For Lucy.
Six…five…
Because he loved her.
Four…three…
And she needed to know how much.
Two…one…
Because his life wasn’t the same without her in it.
Camera two’s red light flashed to green. The camera guy pointed to Hale in an exaggerated motion.
They were on. Hale blabbed an intro, the rushing in William’s ears amplified, he plastered on a smile and waited for Hale to ask him something.
“We’ve got one of our most popularBeach Nightsalumni with us today, but first let’s take a look back.” Hale smirked and the light on camera two flicked to red once more.
William stared at the monitor on the floor beside the camera. They put together a montage of William and his time on the show. He pressed his lips together. This was expected—the rehashing of the women, his idiocy, bringing the past back to the present. It’s what he had to get through—the price he had to pay—for the chance to get through to Lucy.
“Next please,” his younger self said from the monitor.
This is where Hale would pounce. The camera clicked to green without warning. Hale turned to William.
“So, inquiring minds want to know whoisyour latestnext, please?” The Hollywood smile Hale flashed looked like a shark circling a bucket of chum.
The chum being William.
They were about to be disappointed.
“There’s not a new, next please. Hasn’t been for a long time.” William glanced down and then looked straight into the camera. “Things changed for me. I’m not that guy anymore.”
Ever the professional, Hale’s expression didn’t change, but William saw the way his eyes dilated briefly in annoyance.
“No one at all?” Hale probed.
“No. There’s not another next, please.”
“I’m sure our audience is disappoint—”
“Now, I have anonly one,” William cut him off. He wasn’t the least bit sorry about it. “I screwed it up with her. But I want to ask for her forgiveness. Here, in front of everyone. Did you ever meet someone who just makes you happy, Hale?”
Hale’s expression faltered. “I guess that’s the question we’re asking you.”
“Yeah. I met her. She means everything, and I’d do anything for a second chance. Or a third chance. Or however many chances she’ll give me.”
Chapter Thirty
“You didnot.” Katie slammed her hands on the table in not-so-mock shock.
Lucy gripped the flimsy table at the diner to steady it. “Yep. I kinda did.”
She had done it. Quit her job. Again.
After watching Will on television, how could she not?
The few belongings she still owned were loaded up, and with only the cat for company, she spent two days driving the fifteen hundred miles to Denver for lunch with Katie, and then in a few hundred more miles, she would be home.
