Vaughn had barely put his rental car in Park beside Allie’s car in the cabin’s short drive before turning off the engine and hopping out. He jogged up the front steps and made his way inside.
His gaze swept the space, his heart thumping furiously. She wasn’t there. But when he sucked in a deep breath, Allie’s subtle, sweet, signature scent tickled his nostrils.
“Allie, babe, are you here?” Vaughn called out, but there was no answer.
He froze, listening carefully. A soft smile curved his mouth as Allie belted out the chorus to “With You or Without You” in that awful singing voice that he’d come to adore.
His heart swelled. Because even in a moment when this woman was probably furious with him, she’d resorted to singing a song he’d written and on which his drum play loomed large right alongside Beckett’s vocals.
Vaughn made his way into the bedroom where Allie was wearing her AirPods and singing her heart out as she placed pillows on the brand-new bed. He glanced around the space. The entire room was freshly painted and had new decor. He’d been so focused on seeing Allie, he’d hardly noticed any of it. And with her headset on and the music blasting, she obviously hadn’t heard him, either.
He placed a gentle hand on Allie’s shoulder and she nearly jumped out of her skin, then immediately went into a karate stance that would’ve made Bruce Lee proud.
“It’s just me, sweetheart.” Vaughn held up his palms.
“Don’t ever sneak up on me like that! You nearly got kneed in the nuts just now.” Allie ripped the earphones from her ears, her hands shaking slightly. She shoved the AirPods into the pockets of her gray, plaid skirt and stared at him
“What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in London.”
“I called you, but you couldn’t hear me,” he said. “And as for why I’m not in London... You wanted to talk in person instead of over the phone, so I’m here.”
“You flew all the way to Wyoming in the middle of writing Diva Divine’s next album?” she asked incredulously.
“I needed to make sure you knew that story isn’t true. I would never treat you that way, sweetheart.” He took a tentative step closer.
“I know.” Allie’s perfectly arched brows furrowed as she dropped her gaze.
“Then why wouldn’t you talk to me?” Vaughn was genuinely confused by Allie’s response. He gently lifted her chin, forcing her gaze to meet his. “Babe, I’ve been worried sick about you.”
“I didn’t mean to worry you, Vaughn. I just...” Allie heaved a quiet sigh and frowned deeply. “This whole ordeal has been so heart-wrenching and humiliating. I hadn’t even had a chance to tell my family about us. That’s my fault, I know,” she added. “But having the story come out that way... It was awful. Every single person in town knew and had some opinion. I needed some space. A chance to pretend none of it was really happening.”
Allie slid out of Vaughn’s grip and his gut knotted.
He felt like he was losing her. The warmth and light that had emanated from her every pore seemed dim. Her eyes were filled with a pain Vaughn would do anything to take away. She’d done nothing but bring love and joy into his life, and he repaid her with humiliation and anguish.
“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry.” His throat clogged with emotion. “I would never do anything to hurt you. I should’ve seen this coming. I should’ve known that—”
“There’s no way you could’ve known that the paparazzi was cooking this story up, Vaughn. She squeezed his arm. A comforting touch despite her own pain. “And I know you didn’t do what that article intimated. That you have no desire to get back with your ex. Still...”
Allie’s eyes became watery and her frown deepened. But when he reached for her, she turned her back to him, walking a few paces away. The heels of her knee-high boots clicked against the beautifully refinished wood floor.
Vaughn wanted to take Allie into his arms and convince her of how truly sorry he was that this had happened. That he’d have done anything to prevent this ordeal. To tell her that his publicist had already issued a statement denying the lies in the article. That he loved her. But Allie clearly needed the space to express her feelings about what had happened.
He wouldn’t deny her that.
Vaughn held onto the gold sun and moon pendant hanging around his neck that was all he had left of his birth parents. He’d always hoped it would bring him the unparalleled love it brought them but none of the tragedy and pain.
Allie finally turned to face him. She tipped her chin and looked him squarely in the eye.
“We’ve always known this relationship would end sooner than later, Vaughn.” Allie shrugged. “The first phase of the renovations is complete.” She gestured toward the space around them. “It feels like a good place to end things, you know?”
“No, baby, I don’t.” Vaughn took a few steps forward and gently gripped her elbow, his eyes stinging at the thought of losing her. Hers were filled with unshed tears, which only made his heart ache more. “I thought things were good between us. Would I have invited you to come to London with me if I felt otherwise?”
“I know. I did, too. I was on Cloud 9 the entire time we were in LA. And I’d been walking around here grinning like an idiot because I was so incredibly happy.” She laughed bitterly. “Then... BAM. Everything blew up.” Allie swiped a finger of her free hand beneath her eyes and sniffled. She cleared her throat and then flashed a pained smile. “I don’t blame you for any of this Vaughn. But it gave me a glimpse of what publicly dating you would be like. I don’t think I’m strong enough to handle that.”
“Alejandra Price...” He used the perfect pronunciation of her name—rolling the R on his tongue like she’d taught him those nights they’d lain together in the bed just a few steps away. “You are one of the strongest, most confident women I have ever known.” Vaughn’s voice wavered slightly. “So don’t tell me you can’t handle it. Tell me you don’t want to.”
He dropped his hand from her elbow and raked his fingers against his scalp in frustration.
“You have every right to feel that way, Allie. But unfortunately, in this business, even the most beloved celebrity couples have to endure the lies and the bullshit—no matter how solid their relationships are. No matter how adored they are. And there’s nothing I can do that will change that. I don’t want this to end. But I won’t lie to you either, sweetheart. I can only promise you that I will always be honest with you and that I will always love you, Allie.”
Her gaze shot to his. She swallowed hard. “I believe that you have feelings for me, Vaughn. But I need you to be honest with me and with yourself about whether you’re in love with me or with my family.”
Allie’s shoulders were tense as her dark eyes carefully assessed him. He hated that she’d felt the need to ask, but he could understand why.
“Easiest question ever. Both.” Vaughn laughed when Allie’s eyes widened with confusion. He pulled her into his arms and stared down at her. “I know it sounds like I’m evading your question, but it’s true. I’ve loved your family since I was a kid. I used to dream of being a Price. But Allie, sweetheart, this—” he gestured between them “—isn’t about my admiration for your family. It’s about the brilliant, funny, badass woman who captured my heart. Baby, I do love your family. But if I had to choose between you and them, I would choose you...every single time. Maybe that seems impossible because it’s only been a couple of months. But what I feel for you, Allie...”
Vaughn smiled, his chest bursting with all of the emotions he was feeling at that moment.
“I’ve never felt this kind of deep connection and frantic need for anyone. I know you probably don’t believe that—”
“I do, Vaughn. Because I’m in love with you, too.” A sad smile lifted the corners of her mouth. Tears slid down Allie’s cheeks. She swiped angrily at them. “But there are so many other factors to consider. Your life is in LA. Your career takes you all over the world. And I love that for you. But my life and career are here in Willowvale Springs. I can’t give up the place and the people who mean so much to me.”
“I’d never ask you to give up all of the things that make you you, Allie.” Vaughn cradled her damp cheek and smiled. His heart leaped with joy at the possibility that the two of them could move forward. That Allie just might be willing to give this a chance. “I’ll stay here in Willowvale Springs and sell my place in LA.”
“You can’t do that.” Allie pressed her hands to his chest as she gazed up at him sincerely. “You’re far too talented a drummer and a songwriter to give up everything you worked so hard for. Then there’s your dream of reuniting Sin & Glory... You’re so close to having everything you’ve ever wanted again, especially with all the attention your recent nomination is garnering. You can’t give that up.”
“But I wouldn’t have you.” Vaughn stroked Allie’s cheek. “And for you, sweetheart, I’d give up the house in LA, the car, the reunion with the band.”
“You’d be miserable,” she protested. “Eventually, you’d regret giving up the things you’ve worked so hard for. You’d resent me for making you choose between everything you’ve ever wanted and me.”
“What I have always wanted, Allie, is to feel like I truly belonged. To have the love and sense of family I’ve been chasing since my birth parents died. To be with someone who would be a true partner in love and in life. And baby, I believe with everything in my heart that I’ve finally found that in you.”
Vaughn stared into the depths of Allie’s shimmering, dark eyes, hoping she felt the same.
Allie could barely speak. In fact, she could barely breathe. First, Vaughn had flown in from London just to make sure she was okay. Then he’d confessed his love for her, prompting her to admit that she felt the same. But now, Vaughn was actually willing to give up life in LA and his dream of reuniting the band just to be with her?
After years of fantasizing about Vaughn falling for her and them finding their happily-ever-after...was it possible that she would get just that?
None of it felt real.
Allie was sure she was in some fever dream. Any minute now, she’d awaken to discover she’d gotten lost in some all too real fantasy like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Alice in Wonderland.
Vaughn kissed her, his hands gliding around her waist as he pulled her closer, heat building between them.
Finally, she broke their kiss, taking a step back. Her head was spinning, and butterflies fluttered in her belly.
“Vaughn, you’re not serious,” she said, finally.
“I am.” He threaded their fingers and led her over to the bed where they both sat.
She rested her head on Vaughn’s shoulder, melting into him. They’d spent little more than a week apart. Yet, she missed him desperately. She’d missed his warmth, his touch, his smile. The way he’d been so supportive and encouraging of her career. The way he listened when she needed him to. How he made her laugh. The way he’d stood up for her to her family. His gift for making her feel like she was the most important person in his world.
But as much as she wanted the happily ever after she’d long dreamed of, she could never be happy knowing it had meant Vaughn sacrificing his dreams.
“You’ve been fighting so hard to get Sin & Glory back together. Doing all of this...” Allie lifted her head and cradled his stubbled cheek, needing to see his face. “How can you just give up everything you’ve worked for, Vaughn?”
He pressed a kiss to the palm of her hand, then met her gaze again. “The money, the fame...yeah, it was great. But I’m not that same twenty-year-old kid who was desperate for those things. I understand now how high the price can be, and that they don’t necessarily bring happiness. I realize now that there are far more important things in life.”
Vaughn turned toward her with one leg folded on the bed. He held her hands in his, and his expression exuded such genuine warmth and affection that it felt as if her heart might burst.
“I had a lot of time to think on that flight to London,” he said. “And I realized that the reason I wasn’t excited about meeting with the record execs was because what I was really chasing was the sense of belonging and community I felt as part of the band. We were a dysfunctional family, but we were a family nevertheless, and I’d missed that since the band broke up. I felt alone the way I did when my birth parents died and then again when my adoptive parents died. I was trying to recreate that sense of family. But being back here in Willowvale Springs, getting reacquainted with everyone, feeling like a part of your family again, and falling for you... I’ve never been clearer about what I want, Allie. And what I want is to be here...with you.”
Allie couldn’t stop the tears of joy from falling, and she wouldn’t even try. She kissed the generous, loving, accomplished man she’d fallen in love with. The man who’d brought her so much joy and happiness.
“And you’re really okay with making this your home base?”
“There will be times when I’ll need to be in LA or London or New York,” Vaughn conceded. “But I want Willowvale Springs—the place where everyone feels like family, and the woman I adore is waiting for me—to be the place I call home.”
He dropped a sweet kiss on her lips and it practically took her breath away.
“I don’t want to expose you to ridicule like this tabloid article. But I won’t hide what we have either. Not from your family, and not from the world. All right?”
“Okay.” She nodded. “But what if I said that as open and progressive as I am about love and relationships that one day I’d like to be a wife and a mother?” Allie held her breath as she gauged Vaughn’s genuine reaction to the words she hadn’t been willing to speak aloud again since the implosion of her previous relationship.
Vaughn’s eyes widened, and a look of pure joy animated his handsome face. His eyes were misty. He pressed a soft, sweet kiss to her lips, then pulled back and studied her. “Then I’d say that I can’t wait until the day that I get to make you Mrs. Alejandra Price-Reed or the day that we get to welcome our first child into the world.”
Allie’s heart felt so full, it felt like it had grown too big to fit into her chest. A smile spread across her face.
“Then if we’re really doing this, I know that together we can face anything, Vaughn. My family will come around. As for anyone else...it’s us against the world. And baby, that’s enough for me.”
Vaughn pulled Allie into his arms, his lips crashing against hers. His tongue met hers as he glided his fingers into her hair and tilted her head to deepen their kiss.
Allie had missed Vaughn’s touch, his taste and the panty-melting kisses that left her dreamy and reeling long after they’d gone their separate ways.
She fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, and within a flash, their clothing was strewn on the floor and they’d burrowed beneath the covers of the bed she’d made so meticulously just minutes before Vaughn’s arrival.
Allie didn’t care. All that mattered was that she would get to have this beautiful, caring, brilliant, talented soul in her life every single day for the rest of her life.