47. Wren
47
WREN
Staring at the door Stefan just walked out of, my eyes well with tears. I wish I could be brave about this but I’m scared, shit fucking scared. My career won’t weather another scandal like this, but my heart won’t handle losing Stefan either. I love the douche, with all my heart. It feels like I’m screwed no matter what I choose.
My phone rings and when I see Mom’s name on the screen, I silence it but at the last minute, I answer, “Hey, Mom.”
“What’s wrong?” she says instead of saying hello back.
“I … ummm, Mom.”
“Talk to me sweetheart, you’re scaring me.”
“I’m going back to New York,” I tell her.
“And you’re upset to be leaving LA and Stefan because you’re in love with him, but you don’t want what happened with that double named twat to happen, hence, why you’ve been sneaking around.”
A laugh escapes me and really, I’m not surprised Mom figured this all out. “So you knew, huh?”
“Anyone with eyes could see that you two are gaga for each other.”
“But he’s my client, Mom.”
“Well, technically, when you go back to New York he won’t be anymore.”
“But—”
“No, sweetheart, no buts. You two are meant to be; I just know it.”
“It’s not that easy, Mom.”
“Love never is, Wren. You just need to decide what’s more important, Stefan or your job.”
That statement stops me in my tracks and really gives me something to think about. Mom and I spend the rest of the call catching up, and by the time I hang up, I feel better but I still don’t know what I’m going to do.
After tidying up the already clean kitchen, I grab a White Claw and head up to the rooftop deck to think. Lying back on the lounger, I sip on my sickly sweet drink and I think. I know I want and love Stefan, but I can’t get past the fear of what exposing our relationship will do to my career. It sounds selfish but I’ve worked too hard to get where I am, and I don’t want to see it wasted.
“Hey,” a gruff voice says, scaring the shit out of me and I jump in fright.
“Shit, Stefan, you scared me.”
“Sorry,” he sheepishly says. Putting his hands in his pockets, he stands there, staring at me.
We both say each other’s name at the same time and we laugh. Sitting up, I cross my legs and pat the lounger next to me.
He takes a seat beside me, and I hate the awkwardness that’s between us.
“Wren,” he says, speaking first. “As much as it pains me, I know you need to go back to New York for you. It’s only a five hour and twenty-five minute flight from here to there and there’s FaceTime.” Mutely I stare at him and process his words. Then he adds, “Plus, it’d be super sexy to watch you play with yourself like that.”
“Perve,” I tease.
“Only for you because, Wren, I love you.” He reaches over and cups my cheek. Turning my head, I place a kiss on his palm. “I want the best for you, but know I’ll always be here, no matter what.”
One minute he’s holding my face and the next, his lips are on mine and he’s kissing me. This is a kiss from the movies. It’s soft and sensual but at the same time, it’s heated and full of emotion.
Stefan sure knows how to kiss, and with each lash of his tongue against mine, everything in the world feels right again. I know without a doubt that I want him. I just need to figure out a way to make this work that’s fair for both of us.