“I sat by Mama’s bed and read to her,” she said. His hand rested against her collarbone because he was unable to stop touching her while she hurt. “For two years. Romance novels because she liked knowing it was going to end happily. Mama had a tough life. She made me promise to find my own happiness outside of Little Crooked Creek, because she knew I’d end up like her if I stayed.”
VJ’s gaze sought and held his, begging him to understand. He did. The bruise under her eye said it all. Her hand slid up to cover his.
“I have to believe,” she said. “Those stories aren’t some author’s imagination. The magic between a man and a woman is out there. All I have to do is find it.”
“Magic?”
“Yeah, you know. The perfect blend of love, passion and friendship.”
Agape, eros and philia. Magic was indeed the only way they’d ever come together in one person. He yanked his hand away. That was a whole boatload of puppies to step on and the poignancy behind her single-minded perseverance added a few kittens.
The fairy tale she sought wasn’t some adolescent, misguided dream, it was a death-bed vow she intended to keep. She deserved a man who believed in the possibility of forever.
All the more reason to stay far, far removed from VJ. Emotionally and physically. Good thing they’d be parting ways soon.
“I hope you find it,” he said sincerely. He liked the thought of her out there in the world, happy and fulfilled.
She searched his face, looking for something, and this time he wished he had it to give, but knew he didn’t. The moment passed and he shrugged it off.
“Me, too,” she said. “Though I need to find a place to stay first. The condo I’m moving into won’t be ready for three weeks and my roommate is out of town until then.” She made a face. “So I’m homeless. Great plan on my part to escape Little Crooked Creek with no backup and no money.”
“You don’t have any money?” How did she intend to support herself? He’d assumed she had a place to go or they would have had this conversation before now.
Guarded tension hardened her expression. “I’ll be okay.”
“VJ.” She wouldn’t look at him. “You told me at the diner that you’ve been saving every dime. What happened to your money?”
“We have a long way to go. Get back on the freeway and drive.”
“Like hell I will.” This situation had him so angry he was cursing in English. “Answer the question.”
She wrapped her arms around her chest like a shield. “I’m not your responsibility. I’ll figure it out.”
“In the dark? In a strange city? You have a screw loose if you think I’m going to let you fend for yourself. Keep your secrets about the money or don’t. I don’t care. But you’re staying with me until you find other arrangements. Period.”
Mouth tight, he stomped on the clutch, threw the car into gear and turned up the music so she couldn’t argue. And so he couldn’t hear his subconscious laughing at his pathetic effort to sound noble when he’d greedily latched on to this perfect excuse to keep her around.
“I’m not sharing a hotel room with you,” VJ shouted over the music.
With a stab of his finger, he cut off the music. “I have a suite. Two bedrooms. So humor me,” he said, keeping his eyes trained straight ahead. “And separate bathrooms before you start on that.”
Like the insubstantial impediment of a wall mattered, when VJ was on the other side of it, all gorgeous and amazing and alone.
How much of a glutton for punishment was he, really?
Seven
A modest square sign of carved ebony wood marked the entrance to Hotel Dragonfly, visually separating it from the short-circuiting neon signs of every motel in VJ’s neck of the woods. Dallas really was in another realm.
Kris downshifted to turn into the drive and steered around a tour bus splashed with the name of a rap artist even VJ had heard of.
“Don’t worry. He’s one of the quieter ones.” Kris nodded toward the bus resembling a giant bumblebee as he parked.
“I guess you know a lot of famous people.” It wasn’t a surprise, but she’d been enjoying her Ferrari bubble where no one existed except for her and Kris. “Have you stayed here before?”
“Several times. The Dallas Film Festival is where I won my first award and the Studios at Mustang Park are a Mecca for those of us in independent film.” He helped her out of the car, and they walked to the lobby. “I’m going to use the studio for my new film, even though I’ll have a larger budget. Kyla and I are supposed to meet with a couple of other people there on Tuesday.”