He looks me up and down hungrily. “You’re going to have to get off if you want me to do that.”
“Right.” I slip off his lap reluctantly, hoping I didn’t leave a damp patch on his jeans.
My skin is buzzing with need, and judging by the red marks on his face and chest, I’m going to have to touch up my lipstick.
But we get ourselves together eventually and climb out of the car into the dark alley. Miles must have let them know we’re here, because the unassuming black steel door swings open to let us sneak in the back way.
A chorus of happy birthdays ring out as we open the door to the small private room. The long table is filledwith the smiling faces of the principal cast, plus a couple of other familiar ones.
“Caleb? Shayla?” The happy shock on Quint’s face makes the entire thing worthwhile. It was tough getting all the siblings to come out. “Preston?”
It took all my wiles to get them to leave the ranch behind even for a weekend. But their employees are like family, and I finally got Dean to convince Caleb the place wouldn’t burn down without them there for a couple of days. They all stand up to give us hugs, every one of them grinning from ear to ear at the surprise on their little brother’s face.
Quint turns to me as we settle in beside each other. “Thank you so much.” His lips brush my cheek in a whisper of a kiss. “But my birthday was last week.”
“Exactly. That’s what made it such a good surprise. You couldn’t be with your family on the actual day, so I brought them to you tonight.” I spread my arms out to take them all in. “But that’s not all. There’s one more secret that I’ve been keeping locked down.”
“What is it?”
“Everybody you see in this room. We’re all coming back to Hollow Hills.”
His eyes widen. “What? Season two?”
“Season two!” I yell, holding up the glass of water sitting in front of me as a chorus of voices echo the words. We’ll have to order a bottle of champagne.
Everybody holds up whatever they’ve got in front of them, and the sound of glasses clinking and excited shouts fills the small room.
Quint turns to his brothers and sister. “You knew?”
Caleb ducks his head. “Someone had to sign the contract.”
“Well, thank you, everyone. Thanks for showing up to surprise me like this. I was wondering why Hollywood was so eager to leave tonight.” He turns to me with a look that has heat rising up my neck.
“I’m glad I managed to get you out of that lounge chair.”
What I don’t say out loud is that maybe I’ll get him back in there after we get home. Maybe climb on top of him… The urge to play sick and run out of here is real, but that would be wildly unfair.
“So, any guesses on what the writers have up their sleeves this season?” Hayden asks.
Everyone starts chiming in with wild speculations, and I look around the table at the people in my life I’m starting to think of as family. The proof that there are people out there who care about me as a person, not just as a star.
I reach under the table to give Quint’s hand a squeeze and lean into his shoulder.
“I love you so much,” I tell him, “and if you think I’m not going to celebrate every birthday with you, you’re not thinking straight. Every moment belongs to you. Even when I’m filming in another country, you’ll always be with me in my heart.”
The pure love I have for him is mirrored back on his face when he looks down at me. “I love you too, Hollywood, and I’ll go anywhere you go. Because you’re a shooting star and I’m just the trail of light that’s lucky enough to follow you around.”
Epilogue 2
Quint
1.5YearsLater
“Look, it’s Sav!” Aura waves at her friend and slides her arm out from the crook of my elbow to sashay over to her friend.
The shiny silver fabric dips low in the back, leaving a large expanse of smooth skin on display, and it clings to her ass in a way that has me impatient to get her all to myself. But this is one of the most important nights of her career, and I’m gonna spend each and every one of them celebrating with her.
I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten used to this type of thing. The red carpets, the camera flashes, the massive jewels draped around everyone’s necks and wrists. But it’s gotten easier now that I know what to expect. But tonight is special. Tonight, my love is going to prove to everyone that she belongs here, and she’s going to walk out with agold statue as proof. She keeps saying she’s not going to win and she’s just happy to be here. But I’ve seen her and I know she’s got this in the bag.
