AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But it barely registered as I said, “I want to go home, Nolan. Home, home, as in Starry Hills. Can I go tonight?”
He searched my gaze for a few beats before nodding. “Of course. I have my car out back. Zara told me a discreet way to leave so we can avoid any reporters or cameras.”
My first thought was: even Nolan is embarrassed by me.
I nearly started sobbing again, but managed to hold back. I needed to get home. Soon. Or I might embarrass myself further. “Then let’s go.”
On some level, I registered how Nolan kept his distance, never touching me like he had in recent weeks. But since it took everything I had to keep my tears at bay, I couldn’t concentrate on anything but following his directions and fleeing the scene.
Even in the car, I sat as far away from Nolan as possible and laid my cheek against the cool glass of the window, watching the lights as we drove back to Malibu.
All my dreams of being able to handle Nolan’s fame were gone. Maybe if I could’ve said screw the world and been outrageous, I could’ve survived better. Or, I could’ve come out on top, with Wendy being the laughingstock instead of me.
However, I hadn’t wanted to embarrass Nolan like that.
Of course, I had in the end, anyway. But at least this way, it wasn’t my fault.
But was that any better?
My eyes heated again at the thought of what the world was saying about me. I was so lost in my thoughts that I nearly missed Nolan’s soft voice as he asked, “Do you want to end our agreement?”
I should say yes and be done with it.
And yet, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Not tonight, at any rate. It would give Wendy the win, and I’d be damned if I let that happen. If we did end it, then it would be on Nolan and my terms, no one else’s.
I replied, “I don’t know. I need some time to think, Nolan.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Nolan clench his fingers into fists. “I’m going to make her pay, baby. You’ll see.”
I finally met his gaze and blinked at the rage there. “Don’t get yourself into trouble on my account, Nolan.”
He grunted. “You’re worth any trouble, Katie Evans.”
My throat tightened. “I don’t know about that.”
So I didn’t have to talk any more, I put my cheek back on the cool glass. Thankfully, Nolan didn’t push me.
Which was good, because any more nice words and I would’ve started crying and crawled into his lap at the first opportunity.
But I wasn’t going to be clingy or make Nolan feel as if he had to comfort me. He was a nice guy and would do it, anyway. However, I wanted it to be because he cared for me.
And now you might never get the chance to tell him how you feel and learn his feelings in return.
Somehow I kept myself together, and Nolan respected my wish for silence. And in less than two hours, I was packed, changed, and on Nolan’s private plane back to Starry Hills.
Alone, like I’d asked for.
I even told the flight attendant to leave me be. And the entire way, I cried silently, wondering what the hell I was going to do now about Nolan, let alone how I’d face the morning and the world’s mockery.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Katie
Nolan: I wish you’d either call or let me visit.
Nolan: She won’t get away with this, I promise.
Nolan: I can send Antonio up to Starry Hills, if you want?
