Page 102 of How He Got the Girl
He presses his lips into a thin line. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Your face did something.” I tap his chest. “Come on, we said we’d always be honest with each other.”
Griffin lets out a resigned sigh. “I didn’t tell you because I never wanted you to feel bad. This was fully my choice, okay?”
“Okay…” I draw out the word, nervous about where this is headed.
“I may have already given up a movie for you.”
“Griff.” My eyes go wide. “Why did you do that?” I reach over and dig into his jacket pocket, trying to find his phone. “I’m going to call Karina right now and tell her you made a mistake. You have to be the lead inThe Heartless Prince. I’m not letting you give up your dream.”
He gently takes my hands, stopping my frantic movements. “I haven’t given her an answer on this movie yet. Not until I talked to you.”
“What movie are you talking about, then?”
“The one I was offered right before coming to Louisville. It was another rom-com. I think they wanted to piggyback off the success ofAccidentally in Matrimonyby pumping out another movie with me. But I would’ve only been able to stay here long enough to make sure Granny was settled in her facility. I already told Karina I didn’t think I could accept it because I wanted to be here for Granny, and then I ran into you.” He lets out a breath through his nose, tilting his head. “There wasn’t a chance I was going to leave after that.”
My heart stutters in my chest. Before I’d even given him the time of day again—back when I still thought this was all pretend—Griffin gave up a movie. For me. I always worried I would be second to his career. He’s shown me otherwise in our time together. But hearing him say that I’m his priority and that everything else means nothing without me is like the final stitches healing up my past wound.
“Like I said.” Griffin holds one hand up and says, “My career.” He raises his other hand up until it touches the roof of the car. “You.”
His words settle deep in my chest, making me feel a deep sense of belonging. The more I think back on the last month with him, everything becomes clear. He’s left a trail of memories and whispered promises, showing mehow much he cares. The signs have been there all along, pointing to him. I was just so scared that I wouldn’t allow myself to believe it.
Knowing that Griffin wants me—blunt honesty and all—over anything else in his life brings a rush of tears to my eyes.
“What is it, beautiful?” Griffin leans forward, pressing his forehead to mine.
“I can’t believe you’d pick me over a movie.”
“Well, you better believe it.” He kisses my temple. “I’ll do it again, if you want me to stay.”
He’s already given up one big opportunity. I refuse to let him give up another.
There’s no sugarcoating, a long-distance relationship with Griffin would be hard, a trial to put our relationship to the test. Being apart from him would feel like death by a thousand cuts—every part of me raw and aching for him. It would suck not being able to see each other every day and to miss important events. The thought of not being able to drive over to his house after a hard day and be wrapped up in his strong, safe arms is gut-wrenching.
But if he feels as strongly as he’s said and as his actions have shown, then we just might have a shot at this.
At love.
At a future together.
“You have to accept this role.” I pull back, squeezing his hands. “This is everything you’ve been working toward. I want you to achieve your dreams, but—”
Griffin has repeatedly reassured me of his feelings this past month. He even told me he’s falling in love with me. But I’ve been holding back, terrified that I would tell Griffin that I’m falling for him only for him to turn around andleave. I’m done holding back, though. He deserves to know my heart and receive validation, too.
I take a steadying breath, preparing myself to put my heart on the line. “I want you to achieve your dreams, but I want to be part of them too.”
His eyes turn glossy, filled with tears that could only be described as happy because of the tilted smile on his face. “You do?”
I nod. “I don’t know what life looks like dating Hollywood’s hottest actor. Or how we’ll handle living over two thousand miles apart. But there are things I do know. I love how you go all in, like getting a to-go cup of hot chocolate tattooed on your ribcage when you didn’t know if our paths would ever cross again. I never want to go a day without seeing the adorable, goofy smile you get whenever you’re around me. I love how generous you are. I think you’re truly the most selfless man I’ve ever met. You don’t do things for recognition, but just because you care.”
A tear drips from his eye onto his cheek, and I wipe it away. “I know I used to call you Mr. Razzle-Dazzle as a joke, but it’s the truth. All of the goodness that’s in you shines through in your words and actions.”
Griffin blows out a breath as more tears fall. “Are you trying to make me cry here?” He laughs.
I smile. “I just want you to know that you’re worth it all. The long-distance. Dealing with the paparazzi. Upending my life as I know it to trade it for a new one—a better one—with you.”
He stares at me for a beat before unbuckling his seatbelt. Before I can ask what he’s doing, Griffin is out of the car, jogging around to my side. He opens my door and lifts me out of the car, enveloping me in his muscular arms.
