Page 151 of Stormswept Colorado

Cheryl glanced from her to me. “I have. That’s one of the reasons I’m here. Would you like to discuss alone? Or…”

“We can talk in another room,” Ayla said, standing up.

I nodded in acknowledgment. Because she certainly didn’t need any permission from me. Ayla’s career was her own, and that hadn’t changed.

But was I nervous about what this would mean for us? I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.

After she and Cheryl disappeared down the hall toward my home office, Bryan shook his head. “Man, I do notenvy you. I’m around famous people all the time, but I’m in the background. I can’t imagine being there in the spotlight.”

“It’s a lot to get used to. And I’m nowhere near used to it yet.” The reality of dating a celebrity, of loving a woman like Ayla Maxwell…it was like everything else lately. One step at a time.

But of course, it had been on my mind.

“She clearly loves you. It’s obvious. Pretty funny when you consider you almost arrested the both of us a few months ago. It must be one of those opposites attract things. You and Ayla. I never would’ve seen that coming.”

“Neither did I.” I laughed along with him. “Sometimes, I feel like a fool to think I can hold on to her,” I admitted.

“Can’t blame you. But I’m rooting for you. You’ve got a plan, right?”

“It took me a while to work it out. But yes, I do have a plan.”

Before all this, Ayla had worried I would resent the attention our relationship would bring. Thetrouble. But she was worth any bit of trouble and so much more.

She was worth any sacrifice.

And Piper had given me some wise words last week, before I jetted off to LA to be with the woman I loved. Those words had stuck with me. Like a signpost guiding me toward what I was supposed to do.

You don’t have to give her the whole entire world. You just have to give her yours.

So, that was what I intended to do.

I just had to hope it would be enough to make Ayla mine forever.

FORTY-EIGHT

Ayla

I shutthe door to Teller’s spare room and turned to Cheryl. “Okay, tell me what Ruxton Records said. I’m ready.”

“Shall we sit?” Cheryl pointed at the couch. It was a pull-out, since this room doubled as a space for guests.

“I’d rather you just spit it out. Am I out of my contract?”

During the first couple days after Jarod kidnapped me and I watched him die, I’d been a bit of a mess. Unable to think much further than one minute to the next. But Teller had been there. To listen or talk or hold me. Whatever I had needed.

It would be a while until I was fully over what had happened.

But over the last day or so, my thoughts had turned toward what was next. And that meant knowing what would happen with my contract with Ruxton Records.

A smug smile teased at the corners of Cheryl’s mouth. “They tried to fight me on it. They didn’t want to let you go. But they saw reason eventually.”

“I’m out?”

“You’re out.”

I heaved an exhale, dropping onto the couch. “Oh, thank God.”

“After you made your wishes clear, plus the scolding yourboyfriend gave me, there was no other option.” Cheryl sat beside me, placing her hand over mine. “Ayla, I am genuinely sorry I didn’t stop Paul from harassing you. I should’ve realized what was happening. Should have kept a closer eye on the man.”

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