Page 27 of Risk It All

“Anything, anytime, Emerson.And don’t worry about Anthony.He’ll pull his head out of his ass soon.I promise.”

I choke on a laugh, tears threatening to spill as I hug her tighter.

“Thank you.”

I take one last look around as I grab my suitcase and head for the elevators.The whole way to the airport, I wonder if she’s right.

And if I even want him to come after me.

CHAPTER12

Anthony

I didn’t getthe spot.

I didn’t get the spot and all I want to do is head back to the penthouse, grab Emerson and curl up to talk all of it out with her.

I jog down the sidewalk, bumping into people but not caring.Look at that, I’m fitting into New York already.

I can’t believe that I didn’t get the spot.Ari did say that they’re going to have another spot opening up soon and I’m invited to try out again.I could always get that spot, but that’s three weeks away.Do I just stay in New York until then?

I need to talk to Emerson.She’ll be able to help me figure it all out.She helps me clear my head.

I value her opinion, I realize.

I love you.

Her words from last night hit me and my steps falter.I can’t believe how I just choked and laid there.I just let her walk away from me.The worst part is that I could tell that she was upset and I still couldn’t force myself to go after her.

What was I going to say back to that?Did I love her?I knew the answer but it scared me.Actually it terrified me.

What future did we have?If I tell her that I love her, what can I really offer her?A guest room in my brother’s apartment?I’m a struggling comedian who might have to go back to Los Angeles while she could be staying here.

How long could that relationship really last?

We barely even know each other.It’s been less than a week since I first met her.How can I know if this is real?Can I really trust how I’m feeling about her right now?

My gut tells me that I can.Emerson is so different from anyone else.There’s something about her that calls to me on a cellular level.We’re meant to be.

I ride the elevator up to the penthouse, almost running over Eden as I step off.

“Whoa!Sorry, I didn’t see you there,” I say, reaching out to steady her.

“What’s the rush?”she asks, looking up at me with a worried glint in her eyes.

“I just needed to talk to Emerson.”

“Oh, she left.”

Those two words have my heart, my world, screeching to a halt.

“She left?What do you mean she left?”

Yeah, asshole, of course she left.She told you she loved you and you just laid there like a fucking idiot.

“Yeah, she got that gallery position and flew back to Los Angeles to pack up her apartment.Didn’t she tell you?”

“No, I… I haven’t heard from her all day,” I admit as my brain starts to work once more.

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