Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
They moved deeper into the lodge, giggling excitedly as they scurried toward a table off to the side where their parents were being seated.
I stood rooted to the spot, their words still echoing in my head.
Changed my life? Shared by teachers? So real?
It wasn’t that I didn’t think Adrian had fans—obviously, he did. But I’d assumed they liked him for curated photos, luxury travel tips, and whatever cashmere-scarf brand he was hawking that week. Not… this.
Not for talking about burnout. Or complicated family stuff. Or giving a damn about anyone’s comments.
I shoved my hands into my pockets, teeth gritted against the cold still coming in through the doorway behind me. The girls might’ve seen something in Adrian Hayes I hadn’t. Or maybe I hadn’t wanted to.
Didn’t mean I was wrong about him, though.
But maybe—maybe—I wasn’t entirely right either. Maybe there was more to his posts than I’d given him credit for.
“Did you find someone?”
I blinked at Adrian. He’d approached me while I stood there staring into space and was now looking at me with a little divot of concern between his eyes.
“Uh, no,” I said.
“You’re freezing. Come sit by the fire.” He pulled me away from the door and guided me to a table against the wall on the far side of the giant stone fireplace.
Thankfully, he didn’t pressure me to be his date or say something obnoxious about my rules. Instead, he took the seat opposite me at the small table and waited patiently for me to speak.
I swallowed. “So… obviously, it’s very last-minute. And the good news is…” I closed my eyes and cracked my neck from side to side before opening them again and meeting his expectant expression. “I’ve lined up plenty of dates for you this week.”
“Pretty sure I can guess the bad news from that chiropractic routine you just did,” he pointed out. “Spit it out, Sullivan.”
“No luck on finding you a date for today.”
He lifted one perfectly shaped eyebrow but didn’t say anything. His patience routine was unnerving.
I ground my back teeth together. “So I will do it on three conditions.”
His second eyebrow shot up to join the first, and the edges of his lips curved in satisfaction. “Oh, goody. More rules.”
“One, that you keep your smug bullshit to yourself. Second, that this is the only time. Rule three has a onetime exception only. Third, see those teenage girls over there trying hard not to stare and point at you?”
Adrian’s eyes dipped in confusion as he turned to scan the room. “Uh, yeah?”
“They’re apparently fans of yours and would really like to take a photo with you,” I admitted reluctantly. “And since we’re waiting on my sister to show up to help us with the filming, now that I can’t hold the camera, you have time.”
He stared at me with incredulity. “You want me to go greet my fans while you sit here and watch?”
I flicked out my fingers and examined my nails as casually as I could. “Your adoring crowd awaits. And if you think I’ll be watching you instead of catching up on work via my phone, you’re sadly mistaken. I have a photo shoot to confirm for tomorrow and a million emails to return.” I waggled my fingers in a “get out of here” motion. “Now, shoo.”
He let out a breath and stood. Within microseconds, he was sporting his toothpaste smile and setting off to charm his fans.
I pulled out my phone to check my email and account balances, but when I heard twin gasps of surprise coming from the family with the girls, I couldn’t help but look up to appreciate how excited they were and pat myself on the back for helping them out.
Adrian introduced himself politely to everyone and chatted for a few minutes, but I was surprised that it was actually the mother and father who stood up and asked if they could give him a hug.
I stared at the scene. What the actual fuck? Were they as starstruck as the teens? This guy wasn’t a psychologist sharing healthy communication habits or a philosopher posting moralistic platitudes. He was a luxury lifestyle persona. His job was literally to sell the fantasy of a richer lifestyle, of wealth and opulence.
Of greed and privilege.
The mother wiped a tear away with a laugh as she took the girls’ phones to take a few pictures.
I couldn’t look away. Who the fuck was Adrian Hayes that he’d had this kind of effect on a random family of tourists in Legacy, Montana?
“For real?” Maya asked with a laugh. I blinked and looked up at her.
“You’re here,” I said stupidly.
“And Mom used to say I was the smart one in the family,” she teased.
I shook my head to clear it. “Thank you for coming. I was, uh… lost in thought about some work stuff.”
Maya looked over at Adrian and back at me, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Work stuff. Right.”