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“I’m sure he’d love to have you with him, but you know he just won’t have much time to spend with you. The life of a star is 24/7.” For whatever reason, it feels like he’s stalling this conversation. Why? I shake off the feeling as he continues speaking. “He’ll follow a strict meal and exercise regimen, plus they’ll hook him up with other stars who’ll give him the boost and exposure he needs.”
My heart sinks. I want to contradict his words, to tell him that of course Jarrn will have plenty of time for me—that he’dmaketime for me. But will he?
Strogoff just said Jarrn agrees with this plan.
I love him, but the last thing I want to do is cling to him or hold him back.
“Later,” Strogoff says. “When he’s more settled; when he’s won the role and has started filming or is perhaps finished, I’m sure he’ll reach out to you. Then we can make arrangements for you to join him.”
To think that Jarrn and I lounged in bed this morning, chatting about nothing. We strolled through the ship as if we had all the time in the world. Instead, that might be the last time I’ll see him, be with him.
Will he think of me when he’s surrounded by gushing women and other stars eager to curry his favor? Or will I become a distant memory, the woman who scarred him and nearly cost him the chance to do something amazing with his life?
Probably the latter, and who can blame him?
My feelings don’t matter here. I want him to succeed more than I want to cling. He’s everything while I’m . . . the woman who harmed him.
Strogoff leans across the table, taking my limp hand in his and giving it a squeeze. “I realize this is a difficult decision. But in your heart, you know what you need to do.”
I can only nod. If I try to speak, only sobs will come out.
He rises and lifts his wrist comm. A ping rings out from mine, and I stare at it through blurry eyes. A big deposit has been made into my account.
“Call this a consolation prize, a little help to get you where you want to be.”
I only want to be with Jarrn, but I won't hold him back. He needs to be free to pursue his dream career without me dragging him backward.
“Thank you,” I say in a stony voice.
“You’re doing the right thing, Dalia,” Strogoff says. He starts for the door.
“Delia,” I say.
“Excuse me?” He doesn’t turn.
“My name’sDelia.” Jarrn’s Delia, though not any longer.
“Yes,Delia. You’ve got this, my dear. I promise, I’ll take good care of Jarrn. I’ve reserved the conference room for a full hour. Feel welcome to remain here and make your plans.”
He’s about to whisk Jarrn away, and I’ll never see him again. It’s for the best, but why does it hurt so much?
The door clicks shut behind Strogoff, and I stare at my hands lying on the table.
“I have to let him go,” I whisper. “It’s the only way I can truly show him how sorry I am for what happened.”
After a few minutes, I realize I don’t need to stay here and think about this. Make plans? Who needs them?
I rise and stumble from the conference room.
Chapter23
Jarrn
As I jam my clothes into my bag as fast as my fingers can fly, I replay what just transpired in that conference room. It’s like a miracle. In my wildest daydreams, I never allowed myself to imagine something this amazing could ever happen to me. Even before the fire.
It seems as if one moment I was wallowing in the aftermath of my accident, wondering what dismal direction my life would take, and the next moment I was whisked on board theJeweled Empress. Now a big-name agent has gone to considerable trouble to track me down in the middle of the Kheshek sector to make me the offer of a lifetime.
It’s almost too good to be true.
