“The last time I didn’t follow my instincts, we ended up in a big mess, which was only solved with piles of cash and blackmail, so I’m not going to worry about what anyone else thinks of me anymore. I don’t care what anyone says.” John kissed her, a soft press of his lips. “Not if we’re together.”

Anna wanted to lose herself in the feeling of him and his words that caressed her as much as his hands, but she had to make sure he understood.

“I love you, John.” She could feel tears falling onto her cheeks. “I don’t know when I fell in love with you, but it’s just who I am now. Even if it doesn’t work or if something goes wrong, I will always love you, and I will never regret it.”

John wiped the tears from her cheeks and pulled her to him, saying her name over and over. “I love you too,” he whispered between kisses.

The lights of the theater dimmed, and he held her tightly in the dark. The old-fashioned music of the movie began to play, reminding Anna of her teenage years spent cutting class and sneaking into movie theaters. But this time, she wasn’t alone. This time, she had someone she wanted to keep, someone she wanted to be her home.

Anna let out a deep breath. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

He squeezed her tightly, as if to say it didn’t matter.

“It’s the same for you, right?” she whispered. “It’s scary ‘cause it’s real.”

“It’s the same.” He kissed her temple. “It’s scary ‘cause it’s real.”

The movie started. The black-and-white images projected above them on the screen. The muffled dialogue issued from the speakers. The familiarity provided comfort, and she knew this was just the first of many movies they would be watching together.

“I’m not running away,” she said, hoping that he understood her fervor. Eyes closed, resting her head on his chest, Anna snuggled into his arms.

“Me neither, babe.”

Epilogue

Anna adjusted the shoulder straps of her gown in the gilded mirror of the elevator. Even the elevators in Cannes were elegant, and the small interior was nothing compared to their hotel suite. She supposed it made sense, as she needed the massive floor-to-ceiling mirror to fix the wide skirt of her pale-pink gown. It was an elegant confection of a dress with a plunging neckline and even a few demure sparkles. She smiled. Maybe dressing up now and then wasn’t so terrible, after all. Not when it was to celebrate something that mattered.