, kissing my neck. “I love you so much.”

With her in my arms, I walk us back to our bedroom and lay her on the bed. She peels off her clothes. Her breathing is heavy, and her eyes are already darkening with desire. She drags me on top of her, my underwear falling to the floor.

“It’s you and me. Forever. That’s never going to change.” I’ll never let her leave me without a fight. Whatever she asks, I’ll do, if it means she’ll stay with me.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ellie

Present Day

I wake with a start, my heart pounding like I’ve been running. I sit up in bed, disoriented, and I rub my forehead. This is my room. My heart is racing, and I must have been dreaming about something. Then I remember.

Wyatt knows. He’s coming here today. I snatch my phone off my nightstand to see if I’ve missed a call from him. It’s ten in the morning. Three hours of sleep isn’t much, but it’ll have to do.

After I sobbed my heart out in the parking lot of Wyatt’s hotel, I collected Nikki and Haven from Nikki’s house and brought them here. But I didn’t have the energy or the right words to explain what was happening to Haven.

Before Wyatt arrives, I have to tell her he learned the truth. I don’t want her caught off guard by anything he might say. I swing my legs over the side of the bed and let my head rest in my hands for a beat. He’s so angry with me.

My mind churns with the various ways today could go. It’s going to suck for me. This has been what Haven has wanted for years, and I don’t want to ruin the experience. I shove my anguish down and vow to keep a lid on my feelings. I’m going to earn an Oscar for this performance.

Once I’m showered and dressed in fresh clothes, I’m confident I can face him. I text Wyatt to see what time he’s coming. In the living room, Nikki and Haven are playing a board game.

“Coffee should still be warm if you need it like I did,” Nikki says when she sees me.

In the kitchen, I grab a mug and pour liquid gold into it. I’m drinking it black. The tangy taste should kick me into gear.

When I emerge, Nikki makes eye contact. “Mom called. We should have a quick chat.”

“Outside?” I gesture to the back patio.

She ruffles Haven’s hair as she stands and then follows me out. “Are you okay?” she asks. “You looked rough last night.”

“I had terrible dreams. He’s so angry. What if he never forgives me?” I slide into a lounger.

“I might not think he’s good for you, but he loves you. His emotions are written all over him every time he looks at you. He’s mad. He should be mad. But he shouldn’t be mad at just you. He needs to point some of that anger at himself.”

“That won’t be the first place he points his anger, and we both know it.”

“Robert Morris, the attorney, called Mom this morning to say Wyatt’s manager was sniffing around looking for the best family lawyer on the island.”

---