AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He dipped down and kissed her one more time. “I’m already there.”
He took her hand and they ran to the back door before anyone else could stop them.
* * *
Hollyn had so many questions running through her head as they made their way back to her place, Jasper’s hand firmly around hers as he drove. But she couldn’t seem to get any of them out. She was almost afraid to ask.
“You’re quiet,” Jasper said finally. “You okay?”
“I’m possibly in shock,” she said with a smile. “What happened since I saw you last?”
He glanced over at her as he stopped at a red light. “The short version is I went to LA, got offered the part, went out to dinner with the director and producer to celebrate, and ended up passed out in my ex-girlfriend’s bed.”
She stiffened.
“Nothing happened,” he said quickly. “Except that I woke up feeling like I’d been run over by a truck and had missed the flight. Which, God, I am so sorry about.” He started driving again. “But while all of this was happening, it hit me why I drank so much last night. I wasn’t celebrating with them. I was mourning.”
She frowned.
He glanced over. “I’ve been so focused on what could be in the distance that I missed how happy I already was here. Even if the theater didn’t come through and I had to keep slinging coffee for a while longer, I’ve never felt so…peaceful. I have my family here. I’ve reconnected with my group and with Fitz. I’ve always loved improv, but I never realized how much I’d enjoy teaching it. I’ve even thought about doing classes for teens once the theater opens because improv saved me, so maybe it could help some other ADHD kid who can’t find his place.”
Hollyn squeezed his hand.
He pulled into her driveway and brought her hand to his mouth, kissing her knuckles. “And I couldn’t stop thinking about you. From the outside looking in, it sounded crazy to turn down a TV role to stay for a new relationship no matter how much I liked the woman. That’s what I was telling myself on the way there. That’s whatyoutold me, too. We were being smart. Rational.”
“Right.”
He shut off the car and turned toward her. “But then I started thinking—we’re not giving up a new relationship, we’re giving up the possibility that the other person could be the one. We’re throwing out the lottery ticket when only a few numbers have been pulled. And if this turns out to be it, if we turn out to be the loves of each other’s lives, giving that up for a part in some TV show is ludicrous. It’s a really bad bet.”
Tears burned her eyes. “But we don’t know that answer. We don’t know if this is forever.”
“No, but the only way to guarantee it isn’t to give up now when things are just getting good.” He reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Love isn’t rational. It’s a risk. It’s always a risk. So there’s only one thing we can do.”
“What’s that?”
He grinned. “We’re going to have to improvise this sonofabitch.”
She laughed, the sound getting caught in her throat. “Love improv.”
“Exactly. Life is one big improv stage anyway. You’re only as good as the people standing there with you. And you, Hollyn Darling, are the very best.”
He touched his forehead to hers, and she let her fingers slide into his hair. “You could be a famous TV star.”
“I’d rather be happy and surrounded by people who love me. And let’s face it, everyone hereadoresme.” He smirked.
“Narcissist,” she teased.
“You know it.” He closed his eyes. “So will you have me? Even if I’m not a famous TV star?”
“Will I have the sexy theater owner slash improv professor slash kick-ass maker of coffee?” she asked and pressed her lips to his. “Every damn day I can.”
He inhaled deeply and cupped her chin. “How about right now?”
“Especially right now.” She reached out and took the keys. “Inside. This introvert has had enough public displays of affection for one night. I’m ready to get very, very private.”
Jasper didn’t have to be told twice. He came around and opened her door for her. He was already kissing her by the time they reached the door. She had to grapple for the lock blindly behind her. He finally grabbed the key and the door swung open, dumping them into the foyer.
The door slammed shut and her shirt was up and over her head before her next breath. Jasper tossed her shirt to the floor and kissed down the curve of her neck. “God, I missed you.”
