She’d always assumed she was on a fool’s errand when it came to Matt and that he’d never love her. He’d never noticed her. She should have figured out she wanted set design and let her crush die out. Then she’d never have put Jennifer’s trust at risk by allowingCosimo to be with Matt, and Anthony. She hugged her waist to hold herself together. “But you don’t know anything about me.”
He lowered his arms and he leaned against the wall in his bad habit that separated him from whoever he talked to. “I’m learning.”
How long would she wait? She really needed a map to her own heart and desires. And these tears in her eyes needed to never be shed.“Are you? If you asked you’d know that despite how complicated my relationship always was to my cousin… I’m not about to let her son be kidnapped from her. And now I could be part of a lawsuit where she loses her son.”
“Ashley I’ll protect you,” Matt said fast. “I won’t let you be hurt.”
She moved toward the door with her head down. “I can’t trust that. You put me in this situation.”
Matt pressed his hand to his heart so she paused as he asked, “Is it fair for Jennifer to not tell my brother about his son?”
His loyalty was clear. She wasn’t on the same level as those he did love. She understood now as she asked, “And is it in any way my call? So why involve me when you yourself are working with her?”
“The movie with Jennifer will help my career.”
She needed to make solid decisions she could live with. Maybe her cousin’s illness was the perfect time for her. She flung the door open and said, “Look, dinner’s ready. You can eat with your brother. It’s time I get Cosimo back to Jennifer’s house.”
Matt squeezed her arm as she stepped outside and asked in her ear, “But you’ll let me make this up to you?”
Hope grew inside her, despiteknowing she should be smart. This wouldn’t be the last time she would see Matt. “I don’t see how but we’ll talk… tomorrow… when Jennifer is out of the hospital.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing you again.” Matt let her go.
She didn’t care how much anyone protested as she took the baby from Anthony. Matt directed his staff to pack the Bentley. She headed out on the porch a minute later,with Cosimo in her arms. Matt followed her. She went to the bottom step and glanced up at him.
His blue t-shirt clung to his muscles, outlined by the late afternoon breeze.
He was beautiful and perfect. She strapped the baby inside the car seat and Matt came down toward her. She went on her tiptoes, kissed his cheek and said, “I love you. I thought it would be enough to give youtime for you to get to know me.”
More silence that spoke like waves crashing against the beach.
She hopped into the driver’s seat, guarding her emotions, hiding her feelings behind a polite smile. “I’ll return the car tomorrow.”
Closing the door, she heard him say, “Ashley, wait.”
No. Tears streamed down her face now. She couldn’t let him see and was grateful for thetinted windows.
From now on, she’d protect her heart and stop believing in fairy tales. She always knew that Matt Morgan would never love her like she loved him.
Now she just needed to figure out what she could and couldn’t live with, because her life mattered too.
Chapter 14
Matt stood at the bottom step of his porch and stared at the empty driveway as his skin buzzed. The taillights of his car turned down the street. Ashley had left. The street was empty and she wasn’t coming back to him.
His gut twisted.
He’d forced her to leave.
She loved him.
Why did the thought freeze him?
He hardly knew her.
Clearlyshe’d studied him carefully, but he’d been blind.
The late afternoon air had an unusual chill but didn’t soften the electric charge in his soul.
