His heart pounded. He needed to get everything out. “Because I want you to understand why I behaved like an idiot. Why I convinced myself my career was so important. But it means nothing if I don’t have you.” Holly’s eyes glistened. “I pulled out of the film.”
She sucked in a surprised breath. “You did? It was your dream role. It’s what you’ve been working for—what you wanted.”
“You’re what I want…need. I was too stupid to see past my insecurities.” He took a deep breath. “I love you Holly.”
She placed her fingers over her trembling lips. “You love me?”
He dropped his forehead against hers. “I love you so much. More than I ever thought possible. I’ve been so stupid. I’m taking longer breaks between movies because I want to spend as much time with you as possible. Please forgive me and give me another chance.”
“Yes.” She smiled gazing up into his eyes.
“Yes?” he repeated, not sure if he’d heard right.
She giggled and nodded. “I love you too, Ethan Doyle. These past few weeks without you have been the worst days of my life.”
Ethan threw his head back and blew out a long breath of relief.
Laughing, Holly wrapped her arms around his neck and jumped up, hooking her legs around his waist. He dropped the paper bag and planted kisses all over her face, lips and neck. Anywhere he could reach, as long as he touched her.
“I can’t believe you gave up the role of a lifetime,” she said between their frenzied kisses.
“The director’s going to sue my arse off. I’ll lose millions. I could end up broke. I hope you like living off meat pies and toasted sandwiches.” He nodded at the bag near his feet. “I brought you a selection. They might be squashed now.”
She cupped his face in her hands, their eyes connecting. Love poured from them. He knew she was his and he’d always be hers. “That’s okay, I’ve never needed a life of luxury. All I want is you.”
* * *
They returned to Holly’s class to get her bag, and were met with smiling and excited faces.
“Get your cameras out ladies. You’re about to get an exclusive,” Ethan announced.
It took the women a second to whip them out and point in their direction.
What was Ethan up to?Holly searched his smiling face.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her toward him so their chests touched.
In a loud voice he said, “Holly Ainsworth is the love of my life. My leading lady and I’m going to spend the rest of my life making her happy.”
He flicked his head toward their audience and lowered his voice for only Holly to hear, “No chance of hiding our relationship now.”
Holly’s eyes filled with happy tears. Her heart had never felt so full. God, she loved this man so much.
“I love you.” Ethan cupped her face in his hands and planted a long, slow, bone melting kiss on her lips.
The class erupted in cheers, whistles and applause.
Epilogue
Two years later.
“And the Oscar for best makeup and hairstyling goes to…” Holly and Ethan held their breath as they waited for the presenters to open the gold envelope. They were snuggled up in bed in a tent at the Bahati Safari Resort on their honeymoon watching the award show on a laptop computer with dodgy internet reception. By Ethan’s definition they wereroughing it, Holly called itglampingbecause of the fancy canvas surroundings and all the mod-cons. They were learning to live a happy balance between Ethan’s luxuries and the simpler life Holly favoured.
“…Nancy Doyle, Holly Ainsworth and Simone Carter!” The actor announced with excitement.
Ethan yelled and vaulted out of bed. The crowd clapped as Nancy and Simone stepped onto the stage to accept the award. Holly sat stunned propped against pillows trying to process what was happening.
“You did it!” Smiling, Ethan grabbed her shaking hands, pulled her onto her feet and wrapped her in his arms. “You did it!” he said again, twirling her in circles.
