Page 79 of Hate To Be Mine

I shoved chips in my mouth. “She’s scared. I can tell. She keeps pulling away, putting up walls. Like she’s already convinced this can’t work.”

“Then you need to convince her it can. Tell her how you feel. Be honest. Let her see the real you, not the charming playboy who keeps everyone at arm’s length.”

“That’s crazy talk.” I grabbed more chips. “Feelings are not my thing.”

“Because they’re scary?” Elizabeth supplied. “They make you vulnerable? They’re terrifying?”

“All of the above.”

“Welcome to being in love.” She smiled sympathetically. “It doesn’t get less scary. But it gets worth it. If you let it.”

I sat back down, the bag of chips almost empty and I was still feeling peckish. I was insatiable. “What if I screw it up? I screw everything up eventually.”

“You haven’t screwed up this shoot. You’re doing better than anyone expected, Sebastian. Give yourself some credit.” She reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “And give Bernadette the chance to see what I see. What Adrian sees. What even Briggs sees, even though he’d never admit it. You’re more than you think you are.”

My throat felt tight. “Have you always been so wise?”

“Pregnancy hormones. Makes you very insightful and maternal. Also very weepy and obsessed with pickles.” She pulled her hand back and looked around the tent like a predator hunting its next victim. “Talk to her tomorrow. After the Venus shoot. Tell her the truth.”

“What if she runs?”

“Then at least you’ll know you tried. But my gut says she won’t. My gut says she feels the same way and is just as terrified as you are.”

I could see her looking longingly at the pantry.

“Come on,” I said with a laugh.

“What?”

“You’re holding back because you don’t want a witness to your midnight plundering of the craft service tent. All of your secrets are safe with me.”

“I’m so hungry,” she groaned.

We dug through everything, making a hot mess of Cookie’s tidy pantry and fridges.

“Thanks,” I said eventually. “For this. For listening. For not telling me I’m an idiot.”

“Oh, you’re definitely an idiot. But you’re my idiot brother-in-law.” She smiled. “Soon to be my baby’s favorite uncle.”

“Damn right.” I grinned despite my anxiety about Bernadette.

Elizabeth stood and patted her belly. “Come on. We should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow.”

“Yeah.” I followed her out, sealing up the tent behind us.

We walked back toward the bungalows together.

“Sebastian?” Elizabeth said as we reached her bungalow. I insisted on walking her to her door.

“Yeah?”

“She’d be lucky to have you. Don’t forget that.”

“I think I’m the lucky one.”

“Then tell her that. Tomorrow. Promise me.”

“I promise,” I said.