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Chapter One
Nolan
Inever thought I’d propose marriage at a children’s birthday party. And yet, as I scanned the room looking for my potential bride, I was going to do just that.
Oh, not in front of everyone. Because my proposal wasn’t to a woman I loved and longed to spend my life with. No, it was all part of a plan. One that would hopefully get my ex-girlfriend to finally move on and stop telling the world we were engaged.
And considering Wendy Webster and I were both movie stars, it wasn’t exactly a private spat I could solve easily. After months of my ex sending her fans to harass me and ask when we were finally going to tie the knot, I’d had enough.
If only I could find the woman I wanted to make my deal with, then maybe I could finally enjoy my niece and nephew’s birthday party.
I was just about to ask my sister, Abby, where her friends were when the person I was looking for entered the room—Katie Evans.
She was short and curvy, with pale skin and long auburn hair. While her jeans and dark green sweater were nice enough, it was her smile that made her stand out. Well, her smile and the ever-present gleam of mischief in her blue eyes.
Katie made a beeline for my eleven-year-old nephew, Wyatt Wolfe. After she whispered something into his ear, the usually shy, reticent boy hugged her. Curious, I walked over and stood next to Wyatt’s dad and my oldest brother, West, who asked, “How did you do it, Katie? I thought no one wanted to play soccer around here.”
Katie grinned and patted Wyatt’s shoulder. “Oh, it wasn’t that hard. I know everyone lives or dies by little league in Starry Hills, but after asking around, I discovered a lot of kids want to try playing soccer too. You can thank Rafe Mendoza for that.”
I noticed West’s girlfriend, Emmy Mendoza—Rafe’s younger sister—tense. West wrapped an arm around her and murmured something in her ear. And when Emmy smiled up at him, jealousy rushed through me.
I envied him not only finding someone who loved him but also the fact that Emmy was close with my brother. West had left when I was in high school and had only recently returned to town. To say our relationship was strained was an understatement.
Katie’s voice snapped me out of my head. “And guess who offered to sponsor your new soccer team, Wyatt?”
I frowned and tried to catch Katie’s eye to remind her of our agreement to keep it secret, but she ignored me.
She gestured toward me. “Your Uncle Nolan!”
Wyatt smiled at me. “Did you really, Uncle Nolan?”
“Er, yes. I started a production company and thought they could use the publicity.”
Wyatt shook his head. “I don’t think that’s the reason you did it, though.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I’m eleven, not five. I know you’re really famous, Uncle Nolan. You did it for me.” Wyatt hugged me, and I patted his back as he added, “Thank you.”
Over the past eleven years, I had only seen Wyatt and his twin sister a handful of times—both because of my busy schedule and West living far away. But I promised myself that I’d try to get to know Wyatt better from now on. His sister, Avery, too.
I ruffled his hair. “No problem. Just save me a seat at your games, and I’ll try to go when I can.”
Wyatt released me. “Of course, Uncle Nolan. And now I need to tell my friends. They won’t believe it.” He looked at his dad. “Can I go now?”
West nodded. “Go on, then.”
“And I’m going to rub it in Avery’s face, too!”
Before West could say a word, his son dashed off to find his friends.
Katie caught my eye and smiled. “See? I told you it’d be the best birthday gift ever.”
This is the woman you need to make a deal with.
I should ask Katie to chat for a minute. I could even use my team sponsorship as an excuse.
But as my heart pounded and palms sweated, I knew I needed a little more time to prepare. Being outgoing and spontaneous wasn’t my thing.
