Rosalie: I’m OK. Busy. That’s life, though, right? It could always be better.
I smiled. Still honest as always.
Ethan: Busy is good. I watched your livestream of your Boston show. I’m proud of you. So much.
Rosalie: Thank you. That means a lot to me.
I stared at the message for a moment before blowing out a breath and saying fuck it. I was going to shoot my shot, even though it was stupid as hell. I wanted her to know me before I went away forever with Enzo.
Ethan: Would it be out of line if I called you?
Rosalie: I’ll always answer.
I smiled sadly at her words, remembering her telling me that the last time I saw her all those years ago.
With a shaky hand, I tapped her name as the phone rang. She answered immediately.
“Ethan,” she said in her soft, sweet voice.
“Hey,” I answered back. So many memories and emotions ripped through my body. One finally settled. Happiness. “It’s good to hear your voice.”
“It’s good to hear yours,” she murmured. “It’s been too long.”
“It has,” I agreed, shifting on my mattress. I exhaled nervously. I wanted this conversation to be effortless, but I already felt the struggle at hearing her voice. I was an idiot to think I could do this. She always had a way to unravel me. Of course, back then, she was really the only thing holding me together, too.
“I saw you’ve been nominated for more Grammys. That’s really incredible.”
“Yeah.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “It doesn’t seem real.”
“It does,” I said, smiling and relaxing a bit. “You’re incredible. I watched your live show in London last year and your Boston one. I was floored. Seriously. You’ve done amazing things and deserve every ounce of success you’ve had.”
“You’ve always been sweet,” she said with a soft laugh.
I smiled sadly at that. “Same guy. Mostly.”
“Are you?” she asked.
“Uh.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “No. Not really.”
“You sound different,” she mused. “Happy. Older.”
“I am,” I said, laughing at the older part. “I’ve gotten my shit together, so life is good. I feel good.”
“God, I’m so happy to hear that.”
“I actually don’t really use anymore. Haven’t in a long time,” I continued delicately. “I mean, I might with the guys now and then, but I don’t rely on it anymore. It’s been a different sort of life since everything.”
“I’m really impressed,” she said. “And so damn proud of you. Really. I am. I prayed every night for you. I still do.”
“I prayed for you, too,” I murmured. “We were probably wishing on the same star. No more nightmares. Nothing. I’m a different man these days.”
“God, Ethan, that makes me so happy. You don’t even realize just how much.”
“I believe you,” I said.
We were both quiet for a moment.
“I heard about the… stalker,” I said.
