Map to the Stars

I nodded and he winked, then cradled me against him as he used one arm to swing the serving windows wide open.

“I love you, Graham,” some girl in the crowd screamed upon seeing him. Graham held my gaze while waving with his free arm. He smirked. “See, she loves me.”

I grinned. “Shut up, you idiot. I love you more.”

Graham’s eyes got very soft then and he blinked a whole bunch of times, while I smiled up at him. I didn’t take my eyes off his for a single second, though I knew a dozen cameras were now trained on us. After a couple of moments, he swallowed and smiled back.

His head ducked close to mine and his eyes sparkled. The last thing I saw as his lips settled over mine were his lids sliding closed.

As flashbulbs exploded like fireworks, I melted into a Hollywood kiss that was a hundred percent . . .

Authentic.

But I’m just saying, we don’t have to let everything hang out for everyone to see, do we? I’m speaking of Godzilla toe, of course.”

I ducked just in time to avoid his swat.

Thank GOD because I’m getting a little antsy out here with all these cameras aimed at me. Well, at the truck anyway. I am beginning to reconsider all of my feelings on stardom and—HEY!”

sometimes when you love someone, you find ways to forgive the unforgivable.

Graham stuffed his hands in his pockets again and looked miserable. He hadn’t gotten a response from me yet and I could tell he was bracing for the worst. I hid my smile by biting my cheek. Everything was crystal clear now.

“Things are fine in here. More than fine.” I pivoted to Graham and tugged his hands free, holding them tight. He blew out his breath a couple times before bringing his eyes to mine. Giant question marks were in them.

I grinned and shrugged. His dazzling movie star smile answered me

I liked the part where you said I was brilliant and completely right about everything.”

“Funny, I don’t remember using the word brilliant.”

Graham waited quietly until I brought my eyes to his. They were warm, familiar. He took a deep breath and held my gaze before saying, “How about these words? I love you, Pickles.”

And there they were. Such simple ones, but so huge. Here was this boy who had run my emotions through the ringer. He’d made me crazy mad, crazy irritated, and crazy jealous. And crazy happy.

The crazy happy part was all I could remember at that moment.

And I know I haven’t done anything since then to earn back any of your trust. I just . . .”

His shoulders fell. “I just wanted you to know I heard you. That your words meant something. That I’m so, so sorry. And that I miss Grannie like crazy.”

He ventured a look at me, then sighed again. “Sorry. I shouldn’t try to joke. I miss you, Annie. You.”

I’ve been completely miserable. Australia was . . . awful. I missed you like crazy.”

But he hadn’t seen me since Barcelona and I could tell it was affecting him