“It’s filming in Vancouver . . . for six weeks. I’m not sure I can be away from you that long.”
“That’s so sweet. But I can visit. We’ll make it work if it’s something you want.”
“Or you could come with me . . .”
“To Vancouver? For six weeks?” When she thought of being in Vancouver for that long, only one person stood in her way. Troy.
“Well, yeah. I kinda like you.” He nuzzled his nose into her hair, breathing in.
“Well, that’s nice to hear.”
And it was the truth, although the word like seemed weak when it came to her feelings for Luke. She knew she was falling for him, of that she was certain. Her feelings were strong the first time they locked eyes, and since that day months ago, she was feeling herself grow more and more attached with each day they spent together. It started as lust, but had grown to so much more than that. After late-night discussions and moments like this on the hammock, Elle knew that their sexual chemistry was just a portion of who they were together. Despite their differences, they complemented one another, and being with Luke felt simple, natural. He made her feel desirable and sexy. He understood her, possibly in a way that even Troy didn’t. He understood her need to be in control, to be eased out of her comfort zone rather than pushed, and to do things in her own time.
“In fact,” he continued, “like isn’t a strong enough word. Not even close.”
“Oh, really?” Elle asked, lifting her head from his chest to make eye contact. Luke’s eyes were wet, his eyebrows pressed toward one another. “Wait, Luke . . . are you okay?”
Luke shook his head and laughed. “Yeah, yeah. I’m good. Great, actually.”
“Then what . . . what’s going on? You seem upset.”
“I need to say something and it’s something I’ve never said before . . . well, at least not to someone who’s not a blood relative.” Luke chuckled. His words sounded uncomfortable, nervous, vulnerable. Elle could feel his heart pounding beneath her fingertips. “I’m falling in love with you, Elle. I know it’s crazy, and I know you’re not mine . . . not entirely, but I feel it. And I believe if you feel something, then goddammit you have to say it. I’m falling for you. There, I—I said it.”
Elle pushed her hands into the harsh fibers of the hammock, her heart racing and her cheeks blushing. She hadn’t expected a declaration of love from the carefree actor. But his words were like a warm blanket around her body, around her heart and mind. They calmed her random thoughts and soothed her nervous heart. Despite the nagging of her brain telling her to avoid it, she was falling in love with him, too. But that didn’t mean she was ready to verbalize it.
Elle paused. “You’ve really never said it before? Not to anyone?”
“Never. I told you, this is all new to me.”
How is that possible? Elle thought. Women must have been throwing themselves at Luke for years. Not only was he incredibly easy on the eyes, he was charismatic and funny. The idea of being the first woman to evoke such emotion from him was mind-boggling.
“I have feelings for you, too.” Elle paused. “Strong feelings.”
Luke sighed and Elle knew he was relieved. “Then, be mine. Just mine.”
Elle shook her head, conflicting emotions filling her as her stomach clenched with anxiety. “But you said . . . you said I was worth waiting for.”
“I know what I said.” Luke looked away, breaking eye contact. That simple gesture cut into Elle. She felt exposed, guilty. Her reluctance to walk away from Troy was evident, and it threatened to ruin everything she was building with Luke. “But I want you. I’m not sure I can share you much longer.”
“Luke, I—what I feel for you is real. So real it scares me. But like you said before, I don’t want to rush into a decision and live to regret it. I want . . . no, I need to sort this out. Figure out what I really need.”
“I can give you anything you need. You just have to trust me.”
“I do trust y—”
“And you have to let go of him, of the past,” Luke interrupted, his words stern, and unyielding. “I can’t do that for you.”
Tears filled Elle’s eyes and she pressed her lips to his in desperation. She couldn’t lose him. That