Page 99 of Sit, Stay, Love
‘I do.’ Toby was a big part of her life, her family – her everything. But she’d decided she wanted to be with Ethan. And that was that.
Ethan embraced her and they stood in the middle of the kitchen with her damp face smushed against his chest and his chin nestled in the dip of her shoulder.
‘I’m just feeling a bit defensive,’ he said softly. ‘Let’s forget about it for now and have a nice night.’
Sera sniffed and gave him a wan smile. ‘What was it that you wanted to run past me?’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t think now is the best time.’
She touched his hand. ‘Come on. What was it?’
‘I wanted to know if you’d like to come to Los Angeles with me.’
Sera’s jaw dropped, and stayed that way for a full thirty seconds.
‘If you don’t close your mouth soon,’ he said, ‘something’s going to fly in there.’
Her jaw snapped shut. ‘Right. Right.’
‘Before you panic, let me elaborate. I was thinking you could come and be my on-set adviser. My confidence with dogs is a lot better when you’re around, and I need to at least appear confident. You can guide me over the bumps.’
Her shoulders relaxed. ‘Oh, I see. You want me there professionally.’ Her racing heart stilled a little. ‘But won’t the movie be organising someone for you?’
‘They will, but I want you. And I spoke to my agent, and she thinks it’s totally doable.’
Shehadalways wanted to travel, maybe live in another city, and it could be exciting being part of a movie. But she shook her head. ‘I can’t come to Los Angeles, Ethan. I have the shelter to look after.’
‘It’s only a few months, and you’ve told me yourself how amazing Tia is. And your team.’
She nodded. ‘What about my writing? I just signed a contract.’
‘You won’t be on set every day, only when I have a scene with the dog. You can still do your writing. I’m sure they won’t care where you are.’
‘Mm. Probably not. But I’d have to run it past them. And you’re forgetting, I have Buffy to think of.’
‘I’m sure the doc would be happy to take care of her.’
Her heart plummeted. Herriot. Oh god.Herriot.How would she tell him she was going away? He’d be gutted.No. He would be fine. And besides, if he was really her friend, he would understand. Her brow furrowed.He’s so not going to understand.She scrunched her mouth to the side as she thought. Maybe a break would do them good. Make them a little less dependent on each other, get their friendship back on track. Flip that switch back off.
But could she really be without him for three months? Did she even want to be?
Ethan leaned forward – his gaze narrowing. ‘I can hear that brain of yours whirring.’
She laughed lightly. ‘I was just covering the bases. But…’ She sighed. ‘I don’t think I can do it. I appreciate you trusting me, I really do, but I have too much responsibility here.’
‘Hey.’ He twined his arms around her, snuggling her into him. ‘You don’t need to give me an answer now. I want you to think about it.’ His eyes seared into hers. ‘I want you to think about everything.’
She swallowed and nodded. ‘I will. I promise.’
He smiled. ‘Okay. Shall we order that food?’
‘Are you really going to make me eat vegetables?’
‘Yes. And watch a movie made this century.’
Chapter Eighteen
A selection of dresses lay over the bench seat in the middle of the walk-in wardrobe, with several pairs of shoes placed neatly on the floor in front. Sera picked up a dress and held it against herself as she looked in the mirror.
