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“He overdosed that night.”
“Oh, no,” she muttered. “Oh, Birch. I’m so sorry. That’s horrible.”
He acknowledged her comments with a slight nod but he didn’t look at her. As the full, tragic story settled in her brain, her stomach tumbled and she felt gut-punched. Blade died that very night. How would she and Birch ever overcome such an obstacle? Why had he even let himself grow close to her? She had no clue how to respond, how to comfort him. Finally she said lamely, “I’m so sorry for your loss.” She loved her brother and couldn’t imagine life without Abe.
“Thank you,” Birch said stiffly.
The air between them felt chilly and thick, like a dank night on the San Francisco Bay. Birch studied the fireplace while she studied him, looking for clues and cues on how to proceed. When she couldn’t stand the silence any longer she muttered, “No wonder you’re … adverse to actresses.”
“Adverse is putting it mildly.”
Silence fell and she had no clue what to say. Should she try to comfort him about his brother more? Should she ask where this left them? He swore to his brother he wouldn’t date an actress and then his brother died. A man of honor like Birch could never break what turned out to be a deathbed promise. It was a horrific situation and now she could understand why he’d been such a jerk when he found out she was an actress. Protecting himself but also staying loyal to his brother.
“Where does that … leave us?” she finally got brave enough to ask.
Birch turned to her. His dark eyes softened and he murmured, “When I made that promise I was pretty bitter about my mother and sister as well as Bermuda’s betrayal. I thought it would be the easiest promise I ever made. Then when Blade died it became a part of me, something I planned to never break … But I never planned on you.”
Allison’s breath caught. Did that mean he’d date her? She felt like she already knew Birch and his depth of character, despite the short time they’d had together. If he thought he was betraying his promise to his brother he wouldn’t date her. What a nightmare.
“What should I do, Ally?” he said in a deep, aching voice. “I can’t handle the thought of breaking my promise to Blade but at the same time I can’t handle the thought of not being around you.” His voice lowered, “You’re like sunshine and joy for me. Watching you over the past couple of weeks has been exquisite torture. You’re so beautiful, funny, and impressive. Being close to you, seeing you smile, kissing you. I never knew happiness like that could exist.”
Allison’s eyes grew moist, partly because of his sweet words, but also because his inner turmoil and the quandary they were both in. She couldn’t be the one to tell him to turn his back on a promise to his brother but at the same time she didn’t know how to let him go. She was falling for him like she’d never fallen for any man and she selfishly couldn’t stand the thought of not being with him.
He cupped her chin. “Beautiful Ally, please tell me what to do.”
Allison had no idea what to say. While she appreciated that he cared about her opinion, it was also unfair for him to expect her to make such a decision for him.
They stared at each other. The impasse was much, much worse than Allison had imagined and she was actually surprised that they were even this far into a relationship. They’d kissed and he’d been tender and cute with her.
Instead of telling him what to do, she asked, “How did you let yourself kiss me in the first place?”
“I’ve been fighting the growing feelings for you all this time as I’ve been around you and watched you through the cameras. When you disappeared this morning and then got hurt and almost fell out of the tree.” He shrugged. “I let my guard down and let my desire for you take control.” He released her face and clenched his hand into a fist. “Letting myself be close to you, tease with you, and kiss you has been my undoing. I pushed the promise to Blade away because of how irresistible you are.”
Allison was sick. She saw no way around or through this. He’d let his guard down for a little bit, but she had a horrible feeling that telling her the story and recreating those memories and that vow had strengthened his resolve again. Of course she wanted him to stay true to his brother but she wasn’t ready to lose him, lose what they were growing together. Would she ever be? She’d dated a lot and never found herself so invested in a man. She trusted Birch and felt she could be herself around him. How could she give him up?
His phone rang, startling her out of her thoughts. He didn’t move for a second and she wondered if he’d ignore it but he pulled it from his pocket and muttered, “Abe.”
Allison wondered why her brother was calling him but then she remembered she hadn’t turned her phone on in a week. It was unnerving not knowing what was happening in the outside world and if she’d gotten the role or not, but Birch had told her to turn the phone off and she had. She was worried about gaining and holding his trust and didn’t want to lose it over something that simple.
“Yes?” Birch greeted Abe with a simple question.
He listened for half a minute and then stood and started pacing in front of the couch. “No,” he muttered a few times and Allison grew more concerned. What was wrong?
“I’ve been … distracted,” Birch admitted, pushing a hand through his hair.
Allison should’ve felt worse about being that distraction. Her eyes darted out the dark windows. Were they in danger? Had something happened with her case?
“Right now?” Birch asked. He paced some more then nodded. “Right. We’ll meet them at the airport in an hour.”
He hung up and glanced at Allison but then his phone was ringing again. He swiped to answer. “Detective Jones?” He paced and had another short-answered conversation. “Yes, sir … Abe sent you the message?” He glanced at Allison and gave her a forced smile. “Yes, sir. I think that’s wise.” Finally. “We’ll be in touch.”
He hung up and Allison stood slowly, pushing off of the couch with her right hand. “Everything okay?”
He shook his head shortly. “Apparently pictures of us were taken as we left the hospital. They quickly went viral and Rachel got a tip that paparazzi are on their way.”
Her eyes widened. “I’m not some famous actress. Did they tie you to your family?”
He nodded. “Yes, and both things are what is a bit suspect about it. We need to figure out whose agenda is furthered by all of this.” He listed it off. “The stalker, us being together, you fleeing to Jackson Hole.” He pushed a hand at his curly hair. “But right now we need to pack and go. It’d be easy for the stalker, and whoever might be using us for dramatic effect, probably my mother or sister, to find us here.”
