You Had Me at Hola(90)

“And I’m not scared.”

He wasn’t. She could see the difference in him now. Despite the crowd and the attention and revealing his family to hers, there was a sense of calm and contentment in him that hadn’t been there before. And it made her so fucking happy to see it.

“I love you,” she whispered, and the words were like a release. Lightness infused her heart, and a tear spilled over her cheek.

Ashton pulled her close and kissed her, then he was mumbling apologies against her lips as he held her tight.

“I’m sorry I blamed you for . . . a lot of things. My son falling—when really, he’s always falling off things. And the tabloids, and—”

“I forgive you. You were scared. And I was hurt. I understand why you didn’t tell me about him.”

“I should have. I’m sorry I didn’t.”

“I know. But I get it. And I’m sorry I called you selfish.”

“Speaking of . . .” His lips curved. “I’ll have to get Yadi to call you by name.”

Her brows creased. “Why, what does he call me?”

“Pretty lady.”

She laughed. “In English?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, maybe we should correct that.”

For a long moment, they just looked at each other, smiling. Jasmine tried to note every detail, so she never forgot this moment.

“We’ll make it work,” she said in a quiet voice. “And we’ll take it slow. I think . . . I think we both need that.”

He nodded. “You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met,” he whispered, kissing her again.

Just then, the door from the main hall swung open. They broke apart and turned to see Riley running over to them.

Riley’s eyes were wide and she waved her phone excitedly. “Season two,” she cried. “ScreenFlix has already ordered a second season!”

ASHTON’S HEART POUNDED in his throat. Despite everything they’d just shared, he and Jasmine hadn’t yet talked about the show. And he didn’t want her to think he’d manipulated her into making a decision.

Jasmine’s brows shot up. She released Ashton and grabbed her agent.

“Oh my god!” Jasmine said on a gasp. “That was so fast!”

“I told you!” Riley shrieked.

The two women jumped up and down, hugging, then Jasmine was hugging Ashton too.

“We got it!” she whispered in his ear.

“Does this mean you’ll agree to film another season?” he asked.

“Of course she will,” Riley said. “Your agent will probably be calling you any minute, by the way.”

Sure enough, Ashton’s phone buzzed in his pocket.

“I’m getting a drink!” Riley ran back to the ballroom.

“You should answer,” Jasmine told him, but Ashton shook his head.

“You’re Carmen,” he said. “This decision is yours. And I want you to feel free to decide however you want, regardless of me. This is your choice.”

He’d been so scared before, when she told him she would turn down a chance at a second season. His life was falling apart—or so he’d thought. He’d put too much pressure on this one show to be everything he needed it to be to achieve all his hopes and dreams.

Now . . . he still had those dreams, but he could see that the journey there would be better if he let people in, if he trusted that there would be more opportunities.

Jasmine sighed. “No, you were right, and so was Michelle. I was running away because I felt rejected. It’s what I always do. But the truth is, I love playing Carmen. I love our cast and crew, and I love the stories we get to tell. There are so few roles for Latinx actors outside of the maid, the gang member, or the sexpot—why would I run away from that? I’d be shooting myself in the foot. And for what? To prove a point to Kitty Sanchez?”

His brow creased. “Who’s Kitty Sanchez?”

“The gossip columnist who seems to have it out for us.”

“Oh, that Kitty Sanchez.” Ashton waited to see if she said more. When she didn’t, he prompted, “So is that a . . .”

She laughed and hugged him hard. “It’s a yes! We’re doing season two!”

“There’s just one thing I don’t understand,” Ashton murmured against her hair. “How did your grandmother not know we were working together?”

“Oh, Michelle threatened to spill everyone’s secrets if they told her. It would have ruined the surprise if she knew, and if you didn’t show up, it would have disappointed her. So the whole family was working to keep her from finding out.”

“Wow. I’m impressed.”

Jasmine nodded. “Michelle has dirt on everyone, so it was an effective threat. Luckily, she uses her powers for good.”

Yadiel came running out then, looking left and right. When his eyes landed on Ashton, his face lit up. Chocolate was smeared around his mouth.

“Papi!” He ran over and Ashton scooped him up, hoisting him on his hip.

With a glance at Jasmine, Yadiel spoke in English. “I like New York, Papi. Can we stay here? Or come back to visit?”

Ashton raised his eyebrows. “Are you sure it’s not just because you got chocolate cake?”