“I wish you’d be vulnerable withme.”
“I don’t understand thatstatement.”
“I know.” She blew out a breath, worried about London’s safety, worried about his head and the emotional toll a stalker could have on him, worried he’d never open up and let her fully into his life. “What can Ido?”
“I don’t know, honey. Believe me when I say I would rather be with you than stuck inDallas.”
She smiled faintly. “That I canbelieve.”
“You think I’m lying about this? That I made it allup?”
“No, but I know you’re holding somethingback.”
“I’m doing it to protectyou.”
“I’m a big girl, London. I’d love a chance to prove that toyou.”
“Maia.” He practically prayed her name. “Please don’t quit onus.”
April approached to take her to her changing room, a tablet in the crook of her arm. “I’m not quitting, London, I’m questioning.” She put her hand over the receiver. “Can you line me up something to wear to the cast partytonight?”
April tapped on her pad, a line forming between her eyebrows. “Sure.London?”
“He’s a no-show.” She uncovered the receiver. “Listen, my evening just exploded. I need to wardrobechange.”
London didn’t answer right away. “I promise I’m going to clean this up, and then I will tell youeverything.”
“I’ll look forward to your phone call,” she answered primly. She didn’t mean to be so cold, but she was hurting and confused, and she didn’t think she’d asked for toomuch.
“I’ll talk to yousoon.”
“I hope so.” She hung up the phone and dropped her head back, staring at the openrafters.
“You don’t trust him,” statedApril.
Maia didn’t drop her chin. “I have good reason.” As she traced the line of support beams, her mind buzzed back to the night when she thought she had it all and losteverything.
Maia steppedinto the hotel ballroom and watched the light reflect off the jewels on her dress. She spun in a circle, her arms out to the side, making a kaleidoscope of light and color. “I feel like a princess.” Shegiggled.
London came up behind her to wrap his arms around her middle. At the last second, he pulled back and patted her on the shoulder. “You deserve it, Maia. You look sobeautiful.”
She bit her lip, feeling unsure with him. A few days ago, he’d mentioned his mom wanted to meet them to take pictures by the pond before they went to dinner. She’d been so excited to have a custom photo of the two of them all dressed up and had spent a ridiculous amount of time on her hair and makeup, wanting it justright.
They’d driven straight to the restaurant. “I thought we were doing pictures with your mom and then eating at yourhouse.”
London looked everywhere but at her. “Sorry.”
“But …?” She glanced at her carefully shaped fingernails. “I—we plannedon—”
“It’s not happening, Maia. My dad …” He stopped and regrouped. “Let it go.” His tone was firm and discouraged any morequestions.
Maia’s heart twisted. London’s dad made it clear that he hated her guts, but she didn’t think he’d cancel all their plans and kick them out on prom. Karen had planned a nice meal. She was going to serve them in the formal dining room on her mother’s weddingchina.
“We’ll get pictures at the dance. They’ll be great,” Londonoffered.
Maia smiled. “Sure.” She settled into the meal, determined to make the best of the night. So everything wasn’t going according to plan—she was here with London, and that was what was most important. “Where is everyone? I thought we were eating with David and Cherry and Matt andKate.”
“Yeah, I told them to go without us. They’re already at thedance.”
