Page 100 of Surviving Love

“I’d like something good to come out of something horrible.”

“Yes.”

“I couldn’t be honest with you at first because I’d have had to explain about my sister’s suicide. I was trying to keep that on the down low.”

“I understand why.”

We were quiet for a few moments, listening to the storm outside. “You never asked me if I won the money or not,” he said.

I looked up at him, but I couldn’t tell anything from his expression. “I kind of forgot about the money.”

“You forgot about a million dollars?”

I gave a cheesy smile. “Having your love is the best prize of all.”

He snorted. “Sure it is.”

“It kind of is. Frankly, money doesn’t mean that much to me. I’ve never been hugely materialistic.”

“Your house is really nice, and LA isn’t a cheap real estate market.”

“Ilikemoney, and I enjoy spending it. I just don’t think it’s the end-all many people do.” I shrugged. “If I had to pick between love or my bank account, I’d choose love.”

“You’re more of a romantic than I expected.”

I sat up and met his curious gaze. “If this thing between us is real, then I’ve found something I never dreamed I’d find. I almostdiedwithout ever being in love. Yeah, I’ll take the way you make me feel over money any day.”

He smiled and tugged me back down into his arms. “I like seeing you all fired up for love.” He kissed my hair. “And for the record, this thing between usisreal.”

“I hope so,” I said softly. “Because you live in Colorado, and I live here. It won’t be easy.”

“It might not be as hard as you think.”

“It probably will be though. What am I supposed to do when I want to see you and you’re in another state?” I tried to quell my anxiety but wasn’t very successful. “We might drift apart, Jack.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

“But… you’re not magic.”

“No. I’m not magic.” He sounded amused as he stroked his fingers lightly up and down my spine.

“Then, how can you be so confident?”

“Well, first of all, I’m always confident, and secondly, while I’m not magic, I am a millionaire.”

At first, I thought I’d heard him wrong, but when he started laughing, I sat up and stared at him wide-eyed. “What? You mean… Jack… did you actually winDevious Island?”

He gave a cocky grin. “Yep.”

“Seriously?” I yelped, jumping up onto my knees. “You won the whole game? You got the million dollars?”

“Can you believe it?” He grabbed my hand.

“I… I can’t believe it,” I rasped. “I mean, I can, but I can’t.”

He shook his head. “Harold was not happy. He got voted out at final three.”

“Who was with you in the final two?”