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It took a lot to get me angry. Online trolls, borderline stalker fans, or even my brothers trying to piss me off when we were young—I could handle all that.
But when I saw that dickhole abuse Katie by throwing wine and insulting her, it took every bit of restraint I had not to clock him and kick his ass to the curb.
Did she have to put up with that shit on a daily basis? If so, why didn’t her family get her help or have stricter rules about customer behavior?
As I waited for Katie to get changed, I paced in front of my car. What I’d witnessed today paled in comparison to what would happen once our engagement became public, true. But she still shouldn’t have to put up with any kind of crap like that. And for as long as she pretended to be mine, I was determined to help her in all aspects of her life.
For a start, I needed to make her time at work easier and safer. I doubt she’d just let me hire someone at my expense. But I could hire some security, even secretly, if I had to. There was no way I’d let her suffer that kind of abuse again.
“Nolan.”
I jumped and spun around. Katie stood a few feet away, her arms crossed, and standing tall. Whatever embarrassment she’d felt earlier had vanished. A good sign, given what we were about to start.
After clearing my throat, I said, “Hey, Katie. Are you still up for going out?”
She nodded. “The sooner we head out, the better. It’s a bit of a drive, isn’t it?”
Even though I wasn’t in Starry Hills that often, I had a house and car nearby, for when I visited. My family didn’t know about the house, but I’d told Katie. I thought we could use it as a base of operations. “Yes, up in the hills. Come on. I wouldn’t put it past Aunt Lori to have spies everywhere and already knows that I’m here.”
I went to the passenger’s side and opened the door. Katie frowned, but then slid inside. I jogged over, hopped in, and started the car. As soon as I pulled out onto the main road, I asked, “Isn’t there a rule against drunks being allowed on the tours?”
“Yes. But they seemed fine at first. I guess some people are just better at hiding it. It’s not the worst group I’ve ever had, though. Not by a long shot.”
I glanced over at her, but Katie’s gaze was firmly out the side window. “If you weren’t working for your family, what would you be doing?”
She remained silent for a few beats, and I focused on the road. Eventually, she replied softly, “I don’t know.”
“Not at all?”
“I sometimes get ideas, but then they never really pan out. I tried community college, but it didn’t really fit. I’ve tried a variety of jobs for my family’s business, and the tours are the only thing I’m really good at.” She shrugged. “So that’s what I do.”
I stole a look at Katie’s profile. Her cheeks were slightly pink, as if she were embarrassed. Wanting to distract her, I blurted, “I came into acting by accident.”
She looked at me. “What do you mean you got into it by accident?”
I let out a long breath. Talking about myself was rare, but if Katie was to be my supposed future wife, she should know something about me. “A teacher noticed how well I recited plays during class in high school, and she suggested I try out for a local play they were putting on for the Summer Star Festival.”
“Hmm, I was still in elementary school and don’t remember much, but wasn’t it something to do with Alice in Wonderland?”
“Yes. I was the Mad Hatter. I was nervous as hell, too. But it wasn’t long after my dad’s death, and I liked the escape of becoming someone else for a short while. After the performance, I asked my mom for acting classes, kept studying and trying out for parts, and devoted everything to becoming the best.”
“More because you enjoyed it, or because it gave you the chance to escape the real world?”
I tapped the steering wheel. I could deflect and change the subject. No. This was something my ex would know and might test Katie on. “Both, about equally, I think.”
“And do you still use it as an escape?”
“Most of the time.”
She turned more toward me. “What about you? If tomorrow you had a clean slate and you could do anything you wanted, what would it be?”
I shrugged. “As much as I enjoy acting, I like producing more. Maybe one day, I could try my hand at being a director, too.”
“Hence the production company. It’s like your first step to branching out.”
“Yes.” She fell silent a few beats, and I added, “Ask me anything, Katie. Neither of us has seen much of the other since we were kids, and it’s important to get comfortable around one another.”
“Anything?”
