Page 62 of More than Myself

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“Answer me.” The growl made her core clench the second it left his lips.

That sound was like an electric shock jump-starting her. She wet her lips, trying to compose herself, but the way he focused on her mouth, his gaze burning into her, made it difficult.

Cameras. They might not be miked for sound, but the film was rolling.

She shook her head. “I know I’m talented at this.”

“Good.”

“You forgot this downstairs,” Lily called from the door, holding out a brown paper bag.

“Oh, thanks.” Will took it from her. “I brought a late lunch if you have a little time for me.” He held the bag up, a hopeful grin on his face.

She nodded and sat on the floor, resting her back against the large vanity.

“I’ll leave you to it.” Lily waved before she disappeared again.

“They sent you to makeup again?” She tried to cover her laugh with a slight cough.

Will rolled his eyes and joined her on the floor. “Do not laugh at me. I hate it, but it’s better than that glow.” He handed her a sandwich and knocked his shoulder against hers. “The things I do for you.”

He’d done so much. And those were only a handful of the reasons she loved him. Aly froze at her revelation. It was way too soon to have fallen in love. Turning to her sandwich, ignoring the fluster of emotions inside her, she unwrapped it to find her favorite—ham and turkey with just one slice of tomato and mustard. He’d gotten it right, of course, because with Will, the small things mattered. He paid attention.

“I’m going to ask you a question that might seem scripted, but Lily said they don’t record sound when you do these things. Is that true?”

Aly nodded, swallowing thickly at the way he watched her with such intense scrutiny and the seriousness of his tone.

His eyes didn’t leave her face. “What are your plans for this place?”

“Oh.” They hadn’t talked about a final decision. Not since Andy had given the okay to sell. “Well.” She paused and took a breath. “Sell it. Pay off the loans. Hopefully have money left over.”

“And then what?”

Damn. Of course he wanted a plan. This was Will.

She sighed. “I don’t know.”

He chuckled. “Of course. Forget all the detail and what-ifs. Just tell me what you want.” He took her free hand. “You’re so good at what you do. The design, the knowledge, the patience you have when you explain the work, the talent in the execution of it. Shit, it blows me away how good you are at it all.” He waved his hand around the room.

“Thanks?” She wasn’t sure why, but the words didn’t feel like a compliment.

“But is it what you want?” he asked, regarding her closely.

Aly snorted. What she wanted? It came down to so much more than this. She wanted Andy to know he was loved. She wanted him to be cared for and to not be stressed about money or who had his back. She wanted to not have to worry about those things for herself either. And now, as she took in the man sitting next to her, she wanted him too.

“I guess I need to be more specific,” he said. “If money wasn’t an issue, and if Andy was safe and loved and secure—”

Aly opened her mouth to interrupt, but he put his free hand up.

“Say all that was magically taken care of exactly how you’d want. What would you, Aly, want to do? Stay with the show? Or do something else?”

She gave herself a minute to really consider.

“Any answer is okay. All I want is your truth,” he promised, giving her hand a squeeze.

“I would love to keep doing the show. But thereareother things that matter. Like you.” She couldn’t meet his eyes as the admission left her lips. “I travel a lot. Is that what you want? To have a girlfriend who’s gone more often than she’s home?”

He pulled on her hand until she was forced to scoot close enough that he could snake his arm around her shoulders. The warmth of his body pressed into her, bringing a sense of safety and a deep impression of being cherished.


Tags: Jenni Bara Romance