Page 138 of Out of the Gold

I spasm at the nickname.

“Remember what happened. True, I auditioned for the part before filming ofDoctor Manipul8began and I’m guilty of not telling you right away. That’s it. I got to know you as my dresser, and then we went to Positano and everything changed. I think I fell in love with you on the ferry ride back to Amalfi, even though it took my brain a little longer to catch up with my heart.”

I swallow.

“Everything between us was real. I never gave a second thought to your father’s movie, truth be told. You helped me focus on my career in a strategic manner, a destiny only I could steer. I started out wanting to be on stage and sort of fell into movies. And success. Which bred more movies. But I’ve put an end to that vicious cycle. I turned down the movie role. I don’t want it. I don’t want any of those roles.”

“You’re crazy. I know it’s going to be an epic film.”

He shrugs. “Maybe. For someone else. And I wish your father and the crew all the best. But it’s not what I want for me. I want to live here in New York City and work eight performances a week in front of different audiences.” His hands slide down my slack arms. “More than anything, though, Ineedyou in my life. Today, tomorrow, and forever.”

My heart lurches. My blood moves faster through my system. Is he telling the truth? Can I believe him? “Chase—”

He cuts me off. “Charles.”

I force myself to utter the forbidden name. “Charles.” My voice cracks. I lick my lips. “How can I believe you?’

“Because I’m telling you the truth. I have no job, no place to live. All I have is me, wanting to be with you. And I love you, Melody Annabel Hunte. I’ve never said these words to any woman outside of a movie script. If you’ll let me, I’ll say them every single day as long as we both shall live.”

I suck in my breath. He’s baring his soul, and it’s fresh and clean and honest. Andmine. Still. “What about Cherie?”

He winces. “What about her? We’re friends.” He steps back from me and I mourn his heat. “We had a fling before I met you, but now we see each other from time to time as friends only.”

I close my eyes. He’s been living the Hollywood high life for a decade and has countless notches on his bedpost. Yet, he could’ve lied just now and he didn’t. I open my eyes. “Thank you for telling me the truth. However, you did take her to the premiere. I saw pictures in the magazine.” My eyes go to the table.

“I did. You know Thomas set it up. But believe me, nothing happened.” He pauses. “I didn’t do anything with her because she’s not you. She’s too tall. Her hair’s the wrong shade. She doesn’t have your smile or wit or talent with a needle.”

My upper lip worries my bottom. “I guess I’m going to have to accept the fact you’ve slept with a ton of women.”

“Not a ton.” He steps forward and puts his finger under my chin, coaxing it up. “They didn’t mean anything but sex. I’ve never made love with anyone but you.”

I search his eyes for a hint of deceit and come up empty. As I inhale, all my molecules jump over each other, rearranging themselves into a new order. One where Charles Wainwright is my leading man. Still, years of life lessons can’t be undone with one pretty speech.

My chest tingles. “I want to believe you.”

His thumb catches the tear rolling down my cheek. “How about this? Why don’t you close the door and let me start proving myself to you?” He reaches into his back pocket and produces a copy ofBackstage. “You can help me select my next auditions.”

I laugh because that was not what I had expected. I thought he would try to seduce me and make me forget all the hurt. This overture, however, means more to me. I close the door. We spend the next several hours poring through the magazine, selecting three parts he’d like to try for. Two plays and, at my urging, one musical.

Charles presses a button on his cell. “Last audition submitted! All that’s left is the waiting.”

Excited for him, I throw my arms around his neck and give him a hug. Realizing what I’ve done, I pull back.

“Don’t,” he whispers.

His tone sends my nerve endings scattering in all directions. He doesn’t reach for me, though. He’s offering himselftome.

I gaze into his magnetic eyes. Charles turned my life inside out and upside down, all the while making me a better person for it. A better designer. A better friend and daughter and even sister. More than anything else, he’s made me believe in myself and my talents. Not because of my accident of birth, but for what I bring to the table.

Standing, I hold out my hand. “Take me to bed, Charles. I want to share everything I am with you, my love.”

His expressive eyes darken. “You’ll never regret this decision, Goldie.”

“I know.”

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