stronger. Forceful. “It was not my fault.”
His eyes creased in the corners as it hit him. As it finally occurred to him what he’d done. Who he’d hurt. What he’d lost in all of this. Alex could’ve been the one thing he held onto, but he chose to blame her and push her away instead.
ALEX
After leaving Preston speechless on the sidewalk, I dropped Hayden off at the house to relax by the pool while I ran out. He offered to tag along, but didn’t force the issue when I told him I’d rather go alone. He probably assumed I was doing something personal. Which I was.
I’d been thinking a lot about my parents’ vineyard. It had been in my father’s family for over seventy years. Being the only living heir meant it belonged to me. So did the restaurant, banquet facility, spa, and hotel.
I hadn’t spoken to Hayden about it, but I’d been considering moving into the hotel and learning the day-to-day operations once I graduated. I could go to grad school at night and eventually earn my MBA. It’s what my parents always wanted. And now it was one of the only things I had left of them.
I had no intention of hiding my plan from Hayden, but from everything he’d told me, the only constant in his life over the years, the one who’d stuck around, who hadn’t abandoned him—intentionally or not—had been Remy. And while I wanted nothing more than for Hayden to come with me, he had a life. And though things seemed strained between Remy and him, he had a friend who stood by him. And a job that paid his bills.
Could I ask him to leave that behind?
Heartfelt declarations aside, everything between us was still so new. There was no assurance we’d even be together eight months from now.
Besides, I had a feeling the only thing Hayden would hear when I told him my plan was goodbye.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
ALEX
By Saturday morning, nerves had overtaken my body. I’d never been so nauseous in my entire life. Hayden tried to relax me, but nothing worked. And he tried everything.
“You need to eat something,” he insisted from his sofa where my head lay in his lap.
“I’ll eat if I’m hungry.” But there was no chance I’d ingest anything knowing it could reappear during the competition.
Hayden leaned down and pressed a kiss to my temple. “Well, just don’t go passing out on stage.”
I turned my head so I could see his face. “Nervous you’ll need to carry me off in front of everyone?”
He shook his head with a grin. “More worried they’ll make me take your place.”
I laughed. “Yeah, but then you’d have to fight Taylor for the spot.”
He laughed as he slipped his hand beneath my head to support it while he slid out from under me. “You sure you’re gonna be okay if I—”
“Go.” I turned onto my side and watched him grab his jacket from the closet. “It’s important.” I had no idea what sparked the sudden fire under him, but the second we returned from Austin the day before, he started searching for a job. “I’ll just see you at the show.”
He walked back over to the sofa and stood over me. “I’ll be there.” He bent down, placing one hand on the cushion in front of me and one behind me so he hovered over me.
I twisted beneath him so I lay on my back. “Don’t be late. I sing first.”
“I won’t.” He leaned down, his lips lingering over mine. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He kissed me soft and gentle. “Have your aunt save me a seat.”
I nodded.
“You’re gonna be unbelievable. No worries.” He stood up and grabbed my hands, tugging me to my feet. “Let’s get you home so you can get ready.” He draped his arm around my shoulders and walked me across the hall.
I hesitated with my hand on the doorknob. Then spun back around. “I’ll see—”
Hayden moved in, pressing me against the door and sealing his lips over mine. He dove in like he’d never see me again. Hungry and deep. Forceful and endearing. Our tongues a glorious tangled mess.
He eliminated the nerves. The nausea. The fear. It was only the two of us. And our crashing hearts.
When he pulled back, I struggled to find my breath and my footing.
I caught a glimpse of his crooked smile before he turned on his heels and walked off. “See you later,” he called over his shoulder, knowing exactly the