Page 123 of Play the Part

“Why else would you buy me something like that?” he asks.

Literally, what the fuck is happening?

I suddenly take offense. His weird aversion to me buying us these tickets is starting to piss me off. When I answer him, my tone is chock-full of pissy attitude.

“Oh, you can’t think ofoneother reason I would buy something like that? Not a one?” I cross my arms and stare him down. Huxley blinks but doesn’t say anything. “Because I love you, stupid.”

Huxley’s eyes widen, but he doesn’t move. Aside from my heart slamming in my chest, I don’t either. I keep my face flat, waiting forsomekind of reaction from the man I just professed my love to. After what feels like an eternity of waiting, Huxley slowly smiles. It reaches all the way up to his sparkling eyes, and I suddenly have to remind myself how to breathe.

“Took you long enough,” he says smugly.

Before I can react, he’s on top of me, pushing me onto the couch. I let out a little shriek, Huxley’s mouth on mine muffling the sound. He peppers me with kisses. On my lips, my cheeks, my forehead, and back to my lips.

Finally, he pushes himself up on his forearms and looks down at me, smiling.

“I love you, too, stupid.”

I giggle, the rush of him saying it back thrumming through my veins.

“Hey, that’s my line,” I reply teasingly, unable to stop grinning.

His smile is just as radiant as mine feels, his eyes are steadfast and penetrating.

“So Brazil, huh?”

I nod with excitement.

“Thank you,” he says warmly before kissing me again.

I slip my hand up his nape and smirk. “What’s mine is yours, baby.”

EPILOGUE

CONNIE

One Month Later

It’s opening night at the Remington, and I’m so excited that I’m practically vibrating out of my skin. I’m just off stage, peeking through the heavy velvet curtains at the crowd gathering in the auditorium.

It’s a full house, and the sounds of people chattering and laughing are like music to my ears, the sense of accomplishment tingling through my veins. I might not be the one on stage, but this is my moment nonetheless. It’s my play. My words. And I couldn’t be more proud of myself.

“Hey,” I hear Huxley whisper from behind me.

His hands slide over my hips as I swivel around to look at him.

“Hux,” I whisper back, acting surprised but still circling my arms around his waist. I kiss him before adding, “What are you doing backstage? I thought you were sitting with everyone else?”

He flashes me a crooked grin. “I am,” he replies, followed by another quick kiss. “But I wanted to see you before it started.”His smile turns coy. “I have a surprise for you in your office.”

I lift my brows. “A surprise?” I smirk. “For me?”

“Yeah, for you, silly,” Huxley says before taking my hand and pulling me toward the corridor leading to my office.

“What is it?” I ask playfully.

Huxley doesn’t say a word but looks at me over his shoulder and winks. Butterflies flutter in my stomach at the sight. I’m still getting used to this side of Huxley. It’s not as if his inclination to brood has magically disappeared since we got together, but there’s a peacefulness to his demeanor now that I only caught glimpses of before. Aside from therapy, I like to believe I’m at least partly the cause of this new version of him.

Before getting to my office, Huxley turns to face me and takes hold of my other hand, now clutching both.

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