I straighten my jacket as I approach the group, spotting my target.
But then—a hand lands on my shoulder, sliding down to grip my upper arm, and halting me in my tracks. The person holds tightly to my bicep, and I spin on my fourth-of-an-inch thick heel to see who would dare grab me in such a way.
I suck in a breath, my chest constricting as a wave of panic rushes over me.
Jorge’s grip tightens, his lips thinning into a menacing smile as he stares down at me.
I straighten my spine. “Let me go, Jorge.”
He squeezes my arm before letting go. “Don’t run away yet, Holly. We have something to discuss.”
I roll my eyes. Unprofessional? Sure. But I don’t care at this point because this man just grabbed my arm, and it hurt.
“I have nothing to say to you. I gave you a second chance, and you decided to try to grab my butt as we were walking to dinner. That’s not okay. I don’t want toeversee you again.”
He leans down, his face only inches from mine. Unfortunately, my heels make it easier for him to get closer to me. I’m definitely not wearing these shoes again.
“I wouldn’t say such things if I were you. I hear your brother is trying to get another movie deal and has some stiff competition for the leading part. I’d hate for rumors to pop up right when they’re making a decision about the lead actor. There’s all sorts of things that could justhappenif someone leaked information to the press. Financial woes, affair accusations, women coming out of the woodwork who were mistreated by him.”
My blood boils. “Who do you think you are that you can threaten my brother and me?”
Jorge shrugs, a smarmy smile stoking my fury. “I’m just someone trying to look out for you and to help make sure you make the right decisions when it comes to a spouse.”
Panic races through me, and my mind runs a mile a minute. There is no way I will be blackmailed into marrying this guy. I’d do anything to help protect my brother, but marrying Jorge would be asking too much.
A whisper of an idea runs through my mind, and I blurt it out before it fully forms.
“Too bad for you, because I’m already engaged.”
Jorge's eyes widen before his lips flatten. His face turns stony as his eyes flicker down to my folded arms.
“I don’t see a ring on your finger. You couldn’t have found someone to marry in the past month. You were justbeggingRodney to help you find adate a few weeks ago, remember?”
I clench my hands into fists as I remember my failure of a date with Jorge on the red carpet. I’ve said many grateful prayers for Mateo after that night. He was my knight in shining armor, and I don’t know what I would have done without him.
A light bulb goes off in my head.
Mateo.
This could work.
“It’s funny you mention that date, because I’m actually marrying Mateo.”
Jorge scoffs. “The farm boy who couldn’t stop talking about dirt bikes?”
“Yep. I’ve known him for a while and that night we really clicked. When you know, you know, right?” I shrug and paste on my happiest smile.
He narrows his gaze. “Where’s the ring?”
I force a laugh. “Silly man didn’t know my ring size and got me something too big, so it’s getting resized.”
“When are you getting married?” He slides an inch closer to me and I fold my arms across my chest to make sure he doesn’t touch me anywhere else he’s not supposed to. I stare into his eyes, and I hate their greenish-brown color. It reminds me of puke. That’s how I’m feeling, seeing as this man is making me lie. I hate it. But I’m not backing down now.
“The week after the Fourth of July. They’re very patriotic up in Bolt, so we decided on the week after the small town’s celebration.”
“I don’t believe you,” he taunts.
I really wish my hair was down so I could dramatically flip it over my shoulder. Instead, I take a step back and cock my hip as I put on my best I-could-care-less face. “That isn’t my problem. Now, if you could leave my brother and me alone, I’d greatly appreciate it. I have work to do.”
