Page 49 of Love in Times of Contempt

Smile in place, she arched an eyebrow. "Why?"

"'Cause he's given us trouble already." He shrugged.

"No. I know how much this matters to you. I know that you wouldn't put Jump Cannon at risk."

"If Alex can't make a commitment to the company, for real this time, I won't ask him to come back. But if he can…"

"Then things could finally get going. Maybe you two could actually get better together. And if in six months we come to regret it… we can recoup and change course."

He gave her such a soft smile that her heart melted. "Yeah."

If Alex returned, their production company would have its final set up, perhaps a start to a strong foundation. Liam's acting contracts were finally slowing down, and he could plan for more free time for his own personal projects. Ana had to wrap up this last film, and then could start with their next production— a short interview series that included Liam, and which would serve to network with other figures in their industry.

Checking that no one spied on them, Ana got up and sat on his lap. He smiled, wrapping her in his arms.

"What is this for?" he asked.

She kissed him, again and again, a few brief, sweet kisses. "The future is bright. The film is doing well, Jump Cannon is about to be born, you're slowly getting more time…"

"We're living together and we have the future ahead of us."

"I'm happy, Liam. And I'm happy to have that future with you."

His eyes sparkled, and he kissed her leisurely and long.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt," the attendant said. "But we're about to start descent and I have to ask you to move to your seat."

"Sorry, of course," Ana said.

But they held hands all the way, landing together on the ground as always.

Chapter Eighteen

Epilogue

A YEAR AFTER THEIR life-changing documentary premiered, Ana and Liam got involved in their third project together. Ana's new film documented people who studied hard to pursue a profession, only to stumble into a completely different career. So far, she'd interviewed a psychologist who now wrote romance novels full time, an engineer who'd become a sculptor, and Liam.

Ana had asked him to study the skies andponder, giving him instructions like a seasoned director. She framed him with the Science Center Telescopes in the background; one of his friends from College worked here and it'd given them a great opportunity to film on site. That's what he thought about as he stared at the constellations above him, two cameras rolling around him.

Another thing that had changed since the first project Liam and Ana had done together, was that she had access to better equipment. He knew enough to expect this shot to look amazing on the big screen.

"Done," Ana said. She still preferred to do most of her documentary work by herself, and now she stopped the recording process with a remote.

He watched her check the preliminary results on a screen, biting her bottom lip. He approached her and put an arm around her. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah! Yeah. All's good." She turned the screen off and gave him a brief smile, before turning and going about packing the devices to move indoors, where they were scheduled to film a couple of extra scenes.

He frowned; Ana didn't typically get skittish. He helped her pack and they moved inside into the Planetarium.

Liam loved Planetariums; they reminded him of being a child and asking his parents to take him to Space Museums and Space Centers. He helped Ana set up the two cameras again, one framing him from his side on the seat, the other at a forty-five angle from near the central projector. She sat next to him and checked that she was in the frame but as a clear secondary figure, letting out air in a big, tense exhale.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Yeah! Yeah. Just want to get this right."

"Of course you will."

She put her review device on the seat to her other side and turned back to him, a small smile in place. She leaned forward to kiss him. Her lips were soft yet insisting, and he lifted a hand to run his fingers through her hair.