“Are you sure? I have some pretty good contacts in Hollywood. Favors I can call in.”
“She got you good, didn’t she?” I laugh.
“Who, your sister? Yeah, she’s a tough lady.”
“That’s one way of putting it,” I say understanding the persuasiveness of my sister better than anyone.
“Let’s just say that she made me see things in a different light. I don’t want to hold you back. Ever. And I won’t. So, when I see her again, I’m going to reassure her of that. I’m going to win her over—”
“You don’t have to worry about her. I’ve been handling her my entire life. I’m not going to let her give orders to the man I love like she’s got some authority over–”
“Wait … you love me, Owens?”
Coop stops and lifts me up a foot off of the ground, sliding me down against his body, and then kissing me before I can even respond.
“Say it again.”
“I love you,” I affirm my declaration.
“I love you too,” he whispers his confession softly in my mouth.
“You better.”
I wrap my hands around his neck and slide them in the back of his hair.
“If somebody keeps touching me like that, she’s going toget itbehind one of these food trucks.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“I’m all about a dare, Owens.”
“How about a funnel cake instead?” I say wiggling my eyebrows. “There are children afoot.”
“I’m not eating any white sugar or white flour, babe. Plus, I’d rather eat you instead of a funnel cake any day. I’ll give you a ten-second start before I catch you. When I do, I’m pulling you behind a truck whether children areafootor not.”
“Coop!” I say in disbelief. “You better not.”
“Ten, nine, eight—”
He starts counting and I start running.
“You’re crazy!” I yell behind me. Laughing the entire time, I’m bobbing and weaving through the dozens of innocent festival shoppers.
“Good thing you’re wearing your sneaks today,” he yells in the crowd. “But too bad they’re not going to save you. Here I come!”
Chapter Thirty-One
URSULA
Whitehaven Beach
Whitsunday Island, Australia.
Iam lying on crystal white silica sand, with my head on the chest of the man I love as we stare at the turquoise waters of Whitehaven Beach on the beautiful continent of Australia.
Evidently cross country travel is a perk of the job. Coop says this trip is especially for assistant appreciation day (totally made-up) and to celebrate the actual third year anniversary of the day I started working for him.
“I’m starving, Owens.”
