“That is true,” he admits.
“We won’t have to work for anyone else again. Knock on wood and all.”
“It’s a relief, man,” he says, then pauses for a beat. “And you’re right. It’s fucking impressive.”
“I knew you’d see it my way,” I say, my gaze swinging to the kitchen window. I check out the wedding-scene shoot, then turn to watch Ripley working in the fields.
She’s gorgeous there amongst the flowers. She’s in her element, doing what she loves, and she’s damn good at it.
Dean and I chat briefly about the research and prep we’ll both need to do, then we end the call. I sigh happily. But contentmentis short-lived. I can’t bask in the possibility of this business growth. Soon—very soon—I need to let my business partner know I’m not the cautious one. I’m not the obsessive one. I’m the wild card, the rogue one who fell for a client.
I never wanted to be that guy. I despise messes, especially ones I have to clean up. But this isn’t a mess. It’s a situation with a clear-enough solution.
But I don’t have to tell him yet. I can do that when the shoot ends after this weekend.
Right? Right.
The thought twists my gut. Ishouldtell him sooner. It’s the responsible thing to do. I’m not sure I will though.
At least, not before I talk to Ripley.
That evening, after the cast and crew pack up and head into town for dinner, I find Ripley tossing a ball to Hudson, who hurtles after it toward the lavender maze, twinkling with fairy lights. I catch up with her quickly as the dog enters the purple hedges, hell-bent on chasing the errant missile.
“Hey,” I say.
She turns around, seeming to fight a smile before giving in to it. Oh, hell. Is she feeling this too? If she feels even one-quarter of what I do, I’m a lucky guy. Because I am falling so damn hard for the woman I swore to protect. So hard that my stupid heart tumbles over itself as she says, “Oh, hi.”
Emotions climb up my chest, but for several seconds, I don’tknow what to say. Fear holds me back. What if I can’t protect her for the next few days? What if these risky feelings distract me on the job at a critical time? What if I fail her somehow?
On the other hand, what if I don’t say a word?
Immediately, I know I can’t walk away from her. I can’t walk away from the possibility of us. The way I feel isn’t wrong. It has to be right. I’m not my father. I’m not doing the same thing he did—not even close. I’m measured and calculating, and I have a plan—tell the woman I’m obsessed with how I feel, then tell my business partner.
Emboldened by my private pep talk, I say, “Ripley. That Webflix meeting is this Friday.”
“That’s great. I’m happy for you,” she says.
“Me too, but that’s not why I’m mentioning it.” My pulse surges with more excitement than nerves. With anticipation of all the good things. “The movie ends after the weekend.”
Nerves flicker across her eyes. “I know.”
I step closer, look around, making sure it’s only us as the sun dips lower in the sky, pink and purple streaks pulling toward the horizon. The lights on the hedges give this place a romantic glow. But it’s not only us here. It’s her dog too. He trots toward us from one of the coiled hedges, a ball in his mouth. “I want to keep seeing you when it wraps.”
Her smile spreads so fast it makes my heart soar. “Yeah?”
“I do. I want us to try this,” I say as Hudson drops the ball at our feet. “Out in public. For real. You and me. However we can make it work. Do you?”
She answers by stepping closer, cupping my cheek, quirking up the corner of her lips. “I suppose you’re my type.”
Of course.Of course she’d respond like that. So I give it right back to her. “I knew it.”
She loops her arms around my neck. “Can rule number five be you kiss me right now?”
“Yes.”
I comply, and for once in my life I don’t mind feeling a little out of control. When we break the kiss, I pick up the ball and toss it back into the maze for Hudson to chase.
40
