Page 77 of Fresh Start
"So now your agent and your publicist are doing your dirty work?" I shouted across to Dawson, unable to hold the smirk off my face.
Both ladies turned to look at their employer as he approached me.
"Well, you wouldn't listen to me, so I thought maybe you would listen to them," Dawson said.
The women stepped back, and Dawson came closer.
"I'm ready to listen now," I said.
Dawson took my hands in his and looked into my eyes with that deep blue ocean gaze of his that could melt my insides.
"When you told me about your film, I was so excited for you. Yes, I am a fan of the comic books, and I would love to work on this film because of it, but moreover, I was excited for you," he said. "I never wanted to steal anything away from you. On the contrary, I thought if I could be at the helm, I could make it even bigger for you. If I could be one of the big guys, I could convince everyone that you are the perfect fit for the role. Because you are. And after everything that happened between us all those years ago, I wanted to make up for my mistakes and to get you your dream role.
"I'm sorry I didn't explain. I should have told you before I did anything. I realize that now and how it must have looked when you saw the headlines. I know if I'd told you, you would have trusted me." At that, Dawson rolled his eyes to the side, towards the direction of his two employees. "I was only trying to help. Because… because I like you, Leo. No, I don’t just like you. I love you. And I'm so happy to have bumped into you again and that we've had the chance to start over."
I’d heard enough. He was telling the truth. I knew he was.
“Will you come back with me? Will you forgive me?” Dawson asked, and he squeezed my hands before placing them over his heart.
“No,” I said, and he looked taken aback. “I mean no, I won’t come back with you. But yes, I forgive you.”
His head dropped, and his grip became loose.
“I understand. I know I hurt you. I hope we can be friends,” he said.
I laughed and put my finger under his chin to lift his head so he could meet my gaze. Those blue eyes gave me meaning. And I’d been so stupid to not listen to him. Or trust him.
Yaya’s words rang in my head as I looked at him. Trusting and forgiving. She knew best. Who was I to question her wisdom?
“You are truly such an idiot, Dawson,” I said. “I love you too. Even if you annoy me so much sometimes.”
I took half a step forward, closing the distance between us, and looked up into his eyes as I pulled him into a kiss.
When our lips touched, I was finally reunited with my soulmate. The half-day we’d been apart had been half a day too long. Not after those seventeen years. I couldn't imagine not spending the rest of my life kissing those lips.
“Will you come with me?” I said when I pulled away from him.
“Wh—where?” he asked, still too dazed from our kiss.
“LA, of course. I need to go. I need to do this meeting on my own. Whatever the outcome. But I want you there. With me,” I said, and Dawson smiled.
“I’ll go to the end of the world for you,” he said, and my knees buckled.
I could get used to this. Being so in love that I could feel like a teenager again.
“Aw, that’s so cute,” Melody swooned behind us, and I flipped her the bird. “Love you, too, bro,” she said.
“Come on. Let’s go,” I said and climbed the stairs.
Dawson followed behind me. When I got to the top, I turned to look at Andy and Mel.
“Tell Yaya I’ll be back tomorrow for the end of the festival,” I shouted.
“We. We’ll be back,” Dawson corrected.
We. That sounded good. No. More than good. It sounded perfect.
Twenty-Three
