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Maddie took a moment to think before she answered. Micah had said he was considering a future with her. She hadn’t forgotten that. But he’d said that to her in a hot air balloon far above the Colorado landscape. It had been like a beautiful dream, a romantic place that stirred romantic notions. Kind of like saying I love youduringsex.
God, had he dismissed her words as easily as she was dismissinghis?
It didn’t matter. Because even if she believed the words he said in the air, she couldn’t forget the words he’d said on the ground. “I haven’t seen anything to change my mind.” And more important were the words he never said—he never said he choseher.
“I don’t think he wants to be totally sold on it,” Maddie said finally. “But yes, heis.”
“Well, that’s a load of shit. People in Hollywood date all the fuckingtime.”
“You’re preaching to the choir.” This wasn’t anything Maddie hadn’t thought about a hundred times. But she’d also considered Micah’s point of view. “You have to admit, though, this town has a higher rate of failed relationships than most places.”
“I don’t have to admit shit. You’re talking about Micah being all self-fulfilling prophecy with his viewpoint and all, but what about you? You sound as convinced that it isn’t going to work out as he is.” She shook her head in frustration. “If you really loved him, you think you’d have a little more faith.”
“I’m kinda all out of faith, Bree. This whole biz has jadedme.”
“I get it. But I just have to ask…” Bree reached over and tapped Maddie on the nose. “What if he loves youtoo?”
Maddie traced the bowl of her wine glass with her index finger. “He could have told me during those three weeks.”
“Did it ever occur to you that he might be just as stupid at this type of thing as youare?”
Maddie thought back to the hot air balloon ride, when Micah had taken her hand in his. I’m scared. That had only been a day and a half ago. Maybe she was short-changing him. Maybe he really wanted to give her more. Maybe he just needed moretime.
But that was a lot of maybes, a lot of opportunities for Maddie to get hurt. Yeah, that’s right, Micah, I’m scared, too. Too scared.
She was done with Micah. She looked at her watch. “Your five minutes areup.”
“Madalyn Rae Bauers!”
She threw her head back and groaned at the use of her full name. Maddie knew her friend. If she didn’t give something, Bree would harp on her all night. “All right, if I see him again, I’ll talk tohim.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.” But Maddie didn’t plan on seeing Micah again. Seven years had passed between their first and second meetings. It couldn’t be that hard to pass another seven before she saw him again. Now it was time to moveon.
