Page 96 of A Simple Love

He studied me for a moment. “If things change for you, call me. I would love to work with you—and not just in front of the camera. I think you’d make an amazing director, and I would be happy to mentor you.”

I was stunned. “Thanks, Davis.”

“You have good instincts. I watched you direct yourself. Subtle changes that made things even better on film. That’s a talent. If you decide to explore that talent, call me.”

He strolled off, leaving me alone and once again mystified.

Everyone was talking about changes. Choices.

I didn’t really have any, did I?

I picked up Wong Man, knocking on Kassie’s door when I got home. She answered, her smile warm, but her expression was one of restraint—and it always seemed to be there now.

“Hi,” I greeted her. “Have you eaten?”

“No. I was just finishing some paperwork.”

“May I come in? I’ll share.”

“Of course.” She stepped back, and I walked past her, stopping briefly to press a kiss to her warm cheek. I would have preferred her mouth, but that seemed to be off-limits the last few days. There was a divide between us. A shifting of our relationship, and I was smart enough to know that it was due to my leaving soon. And that there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I followed her to the kitchen, grabbing glasses and cutlery as she took out plates and unpacked the bag.

“Did you bring enough food?” she teased.

“I won’t get this again until the next time I visit,” I said without thinking.

We were quiet as we helped ourselves to the delicious food from the various containers.

“Will you?” she asked.

“Will I what?” I replied, twirling the spicy beef noodles with the chopsticks.

“Ever come visit?” She met my eyes. “I mean, why would you come here?”

“To see old friends.”

“Ah.”

“To see you,” I added, finally getting the words out.

She shook her head. “I don’t expect anything from you. We agreed to being together while you’re here. I don’t want promises of something that is no good for either of us.”

“Why isn’t it good? We’re great together.”

“As a temporary thing. You have a vastly different life. Glamorous and busy. Another film that Annie said would make you a huge star again. Maybe even bigger than before. You’ll be busy. I’ll be here, baking pies and doing taxes. I can’t compete.”

“I don’t want you to compete.”

“What do you want?”

“Is there no possibility for us?” I asked, laying down my chopsticks.

“No.” She shook her head, her tone gentle. “I’m not leaving Richton. Your life is thousands of miles away. If we tried, one or both of us would be hurt. Can’t we just keep things as we agreed and remember this time as something special?” She met my eyes, hers pleading. “I can’t go through that again, Olly. I can’t sit and wait for you, knowing you’ll never come. Reading about your life in the papers and putting mine on hold. Don’t ask me to. I want to part as friends this time. No promises and no pain.”

Her words stunned me, even as I recognized the truth. We were now. Not forever. In fact, I was certain now was done. The next while, we would be friends. No longer lovers. That was what she needed. And I had to give it to her.

But she was wrong on one thing. Leaving her was going to hurt. More than I expected.