Birch turned to Allison. He looked glorious, so strong and handsome and most importantly, he’d believed her. She ran to him and he wasted no time wrapping his strong arms around her.
“Thank you,” she whispered, drained from the terror of having a gun digging into her side and forehead and fighting with Divine. “Thank you for coming for me and believing me. How did you know to come?”
“I went to the police station to watch them interrogate the stalker and realized immediately he wasn’t the guy who’d attacked you. We came straight here and sent some officers to your agent’s office as well. I can’t believe Divine hired someone to attack you and then came after you herself. She’s insane.”
“She claimed she and your mother have done it before and they’re such good actresses everyone believes their lies.”
“Sadly, I’m afraid she’s telling the truth this time. I wonder who else she’s hurt or threatened.”
Allison pulled back and stared at him. “Thank you for trusting me. I thought you might believe her.”
He shook his head. “Long experience in knowing everything out of her mouth is a lie or used to benefit her.”
“Ah, so it wasn’t about how much you trust me.”
He smiled and kissed her. “I trust you,andI know she’s a liar.”
The police interrupted them before they could kiss more. Allison felt relieved and even more invested in Birch. He’d believed her over his own family. Would he put aside the promise he’d made to his brother as well? She hated to think of him not keeping a promise, but all she knew was she wanted to be with him and date him, no matter how hard it might be when they were separated by an ocean.
* * *
The next two weeks went a lot faster than Allison wanted. She and Birch went to dinner the nights that she was free, walked on the beach, and went on bike rides. During the day she was busy getting ready for her role. She and Birch were growing closer, but something held him back. Probably the promise to his brother, though they didn’t talk about it. Maybe it was that his sister had attacked her and he was humiliated by how his mother had publicly disowned her own daughter.
Allison had gone to lunch with Bermuda and her friend had been gracious about her getting the role, and about her dating Birch. She told Allison several times what a great person she thought Birch was. She didn’t get into details about their breakup and Allison didn’t ask. She was relieved Bermuda was still her good friend, and hoped Bermuda never knew that Birch suspected her of orchestrating the stalker. His suspicions had been correct, just the wrong woman.
The time came to relocate to Kauai and she wasn’t sure what to expect but Birch stuck to his word and followed her. He found a small VRBO to rent near her condo and he went on bike rides, hiked, surfed, and who knew what else while she worked. When she was free at night they explored the island together. It wasn’t as idyllic as their time at Luke and Mar’s more private island, but at least they got some time together in the tropical paradise.
Again, the time flew by but Allison loved how close she felt to him now. Birch was open and sweet with her, they chatted like best friends and had fun adventures together. Neither of them mentioned the obstacles between them. She was falling hard and fast for him but before she knew it their time together had dwindled and they were saying goodbye on their last night. Birch had a red-eye flight that departed the small airport in Lihue at nine fifty-five.
The Uber driver was waiting outside the condo she’d live in for the duration of the filming on the island.
Birch sat his duffel bag next to his feet and gave her a significant look. “C’mere,” he murmured, opening his arms.
“Gladly,” she said.
Birch chuckled and held her close. He kissed her slowly, seeming to savor each touch and feel. Then he murmured, “Can I ask a favor of you?”
“Of course. Anything.”
He stared down steadily at her. “Two favors, actually.”
She smiled. “One?”
“I know you have to act alongside Jeremiah, but I don’t trust that guy. Please be careful.”
Her eyebrows lifted, but she readily agreed. “Don’t worry, I promise you I will stay away from him outside of work. He gives me the creeps.” They’d never spoken about her past boyfriends but a quick Google search would show him that she’d dated Jeremiah briefly. He must know about it and she was relieved that he wasn’t asking her more questions about the relationship.
“Two?” she asked, ready to move on.
“Don’t forget me.” His dark eyes were so serious she wished she could ease his worries.
“Not possible.” She clung to him. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, Birch …” She couldn’t hold his gaze as she snuggled into his chest and murmured, “I love you, Birch.”
He tilted her chin up with one hand. “Look me in the eyes and say that again.”
“Looking down is classic lying to the interrogator?” she tried to tease.
He smiled softly. “I know you wouldn’t lie, but I want to look into your beautiful eyes as you say it in that throaty voice that makes me weak inside.”
Allison smiled and found herself blinking back tears. “I could never forget you, Birch. I love you.”
He pulled her in tight and kissed her so fiercely and strongly she grew lightheaded from the joy of it all, and the lack of oxygen. When they pulled apart, he said breathlessly, “I love you too, Ally. I’ll miss you.” He kissed her again and then he had to release her and run for his ride.
Allison watched him go, touching her lips and then hugging herself. He loved her. They had no future plans and wouldn’t see each other until she had a break for filming at Christmas and could fly to him, but they loved each other. It had to be enough. She would pray so hard that they wouldn’t break apart. They hadn’t talked about his promise to his brother for weeks but she knew they had to be together. Birch was the right fit for her.