As soon as he returned from wherever he’d gone, she was plucking up the courage to, effectively, propose to him. After ten years of being afraid to give her heart, her time, her vulnerability to anyone but Chris, she’d finally realized she was stronger, so much stronger when she wasn’t alone. It had nothing to do with Aslin’s size and strength, and everything to do with the person she was when with him—a person not afraid.
Who would have thought her life could change so much?
“Achieving what you plan is always a good thing,” Tilly said, bringing Rowan’s attention back to the young woman. “My dad says you never quit on your plans, no matter what you have to do.”
Rowan smiled. “Sound advice.”
Tilly’s own smile grew wide as she hitched her tote up higher on her shoulder. “I think so. Ready?”
With another quick look at Chris, a look met with a cheesy, cross-eyed grin from her brother, Rowan followed Tilly from the set.
“My dad taught me a lot of things I’ve needed in life,” the assistant piped up the moment they’d exited the old building. She turned right, heading in the direction of the crew parking area behind the mobile storage sheds. “Of course, you didn’t get that chance with your dad being—”
She stopped, slapping a hand to her mouth, her cheeks turning red. “God, I’m sorry, Ms. Hemsworth.”
Rowan shook her head. “It’s okay, Tilly.”
It wasn’t, of course. Rowan’s heart ached. She rarely let herself think about her parents since their murder. It was less painful that way.
“I know you don’t talk about your mom and dad. Chris says it’s because it makes you feel weak.”
Itchy heat razed over the back of Rowan’s neck. “He what?”
“He talks about them all the time,” Tilly went on, starting to walk again, her strides long and confident. “I gave him a framed painting of them I had commissioned for his birthday last year. He loved it. I’ve never seen him so happy. Ever.”
Cold disbelief curdled in Rowan’s stomach.
Tilly stopped again, turning back to Rowan. “I did it again, didn’t I? I need to shut my mouth. I’m sorry. That was silly of me. Warren and I had a fight last night and my head is all over the place. I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to offend.”
Rowan stood motionless, staring hard at the young woman before her. Tilly had always been a bit ditzy, but Chris had insisted that was part of her charm. She’d been his assistant for five years now and, as far as Rowan could tell, this was the first time she’d been anything apart from the perfect P.A.
Perhaps heartbreak was undoing her a little?
No. There’s something more. Something important you’re missing…
“I understand if you’d rather not help me.” Tilly let out a sigh, eyes downcast. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, Tilly.” Rowan closed the distance between them and smoothed her palm up Tilly’s arm. “Honest. Let’s pretend it never happened.”
Bright blue eyes glinted with tears as Tilly smiled up at her. “Thank you, Ms. Hemsworth. You won’t regret it.”
They continued walking, Tilly prattling on about what she’d seen in Australia and what she planned to do when back in the States. It was all very elaborate and seemed to involve moving into a house beyond her means.
“But it will be okay, because I’ve planned everything toward this end,” Tilly whispered, as if confiding a great secret. “And as my dad always said, you never quit on your plans, no matter what you have to do.”
Rowan’s tummy fluttered, an uncomfortable sensation only intensified when Tilly slipped her hands around Rowan’s elbow and squeezed tight.
Something about what Tilly had said sounded wrong.
“He sounds smart, your dad.” Rowan looked at the younger woman. “What does he do?”
The young woman’s smile turned dreamy. “He was Paramount Studio’s chief pyrotechnics operator for a long time. Taught me all sorts of useful things.”
“Was? Doesn’t he work anymore?”
Tilly shook her head, her eyes growing wide. Surprised. “Oh, no, he’s dead now.”
“Dead? But you said earlier—”
“He died when our house blew up six years ago,” Tilly went on, as if Rowan hadn’t utter a word. “Terrible thing. The gas pilot light somehow ignited. The cops never figured out why.”
Rowan blinked. The flutters in her belly turned to heavy knots. “But you said—”
“Of course, I know how it happened.” Tilly smirked. “Here we are.” Her fingernails dug into Rowan’s arm for a painful moment. “Now, where are the keys?” She frowned, releasing Rowan’s elbow to rummage around in her bag. “Can you see if I left them in the van, please, Ms. Hemsworth? I can’t do what’s needed for Chris if I don’t have the keys, can I?”