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I bit back a laugh, and Nolan’s lips twitched. “Which ones did you like better?”
“The teleporter. I mean, how awesome would it be if I could just think of where I wanted to go, and I’d be there?”
“Well, you’d have to be careful not to end up in a wall or in the ground.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t do that. That’s a rookie mistake.”
At the boy’s matter-of-fact tone, I pressed a hand over my mouth to keep my laughter at bay.
Nolan nodded. “I agree. Now, did you have another question? Only one more, because I’m here with my girlfriend and I promised we’d visit more stalls in the market.”
The boy turned to a woman behind him. “Mom, can you take our picture?”
The woman was vaguely familiar, but older than me, so I couldn’t quite place her. “You need to ask permission, Owen. We don’t take pictures of people who don’t want it, remember?”
Owen turned back to Nolan. “That’s my last question—can we take a picture together?”
Nolan handed me his empty glass. “Of course.”
After Nolan posed with the boy, the boy’s mother thanked him, and they walked away, he turned back toward me. I said, “That was nice of you.”
He shrugged. “I like talking with kids. It’s the women telling me they want to see me naked in the supermarket that I tend to run away from.”
“You still buy your own groceries?”
“Sometimes. If I wear a hat, usually people won’t recognize me. And I like people-watching. It gives me inspiration for characters I could play or write about.”
“So, are you doing that tonight? People-watching?”
He gently touched my cheek. “I’m mostly focusing on one person tonight.”
“Oh.”
His gaze turned tender, and my heart skipped a beat. It would be so easy to lean in, stand on my tiptoes, and pull him down for a kiss.
Nolan cleared his throat and offered his arm again. “At any rate, I think it’s high time we find some treats, hunt down a present for Aunt Lori, and give everyone a show. Well, another one.”
I nodded, trying to ignore the disappointment swirling around in my stomach. “Of course. Let’s get this show on the road, then.”
And as we walked down the aisle of booths, I leaned more against Nolan’s side. If nothing else, I wanted to make the most of the time I had with him. Maybe if I were lucky, I’d find another guy like him.
As if there would be another man like Nolan.
Stop it, Katie. I could do all the exploring and dating and sex I wanted on my big trip. All my energy should go toward playing a besotted fiancée and not wondering what it’d be like to have Nolan as my own.
The next step in our arrangement was the proposal, and I wondered when and where he’d finally do it. Even if it would only be for show, it would be my first one. And I was definitely nervous.
Chapter Ten
Nolan
Zach: If you need me to be your backup, just say so. Those bullies left Starry Hills before I knew what they’d done to Katie.
Me: Thanks, but we’re good for now.
Zach: I’d say more than good, judging by the video that’s already online. Who knew my quiet brother had it in him?
Me: I do…okay.
