Page 123 of Keep Me Close

“Because you’re so damn talented, Chey. That’s the part you still don’t understand. All you had to do was open your mouth and let them hear how magical your voice was.”

The elevator doors slide open and we walk into the entryway. The second we step inside, she turns to me, still shell-shocked.

“I don’t understand how you could believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

I stare at the woman who has become my everything. Her hair is a little messy and her makeup is smudged from crying.

“Maybe you don’t realize it, baby, but you shine like a star.”

Her eyes fill again. “Not in a million years did I think they’d give me the part.”

“You have so much more talent than you give yourself credit for. Not only am I proud of you for nailing the audition but for having the courage to put yourself out there.”

“The truth is that I almost didn’t go,” she admits, her voice wobbling. “I kept thinking… if I’m not good enough, I’ll have to go back to LA and the show. Back to a life I don’t want.”

My jaw tightens.

Before I can say anything, she continues, “And I kept thinking I’d lose you.”

I lift my hand and cup her face. “You’re never going to lose me.”

Emotion crashes over her features.

“I’ve always been yours,” I add, my thumb stroking over her cheek.

She lets out a shaky laugh. “Knox.”

I lean in until my forehead can rest against hers. “It’s true, Hollywood. I’ve just been biding my time, waiting for you to figure out that what your life was really missing was a hockey player.”

“I’ve never wanted anything more.”

My heart stumbles as she lifts her hand and presses her palm to my chest. “And that includes Broadway.”

I pull back just enough to search her face. “You really mean that?”

She nods, and this time there’s no hesitation. “I do. No matter what happened with the part, we would’ve found a way to make it work. I can’t imagine my life without you anymore.”

The words hit me like a goddamn freight train. All I can do is stare, allowing them to sink in.

She chose me.

Not because she got the role or Chicago was convenient.

But because of me.

I pull her close enough to kiss, needing her to feel every emotion running through me.

Every ounce of love I tried to deny.

Every bit of certainty I’ve finally stopped fighting.

I’m done holding back and playing it safe where this woman is concerned.

I draw away just enough to rest my forehead against hers. “I love you.”

Her breath catches, and for a second, she stares at me as a smile spreads across her face. “I love you too.”

I close my eyes, fighting to keep it together.