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“He had the whole stadium on their knees last night. It was fucking epic.”

“I know I texted you, but I just want to thank you again so much for sending me the videos. I’ve seen some of the footage online, but it’s entirely different because you take them side stage, so it’s almost like I’m there.” I press my hand to my chest. “Means a lot, Joel.”

“It’s my pleasure, sweetheart.”

“Does Easton know you take them?”

“He’s caught me recording a few times, but I don’t think he suspects I send them to you. I think he believes it’s a proud papa-type thing.”

“Is it?”

“Oh, hell yeah, it is,” he grins. “But I know he hates it that you aren’t there.”

“I wish I could be. I would go to every single show.”

“He knows.” Joel unbuttons his suit jacket, looking every bit the bodyguard he is. “You know, I can tell, even from the few concerts you attended, that his energy is different when you’re there. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still incredible and brings it every night, but it’s just different.”

Within seconds of speeding down the runway, we’re airborne.

“You don’t have to tell me these things, Joel.” I grin, “but you can keep telling me if you want to.”

“I’m paid to protect him, nothing more. I wouldn’t lie to you, Natalie. Not about stuff like this.”

“So, you’ll lie to me about other stuff?”

He responds partly through a chuckle. “You forget I’ve seen you in ‘hell hath no fury’ wrath mode, so maybe?”

We share a laugh as I glance out the window while we ascend through a cloud. Once on the other side, amber light fills the window and the cabin as we chase the sunset. Replaying the emotional hours I suffered prior to this moment, I find myself speaking up. “Has Easton explained why we’re being so secretive about our relationship?”

Joel nods. “He told me when you left Seattle.”

“Damn, so backthen?”

Joel nods.

“Wow. Hard to believe that was only four months ago. So much has happened since then. Especially for Easton.”

“For you both,” he prompts, “and that’s some story.”

I harrumph. “Easton doesn’t even know the half of it, the stubborn ass. But which part are you referring to?”

“Theirs, yours, how you ended up in Seattle. All of it is pretty remarkable.”

“Do you know Easton and I were born onlysix daysapart?”

Joel nods. “That’s crazy coincidental too.”

“Did you decideIwas crazy when he told you why I came to Seattle?”

“No. I knew you were good people minute one. We all go through things, Natalie. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“Have you seen the movie?”

“Yeah, back when it first released. I loved it.”

I nod, deciding to let it rest until Joel speaks up. “Easton says you don’t know why Stella and your father broke up. That the reason wasn’t in the emails.”

“I’ve searched them relentlessly and came up empty. It’s the only thing that still haunts me about their story. I can’t make sense of thewhy. One day they were happy, planning a wedding, engaged. The next, the emails ceased for months. The movie doesn’t have a hint my father even existed, so I can’t make heads or tails of what went down or when. My dad and Stella broke upmonthsbefore Stella and Reid reunited. You wouldn’t happen to know, would you?”

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