Page 189 of Dangerous Encore
The thought of waking up next to her for the next sixty years makes myheartsoar.
But my stomach is sinking like astone.
Something isn'taddingup.
"Okay." She presses her palm against my stomach. "I do want that job. I mean, did you see Nixie's first feature? It was amazing. She'll probably sweep Sundance withthisone."
"You'll clinch itforher."
Piper smiles. "Maybe. I've never had a rolethisbig."
"You've been lead in a dozen plays in the last threeyears."
"Half adozen."
"I've barely seen youallyear."
She nods. "That's true." Her expression softens. "I'm sick ofmissingyou."
"Where are youshooting?"
"Toronto."
"I can be inToronto."
"Really?" Her eyes light up. "We're not in the city. We're outside the city. In a shittymotel."
I chuckle. "You think I got this far objecting to shittymotels?"
"Maybe you're past that. Too famous for anything less than threestars."
"AmI?"
"You're anegomaniac."
"Soundslikeme."
"I know. It's ridiculous. Why do I put up with you?" Her smile lights uphereyes.
She's teasing, but I feel the words inmygut.
Why does she put upwithme?
She could find a guy who isn't afuckup.
Who isn't at risk ofslipping.
Who has his head onstraight.
But shedoesn't.
She stayswithme.
Sometimes… a lot ofthetime…
No, I never doubt that Piper loves me. That she wantsforever.
But how can I ask that of her when I'm still not sure I have aforever?
