Page 165 of Captivated

She broke the silence first. “Calls would be nice.”

He chuckled, and leaned over to press a quick kiss to her lips. “Every day, I promise.”

“Are you going to stay until I get out of the hospital?”

No.

“My flight leaves in the morning,” he said.

“Oh.”

“I’m sorry.”

Sadly, she whispered, “Won’t you love me, Joe? Don’t you love me? I love you.”

He blinked.

His words failed.

His heart ached.

How could she not know?

How could she not know that she was everything to him?

“I love you more than anything,” he told her. “I am always going to love you, Liliana. Won’t you let me show you?”

“When?” she asked.

Joe didn’t even have to think about it. “Forever.”

TWENTY

Four months later …

LILIANA DRAGGED THE cloth over the back of her neck to wipe away any sweat, and help her cool down. Even though the studio was a no-go zone for phones—they had to be silenced, or shut down entirely—she snuck hers out of the bag she’d left in the corner while her back was turned to Gordo.

It wasn’t like the man could see her.

And he’d been going easier on her since she started back a month ago.

For the most part.

Besides, it was worth the risk to check—

Liliana blinked at the blank screen in front of her. No calls, and no texts to show. She was starting to wonder if she should get worried. It wasn’t like Joe to not call her. He always did—first thing in the morning, and a text before he knew she was going in to dance since she wouldn’t have her phone, and another call before bed.

He kept his promises.

All of them.

Which also meant she hadn’t seen him in months.

Why hadn’t he called today?

“Liliana, I know you’re not looking at your phone when you’re supposed to be rehearsing for tomorrow’s show.”

Gordo’s tone was half-teasing, and half-chiding. She saw the looks in some of the other ballerina’s eyes whenever she got away with a misstep or a slip that he would never let them off on, but nothing could be done about it.