Page 75 of Giving Chase

Her phone chimes. She glances at it and laughs. "Michelle says the board is having an emergency meeting about 'recent developments' as soon as we land in LA tomorrow."

"Bet they love that their President is trending worldwide."

"Bet they love that their potential new signing is the reason why."

I pull her closer, breathing in her familiar scent mixed with lingering traces of last night's celebration. "Any regrets? About going public?"

"Only that we waited so long." She traces my jaw. "Though maybe we needed the time. To get here. To get it right."

Another buzz. Justin this time.

JUSTIN: You two seen the memes yet? Also, TMZ has photos of you leaving the party together. Mom, your hair looks amazing even at 4am. Unfair.

"We're going to have to release a statement eventually," she sighs. "Something official."

"How about 'Mind your own fucking business, we're busy being happy'?"

Her laugh echoes through the suite. "Very Presidential."

"Very honest."

More notifications flood in. Will sending screenshots of fan reactions. Michelle with PR strategies. Mark with potential studio dates for when we're back in LA. The future rushing at us like a freight train.

But for now...

For now we're just us. Finally us. Room service coffee and headlines and twenty years of almosts turned into definitely.

"Move in with me," I say suddenly.

She pulls back, eyes wide. "What?"

"When we get home. Move in with me. Or I'll move in with you. Or we'll buy a new place together. I don't care. I just... I'm done with separate spaces. Separate lives. I want to wake up with you every morning. Want to read ridiculous headlines over coffee. Want..." I cup her face. "I want everything. With you. Finally."

Her smile is brighter than any spotlight I've ever stood in.

"Yes."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." She kisses me softly. "Though we might want to wait until after the press dies down to go house hunting."

"Probably smart." I pull her back against me, watching clouds drift over Lake Erie. "Good thing I know this incredibly smart label President. She always knows the right timing."

Her laugh is better than any song I've ever written.

Some headlines write themselves.

Some truths don't need to be whispered anymore.

Look At Me Now

ELIZA

Walkinginto Blackmore Records holding Chase's hand feels surreal. Like crossing a line I've policed for twenty years. The security guard, Manny, who's watched us maintain "professional distance" since the Clinton administration, can't hide his grin. The receptionist's eyes go wide as she fumbles her "Welcome back, Ms. Kerr, Mr. Avery." By the time we reach the elevator, the entire lobby's buzzing.

"Having fun?" Chase murmurs, clearly enjoying the reactions. His thumb draws lazy circles on my palm – a gesture he used to restrict to private moments.

"Shouldn't you be meeting James right now instead of escorting me to my office?"

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