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He winks. “I’m great at multitasking. But we should go. I’ve got to buy flowers for your momma.”
“No, you don’t.”
“It’s the first time I’m meeting her. Of course I’ll bring her flowers.”
I’m definitely keeping him. The world can explode in my face all it wants, I’m going to fight tooth and nail to keep this man.
“Okay. I know a nice flower market on the way. Let’s go.”
We climb into Alex’s car, which has tinted windows. Short of someone jumping in front of the windshield, they can’t see who is inside. My thoughts circle back to Tara. Was she really satisfied with my half-assed brush-off? Or is she waiting in the shadows, biding her time?
“I’m trying to picture what it’s like to grow up with eight siblings. I’m assuming you don’t need friends,” he says as we hit the road.
“Ha, you’d think so, but we always had a house full of friends. Some even became adopted Bennetts.” At his puzzled expression, I explain, “That’s what we call really close friends.”
When Alex pulls the car in the parking lot behind the flower market, he turns to me.
“It’s best if you stay in the car.”
“Sure, no problem. Not being seen together was on top of Preston’s list.”
Putting on sunglasses and his trusted cap, he plants a small kiss on my forehead before climbing
out. It’s so weird to see my surroundings through tinted glass.
Running my hands along the plush-leather seat, I smile to myself like a fool, my heart feeling a little too big for my chest. I can’t believe I’m with a man who wants to bring Mom flowers. Is it possible that I’m dreaming?
Just when I’m wondering what’s taking Alex so long, I hear a ping coming from the bag at my feet. I crouch and take out my phone, turning it screen up.
Alex: Can you lay low? I’m being ambushed by fans, and they’ll follow me to the car.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Summer
My heart thumps in my ears, and it takes me a few seconds to realize he literally means for me to lay low.
Panic crawls up my spine, lodging in my throat. Out of the corner of my eye, I see movement in the distance. Alex is hurrying back from the building, surrounded by a crowd. I don’t know if there is a reporter among them, but anyone with a smartphone can do enough damage if they get a glimpse of me.
“Okay, Summer. No time to panic. Whip up a plan.”
I push my chair back enough so I can crouch down in front of it. Okay, this is good. No one can see me through the windshield... but they can if they peek inside the car when Alex opens the door. The jackets!
Yanking both our jackets from the back seat, I cover myself with them as best I can, hoping it’ll look like he’s got some sort of package here and threw the jackets over it. Fingers crossed no one looks close enough to realize one of the jackets is for a woman.
My stomach tightens when I hear the driver door swing open, and Alex’s voice booms. “My car is private property. Please step back. I already gave you autographs—”
“Alex, come on, another autograph. I want one on my skin.”
“Here, take my number—”
The sound of a door being shut follows, but I don’t dare push the jackets off me just yet.
“I’m backing out right now,” Alex explains, setting the car in motion. “Just a second until we’re out of here.”
I count seventy-five seconds until he yanks the jackets off me, throwing them in the back. When his hand comes down on the stick, I notice it’s trembling. Anger is etched on his features. I reach out and lay my hand on his. “It’s all okay, Alex.”
“I’m so sorry.”
