Page 147 of Ever With Me

“I wouldn’t be miserable. I don’t want kids...or never have wanted them before. But I’m open to discussion. It’s . . . just not a great time in my life for any other stressors, especially after the day I had today.”

She tilted her head. “I thought today was a good day? Didn’t you say in your text that the judge dropped the case?”

He nodded and spooned some meat into the grilling tortilla. “She did.”

“Then what?” She approached him slowly, worry creeping in.

“Um, you know what? Why don’t you go first? You had news and I railroaded it with the pregnancy stuff. Your grandfather wants you to be the face of his company?” He started on another taco, not meeting her eyes. “Is that what you want?”

“I—” She had the sudden, urgent need to sip her wine. Swallowing back a large mouthful, she then set the glass down. “I don’t know, Brooks. It’s a lot. His business is based here. People come to Brandywood to see him. The whole show is set here. There’s just . . . a lot to consider.”

“You’d be great at it.” He took one taco off and set it on a plate. “Add some shredded cabbage, avocado, and lime juice to that, will you?”

She took it from him and went to the island, where the remaining ingredients had been placed on a cutting board. “You don’t know that I’d be good at it. I’m not really sure my grandfather knows that either. He just likes that we’re similar in personality.”

“No, he knows. So do I. I watched you on stage that night at the apple festival. You have good stage presence. You’re comfortable there. And, of course, you’re beautiful and smart.”

“So you think I should do it?” A wave of disappointment crashed through her. He had to know how much that would tie her to here.

He brought a couple more tacos over to her. “I didn’t say that. I just said you’d be good at it. Doesn’t make a damn bit of difference, though, if it’s not what you want to do.”

She kept her gaze focused on filling the tacos. “There’s a lot of distance between LA and Brandywood, Brooks. I know a lot has happened between us in a short amount of time, but I can’t pretend that’s not going to factor into my decision. Long distance is one thing, but taking this job means even more permanency here for me.”

He was silent at her side, helping her, and she counted the seconds as they passed.

Not knowing what he was thinking was driving her crazy.

“Brooks?”

“I heard you, Maddie.” He wiped his fingers on a damp cloth. “I just don’t know what to say.”

Not the answer I was hoping for.

“We can’t put off a conversation about what happens with something like this, babe.” Frustration brimmed from deep inside her. “A handful of days ago, you were ready to pack up and go back to LA. Now the arraignment is over, the concert is in four days, and your rental here ends in three days. We talked about long distance, and I’m happy with that, but what if I can’t move so easily?”

His shoulders fell. “I don’t know. You don’t want to leave Brandywood anyway, do you? That’s what I always understood. You love it here. And now your grandfather?—”

“I don’t want to leave, at least right now, but that’s less important to the discussion than me being able to understand what happens if Ican’tleave. I mean, I don’t even know if you want me to leave and go to LA someday.”

He prepared two plates and carried them over to the table. “Coming?”

Her anxiety grew despite his calm demeanor. That he wasthiscalm made it worse, actually.

Carrying her glass of wine to the table, she sat opposite from him. “All I want to know is what you want. Do you even want me to be a part of your life in LA? Or would you consider moving here?”

The tacos he’d made looked mouth-wateringly delicious, but she’d also lost her appetite.

Brooks lifted his gray eyes, his expression guarded. “I love you. Of course I want you to be a part of my future in LA. Or maybe here, if we could make it work.”

Once again, what he hadn’t said was louder than the spoken.

He might not be able to live here.

“But . . .”

Brooks took a bite of a taco. “Eat something.”

Because he’d made it, she lifted a taco obligingly. It tasted as good as it smelled. “Wow,” she admitted, taking another bite. “These are really amazing. I didn’t know you could cook anything outside of hot dogs and mac and cheese.”

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