Page 61 of Where the Stars Heal

“I’m glad. You shouldn’t have to face this alone, Asher.”

“After that night, I packed up and ran, never looking back. I ended up here in Sunlit Cove, lost and a right asshole. That’s when your brother stepped in. Hunter offered me a job, gave me a new family with Madi and Connor, and a room to crash in whenever I needed. I’ll forever be in his debt.”

My fingers rake through his hair, his curls soft are comforting as a bittersweet feeling runs through me.

“My brother is one of the best,” I say, pride and regret swelling in my chest. “I may have spent years resenting him, thinking that he abandoned me, but seeing what he’s done for you, how he’s given you more to life… I’ve never been more thankful or prouder.”

His eyes search mine as his hand comes up, cradling my cheek, his touch warm and soft.

“He gave me more than that,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “He gave me the chance to meet you.”

The world fades. We stay still, silent, locked in the moment as time passes us by.

“Asher,” I finally breathe out, “Aiden would be so proudof you. Look at everything you’ve achieved, how far you’ve come, the people that you’ve surrounded yourself with.”

“Look,” I say, tilting my head toward the sky, where the stars seem to be shining brighter with hope. “He’s up there watching over you, screaming at you to let go of the guilt you carry. He’s happy, Asher. Happy you got out and are still living.”

Before I can say another word, strong arms wrap around me and pull me in. Asher crushes me to his chest, a long shaky breath escaping him.

“Thank you,” he breaths out, “for listening. For not judging my past.” His hand tangles in my hair, his pulse beating steadily under me, matching the rhythm of my own.

“Halle… pretty sure I’m falling in love with you.”

My heart races, and another tear falls from the corner of my eye.

28

I’M NOT DELUSIONAL

HALLE

We’ve fallen into a rhythm over the weeks, a routine that’s strangely normal but thrilling to me. Asher and I split our time between his house and Hunter’s. We’ve spent every night together since the night he confessed his darkest secrets to me and bared his soul. He’s given me orgasm after orgasm on every surface of his house, a map of memories—kitchen counter, the swing, couch, his bed, shower, coffee table. We’ve snuck away to the store room at Whiskey Cove more times than I’ll ever admit, becoming our secret escape.Who knew you could have a favorite door?

We have family dinners before work, where laughter fills the air. Ace curls up in my lap, and stories are shared. We throw back shots after the long, busy nights. On Mondays, when the bar is closed, everyone hangs out at Hunter’s place. We sprawl out on the couches, dance in the yard, and go swimming in the creeks before we end the night with a movie and pancakes because everyone wanted in on pancake night.

There’s a peacefulness to it all. We’re busy, but it’s the kind of busy that bursts with love, the kind that fills yourather than leaves you hollow. I don’t find myself down at Falls Creek early in the mornings to chase an escape. Now when I’m down there, it’s to draw while Asher runs, to ground myself to the moment. I haven’t touched the little orange pill bottle since the night of that party gone wrong. I’m content.

But life always has a way of reminding you that it’s never this good all the time. Deep down, I know this feeling will only last so long. I’m not delusional enough to believe that my life can swing from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs and stay there. My anxiety still slips through the cracks when I least expect it. There are moments when the noise of the world becomes too much, when the whispers I’ve fought so hard to silence claw their way back. In those moments, I have to hide away just long enough to calm my racing heart and remind myself that I am not a burden or an outsider. I am a part of this family now.

“Earth to Halle.”

Madi’s voice pulls me back, cutting through the fog in my mind. I blink, dragging my focus back to her. She’s sitting across from me, glowing in the morning light, wearing a white tank and high-waisted shorts. Her blonde hair is piled into a messy bun, and black sunglasses shield her eyes from the hot sun beating down on the back of my shoulders. The door to Sunlit Expresso swings open, and hints of freshly baked croissants, buttery muffins, and coffee beans hit me. It’s the kind of smell that usually has my mouth watering.

“Hm,” I mumble, “did you say something?”

“Girl, are you alright?” Madi leans forward, resting her elbows on the table. “You seem a bit spacey this morning. You haven’t even touched your coffee, and that’s not normal.Usually, you’ve had two by now and commented on my obsession with these muffins.”

“I’m fine.” I sigh.

Madi quirks a brow, her lips pressing into a thin line, not saying a word about how unconvincing I sound. Taking a slow sip of my iced coffee, I feel the cold sweetness of caffeine and caramel dance across my tongue and hum at the little bit of spark it brings back into me.

“Seriously, I’m good,” I say, this time with more conviction.

She doesn’t say anything but gives thatyou can’t bullshit melook and waits patiently for me to elaborate.

“Okay, fine.” I huff, my fingers tracing the condensation on the side of the glass. “This is going to sound weird, but… I just have this nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach that something’s not right today. I don’t know what it is. It’s just throwing me off. That’s all,” I say with a shrug, slumping back into my chair.

“I get that,” Madi says, taking a bite of her muffin. Crumbs fall onto her plate as she speaks around the mouthful. “It’s like your intuition is trying to tell you something, but your mind hasn’t caught up yet.”

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