More time with her. For sure.
“I can pay you for this too. Like the riding lessons. It’ll probably pull you away from the ranch on occasion. Maybe even a trip to LA. So I can compensate you.”
A lump forms in my chest thinking of this like a cold business arrangement. “No.”
Her mouth parts, then she sighs. “I’m not going to win this one, am I?”
“Never been more sure of anything in my life. You might not want more, but we are friends, right? That’s what friends do for each other. They help them out when they need it. No strings.”
She tilts her head for a sec as if she’s puzzling over the question. “I guess. Yes. Okay then. I’ll call them.”
Before she can walk away, she turns back holding out a hand. I grab it, but instead of a shake I tug her toward me.
“Seal the deal with a hug? That is what friends would do, right?” I ask. “Or fake boyfriends.”
At first, she’s tentative as she steps into my arms. She gently pats my back. But it gets firmer. She presses into me, laying her head on my chest. It feels so good having her there. A soft cloud of something flowery-smelling clings to her.
But I force myself to pull away after what seems like an appropriate amount of time for friends to hug.
“You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Chapter 15
Aura
Thenerveshavebeenjangling around in my stomach all day, but as we near our destination, they’re solidifying into an intense pressure on my chest.
Quint’s warm hand lands on mine. “Hey, look at me.”
I turn, locking onto the warm golden flecks in his eyes.
“It’s going to be okay. But if the anxiety gets to be too much, let me know, and I’ll whisk you out of there so fast they’ll forget we were there in the first place. Over the shoulder, if I have to.”
The picture in my head steals a laugh out of me. “That wouldn’t end up on the front page or anything.”
“Hmm, maybe you’re right. I’ll have to rethink that method.”
“It’s just been nice at your place. You know. Even with the paps in town, I’ve still felt safe at the ranch. So it feelskind of like heading back into the real world. Even if it is just Calgary.
Even after our big press release last week and our social media posts, we’ve still been able to exist in our little bubble for the most part. Safe behind the big iron gates guarding Hollow Hills. Although we did move our daily riding lessons to the indoor arena to avoid any overeager photographers catching me in the saddle and realizing I’m not as accomplished as I’ve been pretending to be.
“That’s because you haven’t left the place. Let me tell you, it has been mighty inconvenient getting through the gate on my last couple of trips out.”
Yes, it was a bit difficult getting the car through on our way out today. I wrinkle my nose. “I’m so sorry. I told you it was going to get more difficult. But I know it’s been a pain in the ass for your family too. I never wanted to do this to them.”
Now that the secret is out, Belinda sent Miles over to act as driver/bodyguard for our Calgary “date.”
It’s amazing how quickly the big open fields dotted with animals and barns turned into a city. It’s like the buildings sprung out of the ground fully formed. One thing that hasn’t changed, and that I haven’t gotten used to, are the mountains. They’re just…there. Any time I walk out the door or look out the window, they’re towering over me like I’m living in a postcard. It really makes me feel my insignificance on this little planet of ours.
It took some sweet talking, but I convinced Janine not to fly out just yet. It wasn’t as hard as I expected it would be. She’s not that eager to leave behind her masseuse andmanicurist, even for a few days, so she capitulated pretty easily. Especially when I reminded her she’s coming out for a visit the first week of filming anyway.
I take a moment to close my eyes, dragging in a few deep breaths as the car pulls into the alley beside the restaurant. This is the last moment of peace we have before we step into the spotlight together. As a couple.
“Just remember to breathe. If you pass out in there, I will have to employ the over-the-shoulder exit, and that might not show off your best angle, like you said before.”
A laugh breaks the tension and pulls me away from the doomscrolling thoughts in my brain “Right, breathe. Thanks for the reminder.”
Quint slides out first, offering me his hand. The alley is dim and quiet. Apparently Janine got the timing down right, giving us time to get settled at our table in the restaurant before the carefully curated press arrives.
