I cracked my eye open long enough to glare at Angelica, before closing it again. My tear-fest with Jeremiah at the park released some of the pent-up emotions but also caused my eyes to burn. Two weeks ago, I was high on the knowledge that fans packed out the arenas to hear me sing. Now, I desperately wanted to hold my wife and sleep more than three hours straight.

“Christmas is in three days.”

I lifted my head and glared at Angelica again. “Right. Don’t you have someone at home to share it with? Instead of butting in to my life further?”

She tipped her head to study me but I caught the faintest tremble of her lips. “No. I don’t. As you know, my father’s dead as is my mom. Breast cancer. Three years ago. My parents were both only children as am I.” She spread her arms out. “This is as good as it gets for me at holidays. Hanging out with grouchy, troubled musicians.”

I leaned forward and took Angelica’s thin, cold hand in mine. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I was cruel.”

She pulled her hand from mine and stood. “Not intentionally, but that’s what started this whole mess, hmm? So, what are you giving Ella? And Jeremiah?”

I dropped my linked hands between my spread knees. “I think Ella wants me to spend time with Miah. Build that relationship again. Prove that I won’t leave her—or our son—make sure he knows he can count on me.”

Angelica pursed her lips as she dipped her head. “Smart.”

“But for El . . . I don’t know.”

Angelica leaned her hips against the small desk and waited. When had this young woman—a woman who only cared about my professional image—become my confidant? I blew out a breath and rolled my neck back on my shoulders.

Right.

Time to move forward. I needed a plan. A solid one that would help Ella understand the depths of my love for her and my intentions to remain faithful to my vows.

I stood suddenly as the idea torpedoed through my mind.

“Is there any way we can get Ella’s students together? No, the whole school.” I slammed my palms against the desk. “Yeah! All the teachers, the administrators and all the students?”

Angelica took off her glasses and began polishing them on a small square she pulled from her pocket. “What crazy idea ran into your mind?”

I tugged on my lip. “Definitely crazy. Probably stupid. Possibly embarrassing. For me. Not El. I won’t do that to her.”

Angelica settled her glasses back on her nose and picked up the hotel stationary and pen. “Let’s have it.”

15

Ella