It wasn’t the first time she’d left home, but it was the first time she’d left on good terms. And something about her mother’s valiant attempt to keep her emotions in check made Aster want to give in to hers. Instead she held back her tears and bravely patted her mother’s arm as they made their way into the hall and down the elaborate marble staircase.
Her mother loved her. Aster no longer had reason for doubt. Maybe she’d never show it in the demonstrative way Aster craved, but that just wasn’t her style. Still, from the moment she’d walked out of RED, squinting against the glare of flashing lights and ogling crowds, only to find her parents, frantic with worry, Aster knew they still loved her, were still there for her, and had only wanted the best for her, even if their dreams didn’t match hers.
After a few months spent recuperating at home, Aster had started attending classes during the winter quarter at UCLA. To everyone’s surprise, she was leaning toward a law degree.
The most predictable, but still ironic, part of the scandal was the swarm of offers for acting jobs and modeling gigs, coming at a time when Aster was no longer interested. Like Heather predicted, her embarrassing video had gone viral, and Aster still hadn’t grown used to that kind of exposure. Dating Ryan allowed her access to all the fun industry events, which at the moment was good enough for her. She was proud of his new hit TV show, but she was content with keeping Hollywood at a distance and focusing on her new role as a college freshman.
“Hey, you ready? I brought muscle in case we need it, and from the looks of it, you do.” Javen gestured toward the backseat of Aster’s car, piled high with her belongings.
Hugging her little brother, she grinned at his boyfriend, Dylan, then glanced nervously at her mom. It hadn’t been easy for Javen to come out, but after everything Aster had put her parents through, the shock was mild in comparison.
A car honked, and Aster turned to watch Ryan waving as he headed up the long drive. Climbing out of the car, he went straight to Aster’s mom, who, as usual, fawned all over him.
It was amusing to see how her mom transformed around Ryan. Normally, she was imperious and standoffish, like a cast-iron pan clad in Chanel. But Ryan had somehow managed to charm her, and more than once, Aster had caught her giggling in his presence.
“I figured I’d follow in my car. I have room for these guys.” Ryan motioned toward Javen and Dylan.
Aster frowned. She wasn’t ready to leave quite yet, but it wasn’t like she could continue to drag it out. It was moving day, and later she was having everyone over for what she hoped would become the first of an annual Oscar-viewing party.
Still, she couldn’t imagine leaving home without saying good-bye to her dad. Her new apartment wasn’t far, and she knew she’d visit often, and yet . . .
She sighed and headed for her car, figuring he was still tired from the flight home from Dubai and getting Nanny Mitra settled in her new home. Once she’d voiced her disapproval of the sort of people Aster and Javen had become, Aster’s dad surprised them all by offering to fly her back home and move her into a beautiful building they owned. He loved his kids, no matter what. And if Nanny Mitra couldn’t find it in her heart to do the same, then it was best if she lived somewhere else. It was a show of support Aster had never expected, and it left her feeling guilty for having spent so much time underestimating both of her parents.
Reluctantly, she slipped behind the wheel, waved good-bye to her mom, and slowly nosed her car down the long drive. When she heard someone calling her name, she slammed the brakes, jumped free of her car, and barreled straight into her father’s arms.
“You weren’t really going to leave without saying good-bye, were you?” he asked.
“Never,” she said, whispering the words into the shoulder of his soft cashmere sweater. “Never again. I promise you that.”
FORTY-NINEGREEN GRASS AND HIGH TIDES
Layla settled onto the beach chair and pulled the towel closely around her. It was her favorite sort of Southern California day. The sun shone bright and hot, yet the air was brisk enough to bring a chill to her skin.
She squinted toward the ocean, watching as Mateo helped a child catch his first wave. The delighted look on the child’s face when he managed to stand made Layla inordinately proud of the work Mateo was doing.
He was one of the good ones. One of the best she’d ever known, and probably ever would know.
As if sensing her thoughts, Mateo looked up in surprise to find she was there. He called to one of the instructors to take over, then made his approach. With his feet carving into the sand, he tugged the zipper of his wet suit and peeled it down low on his torso, easily proving he was still one of the most beautiful specimens Layla had ever seen.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to lift her gaze.
“I hear congrats are in order,” he said as she tossed him a towel and watched as he rubbed it against his hair. It was a well-choreographed move they’d practiced countless times in the past. Only back then, Layla had given it little notice, or worse, felt resentful of the amount of time he spent in the water. The idea that it was most likely the last time they’d enact such a moment left her feeling bittersweet.
“I could say the same.” She nodded toward an ocean full of kids who, thanks to the foundation Mateo
