Kate wished she could read Drew's mind, to know what he was thinking. He had deepened their kiss so far that she didn't know if there was anywhere left for them to go but down the path she knew they'd regret in the morning. He was getting engaged to someone else. In just a few more minutes. He was going to give away the proposal that should be hers.

"What are we doing?" she asked, her voice coming out shakier than she'd planned.

He sighed, his expression torn. When he opened his eyes, she saw raw pain reflected in them. "I don't know." He stepped back, giving them a little more space. His chest heaved as if he was having a hard time catching his breath. "I know we need to stop."

She drew in a ragged breath and urged her heart to calm down. If it kept going at this rate, she was going to have a heart attack.

He brushed stray hairs away from her cheek and sighed. "I—" He pinched his eyes shut for a moment before opening them again. She'd never seen so much desire in them before.

"Did we almost…?" She couldn't say the words. It was too much like admitting they'd almost crossed the line into a territory they weren't meant to cross.

He shook his head. "We were close."

"But you said you were waiting until you're married."

"I know, that's still my plan. I—I just want you to know that I want it to be with you."

Her heart didn't have a chance to slow down, because it was off to the races again. Was he telling her he wanted to marry her?

Drew stared at her for a long moment, as if getting up the courage to say something. He looked down and linked their hands together then sighed again before meeting her gaze. "Tell me not to do it. Tell me not to propose."

Her heart stopped. Her whole body went still, and all she could think was, I shouldn't have to tell you. You should pick me first.

There was a knock on the door. Drew bolted away from her, nearly tripping over one of the chairs. Kate slid off the dresser and smoothed her hair as she watched Drew answer the door.

"It's time to go now," she heard Alexis's voice on the other side of the door. "Go ahead and get in the car with Oliver. I need to talk to Kate for just a moment."

Kate's stomach twisted with dread.

Did Alexis know?

Who cares if she knows, Kate thought defiantly. When Drew turned back to put on his suit coat, Kate rose to help him. She needed to tell him not to do it.

But Drew had his jacket on in a matter of seconds and was just about to walk out the door before he turned back and swept Kate into his arms.

"Everything will work out," he whispered in her ear. And then as he pulled away, his fingers trailed down her arms until they reached one of her hands, which he squeezed three times.

Then he disappeared out the door.

Kate's mind reeled. Had Drew just squeezed her hand three times on purpose? The three squeezes that meant I love you?

He knew about the gesture. He'd been there when she had told the story to Decklan and Tayden. Had he just told her that he loved her?

And now he was going off to propose to Gwen?

Desperation bubbled up in her throat, almost choking her. If she told him that she loved him, would it stop him from going through with the proposal?

Was she losing him because she'd been too scared to trust him?

Kate wanted to run after Drew, to tell him that she loved him too, but Alexis was blocking the door.

"Is everything okay?" Alexis asked, seeming to take in Kate's distress.

"I just," Kate started, covering her heart with her hand to keep it from exploding. "I need to talk to Drew again. There's something I have to tell him."

"You can tell him later." Alexis waved her away as if her request was trivial.

If I wait, he'll give away my proposal. "I just need one minute."

She pushed past Alexis and ran out the door, just in time to see Drew shut the door of a black SUV and drive away. Leaving her to watch the taillights.

She was too late.

Her shoulders sagged as she trudged back to the hotel room where Alexis was waiting for her.

"What's wrong, Kate?" Alexis asked.

Kate wiped at the tear that had trickled down her cheek. "I needed to tell Drew something."

"That you're in love with him?" Alexis crossed her arms.

Kate nodded, unable to speak from the sadness drowning her.

Alexis stepped forward, setting her hands on Kate's shoulders. "It's just a fake proposal. It's not the end of the world, sweetie."

Kate's breath hitched in her throat as more tears threatened to spill. "But I love him."

Alexis gave her an understanding smile. "I know."

"You do?"

"I'm not blind. Watching people fall in love is kind of my job." Alexis shrugged.

"Then why are you telling him to do this?"

She let her hands drop and took a seat at the chair Drew had occupied earlier. "Ratings. It's all about the ratings. Though, to be honest, I would much prefer to have a real proposal instead of a fake one. But such is life. Anyway, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. I'm in here because I wanted to talk to you about your screenplay."

Kate's heart stopped. "My screenplay?"

"Yes. I finished it. Sorry things were a little crazy these past few weeks."

Kate's heart paused as she braced herself for the blow. Usually it wasn't a good sign if it took more than a couple of weeks for someone to read your screenplay from start to finish.

"I loved it!" Alexis said.

Kate did a double take of Alexis's smiling expression, not believing her ears had heard her right.

"You l-loved it?"

Alexis beamed. "It's exactly what I've been looking for. I've already read through it three times. I just wanted to be sure of something before I talked to you."

Sure of what? That Kate would let Drew follow through with the fake proposal?

But when Alexis spoke, she realized that wasn't it at all. "I showed it to my colleague, Dana Prince, and she is really interested in it, too. We'd love to talk about it over lunch sometime soon. My schedule should free up once the season ends next month, and then I'd like to see what we can make happen for your screenplay."

Kate's hands and fingers went numb about halfway through Alexis's speech. Was this really happening? She sat on the bed before her knees gave out. She knew her face had gone pale.

Alexis smiled knowingly at her. "It really was great. You have a lot of talent."

Kate nodded, trying to loosen her tongue. But all she could think about was the fact that The Dana Prince wanted to be part of this. Dana Prince was like royalty when it came to directors.

She swallowed. “Yes, lunch would be great.”

Alexis grinned, and somehow, Kate knew this wasn't the first time Alexis had surprised someone with this kind of news. "I'll talk to Dana when we get back to Burbank and we'll set something up."

Kate nodded dumbly, still in shock. Someone wanted her screenplay. Not just someone. Alexis Olley and Dana Prince wanted her screenplay!

"Anyway," Alexis said, adjusting her purse on her arm. "We have a proposal to watch. Let's go. It's almost sunset."