Page 67 of Guarded Hearts
“Last time I cared, a lot. All those things felt important to hang onto.” I barked out a laugh. “He felt important to hang onto. But none of that is as important as the time I get to spend with you.”
With his hands on my upper arms, he searched my face. “The debt. You could sell those things to pay off your debt.”
Color flooded my cheeks. The debt had been Ricky’s, but for some reason, admitting Ricky had paid it off when he returned didn’t sit well. It was true the debt was gone, but when I’d tried to find out who’d paid for it, to be completely sure Ricky had been the one to do it, I’d been told the payer wished to remain anonymous. I’d wondered if Pasha had done it. Apparently not.
“Ricky said he paid the debt off.”
Pasha’s eyes narrowed, and a frown pinched between his brows. “Ricky paid it?”
“That’s what he said. When I went to the bank, I was told the payer wished to remain anonymous.”
The clouds building across Pasha’s face cleared. “Ah,” he said with a smile. “Not Ricky, then.”
“No, I don’t think so. I thought—well, I’d wondered if it was you. Silly, I know, but—”
“Mia.” He nodded and leaned forward to kiss my forehead. “All her goodwill donations are anonymous.”
“Goodwill donations?” My mind immediately went to the large chain, and my blush deepened. I wasn’t a charity case.
“Yes. When she pays off layaways, or a year’s supply of baby materials, or meals at restaurants—”
“Or thousands of dollars in credit card debt?” Was I happy Mia had been the one to do it? The mystery was solved. But to be treated like a charity project? A ding to my pride.
He smoothed my hair and crouched so we were eye to eye. “You choreographed an amazing routine. You spent countless hours with me and Mia working on the routine. You hurt yourself, and you didn’t back down from the responsibility. Never doubt you earned whatever she paid. It’s not charity so much as what you deserve.”
“How did you know?” Most of the time, his ability to read me was uncanny.
“It’s how I would have felt.”
I stared deep into his eyes, the familiar tide of emotion rushing in. “I love you, you know that? I love you so much.”
He grinned. “I never thought I would get this again. I love you too. I can’t wait to start this next adventure with you.”
A few months ago, I’d been miserable. On the verge of bankruptcy, dumped by my lousy boyfriend, and taking bets in clubs for a little extra cash. Now look at me. Happy, no longer financially strapped, with a boyfriend who could read my emotional cues like a book written just for him.
I rose onto my toes and hugged him tight. In his ear, I whispered, “I think all my best adventures are going to be with you.” Taking his hand, I led him into the house. “And the first adventure is right in here.”
“Oh, yes?”
I gave him a sly smile. “Oh,” I breathed. “Yes.” Then I shut the door, gave him a gentle push onto the mattress, and proceeded to show him just how adventurous I could be.
Epilogue
Pasha
Six Months Later
The buses were gone. Tonight was a hotel. The last stop on Sarah Telling’s tour was a relief and a weight. After this, I’d be returning to working for Mia.
“Have you decided which offer you’ll take?” I asked.
Since the dance at Mia’s wedding had attracted so much attention, Alyssa had been flooded with requests to choreograph music videos, tours, and awards shows. Any paying job she could squeeze in while working for Sarah was one Alyssa snatched up. Pride swelled my chest at how much she’d managed to accomplish in the last six months. Her work ethic amazed me.
“I wanted to talk to you, actually.” Alyssa flopped down on the king bed, arms outstretched.
I crawled across the mattress to lie beside her. I rested my head in my palm as I stared down, trying to catch her eyes. Something was coming. “Okay.”
“You know that TV show Sarah does?Center Stage? It’s not just a singing show. They make the contestants dance too. Routines and such. Each judge has their own choreographer they work with.” She glanced at him and bit her lip. “Sarah asked me to be hers.”
