Page 205 of Torrid Passion
CHAPTER 35
Kyla
“Are you back yet?” Stella yells from the other side of the door.
“I just texted you, silly,” I yell back, rushing to the door.
I just got back from Balboa Island. My cousins were out running errands when the Falcon Crest bodyguards dropped me off at the guesthouse. I can’t wait to see them again and reconnect, but leaving Loki after spending six weeks living together nearly killed me. Our goodbyes felt like we were never going to see each other again. I know I’m blowing it out of proportion, but my heart weeps.
“Kyla!” my cousins shout when I swing open the door.
“Hayden! Stella!”
“Oh my God!” Hayden exclaims.
“It’s the three of us again, girls!” I cheer.
We grab each other’s hands and start jumping up and down, screaming our heads off.
We embrace in a group hug and stay like that for a few long seconds, rocking from left to right.
“I missed you guys so much,” I say, taking a step back. “I’m just happy it’s all over—”
Tears roll down my face.
“Don’t you dare, or else I’ll start bawling as well.” Stella’s eyes redden.
“If you two start, you know I’ll lose it too,” Hayden’s already weeping.
We stand there crying our eyes out.
It’s been a roller coaster of emotions.
“Enough,” I say, wiping my eyes.
“You’re right,” Hayden agrees. “This is a joyous day. No more gloom and doom.”
“But, these are happy tears,” Stella complains before sobbing again.
Hayden and I laugh.
We share another group hug.
“Okay, I’m good,” Stella says wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands.
“Six weeks…” Hayden says, shaking her head.
“I’m going to miss the 24 /7 bodyguard service, though. I loved stepping into the shoes of a celebrity,” Stella jokes.
“Only you would say that,” I laugh.
“I’m just happy to get my life back,” Hayden says. “It’s good to be home!”
The SWAT team had predicted the media craziness would last a week. It lasted three. The press was camped outside Hayden and Stella’s home and shop, hoping to snap headline-worthy photos. They were dying to catch a glimpse of me and get a quote, but the SWAT team didn’t want to put any of us in the line of fire so they suggested we remain in our hideaways. Little by little, the press lost interest––too many celebrity fuck-ups to cover. Soon, fewer and fewer were posted at our door, and then they disappeared altogether.
“The place is as impeccable as when we left,” I say, changing the subject.
“Dad asked his gardeners to spruce up the grounds and plant new greenery while we were gone,” Stella explains. “He didn’t want us to come back to an unkept property.”
