That Old Black Magic (38 page)
Just because I knew it didn’t mean my heart didn’t break into a million pieces at the thought of losing him.
I tried to compose myself as much as possible after realizing that someone else I cared about would be moving away from me. This, though . . .
this
stung even more than saying good-bye to Amy. This felt permanent. Forever.
I wanted to be cool about getting dumped for a “job he couldn’t refuse,” but I wasn’t sure if I had it in me.
My heart ached and my words twisted with the pain I felt. “I get it, Thierry. You don’t want to be distracted by someone who has a tendency to get into trouble at the drop of a hat. I can take a hint. I’m a liability. You want me to stay here.”
He let out a small, humorless laugh. “What I want is irrelevant. Can you honestly say you’d come with me if I gave you that choice? Would you leave behind your life here in Toronto, everything you’ve ever known and most of your possessions, in order to accompany me on a job that will be frequently boring for you, never knowing where your true home is?”
I stared up at him, my eyes burning. “Are those rhetorical questions?”
“No, they’re real questions.” His brows drew together. “Would you come with me if I asked you to?”
I let go of the balloon, which floated up to the high ceiling of the front foyer before catching on a sharp crystal from the chandelier. It popped on contact.
I grabbed the lapels of his black jacket. “In a heartbeat.”
Something I rarely saw slid behind his gray eyes then, something warm and utterly vulnerable. “Then I suggest you quickly pack a bag. Our flight leaves in three hours.”
My eyes widened. “
Our
flight?”
“I wasn’t sure you’d be open to this abrupt change, but I did purchase you a ticket just in case.”
A smile blossomed on my face at the exact moment a hot tear splashed to my cheek. “You’re so prepared. Just like a Boy Scout.”
“I try.” A smile played at his lips. “I just hope that this trip doesn’t make you change your mind about you and me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” My smile only grew wider before faltering just a little. “But I thought they wanted you to come alone. Won’t they give you a hard time about this?”
“If they want me for this job, then they will get my fiancée as well. They’ll just have to deal with it.” He took my face between his hands. “I love you, Sarah. Never doubt it.”
He kissed me, and I couldn’t think of any happy happy balloon that could make me this happy happy.
Change was good. I liked change.
Berkley Sensation Titles by Michelle Rowen
THE DEMON IN ME
SOMETHING WICKED
THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC
NIGHTSHADE
BLOODLUST
Anthologies
PRIMAL
(with Lora Leigh, Jory Strong, and Ava Gray)
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