Seattle Sound Series, The Collection: Books One to Five by Alexa Padgett

Author:Alexa Padgett [Padgett, Alexa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sidecar Press, LLC
Published: 2017-04-29T18:30:00+00:00

13

Mila

I hated packing up my belongings. I pulled out a small suitcase I’d tucked away when I moved in here four months ago—and had planned not to use again for a good long while. Like most of my belongings, it was new. Too new, a showcase of everything I’d left behind in Australia.

“We’ll take my rental car. I’ll get a new one sent over to our hotel.”

“Won’t the media know where you are? They always know where you are.”

He gripped my free hand. My other one wound tightly in Alpie’s carrier. “Don’t worry. First call I made when I realized Jordan was in Seattle was to my manager, and he’s working even now to send over some bodyguards. If we have to change hotels, then we’ll change. Seattle has plenty. I’ll get your luggage. Why don’t you check around? Make sure there’s nothing you’ve forgotten.”

I walked through each of the rooms, touching an item here and there, hating that this moment felt like a goodbye. I grabbed the small photo album from the bottom shelf of my coffee table. It held a few snapshots from my years in Australia, including the only picture where you could tell I was pregnant. I dropped it into my purse. Alpie shushed me.

“Ready?” Murphy asked.

No, I wasn’t but I didn’t have much of a choice. I hitched my purse up my shoulder, gripped Alpie’s cage tighter and walked toward the door.

“I know this is hard on you, Mila.”

I nodded.

“We’ll get through this.”

“Do you think it’d be better if we split up? I mean, you’re pretty well-known, and if the media find you, Jordan can find me.” And hurt you. I didn’t say the words, and I tried to ignore the anger, which was quickly stifled by hurt, building in his eyes.

“Is that what you want? For me to walk away?”

I should. Murphy didn’t understand he’d been my lifeline this past year. Remembering our time together was the only reason I managed to keep going. Now we were changing those memories. They’d be overlaid with the bitterness of lies and the pain of loss. When Murphy left this time, my heart would break deeper because it never healed properly from last time.

He stepped closer, his fingers trailing across my cheek. My lids closed and my breath shivered passed my lips.

“Let me help. Please.”

Much as I tried not to, I pressed my face into his hand and he cupped my cheek, his fingers tangling in my hair. It was shorter than I’d worn it when we were together, opting for a professional cut with a few flirty layers around my face.

“Mila, tell me what you’re thinking.”

“Yes, I’ll go with you.” Then because we both deserved to hear the words, I said, “I—I’ve missed you, Murphy.”

His lips pressed against my forehead and tears pressed hard against my lids. I sniffled, wanting to pull back but not wanting to lose the comfort of his embrace. Of his warmth. Alpie screeched and fluttered in her cage. In the end, Murphy stepped away.

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