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Their relationship replayed in a hundred memories, from their first meeting through every interaction to their fateful final conversation. Through it all, he hadn’t engaged with other women. Even though the tabloids had shown him on the armsof many starlets, none had ever suggested he cheated. Since their breakup, even those pictures had disappeared. “No,” she admitted. Then because she just couldn’t help it, she asked, “Is he seeing anyone?”
Charles smiled. “Anyone besides you? No. In fact, he can’t stop talking about you. It’s a bit strange since he knows our true relationship. Have you been agonizing over that every day?”
Yes.Time hadn’t weakened her feelings – instead they’d grown stronger, clearer. She just loved him so much.
By Charles’ sympathetic expression, it was obvious. “You’re the bravest person I know. You take on criminals without a thought. Yet when your heart is at risk, you run the other way.”
“I didn’t run.” Except that’s exactly what she did. “Okay, maybe I did, just a little. But what can I do now? Send him a fan letter?”
“Actually, I was thinking more of living happily ever after.” Charles’ gaze was soft. “No agent or publicist necessary.”
Could it really be so simple? Could she go back, admit she’d made a mistake and start anew?
“Please think about it. I’m going to see him today. Do you want me to tell him anything?” He lifted an eyebrow. “Or better yet, do you want to come?”
So. Very. Much. But she couldn’t, at least not yet. She needed more time, just a little, to make the right decision. “No, thank you.”
“I understand.” Despite the negative response, Charles voice was light, and he seemed happier than she’d ever seen him. “I hope I helped, if even a little.”
“You actually did.” For once, the anger seemed less. The fear smaller. The hope greater.Just as her relationship with Julian was being redefined, so was the one with her father. “I was thinking about maybe giving you that chance.”
Eyes identical to hers widened. “Really?”
Cheyenne nodded, but the expected anxiety was absent. No anguish or even apprehension, but instead peace. “Maybe we could try for that cup of coffee again.”
He was silent for a moment, and he closed his eyes. When he opened them, he beamed pure sunshine. “That sounds perfect.” Then he took a slightly unsteady breath, walked up and gave her something she’d been dreaming of her entire life.
A hug from her daddy.
That evening,Cheyenne hopscotched between euphoria for her second chance with her father and anguish for the one she was denying Julian. She spent two hours at the gym sparring out her frustration, resulting in more frustration and a lot of sore muscles. A day (and many hours of exercise) later, her resolve faltered. The next day she found herself watching every one of Julian’s flicks… twice.
The next day, she was done for.
She just couldn’t give up the relationship of her dreams, at least not without trying. Julian claimed to be in love with her, and even if she hadn’t admitted it to him – and barely to herself – she was in love with him. So she fortified herself and explained the situation to her boss. They agreed she’d have to leave her current position, but he promised a space for her within the department. Now she just had to decide how to tell Julian.
Only a few days later…
It started with a knock at the door atfour a.m. Cheyenne stumbled out of bed, and half/slept, half/staggered to the front entrance. She peered through the peephole, blinking once and then twice and then a dozen times. What was Julian’s agent doing here? She swiftly opened the door. “Frank, come in. Is everything okay with Julian?”
He held up a hand. “Julian’s fine. I’m here to deliver something.”
He was visiting before dawn to bring a present? He followed her to the living room and handed her a small, wrapped box covered in gleaming silver paper and a glittery bow. She tore the paper and opened the box. “An invitation?” She read the description and gasped.
It was an invitation to the biggest awards show of the year, the program watched by millions of people. She shifted the paper in her hands, and a small note slipped out. She grasped it before it could fall to the floor.
Please join me, but only if you’re ready to tell the world.
It ended there, but no explanation was necessary. She had a choice, a decision that would redefine her life. Was she ready to admit her love, to show the world that Julian Starcroft belonged to her, and she to him? Or would she ignore it and spend the rest of her life without the man she loved?
She didn’t debate for even a second.
“Does that wistful smile mean you accept?”
Cheyenne inhaled courage, exhaled anticipation. Only one word remained. “Yes.”
Elation turned to pure joy. Julian hadn’t given up on them, and he hadn’t moved on. He’d been biding his time, granting her time to make her own decision. Now she was ready. She reread the invitation and halted. “Wait – this is today? In California?”
“That’s right.” He tapped his watch. “Which means we have to hurry. Your flight leaves in two hours.”