—I’m sorry I didn’t tell you yesterday. I was so focused on doing the “right” thing, on not holding you back, that I forgot to be honest. The truth is… I want you to stay. I want us to build a life together. Here, in Los Angeles, anywhere—as long as we’re together.
Tears fill my eyes, my throat too tight to respond. So I just look at him. And listen.
—I know your career matters to you, and I would never ask you to give it up. If you need to go to Los Angeles for this role, then we’ll find a way to make this work. I’ll fly out as often as I have to, I’ll delegate more, I’ll do whatever it takes.
He steps closer, closing the distance between us.
—But please don’t leave thinking I’d be relieved… or that I’d rather be married to someone else. You are everything I’ve ever wanted without even knowing it. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Jane. And I am completely, hopelessly, scandalously in love with you.
A tear slips down my cheek—but I’m smiling now, my heart racing.
—That’s the longest speech I’ve ever heard you give, I point out. And definitely the most moving.
—What if I told you I’d rather risk failure with you than guarantee success without you? he asks quietly.
His voice is calm, but I can feel the emotion vibrating beneath it.
—I’d say that’s the most romantic—and least Callum-like—thing you’ve ever said, I reply, a shaky smile forming on my lips.
—Jane, he says, taking my hands in his. I won’t lie and say I’m not afraid. I am. I’m terrified. Terrified you’ll leave and never come back. Terrified you’ll stay and end up feeling trapped. Terrified I won’t be the man you need.
He draws in a deep breath.
—But what scares me even more is spending the rest of my life wondering what would’ve happened if we’d been brave enough to give ourselves a real chance.
—That sounds like something straight out of one of those romantic movies you claim to hate, I tease, unable to resist even now.
—I’ve learned to appreciate them, he admits with a faint smile. Because of you.
He releases my hands and cups my face.
—I can’t tell you what to do, Jane. This is your decision. But what I can tell you is that I love you. Not like a business arrangement, not like an obligation—but like a man loves thewoman who turned his entire life upside down and made it infinitely better.
His words reach something deep inside me—unlocking that last guarded part of my heart that was still afraid to believe, afraid to trust.
—I love you too, Callum McGregor. In every possible universe, in every version of this story, I end up falling in love with you. It’s inevitable.
—Then stay. Not for me, not for a contract—but for us. For what we could build together.
Instead of answering, I throw myself into his arms, burying my face against his chest, breathing him in.
—I was so afraid you wanted me to leave, I whisper against his sweater. That everything we shared didn’t matter to you as much as it did to me.
He holds me tightly, like he’s afraid I might disappear.
—How could I ever want you to leave? You changed my life, Jane. Before you, I existed—but I wasn’t really living.
I lift my head to look at him. His eyes shine with something that speaks straight to my heart.
—I love you, Callum McGregor. And I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here—with you.
—And the role? he asks softly. Scorsese?
I shrug lightly.
—It’s an amazing opportunity—but it’s just a movie. There will be others. And the UK has a pretty solid film industry. Who knows? Maybe I can find work here—or split my time between both.
He brushes his thumb along my cheek.
