Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“Thank you.”
Easton hangs back, listening to a reporter asking, “What’s next for you?”
“Another action movie, of course,” Easton answers with a chuckle.
“Will you ever consider acting in a romance?” someone shouts.
“Romance movies aren’t my thing,” he holds up a hand, “but I do have something romantic to share with you all.” He looks at me and holds his hand out.
Here goes nothing.
I walk toward him, and my nervous gaze sweeps over hundreds of people.
Oh. My. God.
Instead of taking my hand, Easton wraps his arm around my shoulder, giving me a sideways hug, and I quickly return it while making sure I’m smiling.
“I’d like to introduce you all to my girlfriend, Nova Allen,” he announces.
“So the rumors were true?” a man shouts. “How long have you been dating?”
“A month,” Easton answers. “But I’ve known Nova since we were kids.”
“Was she your sister’s friend?” a woman asks.
“Yes. Rachel and Nova were best friends since their first day of elementary school.” Easton holds me tighter to his side. “Nova came to help us through Rachel’s last weeks. We wouldn’t have made it without her.”
I place my hand over his heart and look up at him.
When he glances down at me, someone shouts, “Kiss her!”
He doesn’t miss a beat, and leaning down, he presses his mouth to mine for a few seconds before smiling at the crowd again.
When everyone cheers, I let out a chuckle and grin at the flashing cameras.
That’s right. This amazing man belongs to me.
“You make a beautiful couple,” a woman in the front comments. “Nova, when did you realize you love Easton?”
“When I discovered I had hormones at fourteen,” I answer honestly. “But Easton was focused on raising Rachel and starting his career, which I fully supported. I mean, any girl would wait fourteen years if it meant she would get a chance with the love of her life.”
“Oh, definitely,” she replies with a chuckle. “I love your dress. Where did you get it?”
“Actually, I don’t remember. Lainey picked it for me.”
“Will you and Easton coparent Lainey?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“Do you find it difficult becoming a mother figure for her?”
I shake my head. “Lainey is an amazing little girl. Sometimes, it feels like she’s the parent in the house.”
Laughter erupts, then a man asks me, “So you’re living with Easton?”
Easton takes over, answering, “Yes.”
“Can we expect wedding bells in the near future?” the man asks.
Easton glances at me, and the corner of his mouth lifts. “If it were up to me, I’d marry her right now. You’ll have to ask Nova that question.”
Crap.
I look from Easton to the reporters and let out a chuckle before saying, “I guess he’ll have to propose and find out.”
They love my reply, and I slowly let out a breath of relief.
I don’t read too much into what Easton said and continue to answer questions before posing for what feels like a thousand photos.
When we’re finally done, Easton leads me off the stage and presses a kiss to the back of my hand. “Welcome to my world. There’s no escaping the madness now.”
I let out a burst of laughter. “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”
“They loved you,” he comments. “You were amazing.”
I lean into his side as we walk and rub my hand over his chest. “Not half as amazing as you were.”
Chapter 33
Nova
“I’m so glad you could make it,” Charlotte says as I walk into the foyer of her glamorous home.
I glance around at the soft-pink-and-white décor, which gives a warm feel to the atmosphere.
“Thank you for the invite. Gosh, your house is beautiful.”
When Charlotte invited me to join their fundraiser committee, I didn’t hesitate to accept. In honor of Rachel, I want to continue her legacy by pursuing everything she was passionate about. Until now, my life has revolved around Easton and Lainey, and I feel the need to do something else that’s also worthwhile. Besides that, I have to make a good impression with the press, and what better way to do that than to be involved in a fundraiser?
“The other moms are already here. Let me introduce you,” Charlotte says. I follow her to a formal lounge where three women are seated on sofas. “This is Jamie Bridges. Her daughter, Casey, is a year younger than Porsha and Lainey,” Charlotte says as she points out a woman who’s wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt that says ‘Bite Me.’
“Hi. I love your style,” I tell her.
Although Jamie smiles, it doesn’t reach her eyes, instead she looks at me with something akin to contempt.
Chin up, Nova. Not everyone’s going to like you, and you’ll just have to deal with it.
“This is Jane Carlson. Her son, Josh, will be a sophomore next year.”
I give the woman a friendly smile, which she returns, making me feel better after Jamie’s haughty look.
“Nice to meet you,” I murmur.