MARRYING THE ROCKSTAR (#3 ROCKSTAR SERIES)

♪ twenty-one ♪

Leo's Hamptons cottage was sumptuous. Small—well, for him at least; I was quite satisfied with two bedrooms and two bathrooms—but cozy. Isolated enough that no paparazzi ventured near it, and the private beach attached to it was secure. Some passersby looked at it from afar, walking along the water, but no one asked questions.

No one hounded me with questions.

It was, as Petra had said, chilly. But I enjoyed the seaside breeze, the salty air that nipped at my cheeks as I stood out on the balcony the first night, enjoying a glass of red. I'd grown accustomed to wine since dating Leo, and it was what I'd needed that night.

I'd brought cooking supplies with me, but Petra assured me there was great takeout in the area, and they knew Leo's address well. There was a nice surprise of exquisite bottles in a pantry near the kitchen; I wouldn't deprive myself.

"But are you sure you're not lonely?" Sapphire and Daphne were on the phone with me, both wanting to check in. I'd sent them a cryptic text earlier that day to inform them I'd be out of town for an indeterminate amount of time and had avoided calling them until now.

Until I was settled, fed, somewhat relaxed.

"I need the isolation," I said, staring out at the setting sun, its colors shifting over the water. It was a beautiful view, one so romantic, meant to be shared with someone else...but I quite preferred it on my own.

Leo needed the space, but so did I.

I hadn't heard from him, but Petra swore to me that she told him where I was, and not to worry. She'd be handling everything from now on, getting more involved than she liked to be, but it was the only way to salvage this.

The only way to keep me in Leo's life.

But...did I want to be? After all that, this whirlwind of weeks where he pouted, then fucked me, yelled at me, then laughed with me. The ups and downs made me more nauseous than a record-breaking roller coaster, and I wanted off.

I wanted time.

"I still worry," said Sapphire, a twinge of concern in her voice. "You up there alone..."

"I'm not fully alone," I said, tipping my glass at the security guard I'd brought along with me. He slept in the office slash guest room and stayed out of my hair for the most part. He was only there for security purposes, in case paparazzi or crazed fans got wind of my being here.

"Fine, but companionship..." Sapphire was insistent.

"I could come up tomorrow," said Daphne, distracted.

I snorted. "Not with that deadline looming over you, you can't. Guys, listen." I sighed, turning away from the view to rest my back on the balcony's railing. "I'm fine. The spat Leo and I had...it's temporary. He needs to sober up and chill for a second. We said some...not-so-nice things to each other."

"I know, and that's why I'm worried," said Sapphire, unwilling to give up. "Leo is tough, but you? You're a sweetheart. I don't want you to be on your own with your thoughts."

"I assure you, I'm experienced with that," I said, a nostalgic smile on my face. Solitude was something I thrived on, found inspiration in, and it had been a while since I'd been given full access to it. Even at home, or in my studio, there were interruptions, people coming and going, text messages and emails. Here, things were silent. There was limited cell service—outside was best—and only the sound of crashing waves in the distance.

"Emma," said Daphne, less persistent than Sapphire, but concerned, nonetheless. "Keep in touch, okay?"

"I will," I said, hugging myself as I reentered the cabin, closing the glass door behind me. "I'm good, I promise."