The last strum of Noelle’s guitar filled the bedroom. A thrill zipped up her arm. “That’s it! I did it! What do you think, Cheddar? Do you like my new song?”

She lifted the fluffy orange cat, nestled her little buddy in close, then crossed the bedroom to look out at the sunset coloring the mountain meadow. She scratched the cat’s scruff. Her closed-eyes, purring cat made her chuckle. “It’s perfect. If this song doesn’t get me that job, nothing will.”

She picked up the pad of paper with lyrics and notes scribbled across the page. “I’d better make sure I can repeat what I just did.”

She sat Cheddar on the bed, then grabbed her guitar. She closed her eyes and began to sway. “If only I had known…” Energy swelled from within, and she let the song consume her. She started softly, and the emotions built. The music walked along an emotional path to a place where love was lost.

She tapped into the feeling of having her heart ripped out of her chest. Her eyes stung with tears. She ached. She mourned. The heartfelt emotions eased into her voice until she reached the peak, then let the heartache slide down to the ending. She let the last note hang in the air. Suspended. Floating.

She didn’t breathe.

She didn’t move.

The clapping of hands jerked her out of her sentimental reverie.

“Wow.” Ethan stood with his shoulder braced against the doorframe, arms crossed. He looked mighty scrumptious—like that LL Bean cover model—but a digital image.

He was a picture of the perfect guy. But he wasn’t hers.

She scolded her stupid heart for noticing.

“Your song captures what I felt perfectly.”

Yes, but the song is not about you and Brigitte. It’s about me letting you go. She gulped back the hurt. “My mom sent me home with more food. I’m afraid your refrigerator is almost full. You weren’t here when I got back, so I just shoved everything that wouldn’t fit into the freezer out back.”

“I needed gas in my car, and I wanted to check on a few patients.” He paused for a moment to watch Cheddar play with the paper on the bed. “There is loads of food. Can I heat up anything for you?”

“Thank you, but I’m not really hungry.” Her stomach growled. Stupid body parts. Always posting way too much information. “I think I better keep practicing.”

“You need to eat. Doctor’s orders.”

You don’t eat healthy. She drew a line in the throw carpet with her toe. “Rain check?”

Ethan pushed from the doorway and headed her way. He stopped a foot in front of her. “You weren't going to tell me, were you?”

Her mouth dried. Oh. God. How did he know the song was about him? She tried to swallow but couldn’t. “I can explain.”

“How come you decided to leave so soon?”

She blinked, then blinked again to shift gears. “Who told you I was leaving?”

“Does it matter?”

“I guess not.” She pulled the pages of scribbled notes into a pile. “It's a small town. I should have known some busybody would tell you sooner or later.”

“But, why didn't you tell me?”

“I was going to tell you.” When I figured out what this push-pull thing we have going on is all about. “I figured you'd be pleased to get your house back.”

“That still doesn't answer the question. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I talked to my mom, and she has money I can borrow. I figured the sooner I get to LA, the sooner Jade and I can practice for tryouts.”

“Tryouts. Right.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Your friends will be disappointed you didn't stay around for New Year's.”

Yes, my friends, but not you. “Maybe I'll come back for a few days this summer. Go rafting. If I don’t get this job, I’ll have a lot of spare time.”

“If LA doesn’t work, you can always get a job singing at Jack’s.”

She put the song sheets in a folder on her nightstand. “Living on tip money is hard, plus singing a couple times a week wouldn’t pay the bills. I’d have to get another job, and jobs are hard to find here. Jenna and Mom are letting me pick up work as a favor, but they don’t really need the help.”

“The urgent care clinic is always looking to hire people.”

“And what would I do in a clinic? I might be able to change bedpans or deliver flowers, but that’s all, and it’s not what I want to do. I want to make it singing if I can. I feel like this will be my last shot. If I can’t make a go of it this time, then maybe it’s time for me to explore a different career.”

His frown deepened. “Don’t give up, Noelle. You’re good. Really good. Too good to give up.”

If only she could be certain. “That’s nice of you to say, but it takes more than just talent. It takes a little bit of luck, and being in the right place at the right time. At least that's what my mom says.”

“Maggie is right more often than not.”

“Yes, she is.” And, she was right about you. You’re a good man, and probably the reason she forced the roommate thing in the first place.

Noelle studied Ethan's face. She would've liked to run her finger along the square, scruffy jawline, and across the lips that could be both firm and soft. And the eyes, so alive with intelligence and emotion.

She had to leave, the sooner the better. For her sanity. And his.

“Tell you what, if things don’t work out, you can come back here. I’ve been looking for a roommate. Cheddar and Trapper get along. You wouldn’t have to find a place.”

And see you every day, knowing we could never be together? That’s emotional suicide.

“I know you’re trying to help, but I can’t see any way this would work. I have a better chance of finding work in LA.”

“Yes, but the cost of living in California is quadruple what it is here.”

She crossed her arms. “That’s true, but still…once I’m there, I’ll have to find a way to make it work.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but her heart couldn’t take any more. “I’d better get to work. I need to be ready for tomorrow night.”

She grabbed her guitar and sat on the bed, hoping he would get the hint.

“What about dinner? I can bring you a plate.”

Bringing up food would mean she’d have to talk to him again. He was a problem-solver. He’d do his best to solve her problem, but he couldn’t—his heart wasn’t available.

“I had a big lunch. Plus I have snack bars if I get hungry.”

“You sure I can’t get you anything?”

You could open your heart. Let me in. She shook her head. “I’m positive.” She forced her mind to think of standing onstage with a crowd of thousands cheering her on, and the imagery worked. She felt her mouth curve into a smile.

Ethan backed out into the hall.

“Would you mind closing the door?”

He reached, and she waited until the latch clicked into place. Her shoulders sagged. She pulled her cat to her chest and hugged him close.

“Cheddar, how do I get myself into these messes?” She took a deep breath and let it out. “I’ll figure it out, though. I always do.”

But fairy tale lives only happened in storybooks.

Ethan Brennan could have been her prince, but he’d already taken a bite from the poisonous apple and was sleepwalking through life.

He was like a precious rose thorn wedged in her finger.

Their time together had been brief, but he’d dug in deep.

Pulling the splinter out would hurt, and take time to heal.