Page 237 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

“You lucky dog, you,” Wyatt said. “Good thing you didn’t have me there. I might have gotten to her first.”

Nash chuckled. “You wish. Oh, and I meant to tell you. I got to volunteer for the Riding Free program while I was there, so that was cool.”

"Yeah, that is cool. Man,” he said, “I can't believe you're actually dating Ellie Blaire. That's wild. Is she doing all right? No addiction issues or anything like that?"

"No, she’s not battling any addictions. I mean, she had a rebellious run, which is why she ended up at good ol’Rehab Ranch, but she was going through something at the time. Ellie wants to get out of the business. In fact, she's got one lastmovie to film, and then she’d like to be done with Hollywood altogether."

It went quiet.

"So…" Nash was trying to think of a way to address the upcoming visit when Wyatt spoke up again.

"She told you that? Do you think she's serious or just telling you what you want to hear?"

Nash clenched his jaw shut as his nostrils flared.Don’t get ticked off, Nash. Don’t get ticked.That was a normal question. A fair one, even. "I think she's really serious."

Wyatt didn’t argue.

"Anyway,” Nash said, “They have a month-and-a-half carved out for production, and it’ll be right there in Dallas."

"So I’ll get to meet her?”

“Yep. I’m hoping to introduce you in person and to maybe hang out with you guys while I’m out there.”

“How long are you planning to stay?”

“The whole time,” he said.

"Well shoot, this is as good news as I've heard in a long time. I’m actually starting to miss your sorry butt for some reason, you know that?” Wyatt’s voice tore on that final word, and Nash would be danged if he wasn’t flooding with emotions of his own, an odd sort of longing for his big brother.

They’d never been apart for so long, which was probably why Uncle Lloyd and the rest of the guys were so willing to carry Nash’s weight while he was gone.

Nash sniffed and nodded, wishing he’d reached out to Wyatt a whole lot sooner. "Thanks, brother. I’ll text you with the details once I have them."

"I'll be waiting. Oh, and Nash?"

"Yeah?"

"Remember that rule we once made—saying that we could kiss each other's girlfriends if we wanted?"

Nash furrowed his brow and glared down at the phone.

Wyatt barked out a laugh. "Just teasing, man. You’re one lucky son of a gun."

Nash couldn't help but wonder if Wyatt would still think so if he knew about the contract Nash had signed. Come Easter, he’d know just how fortunate he was.

With that in mind, Nash gave his reply. "I know I am,” he said. “Trust me, I know."

CHAPTER 18

Laughter drifted over the patio of Wyatt and Wade's apartment. They’d finished a lovely barbeque dinner and were now enjoying a round of cool drinks and good conversation.

"You've got to be kidding me," Wyatt boomed as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes locked on Ellie. "You're telling me this lucky son of a gun is rehearsing lines with you?" He brought his hands to his chest. "WhenI'mright here and readily available?"

Ellie grinned. “What can I say? I've only got eyes for Nash."

In truth, she hadn't expected Wyatt to be so personable, let alone flirtatious. But she sensed there was more going on behind the scenes. She sensed that Wyatt was working to mend fences between him and his only blood brother, Nash.

Ellie respected that. She didn't fully understand the issues between them, but from what she’d gathered, there’d been a lot of hurt on both ends. That hurt had perpetuated through their adolescent years, years known to be the most stubborn and bullheaded by nature.