Northern Stars — Brittainy C. Cherry

Hollywood's biggest star first belonged to me.

Breaking up with your high school sweetheart was one thing.
Breaking up with a famous Hollywood actor? That was a different situation.

I'd been in love with Aiden Walters since I was a little girl. We'd grown up as neighbors in our small town. He was my first love, and I was his. I was there when his career took off, and I was certain I'd always be a part of his life.

But just when his Hollywood star began to really shine, the internet blew up with the news of his real-life girlfriend at home. When I realized he was spending more time defending me than focusing on his career, I did the only thing I could do - I let him go.

Five years later, he was back home staying in the only hotel in our small town. Of course, it was the one I managed. I was forced daily to see the man whose heart I'd broken all those years ago.

The man who now resented me.
The man who grimaced with annoyance every time he looked my way.
The man who swore he'd never speak to me again.

It was clear that I was now his sworn enemy. Still, during our arguments, I saw the sparks of the boy I grew up loving. I craved his warmth, his touch, and the feelings that we once had.

I had to remind myself daily of why I ended things with him in the first place. Otherwise, I'd find myself falling in love with him all over again. Only this time, I was certain that if I fell, he wouldn't be willing to catch me.

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Alternate Blurb:

Breaking up with your high school sweetheart is one thing. Breaking up with Hollywood's favorite actor? That's an entirely different situation. I'd been in love with Aiden Walters since I was a little girl. We'd grown up as neighbors in small town Wisconsin. I knew him inside and out, and he knew every single piece of me. I was there when his career took off, and I was almost certain I'd always be a part of his life. It wasn't until a scandal broke out that I was forced to end things with Aiden. He didn't take it very well. The boy I once loved began to hate me. He went off to California, leaving his entire past behind, including me. Five years later, he's back in town for a few months to care of some family business. He's staying in the only hotel in our small town, the hotel I now oversee. For the next few months, I'll be forced to cater to the man whose heart I broke all those years ago, a man who resents me, a man who swore he would never speak to me again. Now that he's back in town, in constant proximity to me, I have to keep reminding myself daily why I ended things with him in the first place. Otherwise, I'll find myself falling in love with him all over again. Only this time, I'm certain that, if I do fall, he won't be willing to catch me.