Chapter 16

"It doesn't have to be the end, you know." He leaned down until they were nose to nose. "I don't want it to be the end."

"I don't either, Noel. But it has to be, don't you see? This has been - well - magic. But it's not reality. In the real world, you're the boss's son and I'm an employee. You're the rich, good-looking artist and I'm the boring number cruncher with no social life. It would never work, Noel. In your heart, you know that. But thank you. It means the world to me that you even thought about it."

"But, Shelby..."

She laid her mitten-covered hand over his lips. "Stop. Let's just enjoy what little time we have left. Please?"

She felt him sigh before he nodded. When she moved her hand, he kissed the tip of her mitten before he spoke. "I'll stop talking now, sweetheart. But as soon as we're back in Charleston, you're fair game. I'm not giving you up. Eventually you'll figure that out."

Shelby shook her head. "As soon as you're back in your glitzy world with your models and