My thoughts return to Rachel, and I think back to when we were kids. She’s always been my ride or die. Together, we learned how to shave our legs and put on makeup.
God, we experienced everything together. She’s in every happy memory.
My throat strains, and I swallow hard on the lump before taking a deep breath.
How am I going to make things easier for her? Can I even help?
My heart squeezes painfully, and my eyes burn with unshed tears.
How will I survive without her?
I can’t picture a world without Rachel.
Suddenly, I hear the front door open, then a woman says, “Take care of whatever the problem is so we can get back to New Zealand. Tim is already breathing down my neck. They’re losing money every day you’re not on set.”
The next moment, Easton stalks into the space between the living room and kitchen, and my heart all but stops.
He glances over his shoulder at the woman who’s following after him and mutters, “I know. Go home, Sylvia. I’ll be in touch as soon as I’ve dealt with the problem.”
Sylvia seems to be in her late forties, and there are tired lines around her eyes and mouth.
“Okay,” she replies.
My gaze flicks back to Easton while my heart starts to thunder in my chest. For a moment, I’m too stunned to comprehend that Easton Rowe is actually standing in the same room as me.
God, he’s even more attractive than when I saw him in his last movie,The Elimination Project.
With the coffee forgotten in my hand, I sit frozen at the island, too nervous to move a muscle. I take in the sight of his unruly dark-brown hair, chiseled jaw, and tall, muscular body. He’s even taller than I remember, probably close to six foot five.
The jeans, T-shirt, and boots Easton’s wearing look so freaking hot on him. Even though the clothes are ripped in places, I can tell they must’ve cost an arm and a leg.
Sylvia turns away from Easton and heads to the front door while saying, “We need to be back on the plane by tonight.”
Easton only shakes his head before he walks toward the stairs.
Once I’m alone in the kitchen again, I gasp for air and slap a hand over my racing heart. I set the mug down and focus on bringing my rapid breaths under control.
Holy crap, I just saw Easton.
I remain sitting at the island while I process seeing my first and only love turned famous actor, and once I’m able to think straight, I realize I need to get my shit together.
Easton might be famous, but to me, he should be nothing more than Rachel’s older brother.
I’m not going to fangirl over him. That would make things weird as hell.
You’re going to treat him the same as any other person. You’ve managed to hide your feelings for him before, and you’ll do it again.
I hear footsteps again, and my gaze darts to the stairs. Staying silent, I watch as Easton comes down to the first floor, then he lifts his head, and his eyes lock on me.
He stops dead in his tracks, and there’s an intense punch to my gut as he stares at me.
I gasp from the overwhelming sensation in my chest.
Holy shit, he looks good.
Say hi.
Crap.
