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“Next season?” she asked, shocked that he was planning so far in advance.
He wrapped her in his arms. “Next season,” he repeated. “Because I’m pretty sure you’re going to make me fall in love with you long before that.”
“Love?” she murmured, her heart pounding in her chest. Blake thought he was falling in love with her. “Did you say—”
“Love,” he said. “Yes. Do you have a problem with that?”
“No,” she replied hoarsely, “I don’t have a problem with it at all, actually. But isn’t it early to say that?”
“I’m thirty-two years old,” he said, “and I’ve never once used that word with a woman. I don’t think I’d call it rushing.”
“Never?” she asked. “Not with anyone?”
“Never.”
“Not even close?”
He hesitated. “Once. I was young and it’s a long story for another time.”
“The person who burned you,” she said softly, trying not to push. She saw the tension shudder through him and she laid her hand on his leg. “You don’t have to answer.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you. It’s just not for here and now. I should leave before you do to avoid any prying eyes. That’s why I got dressed while you were sleeping.”
She shook her head. “I’m not pressuring you.”
“I know,” he said, cupping her face. “And I appreciate that.” He studied her. “What about you? Ever say ‘I love you’ to a man?”
“There was a college boyfriend I thought I might be headed there with, but it turned out he was headed there with several women who thought the same thing.” That was when she’d really learned just how bad a judge of men she really was. But she didn’t want regrets or fears to make her lose Blake. If she got hurt, she got hurt. “No one since then. I quickly learned this business is full of men with agendas and I didn’t want to be with anyone like that.” She pressed her lips to his, knowing the truth—she was falling in love for the first time in her life. “No one until you.”
His eyes darkened, his fingers tangled in her hair as he reclaimed her mouth, his tongue brushing hers with tender, passionate strokes that had Darla sighing with the goodness of it—of them, of this new relationship. She was even beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, she and Blake could find that something special that lucky couples, like both her parents and his, shared. And all they had to do to claim their prize was survive the rest of the season.
* * *
TWO HOURS LATER, Darla had showered and dressed in a cotton peasant blouse and soft faded jeans for travel to a series of audition stops that would include Boston and Dallas, then on to Houston. Lugging her carry-on bag in front of her, Darla rushed down the center aisle of the plane to find Meagan, looking panicked, leaning over her armrest to watch for fellow passengers. “I thought you were going to miss the flight,” she said, standing up to let Darla slide into the seat by the window.
“Sorry,” Darla said. “I couldn’t get a cab.” She shoved her bag under the seat. “But never fear, I’m here, ready to make your travel experience a memorable one.” And tired. So very tired.
“Long night?” Meagan asked, resnapping her seat belt into place.
Darla’s cell phone buzzed and she dug it out of her purse before snapping her own seat belt into place. “I could have used a little more sleep, but then, who couldn’t, right?” She glanced down at the text from Blake on her phone. Did you make it? Darla replied with Barely. He replied with Pull the shade down. She replied with No. He answered Yes. She smiled.
“Blake?”
Darla’s head jerked up at the question. “What?”
“Are you texting with Blake?” Meagan asked, a smile playing on her lips. “Come on. I know you two have a thing going on.”
Darla let out a breath. “I don’t know how this happened.”
“I didn’t with Sam, either,” she said. “Actually,” she lowered her voice. “I thought I’d just have a hot night and get him out of my system. That didn’t go as planned.”
“Oh, my God,” Darla said. “Me, too.”
Meagan’s lips curved. “I could have guessed that from miles away. So, you’re pretty into him, huh?”
She nodded. “I don’t know how that happened, either.” Her chest tightened. “Meagan, I know how important this show is to you. I won’t jeopardize its success. You have my word.”
“Honey, I know that. I trust you. That was one of the reasons I so needed you as a judge. I know I can count on you. I know you will do what’s right. It’s a little piece of sanity for me. It’s why I felt so secure focusing on you for this promotional campaign. You’re rock-solid. And I don’t know Blake as well as you do, but his reputation indicates he’s the same.”
