Page 106 of Stormswept Colorado

“I don’t want to fall asleep yet,” I said, even as my eyelids drooped. It had been a very long day. “But you have to get up earlier than me.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll stay with you as long as you like.”

We talked awhile until he was the only one keeping up the conversation. He murmured sweet nothings as I drifted off.

Then Teller said something that almost pulled me back to consciousness. But I was too far gone. Couldn’t stop sleep from washing over me.

I was probably just dreaming.

But it had sounded like he said he loved me.

I had a hangover. Not from alcohol, since I’d had less than one glass of wine at the event last night. Nope, I had a man hangover. A bossy, thoughtful, dirty-talking man who I couldn’t get enough of.

A man who had my heartaching.

I’d had enough of this distance. I had to see him again. Ihad to. This wasn’t a want anymore. It was a dire need.

I was expected at the Santa Monica recording studio today to work on my album. When I arrived, I tracked down Cheryl. I’d asked her to come in today so we could talk.

I found her in one of the flexible office rooms, her laptop open on the desk. She stood up when I came in. “Morning,” Cheryl said. “I just got your text. You wanted a chat?”

“Yeah, about a few things.” I leaned against the door frame. “First off, my schedule. I’m going away this weekend.”

“Thisweekend?”

“Yes. Tomorrow’s Friday. I’ll leave in the afternoon.” I could arrive in Hart County by the evening. Maybe stroll into the Silver Ridge PD station.Surprise, Chief. I’m here.

Just the thought had my heart racing.

Cheryl scurried back to the laptop. “Wait. I need to check some things. We have a lot on the burner.”

“I don’t care what else is going on.” I’d already resolved that I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I wasn’t a pushover, yet I’d let my career dictate far too much of my life.

Yes, this next album had to succeed. But there would always be something else. The industry always wantedmore. I wanted more too. More of the things that made me happy and fulfilled.

“I’m going to Colorado.”

Cheryl seemed to sense my inner resolve. She didn’t argue, though she looked like she wanted to. “Then I’ll make it work. If you promise I’ll get more advance notice next time.”

“Thank you,” I said on a sigh of relief. “The second thing is about that flower arrangement I received in Toronto back in September.”

She looked confused for a moment. “The one last year? With the photo of you when you were a kid?”

“Yes. Did you ever discuss that with Paul?”

“I…I might have mentioned you were upset, and we were trying to figure out who sent it. But that was a while ago. Why?”

Well, that explained how Paul found out. But Cheryl only knew about that first flower arrangement. Paul had sounded like he knew about the emails too. How?

I’d have to figure that out later.

“Just something Paul said to me at the event last night. Which brings me to the final thing I need to chat about.”

“Paul?” Cheryl’s gaze shifted to look past my shoulder.

A throat cleared behind me in the hallway. “Ayla, can we talk?”

Shit.

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