“Roll with the punches, my friend. If you don’t, you’ll end up wondering what-if for the rest of your life. Seems miserable to me.”
I nodded. He had a point.
“Wish upon a star. Near or far away. No matter where you wander. No matter where you roam. The wish you’re chasing’s waiting right at home.”
I froze at his words.
“Where did you hear that?” I asked.
He shrugged. “My grandma used to say it.”
The door to his apartment opened, and Jared, my relief, came in.
“Time’s up. I’ll suck your dick next time,” Trevor said.
“Sounds good,” I murmured, an old memory surfacing.
“I’m serious, Ryder. I’ll do it.”
“I’ll let you,” I said, going to the door to Jared. “He’s all yours.”
“Great,” he muttered.
I rushed out and hailed a cab. Quickly, I rattled off my address, the memory playing in my head.
“You’re sad again, Red,” I said, stepping into Rosalie’s dressing room. She gave me a sad smile in her mirror before going back to putting on her makeup.
I walked up next to her. I liked to watch her put on her makeup.
“You should do the pink,” I murmured. “Then the black.”
She picked up the pink eyeshadow. I watched as she applied it perfectly, then did the winged black liner that drove me wild.
“How do I look?” she asked, turning to look up at me.
“Pretty as the moon. Star of the show.”
She smiled, tears in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
She shook her head and dabbed at her eyes.
“I-I get these moments sometimes where I just feel so… empty.”
I knelt in front of her and brushed a curl away from her face.
“Make a wish,” I murmured. “Something that could fill the emptiness. I’ll be your star to wish upon.”
“I-I wish I were home.”
“L.A.?”
She shook her head. “No. Home. Chicago.”
I got it. She wanted her old life back. I suspected she did.
“Do you really want to go back to all that?” I reached out and wiped away a tear that slipped down her cheek.
