Page 123 of Even Ground

“I know people think I’m shallow, and that I can’t commit, but I was so scared. I didn’t want to get close to someone and lose them. I’ve had enough of that in my life.”

She presses her nose against my cheek. “You won’t lose me.”

“What if I screw this up? I’ve never done this before.”

Pania grips my hand tight. “Then we screw it up together.”

“Are you sure?” I turn to look at her.

She raises her hand, running her fingers down my face and along my jaw. “You didn’t ask for any of it, Reece. Not a single bit.”

“I’m such a fake.”

She shakes her head. “No, you did what you did to protect yourself. I can’t imagine how awful it would be for the media to get hold of that.”

I sigh. “I don’t even care about that anymore. The only thing I’m worried about is losing you.”

She leans in and brushes her lips over mine. “No chance.”

“I love you.” I chuckle, a little embarrassed. “Shit. I’ve never said that to anyone before. Not like this.”

“I love you, too, you big doofus.”

“You do?”

“You flew halfway around the world and got in trouble for it. Those are some pretty big brownie points.”

“Say it again.” I can’t help but grin.

“I love you, Reece Evans. There. Does that do it?”

My heart swells. “Yes. I might want to hear it a few more times, though.”

Pania laughs.

My phone buzzes, and I pluck it out of my pocket. “Fancy a road trip?”

Pania looks over my shoulder. “Where are we going?”

“Havelock North? Josh is casting a new movie, and we made some decisions not long before I left. But he’s just realised I could deliver the news in person to one of our leads.”

“And he’s in Havelock North?”

I nod. “Apparently filming there now.”

She pecks me on the cheek. “I’m in. You’ll love it down there, and I get to show you one of my favourite places in the world.”

Grinning, I lean my head against hers. “Sounds like a way to get to know you better and qualify this as a business trip.”

Pania laughs. “Can we claim everything as an expense?”

“We can try.”

“I’m doubly in, then.”

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Reece