Free Red Lines by T.A. Foster

Island.
    He stopped in front of the bedroom door. “All right, Marta. You holler if you need anything, or if this one gives you trouble.” His arm slung around Haven’s shoulder.
    “We certainly will, sir. Have a good time on the set.” Marta smiled weakly then turned toward the staircase.
    Haven still wasn’t sure she had warmed up to the housekeeper, despite trying to be bubbly every chance she had. Marta was always pleasant, but seemed to hold back on their exchanges, as if Haven was a temporary guest she tolerated with her best manners.
    “Think I’m all packed.” Evan looked at the luggage.
    “I never knew you could pack so much. Didn’t you only have one bag in Silver Belle?”
    “True. But this is different. It’s work. I have to have press wardrobe and event suits. L.A. isn’t like Perry.” He looked sad as he said it. “When I’m not on the set, Jeff has me booked on every talk show in town.” He kicked the edge of a suitcase lightly.
    He pulled her into the bedroom and closed the door behind them, locking it. “Have you made a decision about moving in while I’m gone? I can have a moving truck at your place, ready to pack you up tomorrow. I’ll fly Maura and Denton out so you can spend time with them. Just say the word.”
    She knew Evan wanted her to say yes. Ever since their night at the dance hall, he had dropped hints, given her a set of keys, and made sure everyone on the ranch knew she wasn’t a short-term guest. Something was still holding her back. She couldn’t tell him what he wanted to hear.
    Part of it was her parents. They would never support her moving in with him. Despite her father’s habits, he wasn’t going to loosen his moral code for her and allow his daughter to shack up before marriage. The other part she hadn’t figured out yet.
    “I’m going to stay here while I work on the album with Carly. You know that.” She sat on the edge of the bed. He was right; it didn’t make any sense to get an apartment right now.
    “That’s not what I mean. I want to know you’re going to be here when I come home. Baby, come on. All of this—” He waved his arms around. “—is yours. All of it.”
    “I will be here when you’re finished with the movie. I just don’t know about living together. I think we should take it slowly. You have the movie. I have the album. There’s a lot going on right now and we don’t need extra pressure.”
    He brushed the hair off her shoulder. “You know I’m completely in love with you, don’t you?” She felt the warmth of his lips brush along her neck. “There’s no pressure in that.”
    She nodded, not able to say anything.
    “I’m not giving up on this, Haven.” He turned her so that she was facing him. “When the movie wraps, you are moving in here with me.”
    Before she could protest or start her slow-down speech again, his mouth was on hers and she felt herself falling back on the bed.
    “Now, we have one hour until I’m getting on a plane for California.” His hand moved under her T-shirt. “Let’s do something we can both dream about tonight.”
     
    T HE RANCH was enormous, empty, and quiet without Evan. Haven tucked her feet under her and tried to think of another line for the lyrics that were staring at her from her notepad. She was supposed to meet Carly in the morning with the bones of a new song, but so far, the page was mostly blank.
    Lenny had brought her a glass of wine and even started kindling in the massive fireplace, but nothing cheered her. Nothing could warm her now that Evan was on his jet to L.A. Nothing.
    “Can I get you something else?” Lenny hovered nearby.
    “No, thank you. I’m fine. Really.” She said it, but even she wasn’t convinced. Why did it feel like breathing hurt?
    “Ok. I’ll be in the back if you need me or Marta. Anything at all. We’re just a few steps that way. Ten steps, twenty at the most.”
    “Thanks, Lenny.” Haven offered a soft smile, knowing she wasn’t fooling