Page 59 of Shine For Me

“Oh,” I whisper, because my brain is apparently back to being unable to form full sentences around him.

He looks a little nervous as he runs his thumb across my jaw. “Do you want it to be a one-time thing?”

“No!” I say quickly, because God, I really, really don’t. Even with how terribly it turned out after, that night I spent with Fox was still probably the best of my life.

“Good.” And there’s that smile—the one that makes me feel like I can’t quite breathe. Until his face clouds over. “I know things are complicated for you. I don’t want to push about—”

“I’m ending it,” I say. “With Adam. I’m not going to pretend anymore.”

He studies me. “Are you sure?”

I always expected that when this moment came, I would be nervous. Ending things means confronting not only Adam, but my grandfather, as well. And if there’s anything I suck at, it’s confrontation.

But I don’t feel those nerves now. I just feel relieved. And slightly silly—because this is obviously way overdue.

“I’ll tell Adam tonight,” I say, feeling more certain with every second. “I’ll finally return one of his calls and tell him it’s done.”

And the smile Fox gives me makes any remaining nerves I might have totally worth it.

“So we’re going to give this a go?” he asks.

“I think we are.” We’re grinning at each other like idiots and I don’t even care. “You sure you want to date another actress?”

He rolls his eyes. “You aren’t just another actress, June.”

I want to ask him what I am, exactly, but Cassie chooses that minute to come back into the room. Fox moves his hand away from my face and takes a step away from the bed, looking uncertain.

“You need to rest,” Cassie says, shooting him a glare.

“I’ll make sure she rests,” he says.

She looks back at me and I nod. “I’m fine. You can take off for the night.”

“I’m not taking off while you’re in the hospital!” She sounds offended I would even suggest it.

“Then go down to the cafeteria and get yourself something to eat,” I suggest. “You can relax, okay, Cass? I really am fine.”

She hovers by the doorway for a few moments, clearly doubting whether she should go. “Please,” I finally say, and she sighs.

“Fine. But call me if you need anything. Anything.” She frowns at Fox again. “And ifanyoneis bothering you, let me know.”

He snorts softly as she leaves. “I wonder who she could possibly mean.”

“I told you she feels bad,” I tell him. “It’s making her extra protective.”

“I probably didn’t help barging in here all worked up like that,” he offers.

“You did look a little unhinged.”

He gives me a sheepish smile. “That’s what Sebastian said.”

Ah. So Bash is the one who told him. I might have to have a word with my cousin. Except Fox being here is turning out to be not such a bad thing after all.

“Sorry I jumped away,” he says, coming back to my bedside. “I wasn’t sure if we were telling anyone yet…”

I twist the scratchy hospital blanket between my fingers, feeling uncertain. “Um, maybe not yet?” I say. “I mean, I’m not really crazy about people talking, you know? Even if I go public with the fact Adam and I are over, it will still seem sudden to people.” In fact, I’m pretty sure the blogs and magazines will insinuate that Fox and I started up while I was still with my so-call fiancé. And that’s attention Fox definitely doesn’t need. “Plus, an on-set romance always causes huge gossip and—”

“It’s okay, June. I’m fine keeping this between us for now.”

“You are?”

“Sure.” He untangles my fingers from the blanket. “It’s new. We don’t have to make it a huge thing yet.” He ducks down a little to meet my eyes. “Just so long asweknow what this is.”

Butterflies take flight in my stomach—the good kind. “And what is this, Fox Ransome?”

He grins. “A start.”