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I give her another tight squeeze as my nerves calm down. It’s strange. All this time, through all the bullshit, it’s still a hug from Mom that fixes everything.
She kisses my cheek as she pulls away. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” I step back. “I gotta go.”
“Me, too.” Her laugh is dry. “Bye, Fox.”
“Bye, Mom.”
I step outside, feeling a little relieved that it’s probably the last time I’ll ever have to leave this house. Sure, I have a few good memories of this place, but I can count them on one hand. The night I met Dani. That first kiss. That first time.
But it’s time for me to go, to quote my mother. To walk away from the last decade and begin anew. This ring burning a hole in my pocket is just the start of that. Danielle Roxanne Roberts has been the one thing keeping me alive this whole time. The past is done. The future is waiting. I’m not going to delay it anymore.
Tonight, I’m going to ask Dani to be my wife. And she’ll say yes.
I pause by my car, feeling my stomach twist into knots again.
She’ll say yes.
I think.
Chapter 30
Dani
“Hey, Roxie! Look over here!”
“Give us a smile, Rox!”
I do as they ask, sinking a little deeper into that persona. Smiling and twirling Roxie Roberts. Maybe someday I won’t have to be her anymore but that’s not tonight.
Tonight is premiere night for the most anticipated film of the year, Night Trials, Part 3. The final chapter in the trilogy, thankfully. Flashing cameras, shining lights, and a red carpet. Some will tell you that these things never get old no matter how many times you do them, but after the year I’ve had, I’ve learned that there are far more important things in this world than money or fame.
Fox.
I can’t see him, but I can feel his eyes on me. Ever since he came home, he’s made it his mission to keep me safe. Even when I’m sure he’s not watching me, the hairs stick up on the back of my neck. I’ll look around and there he’ll be with that hint of protection in his eyes.
My bodyguard. And none of these people have any idea he’s here.
They can’t know. If they did, it’d draw his enemies right to us.
I’ve told him to stay home and out of the spotlight. My life revolves around flashing lights. It can’t be helped. If a news camera isn’t pointed at my face, then someone’s cell phone is. Any of them could snap a photo of him and expose his location.
He just smiles and says it’ll be okay.
I believe him. Why wouldn’t I?
I scan the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of him in his baseball cap, but he’s too good.
“Roxie, are the rumors true?”
I blink out of my trance, feeling the familiar ache in my jaw from smiling for too long. I focus on the face of a dark-haired man in front of me. I recognize him. One of those late-night TV hosts.
“Rumors?” I repeat.
“That you’re quitting Hollywood.”
I force a laugh into his mic. “Why would you think that?”
