Ivy exhaled slowly before moving away so his arm dropped from around her. “I’ll take that as a no.”
“R.J. says this isn’t a big deal. You and I can still see each other, and I’ll be back on top with a shiny reputation. A win-win.”
“I’m not dating R.J.” Her harsh tone matched her hurt expression. “I was dating you.”
The past tense sent a chill along Nash’s spine. His stomach knotted. “Nothing has changed. You’re my girlfriend. This fake relationship is for publicity. It doesn’t affect us.”
“That’s not true. Everyone, including my family, will believe you’re dating Peyton Rush.” Ivy’s voice grew thick. “People will think you’re cheating on her with me.”
He hadn’t considered that. R.J. hadn’t mentioned it, either.
Nash rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s not a problem. All we have to do is make sure no one sees us together.”
Ivy stiffened. “So I become your secret girlfriend? A guilty pleasure? Not good enough to be out in public with you? Please tell me you’re joking.”
Nash gulped. R.J. had made it sound so simple. “That’s not how I feel about you. It’s what we’ve been doing.”
“Only because you didn’t want people to know you were in town and, once they found out, to avoid the media. You didn’t mind going to the picnic on the Fourth.”
“This will only be temporary.”
“Unless R.J. decides you need to continue to date Peyton.” Ivy’s jaw tensed. “I’m guessing he wants me out of your life. A superstar doesn’t need to be dating a second-rate performer who fills in at her brother and sister’s pub even if she writes hit songs for you to sing.”
She wasn’t wrong about that, but Nash would make this work. “You’re not a second-rate performer. We need to give R.J. time to get used to us dating. He’ll come around.”
“Before or after I hear you’re ‘fake’ engaged to Peyton Rush?” Ivy fired back.
“Please,” Nash implored Ivy. “We can make this work.”
“Do you know what you’re asking?” Her voice cracked.
“I’m doing this for us. I want you in my life.” He couldn’t imagine her not in it. “Everything will go back to normal sooner than you think.”
She shook her head. “My family won’t understand. I’m not even sure I get it.”
The distance between them grew. The thought of losing her was sending him into a tailspin, but he had to remain in control.
“Please, Ivy. Don’t take this personally.” He tried to think of something—anything—he could say to make her understand. “It’s business. Things are great between us. We can’t let this get in the way of that.”
Her hands clenched. “Stop saying ‘this’ when you mean a fake relationship with a beautiful, successful singer who is the envy of people everywhere. One who keeps affecting my life in negative ways each time I’m at the cusp of seeing my dreams coming true.”
A lump burned in his throat. Ivy wasn’t reacting the way he’d expected. He thought she might be confused, maybe even sad, but her anger surprised him.
“R.J. is only doing what’s best for me. Like he’s always done.” Nash tried to keep his voice steady, but his insides trembled. “He’s been with me since the beginning.”
“And how long have you been miserable because of him?” Ivy didn’t sound spiteful, more…honest.
Nash couldn’t… He didn’t dare answer.
“Whose life is it? R.J.’s or yours?” Her voice rose. “You’re not that kid plucked from a dive bar, playing for a percentage of the take. You’re Nash Bennett, country superstar.”
“Without R.J., I’d be nothing.”
“You have no idea where you’d be, but it might be in the same place or a better one.”
Nash shook his head. “You don’t understand.”
“I don’t,” she admitted. “I only know the music business from what I’ve read or seen on television. I do know you’ve seemed happy in Quinn Valley, away from R.J. and whatever he wants from you on a given day.”
