“It’s not up to me.” Rachel walks around the couch and takes a seat. “It would make me happy, though. I’d have peace of mind knowing you and Nova have each other after I’m gone.” She leans against the backrest of the couch. “But at the end of the day, it’s up to the two of you. She’s just come out of a bad relationship, and you need to keep that in mind.”
I cross my arms over my chest and glance at the stairs again. “I will.”
After a short while, she asks, “What’s going on at work?”
I let out a disgruntled huff. “The director is a fucking asshole, but Sylvia will deal with him.”
“Now would be a good time for you to take an extended break from filming. You’ve been working nonstop since your career started. Take some time off, Easton.”
“Everyone will lose their shit,” I mutter, and I don’t want to let down Robert, the producer, because I like working with him. That’s why I wanted the postponement, but with Tim’s shit, I’m out. I refuse to ever work with that bastard again.
“They don’t matter,” Rachel argues. “The only people who matter live in this house. I need you now, and once I’m gone, Lainey’s going to need you. Promise me you’ll take time off.”
My heart squeezes painfully in my chest. “I promise.”
She pats the couch. “Come sit.” I join my sister and turn my body so I can face her, then she says, “You’ve done so much for me, Easton. I want you to know I appreciate everything you’ve sacrificed to give me this beautiful life. I know you never brought a woman home because you didn’t want to disrupt my life or Lainey’s. You’re the most incredible big brother a girl could ask for.” She sucks in a shaky breath before she continues, “I want you to start living for yourself. If being with Nova will make you happy, then go for it once she’s ready. But, if you have any doubts that it might not work out, then don’t. For Lainey’s sake. She’s going to need both her godparents.”
“We’ll see how things play out,” I reply. Tilting my head, I ask, “Do you know how Nova feels about me?”
“Oh no, my lips are sealed.” Rachel lets out a chuckle. “You’ll have to find that out for yourself.”
Trying to get something helpful out of my sister, I ask, “Does she view me as a brother?”
Rachel pretends to zip her mouth shut. “Sealed shut.”
Suddenly, a flash of pain tightens her features, and it has me climbing to my feet. “Headache?”
When she nods, I hurry to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and painkillers. After I hand everything to her and watch her swallow the pills, I say, “Take a nap before Lainey comes home from school. All the shit must’ve tired you out.”
“Yeah. Porsha is coming over after school so the girls can bake cookies for the sale tomorrow.” She lets out a sigh as she gets up. “God, I’m dizzy. Will you help me to my room and check on Nova?”
“Sure.”
I have to suppress the urge to pick her up and settle for wrapping my arm around her. Leading her up the stairs, I keep my pace slow, and when we reach the second floor, I say, “Just call me if you need anything.”
She nods as we walk into her bedroom. I wait for her to lie down, then she sighs, “Thanks, Easton.”
I look down at her pale face, and it hammers another nail into my heart. “Want me to stay with you?”
“No,” she mumbles, a smile tugging at her mouth. “Go check on Nova.”
Leaning over Rachel, I press a kiss to her temple. “Have a good nap.” I leave her room and pull the door softly shut behind me. Turning, I stare at Nova’s closed door, and I take a serious look at my feelings. It’s only been two weeks, but I’ve known her for over twenty years. I think that’s why I’m falling so fast for her.
Because, after everything she’s been through, she’s still the same kindhearted person. She’s blossomed into a breathtakingly beautiful woman, and I’d be the stupidest idiot on the planet if I let her slip through my fingers.
Now that I know it won’t upset Rachel, I start to think about pursuing a relationship with Nova.
I’ve always had to be careful around other women because I could never be sure whether they were with me for my fame and money.
That’s not the case with Nova.
We will have to raise Lainey together. Maybe if things go well and something more develops between us, Lainey won’t have to be split between two homes.
My heart beats faster as the idea of building a life with Nova fills my mind.
Nova has always belonged with us. When we were younger, I didn’t notice her in a romantic way because of the age gap and the crucial fact that she was a minor.
But she’s twenty-eight, and our age difference doesn’t matter anymore.
