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They spot Nova and me, and Mr. Glenn excuses himself.
“Are you hungry, Riley? Can I make you something to eat?” Inez asks.
“I’m good, thank you.”
Gigi says, “Aaron took your things to your room. I assume you’re here to stay.” No judgment or disagreement sounds in her tone.
“Uh, yes. Thank you. But I don’t have to stay if you’re not comfortable with it. We haven’t had a chance to discuss it yet.”
Gigi waves a hand as she walks over and greets me with an open-armed hug. “You are always welcome here.”
I hug her back, then hold her keen gaze as we part. “Are you sure you feel okay about this? I can make other arrangements. It’s not a problem.”
“Nonsense. We’re all fine and safe, and it’s less worry having you here—for both of us.” She eyes Nova, who smiles but it seems forced.
“I need to take care of some things,” Gigi says. “Please make yourself at home. You two should catch up. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” She touches Nova’s arm on her way out of the kitchen.
“What room am I in?” I ask before Gigi leaves.
“The Caribbean suite. Of course.” She smiles approvingly at me and Nova before disappearing around the corner.
Based on Nova’s expression, she seems unsure.
“I can stay somewhere else, if you’d prefer?” I offer, even though I don’t mean it.
“Or I can.”
What is going on with her?
“I want you to stay in the Caribbean suite.” I make it clear.With me, I want to add, but I don’t. I pushed Sera to see, do, and want what I wanted. I don’t want to make that same mistake again, certainly not with the woman I want to be with forever. And I want to be with Nova and love her forever. I’m not sure she wants to be with me indefinitely—or at all, given how she’s acting.
“We should check on the kittens,” I suggest, to get her away and in a private space. Maybe that will help with how she’s feeling.
She nods and heads for the doors that lead to the backyard.
I catch up to her and walk by her side in silence. How did things become so awkward between us? “What have you been up to since I left?” I ask, just to make small talk.
“Designing. I’m creating my own collection.”
“Really? That’s great. I’m happy for you.” I truly am but my shoulders sag as my heart shrivels. Her own collection means the public eye and fame. I figured mountain life wasn’t for her, but I’d toyed with the idea of staying here and trying to make it work. Now, I realize us having a future is as hopeless as it was before I left, and that’s a painful truth to swallow. Perhaps that’s why she’s being indifferent. When I first arrived, her emotions got the better of her; then she remembered our situation and doesn’t want to get caught up in anything romantic with me.
“Thanks.” Sincerity and a hint of surprise sound in her tone. She treats me to a glance for a brief moment before focusing on the stone path.
My phone rings. I take it from my pocket. The caller is unknown—no surprise there. I don’t answer.
“Shouldn’t you get that?”
“It can wait.”
She releases an emotion-filled sigh.
“What’s wrong, Nova? You can tell me anything.”
“It’s confusing having you back.”
I nod. “Yeah. Are you worried about my staying here—for your safety, I mean?”
“No,” she blurts, to my relief. “Not at all. But I am concerned for you. This isn’t part of your plan…or, it wasn’t.”