Liam
“You seem happy.”
I shifted my gaze from the view off my back deck and turned towards Taylor. “I am.” I loved coming out here each day to watch the way the morning sun painted the fields. Loved working on music out here. Sutter Lake was good for me. Tessa was good for me.
Taylor grinned into her mug of coffee. “Don’t overwhelm me with words.”
I chuckled. “Tessa makes me happy.”
Taylor’s grin widened. “I’m so glad. For both of you.”
I sobered slightly. “I don’t know that I deserve her, but I’m going to do everything in my power to keep her.”
My statement did nothing to dull Taylor’s smile. “It’s good you feel that way, it means you’ll treat Tessa right.”
I took a sip of my coffee. “I’ll do my best.”
Taylor studied me. “How does she feel about the fame factor?”
I stiffened. “Tessa doesn’t need that kind of attention right now, so we’re keeping things as low-key as possible in public.”
Little lines of worry creased Taylor’s face. “You know that can’t last forever, right? She’s going to have to deal with it at some point.”
“Tessa doesn’t have to deal with anything she doesn’t want to.” The words came out harsher than I would have liked. My instinct was to defend Tessa, even to one of my best friends. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. But you don’t know the whole story.”
The lines of worry in Taylor’s brow deepened. “What do you mean?”
I studied the brown liquid swirling in my cup. “It’s not my story to tell.”
Taylor searched my face, deciding whether or not to push for more information. Whatever she saw there made her back off. “Okay. She’s lucky to have you. I hope you two can work it out.”
“We will.” There was no other option, because this life I was building with Tessa, even one hidden in the shadows, was sweeter than anything I ever imagined. I switched gears to a safer topic. “How are things with you? Any luck on the job front?”
Taylor’s expression brightened. “I have an interview at Sutter Lake Elementary next week.”
I grinned. “T, that’s great.”
She settled back in her rocker. “I really hope I get it. I hadn’t realized how much I missed teaching until I started tutoring Noah. I’m ready to get back to it.”
I took another pull of coffee. “You have a great resume. They’d be a fool not to hire you.”
Taylor laughed. “You sound like Walker.”
“Well, he’s right. How are things with you two?”
A starry-eyed softness settled on Taylor’s face. “We’re great.”
I was about to make fun of my clearly head-over-heels friend when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and tapped the screen, hoping it was Tessa. Who was I kidding? If anyone was head over heels, it was me.
Dan – Label:We have a situation. The press got word late last night about your fan attempting suicide. They’re concocting all sorts of crazy stories about you two being romantically linked, and you dumping her before the attempt. They’re bribing everyone and their brother, trying to figure out where you are. You need security. Tell me where you are so I can send them.
I felt the blood drain from my face. Before, I had just been a celebrity the paparazzi hadn’t seen in a while. Now, they would be desperate for information. Rabid for photos. And if they found me here… Tessa.Fuck.
I jumped as a hand grasped my forearm. Taylor leaned forward. “What’s wrong?”
My phone buzzed again.
Dan – Label:Never mind. They know where you are. Stay inside and don’t answer the door. And send me your goddamned address so I can get security to you now!
