Page 225 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

She’d seen this very bouquet several times throughout her career. While the vase often varied depending on the season, the flowers within were the same every time. Today, the vase was black and bulbous enough to reflect the deep purple roses it held.

“Aren’t they gorgeous?” Geneva said, coming up behind her.

“Yes,” she breathed, her spirits lifting as she realized—by the sight of the arrangement alone—who they were really from. For years now, Ellie’s mom had anonymously sent her a beautiful bouquet of purple roses on the first day of production, no matter the location. Ellie figured it was her mom’s way of silently letting her know she was there with her, even though she couldn’t be.

Of course, since the flowers had always been sent anonymously, Ellie hadn’t confirmed they were from her.

“He didn’t exactly sign the card, but I’m assuming they’re from him. You don’t happen to have some sort of nickname for Nash, do you?”

Ellie quirked her head. “Why do you ask?” But then she realized why Geneva had asked. While the cards attached to the arrangements had never been signed, theyhadall been stamped with the same small design. A design which, now that Ellie thought of it, might have more of a meaning than she thought.

“I’m asking because maybe he did sort of sign it,” Geneva said, “and he was just being clever and hinting at a nickname.”

Ellie’s heart began to hammer, her insides seeming to figure things out before her brain could. This wasn’t Ellie’s first day on set or anything, but itwasa momentous day since she’d been presented with the new contract. Still, how would her mom have known anything about that?

“Where’s the card?” she breathed as her blood turned cold. The image her mind recalled couldn’t be right.

“Just on the counter there,” Geneva said.

Ellie’s gaze dropped to the small card as she stepped slowly toward the arrangement. She pictured the simple line drawing of an animal that had never made any sense.

“And what do you think the nickname would be?” she pressed, heart racing as she pushed past the baby’s breath to reveal the small image that suddenly made perfect sense.

A gulp slunk past Ellie’s throat as Geneva answered.

“Wolf.”

CHAPTER 12

Ellie couldn't remember dreading something more in her life. She’d done a lot of hard things, including terrifying auditions in front of big names with serious faces and major consequences in the balance.

This dread was greater.

It was greater than that over her exile to Wild Buck’s Ranch and all the unknowns that came with it. Greater because it threatened the most rare and wonderful thing she’d gained in her life—a deep, promising relationship with a man she could actually see a future with.

Too bad that very notion was being put to the test prematurely. Presenting the contract to Nash felt like a death sentence to the relationship. Sure, what Geneva said was true—following through with the contract could give them a chance to see if they could make things work. That was the part she should focus on.

Ellie told herself that very thing as she and Nash brushed down the horses at the grooming station. It had become a ritual, something they enjoyed doing together before and after riding. Nash had told Ellie at the beginning that horses could read humans’ energy; it hadn't taken long for Ellie to realize the truthof that. Even now, as she brushed the length of Buttercup’s blonde, beautiful coat, Buttercup seemed restless and ill at ease, a far cry from her usual enjoyment of the process.

Ellie had taken two full days to consider the contract before determining to present it to Nash. Which meant she knew what shewouldn’tpresent just yet, too, like the extent of Dad’s gambling issues. Nash didn’t need to know the deep, dark details, which meant keeping secret the weird involvement of the supposed kingpin himself, who—unlike the rest of society—went by just one name—the name of a dangerous pack animal known to eat men alive.

"A penny for your thoughts."

Ellie cringed inwardly and pulled herself from her musings. If Buttercup could sense that Ellie was off, clearly Nash could too.

She put the brush down and took a few steps back, eyeing Buttercup, then Pepper, before lifting her eyes to Nash at last.

"I do have something on my mind, just…"

Nash’s imploring gaze caused the knots in her stomach to gnarl and twist. She dropped her gaze to gather her thoughts. He was far too rational for ideas that were so absurd. But that's just what made her want him in her life. She craved a man who was solid and stable and who didn't pay mind to things that didn't matter.

Still, if he truly cared about Ellie, and as early as it was, she was sure he did, then Nash would realize how important this really was. It was her chance to get out of the life she desperately wanted to leave behind.

When she thought of it that way, her limbs softened. That’s all she was asking of him—to help her get this one-way ticket to a new life.

Ellie nodded as the truth of that sank deep into her heart. If it meant they would have a shot at a future together, Nash would agree.

With that, she gulped down her rising trepidation, locked eyes with Nash once more, and dared herself to tell him.