“When do you want to fly back to LA?”
His question makes my stomach queasy. I have to tell him about not being able to return to DuBose.
“I don’t have good news, Alistair.” I drop my gaze to my lap, unable to withstand his stare.
“Goldi, you’re scaring me.”
I take a deep breath and blurt out, “I can’t afford to pay for DuBose anymore. My father’s assets are still frozen even after his death.”
He places his index finger under my chin and makes me look at him again. “I’ll cover your tuition, Goldi. And if you want to keep living at Brandywine Hall, I’ll pay for that too, although I’d prefer if you moved in with me.”
“Alistair, I can’t ask you to do that. It’s not right.”
“Why is it not right? You’re the woman I love. Why can’t I help you graduate from the school of your dreams?”
“Because we’ve only been together for a short period of time, and I’m not a leech.”
He furrows his brows again. “Goldi, I know you’re not a leech. If it makes you feel better, you can pay me back once you’re taking Hollywood by storm.”
I bite my lower lip, fighting to keep the tears at bay. “This is too much. I don’t deserve it.”
“What are you talking about? You deserve everything and more. You’re the kindest, loveliest person I’ve ever met. If you wanted the moon, I’d find a way to get it for you.”
With a shudder, I wipe the tears from my cheeks. “I don’t want to be a burden to you.”
He touches my shoulders and looks deep into my eyes. His gaze is brighter and a little red as if he’s been crying or is about to.
“You’re not a burden. You’re the reason I wake up with a smile on my face. You’re the ray of sunshine that keeps my monsters at bay. You’re it for me, Goldilocks. I’m asking you—no, begging you to let me do this for you if it’s what you want. If you want to stay in Italy, that’s fine too. I’ll move.”
My eyes go rounder. “You’d give up your entire life in the States to move here for me?”
“In a heartbeat.”
I throw my arms over his shoulders and crush my lips to his.
He kisses me back, hard and fast, before easing off. “What’s it going to be, my love? LA, Milan, Tuscany? You tell me.”
“LA first, and then we’ll see. As long as you’re with me, I don’t care where we live, Alistair. I love you.”
“I love you too, Goldi. So damn much,” he says in a husky tone before he pounces, pushing me on my back to show me how much.
50
Alistair
Seven months later
I haven’t set foot in DuBose since I got fired, but nothing would keep me away from coming to Chiara’s graduation. She returned to school after the tragic death of her father and flourished academically despite all the drama. She graduated with honors and earned a coveted scholarship to UCLA.
I’m hanging out with Monica, Tessa, and Caio as we wait for Chiara and Robbie to finish saying their goodbyes to their friends. The ceremony took place on the football field, and we’re all glad the temperature remained in the seventies or we’d be melting. There isn’t any shade around here.
“How are your parents, Alistair?” Tessa asks.
“They’re well. The last time they checked in, they were in Argentina.”
“Oh, Buenos Aires is one of my favorite cities in South America,” Monica pipes up. “So romantic.”
“I’m considering taking my parents up on their offer and meeting them there with Chiara.”
“I’m sure she’d love it,” Tessa replies. “It warms my heart to see you happy again, Alistair.”
Caio groans. “Can we stop with the sappiness already?”
Monica hugs her brother sideways. “Don’t be a hater because you can’t keep the door to your bedroom from revolving.”
He rolls his eyes, something I only see him do when he’s with his sister.
Tessa looks over my shoulder and turns serious. “Principal Forrester is coming our way.”
I turn, body tense. I haven’t seen or talked to him since he fired me. He greets my companions and then focuses on me.
“Alistair, may I have a word with you?”
“Of course.”
We walk away from the others to a spot on the football field that’s less crowded. I shove my hands in my pockets, trying to appear relaxed, but it’s hard to do so with him. We have too much history.
“Thanks for letting me come to Chiara’s graduation, Forrester. I appreciate it.”
