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As soon as the words left my lips, I regretted it. Because this was Nolan. Not some random guy on a tour of my family’s dairy farm that I would hook up with later.
Thankfully, he ignored my teasing and leaned down to whisper, “You’ve heard about the rumors from my ex, right?”
I frowned. “You mean the ones about you being engaged? Yes, I’ve heard them. But Abby says they’re all bullshit and that woman is a superficial, vindictive cow.”
He sighed. “I don’t like to talk shit about people in general, but yes, she is. No matter how many times I confront her and say we’re definitely not engaged—nor will we ever be—she won’t listen.”
I tilted my head. “Then why does she keep pushing that you are? I mean, she’s just as famous as you. She could get anyone.” I realized how harsh that sounded and added, “Er, you’re definitely a catch yourself, of course. But there are plenty of other big fish in the sea, ones who might actually want to marry her.”
He shook his head. “You don’t know Wendy like I do. Whatever she wants, she gets. It’s always been that way, ever since she was a child. Her parents were actors as well, and she had her first starring role as a teenager. And, well, not many people have said no to her before.”
“Until you.”
Nolan grimaced. “Apparently. If it was just her I had to deal with, I could handle it. However, she constantly asks her fans to pester me with questions—such as when I’m finally going to set a date, where we’re going to tie the knot, when am I going to give her the perfect ring, etc.”
“Do they think random comments are going to make you instantly love this Wendy person and agree to marry her?”
“I don’t know. But it’s not just random comments, either. I receive a lot of angry videos, including more than a few death threats.”
I’d never thought about this side of being famous—dealing with random people on the internet. “Oh, Nolan. That sucks.”
“More than that. It’s getting dangerous, too. Recently, one of Wendy’s fans went after some paparazzi that said I’d never marry Wendy. They retaliated by destroying their cameras and setting their car on fire.”
“Holy shit.”
“Exactly. And just when you think the bad press would make Wendy stop, she distances herself from what she calls ‘crazies’ and tries another tactic to pressure me.”
“And no one listens to you?”
He shook his head. “No. While Wendy and I are both in-demand actors, she’s cultivated a huge online following, one that I don’t have. Anything I say goes on deaf ears without fans and followers to spread the word.”
“And to think I used to complain about having to take pictures of my family’s dairy farm for social media.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “The police won’t help you?”
“There’s nothing to tie Wendy directly to me. I can stop certain individuals and report them, but that’s about it. I worry soon she’ll hit me where it’ll hurt most—by threatening my family and the winery to try to force my hand. And I refuse to let that happen.”
The Wolfe Family Farm and Winery was run by two of the Wolfe siblings—Beck and Zach. Aunt Lori—we all called her that—helped them too.
And even if Nolan had left Starry Hills as a teen to pursue his acting career, he’d always cared for his family. He’d also tried to help them over the years by investing, but the Wolfe family was stubborn to a T and had always refused him.
To even think about this Wendy woman threatening the Wolfe family made me angry, and I asked, “So then what’s your plan to deal with your ex? She’s the problem you need help with, I assume. But I’m wondering how I factor into it all?”
“Well, this is the part where I need you to listen and not instantly run away.”
I searched his gaze, trying to figure out what the hell he was talking about. But the man had always been good at hiding his feelings, and tonight was no different. “Fine, I promise not to run away. Now, start talking.”
He crossed his arms over his chest—muscles straining against his somewhat impressive biceps—and I did my best to focus on his words and not his body.
“From what I remember of the family dinners you ate with us and what I’ve heard from Abby, you’ve always wanted to travel and see the world. Is that still true?”
“Yes,” I said slowly, wondering what that had to do with anything.
“Good. Then in exchange for helping me out with my Wendy problem, how would you like a six-month, all-expenses paid trip?”
I blinked at his offer. “Hold on for a second. Back up. What is it I need to do, exactly? Because if you think I’m just going to say yes and give you carte blanche, you’re crazy.”
He leaned down, his breath tickling my ear, and it distracted me a moment before he said, “Here’s what I’m asking: pretend to be my fiancée for six months, Katie, and that trip is yours.”
I stepped backward so I could see his face again. But no, his expression was serious. He wasn’t joking. “What? Why in the world would you ask me to do that? We barely know each other.”
