Page 54 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

Gage felt his heart swell at the sight. He waved, humbled by the support, and gave them all a thumbs up. “Thanks, guys! Means a lot.”

“Countdown to going live,” someone hollered on set.

“Oh,” Gage said. “We’re about to go live. Wish me luck, all!”

“Good luck,” came the response from several of the members in the lounge.

“Good luck, Gage,” Christian said. “Guess you’re the right man for her after all. I hope she knows it.”

“Thanks, man.” Gage tucked his phone into his pocket and straightened in his stool. Tristi and Brock were getting into place to his left. The countdown on above the main camera before them said they had just one minute to go.

“Sixty seconds,” a skinny man behind the camera belted with an arm in the air. “Quiet on the set.”

“You ready for this?” Brock asked.

Gage gave him a grin. “Hope so.”

Tristi, who sat in the stool furthest him, leaned over the glass desk. “You’re going to do great. Thanks for giving us a chance to tell your story.”

Gage nodded. “Thanks for letting me do it.”

“Thirty seconds,” the man hollered.

Gage felt his nerves bouncing in every direction. He reached for his water bottle, took a long swig, and tried not to squint as he set his eyes on the main lens.

The countdown continued in red numbers straight ahead, and soon Brock was welcoming the viewers at home to theirliveepisode with special guest, Gage Craven.

Gage gave the camera a nod while Tristi took it from there. “You’ve seen the pictures. You’ve heard the story. But the details you’ve learned about Gage's mysterious woman and her past were sorely lacking. Gage Craven is here today, just one day before he jets off to a private island to shoot his upcoming film, to set things straight and, as he says, protect the woman he loves. Stay tuned.”

It went back to Brock then, and the host began to list the other tidbits viewers could expect to see throughout the episode.

“Don’t go anywhere,” the man said once he was through. “You won’t want to miss this.”

The recording button dulled out, and Gage nudged Brock in the arm. “Commercial?” he asked.

“Yeah. You’re up next though. Hope your woman’s watching back at home.”

Gage took a swig of his water once more. “Me too.”

Carly eyed the ridiculous sight before her with wonder. Both Mom and Jill were on a frantic mission to find the TV remote, something Carly hadn’t spotted in months. Not that it mattered.

“I told you guys I never watch TV out here,” she said in her defense. “I usually only watch the one in my room.”

Her mom froze in place. A throw pillow dropped from Jill’s grip. “Can you turnthatone on?”

Carly shrugged. “Sure.”

The two women broke into a race for Carly’s room. “How?” Jill hollered. “Hurry, Carly, come here.”

With the shake of her head, Carly scurried into the room behind them, chuckling under her breath. “I didn’t know you two were so addicted to…what’s the name of the show you’re looking for?”

Jill had already found the bedroom’s remote. She pointed it at the screen while nearly jogging in place. “You’ll see,” she breathed, eyes squinted at the screen.

“Special guest, Gage Craven.”

Carly threw a hand over her mouth as she gasped. She shuffled sideways toward the bench at the foot of her bed, eyes pasted on the sight of Gage in a three-piece suit. Just the sight made her ache and swoon all at once. It was all that it took to unravel her. Her defenses, her fears, were replaced by a deep sense of longing.

“Thank you,” Gage said.