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“I understand,” she says. “But if you change your mind, I don’t mind continuing to fake it.”

“I know. And that’s part of why I love you. You support me through everything.”

“You know I’ll always be here for you.”

“Just like I’ll always be here for you. And we’ll figure out LA, and⁠—”

“What do you mean, we’ll figure out LA?” She frowns.

“Your opportunity with NBC, and⁠—”

“Wait, what?” She shakes her head. “I’m not going to LA. I turned them down.”

“You what?” I sit back down on the bed. “I wanted to make sure I didn’t ruin your opportunity. That’s why I left that night. That’s why I didn’t tell you I loved you sooner. I didn’t want to take that away from you.”

“Brett, I never wanted to go to LA. I never wanted to be on TV. I wanted to see if I could be funny. If people would laugh. I put Marcus’s name forward, and they’re sending him instead.” Relief floods her face. “It’s like you taught me, remember?”

“No, what did I teach you?”

“The very first thing you taught me was to never make decisions based on what someone else wants. I never wanted to go to LA. I never wanted to be on TV. I turned down the offer because I wanted to, because my life is here.”

I stare at her in disbelief. “So, I don’t have to move to LA with you?” I can’t help but shake my head as my heart fills with excitement. “Also, who knew you were actually listening to me?”

“I was always listening to you, Brett. And, no, of course you don’t have to move to LA with me.” She pauses, and her jaw drops. “Wait. You would’ve moved to LA with me?”

“I’d move anywhere on earth to be with you.”

“You’re so romantic.”

“Yeah, well, I never knew I could be. I guess you bring that side out of me.” I jump up. “Now let me go find my grandfather and tell him. I hope he’s not too disappointed.”

“Good luck,” she says, blowing me a kiss. “Though I think it’ll all work out. I have faith.”

“Thank you.”

I walk toward the door, stop, and blow her a kiss back. She catches it in her hand and presses it to her heart.

“I love you,” I say again and leave the bedroom.

* * *

I walk slowly to my grandfather’s study and knock on the door.

“Hello?”

“It’s me. Can I talk to you?” I open the door and step inside.

He looks up from his desk and waves me in. “Of course. How are you feeling this morning? How’s Rosie?”

“We’re both fine, thank you. But I need to talk to you about something.”

“You sound rather despondent.” He frowns up at me. “Have a seat, dear boy. What’s going on?”

“It’s not real, Granddad,” I say. “None of it’s real, and I’m ashamed of myself. It’s a fake relationship. Rosie and I pretended to be together. We pretended to be engaged because I wanted the trust.”

My grandfather starts laughing. “Oh, Brett, Brett, Brett.”

“Why are you laughing?”