Then I step back, forcing space between us.
Because if I don’t?
I’m dragging her right back into it.
And I don’t have that kind of time.
Not right now.
“Hey,” I say, catching her chin lightly, making sure she’s looking at me. “We’re not done. You hear me?”
Her brows pull together, still a little out of it.
“I’ve gotta work,” I go on. “Bella’s vocals need to get locked in. And then?—”
I hesitate.
I don’t like saying it.
“Then, I’ve gotta head out of town for a few days.”
There it is.
The part that’s going to piss her off.
Or worse.
Make her pull back.
“But I’m coming back, Hilary,” I add immediately, voice sharpening with certainty. “You believe me?”
She swallows.
“I—I want to,” she admits softly.
That hits deeper than it should.
“I’ll prove it,” I tell her.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Because I will.
One way or another.
I step back, giving her space, waiting for her to move, to leave?—
But she doesn’t.
She just stands there, shifting on her feet, cheeks going pink in a way that’s completely at odds with what we just did.
“What?” I ask, confused.
She gestures toward the door.
“Um, you can go now.”