Page 194 of Contentious

“I told you it was a formality.”

“I kept waiting for someone to mention Club Quantum.”

“They don’t have the balls to bring that up to your face,” Teagan said. “A few of them emailed me about it, and I told them to mind their own business and to see the statement from Quantum Productions, which was all we had to say about it.”

“Ugh, so they were worked up about it.”

“Temporarily. Don’t sweat it. Everything is fine. There was no way they were going to dump you after your ex nearly killed your new boyfriend and then took the three of you hostage. Even with the Club Quantum thing, that would’ve been a very bad look for them, and they knew it.”

“It’s crazy to me that after working nonstop for fifteen years and never causing a stir, I could’ve lost it all because of a vindictive ex with an ax to grind.”

“You were never in any danger of losing it all, Cres. I know it felt that way to you, but it never came anywhere close to that.”

“Still… that it could happen because of something outside of my control is terrifying.”

“I honestly think you’re past the point in your career where you need to worry about someone taking it away from you. I understand that you’re conditioned to expect disaster because of your mom and the roller coaster ride of her addiction and how you were very much alone in this world when you first came to LA to chase the dream. But you’re not alone anymore, and you’ve generated tons of goodwill in this business and in this town. It’s safe to exhale, Cres. I promise. Even if D&G had dropped you, someone else would’ve snapped you up the same day.”

“I appreciate your support and belief in me.”

“I tell you only the truth, my friend.”

After Teagan dropped her off, Cresley went into the house and spotted Carson and Ty in the backyard, practicing on Carson’s long board, which Ethan had delivered to her house so Ty could start practicing. She stood and watched them for a minute, loving the way Carson gave him his full attention and how Ty soaked in every word Carson said.

As she stepped onto the patio, Carson noticed her right away and raised an eyebrow in inquiry.

She gave him a thumbs-up.

When he smiled, everything was right in her world.

“Mom, come see what I’ve learned. Carson says I’m going to be a great surfer!”

“I have no doubt, honey,” she said as she joined them on the grass to hear all about the surfing lessons.

“I even learned how to wax the board.”

“That’s so cool.”

They took a ride over to Spencer’s so Ty could swim in the pool again with Theo and Mila and returned home with pizza for dinner. After they ate, they finally finished watching Iron Man before they tucked in Ty. Then Carson headed for the shower in Cresley’s room.

He emerged from the bathroom wearing only a pair of boxer briefs, which left his bare chest and healing wounds on full display.

She was sitting up in bed with her Kindle, trying to read but not getting far with her mind still whirling from recent events. “How’re you feeling?” she asked when he slid into bed next to her, like he’d been doing that forever.

She’d never been more comfortable around a man, and having him there made everything better.

“The shower felt good. I’m a lot less sore than I was, which is a nice improvement.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

He moved slowly to turn onto his side to face her. “You’re too far away over there.”

She put her Kindle on the bedside table and turned toward him, scooting across the mattress until she was right in front of him. “Here I am.”

He ran a hand over her hair as he looked at her with so much of the love she still couldn’t believe he felt for her. This man who’d said never was now singing a whole new tune, and she was so lucky that he was singing it to her.

“What’re you thinking?” he asked.

“How the worst person I’ve ever known led me to you and how lucky I feel to be here with you.”