Page 32 of Risk It All

“It hurt.Me saying that and then you just pretending like you didn’t hear me.”

“I know and I’m so sorry.”

She turns away from me and I can practically see the wheels turning in her pretty head.Is she going to forgive me?Will she give me, give us, another chance?

“Okay.”

“Okay?”I ask.

“Yeah, I forgive you.”

My whole body relaxes at her words and I didn’t realize how on edge I was.Emerson gives me a smile, laughing at my expression and I give her a cocky grin.The one that I know she loves so much.

“So, what now?Do you want to start dating?We can take this slow, give this a chance.I know that I took you by surprise when I said that I––”

“I love you,” I blurt out, shocking both of us.

I can’t stand the thought of taking things slow with her now.It would feel like we were taking a step back and I want a future with her.I want everything with her.

“What?”She asks her eyes wide and locked on my face.“What did you just say?”

“I love you.I’ve never felt this way about anyone, I’ve never said those words to anyone, but of course I love you.How could anyone not?”

Emerson stares at me, her eyes studying my face.I wonder if she can see how much I love her.I feel like my face softens and tiny hearts dance in my eyes every time I look at her.

“Alright.”

“Alright?”

“Alright, you get one more chance.I know that you need to get ready for your set, so I’ll let you focus.We can talk more over dinner tomorrow.Text me, I’ll answer this time,” she says before she disappears back out into the belly of the club.

I grin, feeling like I’m floating on a cloud as I watch her go find her seat with Layla and Theo.

Ari comes by a few seconds later, giving me a small smirk and I know that she heard every word that we just said.

“Good luck tonight,” she says as she passes and I follow her out, sitting back down in my chair.

I go last tonight and I’m thankful that I’ll have some time to get my head on straight before I take the stage.

When my name is called, I grin, listening as Theo, Layla, and Emerson all cheer for me in the back of the room.

I walk on stage, ready to nail this audition, get the spot in this comedy club, and then win my girl back.

CHAPTER15

Emerson

“I hopeyou know that I can only afford to buy you a slice of pizza and some water,” Anthony warns me as we walk through Central Park together the next night.

“What?I thought you were some big hot-shot comedian?Didn’t you just get that spot at the famed Comedy Vault?”

He grins.He had told me all about how Ari had called him to tell him that he got the spot at the club as he was on his way to pick me up for our date from my new apartment.He had grabbed me and kissed me as soon as I answered the door and I could feel the excitement and happiness radiating off of him in waves.

Theo had just landed in Los Angeles and he sent him a message telling him the good news as I grabbed my purse.By the time that I got back, he had been grinning like a lunatic and telling me that he was sure that Theo was already searching for places for them to live in out here.I just hope that it’s close to Layla’s and my place.

It’s starting to get dark and we stop at one of the street vendors, each grabbing a slice of pepperoni pizza and a bottle of water before we make our way over to a bench.

“How’s the gallery?”he asks me as I take a bite of pizza.

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