“No, thank you. I’m here with someone.”
He looks over my shoulder, as if searching for my mysterious someone. “You can be here with me,” he says as he runs a hand down my arm.
That hand was quickly knocked away before I could do it myself, and a large body forced itself between me and the stranger. Alex.
“You forget yourself, sir. Step away from my girlfriend.”
I’m sure the guy recognizes Alex, but he doesn’t say anything. He just walks away, probably to give another woman unwelcome attention.
Alex turns to me, and I watch his face transform from anger to concern. “Are you alright, darling?”
“I’m fine. He only touched me the once.”
“Only? He shouldn’t have touched you at all.”
“Well, of course. I’m just saying, you saw everything bad that happened. I’m over it, truly.” What I’m not over is Alex stepping in and getting rid of the guy. It was so hot. Was it necessary? Maybe not. What was that guy going to do in thisbusy place? I believe I could have sent him on his way. It might have taken some zingers and some glaring, but he would have left me alone. The way things turned out was better, though. So much better.
I smile as Alex slips an arm around my shoulders and kisses my temple. “Good.” We step forward in line. “What kind of tacos are we getting?”
33
Alexander
“Thisis,byfar,the most interesting building I’ve ever been in. And I had no idea it existed. It doesn’t feel like we’re in England anymore.” Ivy’s eyes are huge as they dart around the Royal Pavilion.
“It doesn’t,” I agree.
“Do you know they do weddings here? I saw that on the website. I wonder how much that costs.”
“So, you’re thinking destination wedding? That’s fine. I’ll do whatever you prefer.” Was I going too far? Sure. But while we’re pretending, I might as well.
She rolls her eyes. “Alex.”
“I’m pretending to be your boyfriend, and isn’t that something a boyfriend would say?”
Ivy shakes her head, sending her curls bouncing.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I’m sure it’s my agent. He called three times when we were driving. I might as well take it while we’re waiting for our tour to start. I hold up my phone. “I’ll be right back.”
I walk to an area free from people. “Hey, Isaac. What’s going on?”
“I’ve got good news.”
“Wait. It’s just after four in the morning there. Why are you up, calling me?”
I hear papers rustling on the other end of the line. “I couldn’t sleep. You know how I get when things are really happening.”
“Yeah. I do.” My agent never stops. I don’t know how he lives the way he does.
“So anyway, I got a call last night from a casting director. He’s working on a film based on what I’ve learned is the most popular fantasy novel in the world, and they want you for the lead. This would be your biggest role yet, and it’s a series. And the money. We didn’t talk specifics, but it would be multi-multi-millions per movie. And there are five books.”
He’s wanting me to do five major movies? I glance over to where Ivy stands several feet away studying the design on the wall. If I’d been given this news a week ago, I would have been excited. I enjoy working and the process of creating. But now?My priorities have had a sudden shift. Still, if Ivy is set on pushing me away after this, why shouldn’t I take this?
“How long do I have to think about it?”
“What’s there to think about? I’ve been looking into these novels for most of the night. You’d be perfect for this, trust me.”
I do trust him. He’s never let me down or led me astray, but things have changed.
