Page 6 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

He put his head down. “Dude, call that Cyree chick you were talking about and make sure she already told her. I don’t want her to be all ticked off.”

“Too late,” Christian said, raising an arm over his head. “What’s up, beach betty?” he hollered.

Gage glanced up and, before he could avoid it, met her gaze. Gorgeous wide eyes, blue like the ocean, locked on him. His pulse spiked.

“Come on,” Christian mumbled. “She’s already seen us now.”

As if hearing the statement, Carly glanced back out over the water, giving Gage a moment of reprieve.

Be cool, Gage. Sheesh.

He tried doing just that. Rolling his neck. Lifting then dropping his shoulders. Blowing out a slow breath as they neared. But none of it worked. It didn’t help that they were on her turf, not his. The truth was, they came from different worlds. One surfed the tube, one drew up mock blueprints and—now—would step into one of Hollywood’s most anticipated productions. The acting gig alone should keep him from being intimidated, but Gage had a hunch that this woman wouldn’t be impressed by that type of thing.

“Carly,” Christian said as she turned back to look at them. “This is my lifelong friend, Gage Craven. We met at a dance competition when we were just six years old, and we’ve been causing chaos ever since.”

Carly’s eyes drifted from Christian to Gage. It was warm out, but that was nothing compared to the heat that rushed to his face as their eyes met once more. His dad’s warning echoed through his mind.“Don’t go getting involved with the help. It’ll ruin everything.”

“You dance too, huh?” She snatched a bright towel off a nearby beach chair. Sun glistened over her tan skin as she patted her face.

“I used to.” Should he shake her hand or just stand here like an idiot? “I’m um…going to?—”

“He’s an actor,” Christian blurted. “Ever heard of Mark Craven?”

Carly lifted a brow. “Of course.”

“Gage is his son. And he just scored the lead role in a film of his own. So feel free to call him Hollywood for short.”

Wow, way to put it out there, Christian.Not that it wouldn’t have come out eventually, but still, it would’ve been nice to spend time with a woman whodidn’tknow who his famous father was.

“Well,” she said, a grin spreading over her face. “Congratulations.”

Fire roared low in his belly at the sight of her smile. Dang, she really was beautiful. “Thank you,” he said shyly, because somehow he’d turned into the classic movie geek in her presence. “It’s a surf movie, actually.”

“Really? That’s cool.” She made thehang tensign and lifted her arm. “You ever surfed before?”

Oh no. Here it came. The part that would—from what Christian said—tick her off big time. He dropped his chin and took interest in the sand grains falling over his feet. “Nope.”

“That’s what he’s here for.” Christian said it with such flourish you’d think he was announcing that she’d just won the lottery.

“Is Marcus going to teach you?” she asked.

Gage noted the way she’d addressed him in the question, not Christian. He moved his gaze to the sand between him and Carly, then slowly moved it up her curvy legs, small waist, and her high-zipped wetsuit until their eyes met. She looked at him like he was a pop quiz someone had slapped onto her desktop—a compilation of problems she might not have answers to.

“Yeah, no,” Gage mumbled. “Christian said it’s going to be you. Not Marcus.”

She’d brought the towel to her hair, but Carly was no longer using it to dry the dripping tips. She was frozen in place like a mannequin. One that only had control of its brows. The deep furrow gave her the ticked-off look Gage had been dreading.Suddenly her arms dropped to either side. She shot a glare at Christian.

“Why?” Her voice went high and tight. “I’m all booked for the season.”

Gage gulped as she glanced over at him. She mustered an apologetic look. “Sorry, no offense to you, but I like working with kids. I specifically request it.”

Christian raised his hands in surrender. “Yeah but these guys requested a professional, and that’s you,”

Gage’s pulse pumped as he looked back and forth between them.

“C’mon,” Christian urged, “you know you’re way better than Marcus. You’ve got plenty of competition wins to show for it. Gage would train from that guy if he wanted to look like an amateur.You’rethe professional.”

Carly’s jaw stayed tight. She looked over at Gage once more, angry heat in those blue eyes, and gave him a curt nod. “Excuse me.” And then she was off. Marching through the sand toward the resort.