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“Lake,” Whit calls and I turn, spotting her a few feet to my left. “I was starting to think you bailed on me,” she says, her gaze going to the two guys behind me.
“Sorry. I had some unexpected visitors show up.” I grin, turning toward my brother and Thad. “Whit, this is my older brother, Chris,” I say, not missing the way Whit’s smile widens as she shakes my brothers hand or at the way he reciprocates the smile.
“Nice to meet you, Chris.” She hesitates before pulling her hand away.
“And this is...”
“Thad,” she interrupts, reaching out to shake his hand next. “Mark Knox, yep. I totally see it.” She glances in my direction and then back toward Thad.
“Mark Knox?” Thad questions, releasing her hand.
“Never mind.” She smiles sweetly.
“Anyway, I was going to come get you but I wanted to show them around for a few. I wasn’t sure if you were done yet.”
“You’re an actress too?” Chris interrupts, his eyes having not left Whit since the moment he caught sight of her. Not that I can blame him. She’s only the prettiest person I’ve ever seen close up.
“I am.” She nods. “I’m only a temporary here. I’ve only got about another week on set before they kill my character off.”
“Well that sucks.” Chris chuckles.
“Yeah, but at least my character gets one hell of a death scene.”
“So are you all set?” I interrupt, my gaze on Whitney.
“Yes, just finished.”
“Okay with you if the guys join us for dinner?”
“Of course.” Her gaze once again darts to my brother. “So Chris, you work on the family ranch, right?” She steps past me and next to my brother, the two taking off without waiting to find out if Thad and I are behind them.
I’m not sure if it’s Whitney’s way of giving me time to talk to Thad or if it’s because she has the hots for my brother. Whit has never been one to hide her attraction toward the opposite sex.
“I hope it’s okay I came.” Thad pulls my attention to him as we follow side by side behind Whit and Chris.
“Of course.” I plaster on a smile, feeling nerves settle into the pit of my stomach. “Though I gotta admit, I’m a little surprised to see you here.”
“I know. I’m a little surprised to be here.” He grins.
“Whyareyou here, Thad?” I hate to sound so blunt but there’s no dancing around it. He came here for a reason and I want to know why.
“I was hoping we could talk somewhere a little more private. Maybe after dinner. Give me a chance to explain.”
“You can’t explain now?” I say, my impatience showing through.
“I have some things I needed to say.” He shrugs, his gaze going to where Chris and Whit are now far enough ahead that we can’t be overheard. “I was dealing with some stuff when all that went down between us. No excuse, I know, but I took my shit out on you and you didn’t deserve it. I just wanted the chance to apologize face to face.”
“We all have our moments.” I tuck my hands into the pockets of my jeans, not sure what else to do with them.
“We do,” he agrees. “But it still doesn’t make it right. There’s a lot I haven’t told you, Laken. Things about myself I’m not proud of. I think if given the chance to explain myself you might understand why I acted the way I did.”
“You don’t need to say anything else, Thad. Truthfully, I’m the one that owes you an apology. We agreed to keep things casual and I couldn’t follow through. You told me up front what you could give me and I accepted it knowing there was a good chance I was going to fall for you. And I did. So I guess really I’m the one to blame.”
“Laken, I...”
“Are you two coming or what?” Whit interrupts, her and Chris at the gate, waiting for us to catch up.
I was so lost in my conversation with Thad I didn’t even realize we had walked so far. It feels like only seconds ago that we were at Rose’s house and now we’re already on the opposite side of the set.
