Page 12 of Keeping Happily Ever After

She’d changed out of her winter gear into some simple black leggings and an oversized sweatshirt that slipped seductively off her shoulder. With her dark hair falling down in soft waves and her cheeks pink from the wind and the sun of the day, Jeremy couldn’t remember her ever looking so beautiful.

“You look gorgeous.” He walked around the kitchen counter so he could pull her into his arms and kiss her.

Her lips were soft against his, and she melted into his touch, but only for a moment. “Jeremy, you’re being ridiculous. I’m wearing leggings, for God’s sakes. I hardly look—”

“Like the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He cut her off with another kiss. This time, he pulled her closer so she couldn’t slip away and cupped a hand on her cheek, letting his thumb stroke the soft skin there. “You could be wearing a burlap sack, and I’d still think you were the most gorgeous woman in the world. In fact, it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing at all.” He wiggled his eyebrows playfully. “Oh, I like the idea of you wearing nothing at all.”

Bella smacked his arm playfully and pushed out of his embrace. “Down, boy.” She reached for the glass of wine he’d poured her and lifted it in a toast. “There’ll be time for that later.”

Jeremy’s groin tightened in anticipation of exactly what would be happening later.

Bella made him feel things he had never felt before. Not with anyone. The feeling still caught him off guard sometimes. He’d never even known it was possible to feel so drawn to another human being before. It would have been a little unsettling if it didn’t feel so amazing.

He lifted his own wineglass and clinked it to hers. “To you and toBombshell,” he started. “I am so proud of you, and I know you’re going to be absolutely amazing.” Bella smiled softly and moved to lift her glass, but he wasn’t done. “And to us,” he added. “And being together again. Which is my very favorite thing.” He smiled, although he couldn’t help but notice that her smile faded a little.

Did he say something wrong?

Before he could ask her about it, the smile was back on her face. She clinked glasses with him. “To us.” And they drank.

“So,” Jeremy moved back into the kitchen to finish preparing the charcuterie board, “are you going to tell me all the details about the movie? It’s so crazy. I expected you to get a record deal, sure. But a movie?”

“I know, right?” She moved to the couch and watched him while he finished the preparations of their snack. “I didn’t really expect it either. But when Lewis told me about the movie, and the chance to perform the soundtrack, too…it was too good.” Her face took on a flurry of excitement. “And, Jer, wait until you see the script. It’s so good. I mean, the fact that they’d consider a total unknown to play this role…” She exhaled a deep breath and shook her head in wonder. “It’s all so overwhelming.”

He arranged some crackers next to the meats and cheeses, opened a jar of hot pepper jelly he’d picked up at a specialty store, and took the tray over to the couch where Bella was reclining.

“You’re going to be great, babe.” Jeremy selected a piece of brie and paired it with a slice of hot Genoa. He put it on a cracker and held it out to her. “I know it’s a lot, but you were born to be a star.” She nodded, and he popped the cracker into her open, waiting mouth before she could answer.

She made a small moan of approval as she ate her snack. “I hope you’re right,” she said when she was done eating. “And thank you for being so supportive, Jeremy. It feels pretty good to have myboyfriend…” She looked at him from the corner of her eye as she tried out the word for the first time.

He couldn’t help but grin so wide it hurt. The word sounded damn good.

“Be so supportive,” she continued. “It really does help to know you’ve got my back, Jer. Really.”

“Oh, Bella. I have your back all day long.” He couldn’t help it. There was no way he could pass up the opportunity. Jeremy put the cracker he was holding down, and shimmied closer to her on the couch. He lifted himself so he hovered over her. “And I’ll have your front and…”

She laughed and pushed him away playfully. “Yeah, yeah. But right now I’m starving.”

Jeremy kissed her quickly before moving back to his seat with a small bounce. “Okay, I’ll let you eat,” he said with a laugh. “But only because I have full intentions to see both your backandyour front later.”

Bella’s face pinked, and she looked down into her glass of wine.

He loved the fact that he could make her blush like that. She was usually so composed from years of performing—he liked the fact that he could make her crack. Even just a little. And it was a small thing, but she was going to have to get used to all types of attention when she was famous. The thought hit him all at once.Bella was going to be famous.He was sure of it. There was a reason that Stephanie Starz had hooked her up with her agent. Bella had star power. Everyone could see it. And now that she’d landed this breakout role…her star was definitely going to rise quickly. The thought filled him with pride. And if he was completely honest, it also made him nervous.

What would it mean for them?

“We’ll see about that,” Bella teased, bringing Jeremy back into the moment. “But let’s not talk about the movie anymore.” She waved her hand a little, dismissing the topic. “I just want to focus on being here, back in Glacier Falls, with you.” She blew him a kiss. “The last few weeks have been so insane, I just want to relax, and enjoy myself.”

“And move Roy into his new place?” Jeremy couldn’t help but grin. Bella had been working on him for ages and at Christmas, he’d finally agreed to move. Which was great. What was not so great was that Bella had likely underestimated how much work it would be to move the old man out of the home he had lived in for so long.

She groaned and leaned her head back against the couch. “He has so much stuff.” She shook her head with a chuckle before making herself another cracker with meat and cheese.

“You know I’ll help as much as I can,” Jeremy said. “I have a few days off coming up. Just tell me what you need.”

While they were talking, he’d once again shifted closer to her on the couch so his hand could rest on her thigh. Now, it was slowly making its way up her leg. He had been patient long enough.

“You know I’ll take you up on that offer of help. But,” she added, “I heard from my mom too. She’s decided to come to town to help as well.”

Jeremy’s hand paused. He looked at her with a question in his eyes. “Does that mean I get to meet your mother?”

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