Page 97 of So in Love
When they pulled apart, she stroked her hand along his jaw.“Any other secrets you want to tell me?”
“I think that’s it.It wasn’t really a secret, was it?”
“I guess not.But I want to know everything about you.”
He smiled down at her.“I feel the same.Do you have any other secrets I should know about—any other obnoxious biddies going to insult you?”
She shook her head.“No, I think we’re safe from that.I mean, it might happen, but for the first time, I don’t care.I finally feel like I’m in charge of my life.This screenplay is going to change everything for me.”Her gaze softened.“It already has—it led me to you.”
“Actually I think too much whiskey and a dodgy pool cue led you to me, but we can debate that some other time.Forever, really.”
She laughed.“Yes, we can.”
“I just have to ask—those million reasons that I said could keep us apart, where do we stand on them?I think we can agree the age difference is stupid and no one cares.Even if your brother did bring it up.”
She scowled.“Asshole.Which one?”
“Trent.”
“I’ll make sure Delia beats him over the head later.”
“Good plan.So the age thing is no big deal.What about money?As I said, I’m, uh, kind of in debt.Between the Sadie debacle and my student loans, I am on a pretty extreme budget.In fact, my mom bought my plane ticket here.”He winced.
She moved closer, pressing into him.“I do not care one bit about that.What’s mine is yours.”
“Seriously?I have debt fromanother woman.”
“Sure and the fact that I can probably afford to pay for her ten times over—I’m guessing here—gives me a certain superior satisfaction.”
“Have I told you today how much I love you?”
“Only a few dozen times, but I will not get tired of hearing it.”
He kissed her again, and there was a knock on the door.
“Dinner’s ready,” a feminine voice called.
“Give us just a sec, Mom,” Crystal answered.“So what’s left?”
He looked into her eyes, loving her so much and yet feeling a sliver of anxiety at the same time.“Location.I live in Ribbon Ridge.You live in LA.My job is in Ribbon Ridge.Yours is in LA.I think.”
She pressed her lips together and gave him a tentative look.“It is.For now.”
“You’ve always said you hate small towns—I can see why after today—but is there any chance you could live in Ribbon Ridge?”
“I realized today it isn’t the town, it’s the people.And more importantly, my hang-up about certain people.That said, I’m nervous about what happened in Ribbon Ridge the other night.I’m still producing this screenplay.”
“Yes, but people are already coming around—look at my mom.”
“That’s great.”She paused, her gaze tipping down to his chest for a moment.When she looked back up at him, her eyes were clear and full of love.“Can I think about it for a while?I want to be totally honest with you here.Just know that I love you, and I want to figure it out.Together.Can we do that?”
He cupped her face and kissed her.“Yes.”
A fist pounded on the door.“Do I have to come in there?”
“Trent?”Jamie whispered.
She nodded.“If you touch that door, I will take your hand off,” Crystal yelled.
The sound of footsteps retreating made Jamie laugh.“You’re pretty scary.”
She clasped his hand again and turned toward the door.“Hopefully not to you.”
“Nope.”He squeezed her fingers.“You’re scary, and you’re mine.
Her eyes glowed with promise and ownership.“Damn right.”
