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He cleared his throat, sitting a little straighter. “What should I do to win her over?”
“You’ll have to prove to her you love our daughter by protecting her from the big bad world.”
“I’ll do my best, Mr. DeLancey.”
Nicholas patted him on the back. “That’s all a father can ask for.”
~ ~ ~
Nicole was in California, meeting with the screenwriter three weeks after the incident with Marcus. Davis Sylvester was one of the top writers in the business. He had multiple award nominations under his belt. She was in awe of his abilities, spending the first two hours in his company tongue-tied and shy.
“I won’t bite you, Nicole. If we’re going to be working together, you need to loosen up.” She nodded, but she still said nothing. “I’ve read the manuscript and the adapted screenplay. It was trash.”
Her heart plummeted to her toes. “You didn’t like my story?”
“No, the story was great. The screenplay was trash. The hack writers destroyed the dynamic between the two leads. It went from being a romantic dramedy to being a character slaughter.”
Her lips twisted. “I haven’t gotten a chance to read the adaptation.”
“And you never will. I burned that sucker the moment I was finished reading. I don’t understand why the studio picked it up for production.”
“They wanted Reece Collins under contract, that’s why.”
Davis shivered in delight. “Ooh Reece. Yes, now I understand completely.”
Nicole swallowed, trying not to smile. It was obvious which way the wind blew with Davis. He reminded her of that guy from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. What was his name again? Carson something or other.
“I hear he’s off the market now, something about falling for one of the actresses in his play.”
Nicole’s smile slipped. She didn’t want to think about Reece or their engagement, whatever it was. She didn’t understand it. One moment they were arguing, the next she’s wearing a ring on her finger. What the hell happened? And why couldn’t she remember?
She hadn’t seen Reece in two weeks, when she flew home with her father and sister to recuperate. Her mother fussed over her and at her for hurting herself, but was happy it was only a broken hand, not something much worse.
Lydia ooohed and ahhhed over the ring, wanting to announce the engagement to the world. Thank God her father realized she didn’t want that, convincing her mother to wait.
Nicole was frowning as she studied the ring on her finger. She didn’t hate it, per se, but she wasn’t a big fan of it either. It kept getting caught on things and thumping against others when she was working. She took to wearing it around her neck, concealing it from the prying eyes of the press.
The media began following her regularly when they learned she spent time in Reece Collin’s suite at the Savoy. No matter where she went, they were there, shoving their cameras in her face and shooting off questions too quick for her to answer. She tried to pretend they didn’t exist, but their persistence was wearing her down.
Davis glanced over, following her gaze. “Oh my God, the sheer size of that diamond. No wonder you can’t write. Come closer. Let me get a good look at it.”
Nicole grimaced, holding out her left hand. “It weighs my entire arm down.”
“Girl, that’s the least of your worries. Please tell me you have a bodyguard for that thing.”
She laughed despite herself. “I’m doing interviews later this afternoon.”
“Good.” He examined her with a speculative eye. “Who is the lucky man? Anyone I know?”
What was she supposed to say? The engagement hadn’t been officially announced. Only their families and close friends knew of it. “His name is Colin Woodhouse. He’s an actor.”
“I’ve never heard of him. Was he in any decent movies?”
Not yet. “Nothing of note.”
“When did you meet him?”
“When I was in London last year.”
