“When I was standing in your shot?”
“More like when you were my beautiful muse.” She bit into her burrito.
“Your muse?”
And more.“Do you like kids?”
“Love ‘em. Kent and Megan have three. I’m at their house a few times a month and spend a lot of time playing with their children.”
“Do you want your own?”
“I’d love a family. I’d get involved in my kids’ activities, help them with their homework. They say you do the opposite of what your parents did to you. I want to be the kind of dad I wish I’d had. What about you?”
“Gotta find the man before I even considered motherhood. I’d be terrified I’d mess them up.”
“Not a chance. You have so much to share. You’re smart, creative, and relaxed. You have a good heart, good intentions. You’d be a great mom.”
Savannah reached across the table and blanketed her fingers over his. He regarded their hands before peering into her eyes. She wanted to lean across that table and kiss him, stroke his whiskered face, then apologize for what she’d said earlier. She hadn’t meant any of it, but her mom had this way of messing with her head that poisoned everything. Zander hadn’t just saved her career, he’d defended her to Debby, which had given her the courage to speak her own mind.
“Thank you for handling Debby and for this entire weekend.”
“My pleasure.” Every single time they stared into each other’s eyes, the energy shifted. “I have every confidence you’ll have a great shoot.” He pulled his hand away to dig his phone from his pocket. “I should see what flights are available tonight. Might be a red eye.”
Stop him. Don’t let him leave yet.
He’d been thrown in her life and, two days later, he’d changed it. For a woman who kept things with men low key, traveled the country on a moment’s notice, and never had any thoughts of settling down, she’d become quite attached to the man sitting across the table from her.
He’d tossed aside his agenda for hers. He’d put her first and done so much to help her. Not just with the prep for her gig, but in helping her acquire Gerard’s business. Initially, she hadn’t believed Zander’s intentions, but she did now.
What’s more, he’d come to her aid when her mother had shown up. No one could get under her skin like Debby. The years of constant manipulation and stealing had taken a toll on Savannah. Before Zander, she’d never talked about it to anyone, not even K-Dad.
She liked this man more than she should and she regretted pushing him away earlier.What was I thinking? This is a good, good man.
“Savannah.Savannah.”
He plucked her from her thoughts.
“There’s a flight at midnight. And another tomorrow morning at six.” Intense gray eyes bore into hers. “I’m thinking of taking the one tonight. Are you sure you’ll be okay scouting the few remaining locations alone?”
Her chest tightened. She could let him go now or she could steal one more night with him. This amazing man could be hers all night long. She told herself this could never work. They could never be together. They were too different. Her fear of intimacy had ruled her life for as long as she could remember.
For a woman who believed in the power of the universe, she’d done a damn good job of convincing herself to keep a respectable distance from him. Yet, the universe had pushed them together. Why was she fighting what she wanted so desperately?
“Tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I want you to take the flight in the morning.”
A low, deep moan shot out of him. “If I stay…”
His words were meant as a warning, but she took them as an invitation. “Yes. Stay. With me.”
“Do you know what you’re saying?”
Her heart picked up speed. “I didn’t mean what I said earlier.” She chugged in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I was pretty rattled after my mom left. You’ve been incredibly generous with your time, especially with everything going on at your company, and with Kent. I wouldn’t have gotten Gerard’s gig without your help and I couldn’t have prepped this thoroughly without you, either.” The tension in her chest loosened. “I don’t want you to leave. Stay with me tonight.”
He lifted her hand from the table and kissed her finger. “I don’t want to leave, either.” Then, he turned back to his phone. Another moment later, confidence and determination shone from his beautiful, bright eyes. “Done. Now, let’s get the hell out of here.”
