Page 161 of Fame & Obsession

“Nothing.” I choke out the word as I fight back a fresh wave of emotion. “I’m just a big, pregnant, hormonal mess.”

The ghost dimple sinks deep into his cheek as he brushes a piece of hair away from my face. “While I normally would agree with that, I know there’s something else. Don’t shut me out.”

How do I tell a man who’s been so supportive that leaving my home is killing me?

I can’t. So I glance at the floor..

He places his finger under my chin and tilts my face up to meet his. “You know that’s not going to work with me.”

I shake my head. “You have business to handle.”

“Says who?”

“Your manager,” I point out, raking my hand down my ponytail. “Helena sounded pretty pissed.”

His penetrating stare narrows. “She’ll get over it.”

“Julian, stop being stupid.” Sighing, I fidget from one foot to the other.

“Out with it, Ryan. I can stand here all day if I have to.”

“Okay, fine.” Sucking in a deep breath, I look him in the eyes, and let it all tumble out. “I love you. You know that, right? But this is just hard. Everything’s changing. Gage has moved in with Parker, and I never see him anymore. This place is all I’ve known since moving here. It was my first attempt at trying to figure out who I really was. It was a place I came back to when things weren’t so great between us. It’s hard to let it all go, that’s all.”

He rests his palm on my cheek. “Don’t you think I know that? I know what an upheaval this is for you.” He pulls me close. “But I promise I’ll never do anything to make you feel like you have to run back to this. I want you to feel like youarehome in New Jersey. I want to know that when I come home, you’ll be there waiting…and happy.”

Leaning my forehead against his chin, I run my hand down his chest. “Iamhappy, Julian. I’m going to be with you.”

Bringing my hand to his face, he rests my fingers against his lips. “Do you see this?” I nod at the diamond ring on my finger. “This means that whatever I do it’s for you and our baby.” He moves the ring and smiles as the plastic band peeks out from underneath. “Thismeans that sometimes you have to trust me even though you think I’m batshit crazy.” Pausing, he frowns. “I want to marry you as soon as possible, Phoebe.”

I pull my hand away from him. “Julian, we’ve talked about this.”

“No, you talked, I listened.”

“We don’t have to do it before the baby’s born. It’s not taboo anymore, you know.”

“You’re almost six months pregnant, so time isn’t on our side. And it has nothing to do with the baby.”

I quirk an eyebrow at him, and he rolls his eyes.

“Okay, maybe it does, but it isn’t the only thing.”

“Please don’t do this to me right now,” I plead. Dropping my forehead against his chest, I sneak a peek up at his face, gauging his reaction.

He closes his eyes. “All right, I’ll drop it for now. But this conversation isn’t over.” A small smile plays on his lips. “Besides, there are better things we could be doing with our mouths than talking.”

Tilting my chin, I lick my lips in anticipation. “Oh? Do tell.”

A devilish gleam flashes in his eyes as he backs me toward the kitchen counter, his hands reaching for the buttons on my shirt. “How about I show you?”

Closing my eyes, I wrap my arms around his neck and lose myself in the feel of his mouth trailing down my skin. As his hands reach for the waistband of my pants, I exhale softly, determined to let the past go.

* * *

“Thank you for doing this, Julian. I know you’re not happy about it, but you’re being a good sport.” Straightening my dress, I lean down to adjust the strap on my heel while peering up at him.

As his hands work on his tie he looks at me in the mirror and quirks an eyebrow. “Well, you didn’t give me much of a choice, did you?”

That was the plan…