Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“Please. Yes. I’d love to hear about it.”
I then launched into recalling everything I’d learned about our son, from his interest in music to what he liked to eat. Cheyenne alternated between laughing and crying as she listened to the stories I shared.
I finally added, “I also need to let you know that I truly forgive you. When I told you I forgave you when we last saw each other, it wasn’t the truth. I just wanted you to feel at peace. You were in a vulnerable state at the time. But after meeting the Mahoneys, I want you to know you should be at peace with your decision. Our son had an amazing life, even though it was cut short. And it was better than what we could’ve given him at that time. I don’t want you to live with regret, just as I don’t want to live with resentment in my heart.”
“I somehow knew you were forcing forgiveness that day. And you’re right, I needed to hear it from you at the right time. I’m so happy you found some peace in visiting with his parents.” She paused. “Are you happy otherwise, Tristan?”
I didn’t have to think about the answer to that question. “Aside from the loss of our son, I’m a very lucky man. I’m healthy, and I’m in love. So, yeah, I’m very happy, Cheyenne. And I really hope you are, too.”
***
The heavy front door of my mansion latched closed. I jumped off the couch as I heard her heels clicking against the marble floor.
“How did the interview go?”
Emily looked stunned. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I got the job.”
“Holy shit.” I lifted her up and spun her around. “Congratulations.”
After I put her down, she narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re certain you didn’t pull any strings?”
I made a cross over my heart. “I promise I didn’t. I wouldn’t lie to you.”
That was the truth. Since we’d moved to L.A., Emily had gone for a bunch of interviews. None of the positions were right. But then this marketing job for a record label popped up. While I’d heard about the position through word of mouth, I’d done nothing but pass along the info to her.
“The guy who interviewed me didn’t seem to know I was your girlfriend. He was very direct and was the type who would’ve mentioned it if he had.”
Emily and I hadn’t gone public with our relationship, nor had we been photographed together—to the best of my knowledge—since we left Shady Hills. We’d mostly been hiding out at home as I worked on new music. The album the guys and I had recorded last year in California and had finished in Shady Hills would be dropping soon. That would likely require us to be out and about more.
I kissed her forehead. “I’m so freaking proud of you.”
“What apparently gave me the edge over the other candidates was my time working on the Delirious Jones tour. He said there was no comparison to real-world experience in this business. Yet another reason I’m grateful for that.”
“God, you and me both.” I cupped her cheeks and brought her mouth to mine.
She rubbed her fingers over her lips. “I’m gonna get out of these clothes.”
“Music to my ears.” I wriggled my brows.
“Gonna go take a shower.”
“Let’s celebrate. You and me out by the pool tonight. We can order in Middle Eastern.”
“That sounds divine.”
Once the food was delivered, I arranged a little spread on a table overlooking the pool. Emily emerged wearing a coverup over her bathing suit.
After we finished eating on the patio, I told her about my phone call with Cheyenne.
The sky had turned dark, and Emily sat between my legs on one of the lounge chairs with her back against my chest.
Looking up at the stars, she said, “Now that I have you, I feel like I can face anything, including my past. I finally made that appointment for therapy. It’s been a long time coming. I know I can’t change anything that happened, but you make me want to be a better person. And that starts with loving myself.”
“I’m proud of you,” I told her, kissing the top of her head. “And I wish I could love you enough for both of us, but you have your own work to do.”
“It’s a lot easier navigating life when I feel less alone. That’s how you’ve made me feel from the moment I met you. And that’s why I’m finally ready to face the past.”
“I’m glad. Last year was all about my past. This year is about letting go of those things I can’t change and embracing the future.” I squeezed her tightly. “See? I’m embracing my future right now.”
She turned to look up at me. “I love you.”
“Is there anything I could do to make you not love me?”