Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88057 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88057 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Gaping at me, she withdrew her hand. “You actually want to take this offer.”
My own eyes went as wide as hers. Until that moment, I’d been planning on turning it down for my own reasons, but disagreeing with Cressida had shown me the truth of what was in my heart. “I…I guess I do.”
And perhaps Harley had seen this yesterday, and that was why he’d been so adamant I take the deal. Perhaps he could see my inner yearning better than I could. The fact he refused to let me lie to myself said something about his character. But of course, Cressida had to act suitably shocked at my admission.
“Even if it ends your fling?” She jabbed right at my biggest fear.
“It’s not a fling.” The firm retort shot out even before my brain could fully process her question. And I was right. This was new, and we’d only been together a short time, but it wasn’t a fling. I needed to trust in that. He’d come out to his family, showing me at every turn that he took this seriously, that he wanted to be together. And he wanted the best for me. He’d never once said that my taking the offer would end things between us. I’d been the one voicing all my doubts. Not him. I fell back against my chair. “Oh. Wow. I can’t be sure that this would end things between us.”
That. That right there was the point I’d missed yesterday. Stay or go. There were still tons of uncertainties. But I’d been all too ready to assume that I couldn’t have both the show and Harley. But he hadn’t said that at all. And I’d pushed him away. Crap.
Cressida frowned. “I thought you fought over the show?”
“No. He wants me to take the offer.”
“Ah. Perhaps he’s just not that into you or long-term. Not unlike my ex—a new sweetie in every port. Some men simply aren’t relationship material.”
“And some are.” As I said the words, my skin went cool and clammy, like I was having some sort of out-of-body experience. Harley kept talking about what a bad bet he was for a relationship, but was he truly? He was loyal, kind, sweet, self-sacrificing, and the best boyfriend I’d ever had, even after the fake role ended. Maybe especially then. He was relationship material, so perhaps the bigger issue was that neither of us seemed to trust that.
“Ambrose. Be reasonable here.” Cressida flung an arm over her head as if she were about to swoon. “I don’t want to go to Atlanta.”
“Then don’t.” Getting out of my chair, I went to sit next to her and took her hand. “You don’t need to come to Atlanta.”
“What?”
“Let me handle this. You know I can. You’ve been the best business partner I could ever ask for, but I’m the one invested in ending this show.” As I talked, she shook her head, but the relief in her eyes gave her away. “You take one of the network exec gigs you’ve been eyeing. Move up the ladder. Get the power and status you want.”
“I don’t want to leave you in the lurch.” Her voice was soft, and it didn’t escape my notice that she didn’t deny wanting one of those jobs.
“You won’t be. I’ll be fine. And maybe the time apart will be good for us.” A thunderbolt raced through my body, electricity zooming from my messy hair to my bare feet. I’d been spoiled by a week straight of Harley’s undivided attention and company. But was that the only model for a relationship together? Was that the healthiest thing for us long-term? Was it possible that my taking this offer might actually be a positive for the relationship?
“You’re sick of me?” Cressida sounded like a wounded bird, so I pulled her into a tight hug.
“Never. I could never be sick of the big sister who only wants the best for me. But maybe I need to prove that I can do this on my own. You’ve been eager to get onto the next big thing for a while now. So do that. You’d wilt in the southern humidity.”
“True.” She smiled, relaxing into my embrace. “But won’t you as well? And, Ambrose, you hate flying.”
I shrugged. “I’ve always wanted to drive cross country.”
“Be reasonable.” She poked me in the chest.
“I am. If I have to fly some, I will. I’ve got therapy, meds, the dog, and good motivation to make it back here.”
“I’ll leave a light on,” she said dryly, then let her head fall on my shoulder. “Why do I feel like you’re breaking up with me?”
“I’m not. I love you. I’m setting you free to go be a bigwig at a network. More power suits and executive lunches and big deals. The stuff I hate.”
“You have a point.”