Page 60 of A Sweet Mess

“You miss me, my ass. If you miss me so much, why haven’t you called in days? Hmm? Nothing to say to that, eh?” Tara snorted.

Her friend’s ribbing made her so happy that tears welled up in her eyes. Aubrey suddenly ached for the familiarity of Weldon and Comfort Zone, and Tara’s voice sounded like home.

“Sorry, sorry. There’s just so much going on, and I have no idea what I’m doing. All I know for certain is that I’m not meant for show business.” Aubrey couldn’t stop her weepy blubbering. “I’m making a complete fool of myself. My new recipes turned out well, but what’s the fucking point? The viewers can’t even taste them.”

“Chill, Bree. I’m sure you’re doing great.”

That pushed Aubrey over the edge, and she started snifflingin earnest. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying. I’m just so happy to hear your voice.”

The line went silent for three seconds. “Hey, is everything okay? Are you okay?”

No. I’m going to throw up.With a hand clapped over her mouth, she rushed for the bathroom and hurled into the toilet.

“Aubrey? Hello?” Tara sounded like a panicked ant, barely audible from the phone by her side.

“Hang on,” Aubrey croaked, flushing the toilet. Then she dragged herself upright, rinsed her mouth, and splashed cold water on her face.

“What in the world is going on? Did you just throw up?”

“I think I love him.” As the whispered words left her mouth, Aubrey knew it was true. She loved him, and she’d been too terrified to admit it to herself.And I might be pregnant.Tears streamed down her cheeks. “We’ve been together the last few days.”

“Together? In what sense?”

“Together as in heart, body, and soul.” Aubrey trembled and pressed the phone closer against her cheek to avoid dropping it.

“Heart and soul? That’s quite a declaration coming from a commitment-phobe.” Tara’s words wobbled, but Aubrey could hear the smile in her voice. “I’m so happy for you, Bree. You deserve to have love and happiness in your life.”

But loving him didn’t guarantee reciprocated love or happiness for Aubrey. Not at all. It merely exposed her to loss and heartbreak. She tugged on her bottom lip, pinching it tightly between her thumb and index finger.

“Have you told Landon how you feel about him?”

“No,Ididn’t even know until now. Besides, we haven’t talked about what happens after Bosque Verde.” She gulped in mouthfuls of air as panic closed in around her. “He might not want to continue with this—us—after the filming is done.”

“I will mess him up if he breaks your heart.” Tara sighed and gentled her tone. “But you have to tell him, Bree. If you really love him, don’t let anything stand in your way. I know it’s scary, but this is a chance worth taking. You deserve to be happy.”

“Thank you.” Aubrey swallowed a fist-size lump in her throat. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Tara cleared her throat. “Now go on and do your thing. I already know which maid of honor dress I’m wearing at your wedding.”

Aubrey was fast asleep by the time Landon got back to the villa. She was snuggled under the covers with her hand tucked under her chin.She’s fucking adorable.Undressing quickly, he lowered himself on the bed and molded his body to hers.

She was wearing her gray slip, her body full and warm with sleep.Did I say adorable? I meant to say sexy as hell.He groaned, pressing closer to her. The scraps of silk she called pajamas were pure torture. But he reminded himself of the dark circles under her eyes that afternoon. She was exhausted and needed rest.

He carefully extracted himself from her side and pulled on a T-shirt and a pair of boxers to rein himself in before getting back in bed. He kissed the top of her head and held her tightly. He listened to her even breathing with his hand splayed over the smooth curve of her hip, and Landon wished they could stay like this forever. In a beautiful cocoon with only the two of them.

She meant more to him than any other woman he’d been with, and he couldn’t imagine letting her go. But what choicedid he have? Her portion of the filming would be over in days, and she would return to Comfort Zone and the dream she’d worked so hard for. Her path was set.

As for him, he didn’t even know where he wanted to live or what he wanted to do after the filming. Should he continue traveling and critiquing restaurants? For how long? Or could he finally let go of his past and open his restaurant? The thought alone made his chest tighten with anxiety. His meticulously planned life was shaking at the core, and all he wanted was this woman by his side.

Even in the storm of his troubled emotions, exhaustion lulled him to sleep.

Muted light invaded the room through closed curtains, alerting him that morning had come. Landon instinctively reached for Aubrey, but she wasn’t in bed. He frowned, impatient to have her… at least twice. He raised himself on his forearm. His scowl transformed into slack-jawed astonishment. She was on the floor beside the bed stretching like a languid cat, her breasts thrust forward and her sweet ass curved into the air.

“Damn, Aubrey.” His growl of need and appreciation sounded feral even to his own ears. The cat startled and popped up to her knees—eyes wide and blinking. “Michelangelo wouldn’t be able to sculpt a more perfect bottom than yours.”

“More poetry?” Aubrey laughed. “And so early in the morning.”

“While being presented with a premium view of your delectable behind is nothing to complain about, I’d much rather wake up to feel your body next to mine.” Landon grasped her hand and tugged her back into bed.

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