Brodie reached out and laced his fingers through mine, squeezing reassuringly. “Yes…and you look amazing. You don’t need custom couture to look breathtaking. Everyone will be asking who my gorgeous girlfriend is. I can’t wait.”
My mouth went dry. “Oh wow. Um, that’s a lot to unpack, Brodes. I don’t…okay I really don’t want to sound like I’m not crazy flattered, but I don’t think it’d be a good idea for me to be photographed with you. Is that… Would you be offended if I skipped that part and met you inside?” Because for all my big talkto Ethan about reclaiming my independence and not being scared to leave campus grounds, I wasn’t ready to see TMZ plastering my face—and my Target dress—all over the internet. Brodie was so famous that they’d have my entire life history detailed for the world to see in no time.
He glanced over at me, concern etched across his handsome face. “Yeah, of course. I mean no you can’tmeet me insidebut we can totally skip the red carpet shit. Done. I’ll contact the organizers and make sure we can enter through the back of the venue. Sorry, I should have?—”
“It’s not that I don’twantto be seen with you,” I quickly added, realizing how my reluctance might have come off. Drawing a deep breath, I decided to take a little leap of faith. “It’s a safety thing. Um, about six months ago, there was a shooting at my old college. Twenty-three people died and more were injured, but he wasn’t there for a random act of terror. He wanted to killme.”
Cold sweat rolled down my spine as I gave Brodie the very abridged version of events. His fingers tightened around mine, and the strangest expression crossed his face, but then it was gone, and he was completely focused, showing only concern.
Making me think I’d imagined that slightly guilt-ridden expression. I was probably projecting my own trauma onto him..
“I would fucking love to beBrodie Keller’s girlfriend,” I continued, “but the guy was never caught and the idea that I might be putting a target on your back actually makes me feel sick.” I pursed my lips, uncomfortable as fuck. “Also…we should probably address the wholegirlfriendlabel before Ethan has a nervous breakdown. Not that he’s particularly in my good books right now.”
Brodie said nothing for a moment, then flicked his indicator and pulled over onto the shoulder to stop the car.
“What are you—” I started to ask, but he cut me off by grabbing my face and kissing me hard.
“I’m sorry you went through that, babe, but I’m so happy you trusted me with your secrets. I want to say that you’re the bravest, kindest, prettiest woman I’ve ever known.” His voice was husky as our kiss eased. “You’re the most real thing in my life, and I never ever want to put you in an uncomfortable situation. We can skip the movie and just go to dinner, if you want?”
Brodie always had all the right words, and it was still hard for me to believe that this famous, gorgeous movie star took one look at me and decided I was the one he wanted. But that was how it had seemed to happen. From that first moment in class, when he’d ground to a halt when he saw me.
A feeling that was absolutely mutual.
I shook my head firmly, smacking another kiss on his lips. “No. Definitely not. I wanna see you asBloodstone Sentineldammit! And if I can sneak in the back door, I’m cool with that. But you should still do the famous-guy shit without me.”
“Not a chance,” he growled. “It’s our first date, Evie babe. I’m not letting you out of my sight for even a second.” He kissed me again, making me moan before shifting the car back into drive.
As he pulled out into the road once more, he linked our fingers back together, then kissed my knuckles. It was the sweetest gesture that saideverything. I was safe with Brodie and more than just physically.
I was starting to believe that…maybe even my heart was safe.
30
EVELYN
After a few phone calls from Brodie’s manager and the cinema venue where the movie was being shown, we parked in a secluded alleyway around the backside of the building. Two uniformed staff met us at the fire escape beside the dumpsters and Brodie’s bodyguards shadowed us after getting out of their SUV just moments after we parked.
One of the staff chattered nervously as we were escorted through the staff areas of the cinema and popped out right beside the theater, where guests were already drifting in to find their seats. I recognized several big stars from the film and became totally tongue-tied when Brodie introduced me to the woman who played his love interest in the film.
She wasstunning, and I reminded myself mentally that she was an actress. They wereacting. It definitely helped that she was attending with her husband, who she smiled at like he hung the very stars in the night sky.
With just a few minutes to spare, Brodie snagged us some popcorn and drinks, and we found our seats. It was one of those fancy upper-class theaters with recliner chairs, but Brodie frowned when he saw the fixed armrest between us.
“Hey,” he stage-whispered to the couple sitting beside me. “Can we switch?”
The older guy shrugged and nodded, grabbing his own popcorn to move seats along with his date. Brodie gestured for me to take one of their places, and when we sat down, he grinned and lifted the armrest.
“Now we can snuggle,” he whispered, snaking an arm around my waist. “No funny business though, babe. This is a work event, after all.”
I snickered because if either of us was planning on anyfunny business,it was him.
When the opening credits rolled, I felt an absolute blast of pride to see Brodie’s name not just underBloodstone Sentinelbut also as an executive producer. “Executive producer?” I breathed near his ear, shaking my head at the many dimensions of Brodie Keller.
He shrugged. “It’s more of a token title than anything, but I like to add my own flair to the character and storyline after so many years. They indulge me.”
He was underplaying his talents once again, and I marveled at how humble he was with so much success to his name. It was hard to believe, and yet I’d had the evidence presented to me time and time again.
“How are you so down-to-earth?” I whispered, not sure if I wanted him to hear or not.
