idea how happy that makes me, because I’ve been thinking it for so long now, but I was afraid to say it, unsure if it was too soon to feel so deeply for you. I worried I might scare you away.”
My heart flutters. Knowing he feels the same way makes me so giddy that I could do a backflip. He loves me, and I love him—this is exactly what I’ve been hoping for.
He swallows deeply. “I love you, Iris—with every inch of my soul, with every inch of my entire being. You . . .” He brings both hands up and pulls my face so close to his that I can feel the heat of his breath on my lips. “You are my Juliet.”
I melt into his hands. “I love you too, Ace, so very much.”
Ace leans forward and presses his lips to mine. “‘My bounty is as boundless as the sea. My love as deep. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.’”
I grin. “We’re meant to be just like all the star-crossed lovers you read about.”
His thumbs rub the skin on my flushed cheeks. “I couldn’t agree more. Only we won’t end tragically, because we’ll find a way to make this work.”
Lying there, wrapped in Ace’s arms, I sigh contentedly. My mind drifts to all the lyrics to love songs where people sing about chucking it all just to be with the person they love, and I find myself agreeing with them. I never imagined loving someone could feel like this—that it could make me feel so complete. I can’t think of anything that I’ve ever wanted more than this.
In this moment, our love feels never ending.
Ace strokes the hair on my head, and it’s so relaxing I close my eyes and simply enjoy his touch.
“Iris?” Ace’s voice breaks through the silence that fills the room.
“Hmm.” I turn and place my hand on his bare chest and then rest my chin on top of it so I can look him in the eye.
“I think, after hearing what Mr. Stern said, I should go face the record label.”
My eyes widen, and the sleepiness I felt moments ago goes away as this sudden change of heart from him shocks me. After seeing his reaction to what the lawyer said, I thought going back was the last thing Ace would ever do. “Why? I mean what’s changed?”
His chest rises as he takes in a deep breath and then pushes it out through his nose. “You. You’ve changed everything for me.”
“Me?” I ask, completely confused. “What does being with me have to do with your music career?”
“Nothing and yet everything.” He traces absentminded circles on my shoulder. “I want to be with you. I don’t want to have to hide. I want our life together to be easy and uncomplicated. If I continue to run, it’ll put stress on our relationship at some point. I don’t want you to resent me for taking you away from everything. So, I think once I talk to Mr. Stern again to find out just how deep in shit I am, I’m going to make plans to go back to California for a while to get everything sorted out. Once the spotlight dies down and I get shit settled, I’ll come back for you.”
I shake my head. “I don’t like that plan. It involves us being apart. I want to come with you.”
“I know, baby, but you’ve got a life here, taking care of all the people here. Let’s not forget you’ve got Broadway waiting on you. I don’t want you being with me to affect you in any way, including your possible career. Once you go back and try to make it in show business, some directors will cast you simply because of your relationship with me, while others will shun you for the exact same reason.”
I grimace. “Do you really believe that’s what would happen?”
He nods. “The entertainment industry is a fickle business. Everyone involved in it is out to make a buck, and if they believe they can make cash off of controversy surrounding you, they’ll cast you simply for that. No one is really your friend. No matter how much they lie to you and tell you that they are. If you weren’t so damn talented and if it wasn’t your dream, I would discourage you wholeheartedly from even entertaining the idea of going into show business. But I won’t, because I know how much this