Change With Me (With Me in Seattle 17.5)
“You could have just told me that.”
“There was no need to bring it up. And then I was too preoccupied with you to give it much thought.”
“I’m not an actress,” I say flatly. “I wouldn’t know how to play with a man’s head, let alone manipulate and try to ruin them. I don’t have time for it. It wouldn’t even cross my mind.”
“I know.” His voice is soft. “I know. And I’m sorry for being a douche last night.”
“I guess you’ll have moments of douchiness if this thing between us lasts a while.”
“I plan on it lasting a very long while,” he replies. “I know that I’m only supposed to be in Seattle for a limited time, but there’s no reason I can’t move here permanently. I can commute to LA when I need to. I can work more with Luke. And, hell, I can do whatever the hell I want.”
“I. You. I’m sorry, what?”
He smiles and leans over to kiss me softly. “I told you earlier. I love you.”
“No, the kids held up a sign that said it.”
His expression sobers, and he drags his fingers down my cheek. “I love you, Aubrey Stansfield. I fell hard and fast, and I don’t plan on that ever changing. You’ve made me a better person.”
“You’ve given me so much,” I whisper and cover his hand with mine. “Confidence, affection, laughter. You’ve changed me.”
“That makes two of us.”
“I love you, too,” I say at last. “And we’ll figure the rest out.”
Epilogue
~Aubrey~
Ten Months Later
I sit and stare at our Christmas tree, full of gratitude and love for the life Zane and I have built together in Seattle over the past year. It wasn’t always easy. True to his word, he sold his house in Beverly Hills and bought a beautiful home that overlooks the water. We’ve been roommates since the day we met.
It’s unbelievable when I think about it too hard.
We spent last night with Rina and Ben at their place, exchanging gifts and eating Chinese food—which is Rina and Zane’s tradition for Christmas Eve.
And now, Christmas morning, I woke early and came out into our open living room to turn on the lights and enjoy them as the sun came up.
It’s rainy outside, but I can see the mist hovering over the water of the Sound. My coffee is fresh.
And the man of my dreams is snoring in our bed.
Life just doesn’t get much better than this.
Last night, Rina asked me how I’m adjusting to this new lifestyle, and the answer was easy.
“Zane and I love each other. His career can be a challenge, but we don’t sweat the small stuff. As long as we communicate, understand each other, and have trust, everything else is small stuff.”
“Why are you up?”
I turn and smile at my sleepy man as he pads into the living room and sits next to me, taking my mug and a drink.
“I don’t know. I just woke up. But I wanted to let you sleep. I like the tree.”
“I’m glad. It was the biggest one on the lot, and you just had to have it.”
“We have tall ceilings,” I remind him. “A short tree wouldn’t look right.”
“If you say so.” He kisses my cheek. “Everything okay?”
“I’d say everything’s pretty much perfect. How are you?”
“I’m excited to give you your presents.”
I scowl at him. “You gave me like twelve things last night.”
“That was Christmas Eve.”
“Zane, I don’t need a bunch of stuff. I have everything a person could want. You donated so much money to my school, they don’t even know what to do with it all.”
“Oh, they know what to do,” he says with a grin. “They’re going to fund all of the lunches and make sure no kid goes hungry. They’re also going to make sure all of the kids have the supplies they need. Teachers shouldn’t have to pay for that out of pocket.”
Is it any wonder I’m completely in love with him?
“You’ve done enough.”
“Well, there might be a couple more things.” He smiles innocently.
“You first.” I jump up, grab the shallow, square box wrapped in red and gold from under the tree, and present it to him. “This is for you.”
He takes it, shakes it, smells it.
“It’s not food.”
“You never know. I love cake.”
I shake my head with good humor while he unties the bow, then works on the paper. Inside is a movie script. It’s yellowed, and the edges are a little crinkled.
But when Zane reads the first page, his eyes find mine in surprise.
“Aubrey.”
I smile softly. “Luke helped me get it. It was Gregory Peck’s script from To Kill a Mockingbird.”
“I don’t know what to say.” He gently opens the pages and reads the handwritten notes in the margin. “This is priceless. My God, Aubrey, how did you find it?”
“I have to have some secrets.” I wrinkle my nose. “You have literally everything in the known universe. You’re not the easiest man to buy gifts for, so I’m keeping my secrets close.”