Page 117 of Igniting Sparks

“Let’s go to Los Angeles together. You told me you made the wrong choice in not going to London, so here’s another chance for a new adventure—with me.”

I close my eyes and huff out a breath. “Mina…”

Do I love her for asking me to tag along? Absolutely, even more than before, which I didn’t think was possible.

But we both know I can’t go.

I steal another kiss and shake my head. “I have a good life here. My business, my home, my family—they’re all here.”

“But you could have a new life there,” she argues, her voice cracking. “Maybe I should forget the whole thing. I’ll tell Leo?—”

I grasp her cheeks, forcing her to meet my gaze. “No way. You want this, and damn it, you deserve it.”

“What about us?” She knows the answer, but she needs to hear it. Perhaps then, it will make her choice easier.

“I will always be here for you. Whenever you need a cheerleader or a pep talk, I’m just a phone call away.”

“But nothing more.”

“That wouldn’t be fair, Mina. To either of us—butespecially you. This is an adventure, and you’re going to meet so many great people. You’re going to do incredible things. You’re so much bigger than Sparkwood. You’re going to light up Hollywood.”

And one day, you’re going to meet a guy who’s going to make you forget about me.

She trembles in my arms, tears pouring down her cheeks. “I’m scared. What do I do?”

“You leave for LA,” I say, the emotion threatening to choke my words, “and you become the best damn choreographer Hollywood has ever seen.”

“You’re telling me to leave. Don’t you love me?”

Christ, she is killing me right now.

It takes every fiber of strength not to crush her to me and tell her to forget Hollywood. Forget anything that takes her away from me.

But I can’t do that.

Not to my Mina.

“More than you could possibly realize,” I reply. “Which is why I’m letting you go.”

Chapter 25

No Return Ticket

Braden

It’s been a hell of a week.

I maintain a sunny disposition for Mina’s benefit, because this new journey is terrifying her.

What she doesn’t know is that it’s more terrifying for me to let her go.

I know I’m doing the right thing. Trust me, I’ve hashed it out with Ori and Ash, and they both agree this is the best move for Mina—even though they’ll miss her.

But they won’t miss her like I will.

They have each other. I have a lot of lonely nights to look forward to, and Zane’s promise to keep me occupied with beautiful women is not helping the situation.

I know he’s trying.