Chapter Twelve
Mia’s doorbell rang way too early in the morning.
She cracked one eye open and checked her alarm clock. Okay, yes, it was still early morning. Muttering to herself, she threw on a robe and went downstairs.
Jessie was standing on her doorstep, hands on her hips. “I just saw Chase Hamilton packing his car,” she said. “Do I have to go kill him before he leaves town?”
Even though she knew it was coming, the news still rocked Mia like a body blow. “No,” she said quietly. “He’s got to get back to L.A. for a new show.”
A new show she could have been a part of if she hadn’t walked away from the opportunity.
Jessie stomped into the house like she owned the place. “I can’t believe he’s leaving again. Are you okay?”
“Not really,” she admitted, following her best friend to the kitchen. Maybe coffee would help.
Jessie was already setting up the coffee pot. “The bastard. He couldn’t stick around any longer?”
“He has a new job, Jessie. This is a big deal for him. He has to be back by Wednesday to start rehearsals.”
“Fine.” Jessie took out two mugs. “Still. The least he could have done is invite you to go back with him.”
Mia was silent.
“Wait. He invited you to go back with him?”
“Not exactly.” At Jessie’s confused look, Mia said, “I was offered a part too.”
Jessie just blinked at her.
“We recorded a two-person scene for Chase’s audition. For fun, you know? Something a little different. And then the director decided we should both be in the show. Together.”
“Mia.” Jessie grabbed her hand. “Isn’t this your dream? Haven’t you always wanted to try acting professionally?”
“That was a long time ago,” Mia said. “Things have changed.”
“Your crush on Chase was a long time ago too. Tell me how much things have changed.” Jessie filled her mug and took a long sip, eyeing Mia over the rim.
Mia poured some for herself. “I can’t just pick up and go.”
“Why not?”
Why did everyone keep asking her that? Mia threw her hands up. “Because I can’t!”
“Can’t, or won’t?” Jessie stared her down. “I think you’re afraid.”
“Afraid of what?” Mia turned away and started fussing with her mug. “It’s just a play.”
“If it was just a play, I don’t think you’d be running away from it.”
Mia stopped, her hands dropping to her sides. “I’m not running away.”
“I’m not so sure.” They both turned at the sound of Chase’s voice. He was standing in the entryway, jacket in his hand. “I think we probably both are.”
“What are you doing here?” Mia swallowed hard against the sudden sting in her throat.
He shrugged. “The front door was open.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“I promised myself I wouldn’t pressure you. That you know what is best for you, and I shouldn’t try to sway your decision. You have a life here, a job, and I shouldn’t interfere.”
He tossed his jacket on the back of a chair. “I got about five miles out of town before I realized I couldn’t leave without telling you how I felt about you. I did that eleven years ago. I wasn’t going to make that mistake again.”
“And that’s my cue to leave,” Jessie said, grabbing her mug as she headed out of the kitchen. “Don’t worry, I’ve got a key. Just in case you need me to send you anything.”
Chase waited for the sound of the front door closing before speaking again. “Do you know why I’m even in town right now? I came back to Sapphire Falls because I was running away. From Hollywood, from my failing career. From myself.”
“Chase,” she whispered.
“And today, I was running away again. But this time, I was running from my feelings for you.”
She just stared at him.
“That’s why I came back. I’m tired of running away. I need to face the truth. And the truth is, I love you.”
Mia slapped a hand over her mouth, squeaking just a little.
“I love everything about you. Your enthusiasm, your talent, your devotion to your students and your job. And if going back to Hollywood means saying goodbye to that, I have to stay.”
At that, she found her voice again. “Chase. You cannot turn down this role. That would be ridiculous.”
“Leaving you would be ridiculous. And if Sapphire Falls is where you are meant to be, I need to be here, too.”
“But…your big chance…” Mia paced across the kitchen. “I know, deep down, you’re meant to be on that stage.”
“So can you look me in the eye and tell me you’re not meant to be there as well?”
She stopped. The sun streamed in through the window over the sink. “I don’t know.”
Chase took her hand and led her to the table, where he pulled out a chair. Once she sat, he claimed the other one. “So let’s be reasonable about this. What are your issues with the play?”
“It’s in L.A.”
“An easy enough drive. It’ll only take a couple of days. And I’ve got a friend who will sublet his apartment to us while he’s on location this summer.”
“I have a job.”
“That doesn’t start up again until late August. The show would be over by then.”
“My house…”
“You know everyone in Sapphire Falls will keep an eye on it while you’re gone.”
She traced invisible patterns on the tablecloth.
“So what are you really running from? Are you afraid it’ll be a failure? Or are you afraid of it being a success?”
God, if it went well… “What if I don’t want to come back?”
He nodded. “That could happen.”
“It’s so uncertain,” she said, her heart racing.
“I’m not going to lie. It is,” he replied. Then he leaned forward. “Or maybe you don’t feel the same way about me.”
“No.” She stood up. “Chase, I’ve loved you for years. That hasn’t changed.”
“So what do you say?”
Mia closed her eyes. “This is crazy.”
“You know what I want, Mia. You know what the director wants. I guess the question is, what do you want?”
And in that moment, it was so clear, she almost laughed out loud. How had she missed it before?
“You,” she said simply. “I want you.”
He stood up, rounded the table, and wrapped her in his arms. “Oh, thank God.”
“Is it too late to tell Jack I’d like to accept the part in his show?”
Chase laughed. “I never told him you said no,” he said. “I was hoping you’d change your mind.”
“This is crazy,” she said again. “But I love you. I want to take this chance.” On him. On the two of them, together. On the opportunity to perform again with the man she loved.
She had always taken the safe path, the secure route. But since Chase had returned to town, she’d grabbed for that brass ring—and won everything she’d ever wanted. Why would she decide to stop now?
He picked her up then, and her legs wrapped around his waist almost of their own volition. “Better get upstairs and start packing,” he said, heading for the stairway.
“Maybe you should put me down,” she said as he started their ascent.
“Nah,” he replied. “I think this is a good look on me, don’t you?”
Mia looked down. She was clinging to him like a koala, her arms and legs tangled around his body. You couldn’t fit a sheet of paper between them.
Yeah, she was pretty fond of this look too.
But not as fond as she was of the man she was currently wrapped around.
Maybe they’d find success in L.A. Maybe they’d be back in Sapphire Falls by the start of school. Whatever happened, they’d be together.
And that was the biggest prize of all.