Page 41 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

“Shh….” Jill scolded.

“We don’t have confirmation about who this mystery girl is just yet, but rumor has it she’s a surfing instructor employed by the private resort where Craven’s training for his role.”

“Mystery girl?”Jill echoed.

“Wait,” Brock said. “Is this role going to be the part of a pro surfer or a pro playboy on the beach?”

Tristi tipped her head as the camera settled back on her. “Possibly both. Star Chat caught up with his father, actor Mark Craven, earlier today, and here’s whathehad to say on that matter.”

The shot changed to a swarm of paparazzi around a black SUV. The tinted window rolled down to reveal the handsome face she’d seen on the big screen time after time. Carly could hardly believe how much Gage resembled him. Same strong jaw, dark brows, and confident poise.

“What do you have to say about your son hooking up with his alleged surfing instructor while preparing for his next lead?”

When it panned back to Mark Craven, Carly recognized the smolder in his deep brown eyes. So much like Gage. The handsome man glanced from one popping lens to the next as flashing lights filled the darkened sky. “I’d say that’s part of preparing for the role, if you ask me.” The window began rolling up as more questions came, one louder than the rest.

“So you’re saying that all the hopeful ladies out there need not fear?”

The window eased back down.

A rush of pounding, echoing beats pulsed in Carly’s head as she waited for the man’s reply. Chest aching. Throat clenching.

“I spoke with Gage myself just the other night. He assures me that it’s not serious. Don’t you worry, ladies, there’ll be plenty of Gage Craven to go around once he’s back in town.”

Carly’s heart sank. Nausea rumbled through her gut.

The hosts came back on. Tristi said one last thing on the topic, but Carly hadn’t caught it. She was too distracted by what Mark Craven had said. Was that true? Had Gage really told him that just last night?

“That was crazy!” Jill cheered. “I can’t believe you were on TV! I can’t believe you’re dating the son of that gorgeous hunk!”

Carly flicked off the TV and plopped onto her couch, the impact knocking the breath right out of her. “Yeah, but didn’t you hear what Mark Craven said?”

“Hehasto say stuff like that. They’ll sell more tickets if women think they have a chance with him.”

Carly tried to ignore the knot of jealousy the statement caused. “I guess,” she managed.

“Not that anyof us have arealchance with a movie star,” her sister added. “Exceptyou, obviously. Do you think Gage saw it too?”

A small tap came to her door.

“No,” Carly said in a whisper. “Because he just showed up at my place.”

“He did? You’ll have to tell him about it.”

“Yeah, I will. I better go.”

“Have fun,” Jill said. “Can’t believe this is happening to you. Oh, and be good.” She disconnected the line then, leaving Carlyon the couch with Gage at her door, and a mass of confusion in her mind.

“Just a second,” she managed. But just what was she supposed to do about the media clip? Confront Gage about what his father had said or just act like she hadn’t seen it?

Her legs felt like jelly as she came to a stand and headed for the door. The moment she spotted him through the glass, Carly was thrown off. What was with the hat? Not that it didn’t look nice on him; it was impossible for anything to look bad on a guy like Gage, but with the NY Giants’ ball cap he looked more like Christian. From a distance, anyway.

Carly hurried over to the door and pushed it open while eyeing the rest of him. A pair of dark slacks, a polo shirt, and that five-o’clock shadow doing wonders for his chiseled jawline.

Gage stepped inside, pulled a long stem flower from the open top of his shirt, and presented it to her. A gorgeous lily. “For you,” he said.

Carly forced a grin as she took it. “Thank you. Come on in and I’ll put it in water.” Heavenly scents of his aftershave preceded him as he stepped inside. It was almost enough to distract her from what she’d just seen.Almost.

“You’re never going to believe what I just saw on TV.” Her voice sounded shaky. Even worse, as she removed the tall, glass pitcher from the cupboard, her hands shook.