Page 42 of The Fangirl and the Playboy

“What ifI’mnot worth it?” I murmur.

“So, that’s what you’re afraid of? That he’ll make you fall for him all over again, then leave you with a broken heart?” she asks, reading me like her favorite book.

“It’s a valid fear,” I whisper.

“I’ll give you that. It’s a risk. But love always is, Willow. You just have to decide if your own happiness is worth the stakes.”

“I don’t know, Keegs. I don’t want to try, then end up alone all over again. I don’t know if my heart can take it.”

“Trust me, girl. You can take it. You’re the strongest, bravest woman I know. Shoot your shot, because if you don’t, you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering what might have been. And, honestly, that’s worse than trying and failing any day of the week. You have totry.”

Do I, though?

Gavin is an actor. It’s all he’s ever wanted to be. We talked about it so much when we were first together, I know how important his career is to him. He willnevergive it up. Not for me. Not for anyone.

At least, that’s how he felt a decade ago. Does he feel the same now?

Or is Keegan right, and all I have to do is give him a good reason to stay?

Would he really give it all up for me? Or, at the very least, find a sustainable way to make us work while he continues his career?

I don’t know.

But I think I want to find out.

ChapterTwenty-Two

Gavin

Iwoke up feelinghopefulthis morning. More hopeful than I’ve felt since the night Julia kissed me and my life fell apart.

Sure, Willow and I decided our best course of action was to only be friends––and let’s be honest, that was mostlyherdecision––that was before the kiss. Before both of us lost control and gave into what we really wanted.

And now that it’s been opened, I’m not sure that’s a door that can ever be completely closed. At least, that’s what I’m hoping.

Because the truth is, I don’t want to be friends with Willow Bardin. At least, not exclusively. Of course, we’re friends. But I want more than that. Friendship. Sex. Love. All of it.

I want it all.

I don’t know what the future holds for me. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stay in Evening Shade before my career calls me back to California. I don’t know where in this world my next movie will take me or how long I’ll be gone.

I don’t know a lot of things, but I do know this… I will do whatever it takes to make things work with Willow if she decides to give us a shot.

Rationally, I realize I’m being unrealistic. Willow and I barely know each other after all this time apart. We have no idea if we even have anything in common anymore.

But none of that matters to me right now, in this moment. I look at her, and all I see is the girl I fell for all those years ago. She’s still kind and smart and beautiful. She likes crystals and incense, she has a sharp sense of humor, and she makes a mean cup of coffee. She’s quick to laugh, even at herself.

And her lips feel like heaven and taste like ambrosia.

And now I’m waxing poetic. Oh, well. Call me cheesy. I don’t care.

I feel good when I’m with her, and I intend to chase that feeling until she admits she feels the same.

I need coffee. Sure, there’s a machine in the kitchen, but having coffee here won’t bring me face to face with Willow so I can gauge how she’s feeling about our kiss this morning. I need to see her.

I won’t mention it, or anything. I’ll be the perfect gentleman, all friendly smiles and zero innuendos. The ball is in her court, and I’m eager to see what she’ll do with it.

The drive into town is smooth and uneventful. It’s mid-week, so the tourist count is low, which means no traffic. I pull into the lot in front of Moonstone Mystic within a few minutes, and I check my reflection in the rearview mirror and smooth my hair before climbing out of the car.

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