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“It’s the movie’s premier in LA. I want to make sure I get to show off my girlfriend on the red carpet. Want to go?”
Lights seemed to burst in front of my eyes. I held back an excited squeal as much as I could, but some of it escaped still from my lips. Not only had Zane invited me to a red-carpet event, but he’d called me his girlfriend. Now, I could officially die happy.
“I’ll take that as yes,” he said with a laugh.
I couldn’t contain myself any longer. I grabbed both sides of his face and pulled him closer to me so that I could press my lips against his in a hungry kiss. He hummed his approval, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist. Warmth shot through my limbs and straight out my fingertips as I ran my hands through his soft hair. From the citrusy smell of his hair product to the winter mint taste of his mouth, I was in sensation overload. I kissed him until my knees were weak as jelly and then I pulled back with a satisfied sigh.
“I could get used to that.” Zane wore a goofy smile as he leaned back against the kitchen island.
“Get used to what?”
Dad walked into the kitchen, followed closely by Marie. His brow was arched and there was a glint of challenge in his eyes.
Zane straightened to attention faster than a soldier in the army. His cheeks reddened a bit as he met my father’s gaze. “Nothing. Just being here. With Lexi.”
“Hmmm.” Dad leveled an unimpressed gaze at him. I plastered a hand to my forehead, trying not to die of embarrassment. He’d never done this with any of my other boyfriends. It didn’t seem fair to start with Zane. “I hear from your father you’re both sticking in town for a while.”
Zane nodded sharply. “That’s right.”
“So, I guess you’ll be hanging around a lot.”
He glanced over at me, his eyes softening. “As long as Lexi will have me.”
My heart thundered as I met Marie’s starry-eyed gaze. We both let out a squeal of excitement, which elicited an eye roll from each of the men.
I wrapped my arm around Zane’s waist and soaked in the warmth from his body as I smiled happily at my dad, who was still eyeing my boyfriend like a dangerous insect to be squashed. “Dad, I hate to break it to you, but I found out today Zane’s the one who got me the job on set. We both owe him big time. So, you’re not allowed to give him a hard time.”
“Hey, you weren’t supposed to find out about that,” Zane said, looking down at me.
“Too bad. Alanis spilled the deets.”
He smirked. “Figures. She likes me too much to keep any of my good deeds a secret. But it was totally worth it. I knew you’d be great at the job the first time you told me about it. To be honest, you’re kind of scary, too. I knew you’d fit right in with Alanis.”
I elbowed him playfully and he feigned an injury.
The shock that had registered on my dad’s face from this reveal was slowly fading. With a steadying breath, he held out his hand toward Zane. “Guess I do have to cut you a little slack. But just a little, you understand? It’s my job as a father to keep you on your toes.”
“Totally understand, sir.” Zane shook his head. “I wouldn’t expect any less. Lexi’s worth it.”
My cheeks were officially going to crack, I was smiling so hard. After a full day of tears and guilt, this was a nice way to end things. Finally, we had a future. Zane slipping his fingers through mine and squeezing them was solid proof of that. There was no one else I wanted to be with. Of that, I was sure. I’d dated enough guys at Rock Valley High to know they didn’t make them like that here. They didn’t make them like that anywhere. Zane was unique. And he’d helped me to realize I was unique, as well.
It didn’t take a makeup brush or concealer to get me there. The way he was looking at me now said it all: I was perfect just the way I was.
And I didn’t dare argue with that.
Epilogue
Beth
No one in their right minds willingly sat next to a big block of ice for three hours watching silly boys flit around on their ice skates trying to get a lame rubber disc into a net. It was insanity. And yet, here I was.
I dragged my fingers over my face in desperation as I stared at the players below. The game hadn’t even started yet and my butt was already numb and my legs shivering beneath the gray sweatpants and extra layer of tights I’d put on this evening. A scornful glance at my so-called friends sitting on the bench next to me did nothing to warm me up. Charlotte and Lexi looked positively glowing as they each cozied up with their boyfriends.
Traitors.
It had been Hunter and Zane’s crazy idea to come to this game. We were supposed to have a girls’ night, but my friends had wanted to spend it with their boyfriends instead. I was the perpetual fifth wheel, as always. Not that I had a problem with that. I just preferred to do it somewhere a bit warmer than the tundra.
“Anybody want some hot chocolate,” I asked, rubbing my gloved hands together. The tips had been cut off to allow my fingers to use my phone. I’d thought it was a brilliant idea at the time, until I sat here and started to get frostbite. “It’s on me.”
