Free Falling Star (Combustible Book 2) by Brandy L Rivers

arms and kiss the doubt away, but that would only confuse the issue. “Look, you don’t have to let me all the way in. Just let me help. You said it yourself, you felt better when you saw me.”
    She groaned. “Why are you so damned persistent?”
    “I’d do anything to see you smile again.” He shrugged, a crooked smile lifting one side of his mouth. It was so much more than that, but he didn’t want to analyze his emotions. There was a very real possibility she would push him away again.
    Her eyes slid shut as she let out a sigh. “Let me wash my face.”
    Trent dipped his head as she ducked out of the room. He heard the lock click into place. His heart sank and he thought about calling Mila to find out if she knew the whole story. He crossed that off his list real fast. Chances were she wouldn’t give him an answer anyway. And asking might just piss her off. No, he needed to talk to Kyle and see if there was something they could do to prevent this asshole from finding her again.
    He picked up the glasses she left and walked to the door where she’d disappeared.
     
    * * * *
     
    Ella stood in the bathroom staring at the water washing down the drain. She had two options. Go out there and face the music. Or tell him to go away before she spilled everything about her past.
    Not that she thought he’d tell anyone who she was, but at the same time, an innocent comment could turn into so much more. If the wrong person heard, they could call the tabloids. Oh, hell, a picture would do enough damage on the right social media sites.
    With her oldest friend living next door, she had to wonder what the fuck she was thinking, moving there in the first place.
    The gentle knock signaled her time was up. She had to tell him something but had no clue what. Trent already had big clues to her past. With that knowledge, anyone could piece the rest together. She couldn’t share more without risking too much. Hell, it was probably a miracle no one seemed to realize her true identity yet.
    Eventually, the secret would come out, and then she’d see who her real friends were. To be honest, she was terrified how Trent would respond if he ever learned the full truth.
    “Ella, at least, talk to me.”
    She opened the door and melted into his icy blue eyes. Determined not to be weak, she nodded to the front door. “Let’s go.”
    “You’re sure?” He seemed to look into her, see all the way to her core while wiping away the doubt with the sincerity in his expression and stance.
    “You still don’t think I’m a lost cause?”
    “Definitely not. Thought I told you I want to make things better. And as long as I’m not making the anxiety worse, I’m ready.”
    “You do make it better, as crazy as that seems.”
    “Until I kissed you, then stopped.”
    She sucked in a breath, wishing she hadn’t made that move though she desperately wanted to repeat it. “I kissed you, not the other way around. And you were right to stop. When we get there, I want it to be for the right reasons.”
    A real smile brightened his face as he took a step closer and held her hands. “What are you doing Friday night?”
    Instant panic rolled through her. “Not ready for a date.”
    He smirked. “Blaze is coming over. We’re having a movie night. Want to hang out? I’ll make dinner.”
    He was hard to resist without the cute little boy thrown in. Sighing, she asked, “What are you watching?”
    He shrugged. “I tend to leave that up to Blaze.”
    Chances they’d watch one of her movies were slim to none. She’d never been asked to play in kids’ films. “Sure. Tell me when.”
    “Five.”
    “What should I bring?”
    “Favorite snack food.”
    “All right.” She pulled him toward the door. “About our trip to the café—want to stop there after breakfast? ’Cause now I’m hungry.”
    “Sounds like a plan.”
     

Chapter 10
     
     
    Mila climbed onto the barstool in Ella’s kitchen. “So, you’re going to movie night at Trent’s,