Page 91 of Just Like in the Movies

‘If you’re worried about the ownership,’ he said. ‘I’m planning to sign over my share in the theatre to you,’ he continued. ‘I called Ryker on Friday after I found out what happened with those clowns at The Rialto; he’s doing the paperwork next week.’

She got out of her seat, but instead of relief on her face, all he saw was … What the hell was that? Why was she so upset?

‘When did you find out about The Rialto offer?’ Her lips were trembling. She looked more than upset, she looked devastated.

‘Right after I’d spoken to you in Brynn’s. I knew something was up, that you weren’t telling me the truth. You should have told me what was going on, I shouldn’t have had to ask Jacie.’

She sat back down, her face a picture of distress now. He didn’t get it.

‘That’s why you came back?’ she murmured. ‘That’s why you came to the screening? Because Jacie told you we were going to have to sell the theatre? And you thought you had to rescue me?’

It wasn’t the only reason.

The truth struck him hard. He’d wanted to see her one last time. Wanted to spend one more night with her. But what would be the point of admitting that now?

Her head lifted and her eyes were dry but he could hear the tears in her voice when she spoke. ‘You shouldn’t have come back, Luke.’

‘I had to,’ he said, ‘I couldn’t leave knowing you were going to lose your home.’

‘I can’t accept the money,’ she said, so simply and firmly that the pressure in his chest became unbearable.

‘That’s nuts,’ he said, leading with his frustration. Why was she being so stubborn? ‘Of course, you can.’ He reached across the table and covered her hand with his, felt the spark of connection, the sizzle of need.

‘No, I can’t.’ She dragged her hand free, and the weight in his chest sunk into his stomach.

‘I figured it out, Ruby,’ he said. ‘It’s what I was always meant to do,’ he continued, but he could hear the desperation in his own voice. ‘The theatre was in financial difficulties. Matty loved you like a daughter, he didn’t want to leave you with nothing, so he gave me half the theatre to save it for you.’

She shook her head, her eyes shiny with unshed tears now. ‘That’s not true. Matty was never that mercenary.’

‘I wouldn’t call it mercenary, more like smart.’

‘Why did you change your mind?’ she countered.

‘Huh?’ he asked, the weight in his stomach now heavier than a cannonball.

‘Why did you change your mind?’ she repeated. ‘When you first inherited a share of The Royale, you told me you couldn’t help us. That it was a bad investment.’

‘Come on, a lot has happened since then, you know why I’ve changed my mind.’ Did she want him to say it? Was that it? To make him declare he had feelings for her?

‘What’s changed?’ Yeah, she did want him to say it. He guessed he owed her this, too.

‘Everything’s changed, damn it. I care about this place now.’ He threw his arms in the air, let his gaze roam over the worn couch where he and Ruby had necked while watching a movie he couldn’t even remember, because he’d been too into her. The table where they’d eaten breakfast, sometimes with her sitting on his lap. The hallway, the kitchen. Even the poster of his father on the wall, which no longer had the power to freak him out.

‘I care about the theatre,’ he said. ‘And the people in it.’

He closed the gap she’d created between them and took her hand in his, ran his thumb across her palm – felt her shudder of response. ‘And most of all I care about you.’

There, damn it, he’d said it.

But as he lifted her hand to kiss the knuckles, she pulled her fingers free. ‘Don’t, Luke.’

Chills raced through his body at her rejection.

‘Just because you slept with me.’ Her voice was dull, flat, contradicting the heat in her face. ‘That doesn’t make you responsible for me.’

‘I know that,’ he said. But when he tried to take her hand again, she stood up, and wrapped her arms around her waist.

‘I don’t think you do,’ she said. ‘I won’t take your money. I don’t want it.’

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