Page 62 of A Fall to Remember

“The bonfire starts in half an hour. If I can’t find Jim before that, I’ll pull him aside there, and we’ll figure out next steps.” Shelby looked at Miranda. “I think it’s best if you pull back tonight. We don’t need any more attention on you, and I have a feeling you’re going to be the most popular person at the bonfire since this is going wild on social. Forget about filming anything else tonight, and I’ll take care of Jim.”

47

PETE

Pete kept an eye on Mom during the bonfire. He felt awful for her and couldn’t believe he missed the kiss last night. Maybe that was a good thing, given Shelby’s revelation that Jim had staged the latest video and edited it in a way that made Mom look bumbling, all for the sake of advancing his career. He wasn’t a fan, but now he had two issues to deal with. Jim and his own problem. Namely, Lacy.

She clung to him like superglue. She was not dressed for the weather in her skin-tight brown leather dress and spiky heels. Not that she cared; she was only here for the likes.

The beach was alight with a giant bonfire. A stage had been erected in the sand where a band played farm tunes, and people danced barefoot. The scent of roasting marshmallows and hot dogs permeated the air. Lanterns and blankets lined the sand. Kids bundled in puffy coats raced in the waves to catch the receding tide. The harvest moon hung heavy above them, glowing like a spotlight.

“Pete, Pete, Peter, let’s do a loop,” Lacy said, pulling him toward the bonfire. “The people want to see us. Let’s give them a show.”

Shelby, who’d been tagging along with them, nodded in agreement, readying her camera. Pete wanted the night to be over, but he’d made a promise to Shelby, so he plastered on his bravest face and let Lacy drag him toward the crowd. His feet sank into the sand as he made small talk with strangers and sipped a hoppy beer.

He was distracted by Mom. He’d spotted her and Jim chatting away from the bonfire. They’d found a secluded section of the cove and were huddled close to each other, backlit by the stars. Under other circumstances, it might have been an endlessly romantic scene, with smoke from the bonfire curling toward the inky sky and the calming sound of the waves lapping at the shoreline. But Pete knew they weren’t stealing a sweet moment together.

It didn’t appear to be going well. Mom’s body language was rigid. Her arms were folded across her chest, and her jaw was set. He could tell that Jim was trying to plead his case, and Mom wasn’t buying it. She waved her finger at him in response to whatever he said as her face hardened. Good for her for sticking up for herself. Not that he anticipated she wouldn’t. She was the strongest person he knew. All the more reason he needed to tell her the truth about his search and hiring the private detective.

“Have you met my Pete? My Petie Pete,” Lacy gushed to a friend, draping her arm over Pete and kissing his neck and cheeks. PDA wasn’t really his style. Lacy had no problem with public displays of affection. She was constantly touching him—rubbing his arm, leaning against his body, caressing his hands, or kissing him.

He tried to tap into his acting skills, but it wasn’t working. He was sure his discomfort was apparent on his face.

Just get through tonight.

One more night.

He could handle this for a few more hours. But then Lacy threw a curveball his way.

“Have you heard the news?” she asked a friend. “Voyager is flying us to Paris in a weekend. The city of love. We’re going to do an entire Paris-in-the-fall tour—vineyards, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, romantic outdoor bistros, and a stroll along the Seine. Isn’t that wonderful? I see a proposal in our future soon. Very soon.” She stretched out her hand and tapped her empty ring finger.

Pete gulped.

She couldn’t be serious.

Propose?

Since when?

And in what world?

He untangled his arm from Lacy. “I’ll be back shortly.” Then he turned to Shelby. “Can I borrow you for a minute?”

Was this the Voyager way? She was just as bad as Jim. Was she going to tell him about Paris?

He stomped through the sand, leaving the sparks from the bonfire behind, and headed for his spot. Shelby had to run to keep up with him, but he didn’t care. This was a step too far. He’d never agreed to traveling internationally with Lacy. “What is Lacy talking about?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest. “Paris?”

“Yeah, sorry about that.” The moonlight kissed her cheeks, making her look even more beautiful.

He cut her off. “No. I can’t go to Paris. I’m not going. And I’m not at all ready to propose. What the hell—propose?” His body locked up at the mere suggestion. It was absurd. “We barely know each other. Geez, this is way out of control.”

“Pete, listen to what you’re saying.” She held up a finger. “We would never push that agenda or force you to propose. That’s ridiculous.”

His body remained taut, firmly rooted on the sand as he squinted at her.

She leaned closer and gave him a funny smile. “But I mean, who wouldn’t want a free trip to Paris?”

“Me.” Pete pointed to his chest and raised his arms. He knew Shelby was trying to break the tension, but this had gone too far. “Look, I have a job and a life. Responsibilities. I can’t just take off for Paris next weekend, and I think I’m out, completely. This is all a lot. I made a mistake.”