“You love me.”
I meet her eyes, and hold it for a beat before sighing. “Fine.”
Her smile was instant and triumphant. Elise scooted back to make room for me, and I sat, pulling her against my side as we balanced plates and containers between us. She ate with one legdraped over mine, completely at ease. Comfortable in a way that felt earned.
I watched Elise more than the screen. The way she mouths the words along with the cast. The way she laughed at scenes that she’s seen more times than she can count. The way she belonged here now, in my space, in my life.
Before Elise, my nights were quiet. Empty. Work until exhaustion. Silence until sleep. Now there was warmth. Noise. A woman in my clothes, eating my food beside me, watching cheesy movies and smiling like she had always been here. For the first time in a long time, I did not feel like I was just passing time. For the first time in a long time, I felt settled. Grounded. Happy.
And as the movie played on and she laughed softly beside me, I knew with absolute certainty that I would do whatever it took to hold on to this life.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
ELISE
I WALKED INTOEdge Records with a box of cookies and the simple hope that I could pull Nathan away from his desk for a little while.
The glass doors of Edge Records gleamed in the afternoon light, and for a moment, I just stood there, staring up at the building. The last time I’d set foot inside, Jax had slammed me against an elevator wall and left me shaking, my world tilted and bruised. My heart skipped now, the ghost of that fear tugging at my chest, but I squared my shoulders and took a step forward.
I pushed through the doors, the hum of conversation and faint echo of music spilling from somewhere upstairs. The familiar scent of polished wood and strong coffee wrapped around me like a hesitant welcome, and before I could get lost in my thoughts, a booming voice broke through.
“Well, well, look who finally decided to bless us with her sunshine.”
The head of security stood near the front desk, arms folded, grinning wide enough to split his face. He was easily one of my favorite people here. He was steady, warm, and entirely unbothered by the chaos of the music industry.
The knot in my chest loosened instantly. “Hi, Carl,” I said, smiling for real this time as I lifted the small bakery box in my hands. “I come bearing gifts.”
His eyes narrowed playfully. “Is that what I think it is?”
“Homemade chocolate chip cookies. Your favorite.” I wiggled the box at him before setting it on the counter.
Carl groaned like I’d just handed him gold. “Elise, you know my wife’s gonna kill me. I swore to her I was laying off sweets.”
I smirked. “Then don’t tell her.”
He gave me a mock-serious look before leaning closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Or… hear me out. You say the word, I’ll leave her and run away with you. Just me, you, and these cookies.”
I laughed, the sound bubbling out of me easier than I expected. “Carl, please. You’d last five minutes without your wife. Ten, tops.”
He snapped his fingers, feigning disappointment. “Dang. You’re right. Guess I’ll just stick with sneaking cookies on the job.”
“Smart choice,” I teased, shaking my head.
“Are you here to see the boss?” Carl asked.
“Yep.”
Carl leaned on his desk, his smile softening. “Well then I won’t keep either of you waiting.”
“Thanks Carl.” I gave a small wave before I headed for the elevators.
The doors slid shut with a soft hiss, and my reflection stared back at me in the polished steel. My pulse picked up, but this time it wasn’t fear, it was anticipation.
The elevator doors slid open and for the first time in weeks, I stepped onto the floor that had once felt more like home than my actual home.
Platinum records displayed like trophies, phones ringing, assistants scurrying with lattes in hand. It was the same whirlwind of energy I remembered, but walking through it now, it felt different.
The last time I’d been here, Jax had cornered me. The memory still sent an icy ripple down my spine, though I forced myself to stand taller with my chin up. Jax wasn’t here. I hadn’t received any more phone calls or cryptic messages from my ex, so I assumed Nathan had taken care of it like he promised.
