Page 56 of Yours, Always

“I heard rumors that the art gallery between their stores is going to be vacant within the next few months. They’ve both talked about expanding, and I hope it doesn’t get too awkward if they both try to go for it. I don’t want to get stuck in the middle of anything. Like I said, making friends can be hard enough as it is.”

“You’re right about that. Try adding in being a famous actor, and I never know if someone just wants to be friends because of my fame. Maybe I should put on a disguise and join a dart club or something.”

Prudence laughed. “Oh, it must be so hard, being a super-rich, super-attractive movie star,” she said sarcastically. “How do you ever cope?”

“Hey! Just because I’m extremely handsome doesn’t make things easier on me.”

“I know, I was just joking.” Prudence reached over to take his hand. “It does have to be hard living in the spotlight.” She didn’t want to bring it up, but now was as good of a time as any. “When do you go back to California?”

Greyson drank the rest of his wine in one gulp before taking Prudence’s other hand. “Pru, I have to tell you something.”

Prudence broke out in a cold sweat, going rigid, and she clutched Greyson’s hand with a powerful force.

“Hey, relax.” Greyson shook her hands to loosen her back up. He let go and smoothed one lock of red hair behind her ear, smiling. “That wasn’t very well done of me.” He took a deep breath, slowly releasing it.I should be taking my own advice. Why am I suddenly so edgy?

“What is it, Grey?”

“I’ve been offered a job at the local university, teaching their drama program,” he said in a rush, glad that he’d finally told her. “That was one of the reasons I came home.” He clenched her hands, holding on for dear life, knowing that her reaction would be everything to him. Her face lit, like the brightest sun on the longest summer’s day, and he let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

“Oh, Grey! I can’t believe it, are you going to take it?”

“I had to come home first, to see if we could be more than just friends. I don’t think I would have otherwise. I couldn’t live in the same town as you and not be with you.”

Prudence leaned over the table to kiss him, not caring that the other diners were openly staring at them.

She pulled back just as their food arrived and dug in. She was still famished from last night’s ruined dinner after all.

“Did you accept?”

“Not yet, but it seems like it’s a pretty done deal. I have another month or so to decide. They’d want me to start this summer, help with the summer stock, then jump into teaching next fall.” He started thinking about the house for sale on the same street as Gabe and how quickly the purchase could go through.I haven’t even apologized for the Samantha crap but I’m thinking about where we’re going to raise our children? He had to slow down. But this didn’t seem like the right time. Looking at Prudence’s bright, beautiful smile and how genuinely happy she was for him and this opportunity, he didn’t want to spoil the mood with talk of Samantha Crane, in fact he would rather just forget about her all together.

“Grey, I don’t know what to say, I’m so excited though.” She paused. “Wait, will you stop acting? Be one of those super famous types who retire in their prime like that blonde who was in everything a decade ago?”

Greyson sat silent for a moment. “She retired?”

“Yeah, she did. For a while at least. She’s back now.”

“Huh. Well, retirement might be a good word for it. I suppose I could keep my ears open to see if anything special comes along, and we’d both have to agree that it’s the right time before I’d accept anything.”

“I don’t want to hold you back. Nothing good can come from that.”

“I just found my way back to you, Pru. I’m in no hurry to leave again. Besides, taking the teaching position is full time. By agreeing to it, I’m committing to be here, in Amber Falls, for the two semesters and Summer Stock. I’m fully ready to accept that.”

“What will Nadia say?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t want to end anything in case the roll of a lifetime comes my way, but I’ll have to tell her soon. Just not yet, not until the teaching contract is signed. She has ways of getting what she wants, and I need to get what I want, first, before this becomesMisery.”

“Wait, so who was that guy at the Bee?”

“Rand Sanders. Head of Lithica Studios, better known as the guy who signs my paychecks.”

“Oh no, he did not seem happy.”

“He doesn’t care about me. He’s worried about losing his franchise. Lithica Studios wasn’t even on the radar until they produced the first Ben Stone movie. I’m not worried about him or them. Once I started thinking about teaching, I started losing interest in the business entirely.”

“When did you get the offer?” Prudence asked.

“It was the weirdest coincidence.” He speared his salad with a fork and swallowed before answering. “I’d just been nominated for the Verity Award and the Passel buzz was starting. Nadia was on my case about publicity and momentum, and you’d been dropping hints about wanting me to come home.”

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