Becca tenses. “Does that mean we won’t be able to see each other at all?”
“We’d have to do it in secret. Until the show starts to air, no one will recognize you, so we could go out in public, but we couldn’t be open about our relationship online or to our friends.” Ha. “Except Jason and Emily.They already know.”
“Really?” Becca says.
“I might have called Jason to whine when you were in the DallianceTower.”
Becca cringes. “I really didn’t sleep with Preston,” she says, looking like she’s scared she hasn’t quite convinced me of this.
“I know,” I say softly. “I believe you. But at the time, I was a mess, and I needed someone to talk to.”
“I totally get it. He’s your best friend, right?” She pauses. “Does he hate me?”
I laugh. “Jason’s not a hateful person. He just hopes things will work out for us.”
“And then he’s going to watch the show and it’s going to look like I’m into Preston,” she says with a groan. “Not to mention your family will see this, and—”
“Hey,” I say, rubbing my hand up and down her arm. “It’s going to be okay.They’re all going to get it, and more importantly, they’re going to see how happy I am with you, and they’re going to love you. Because you’re awesome.”
She lets out a shaky breath, and I’m not entirely sure she’s convinced, especially of that last part, but damn if I’m not going to do everything I can to make her believe it. “And what do you think they’re going to do with that finale?The show, I mean.”
“Villainize us, I would guess,” I say.
“Villainizeus.When their Prince Charming is the one who threw a shoe.”
“They probably won’t show that part.” Shit.The more I think about it, the more I’m sure the show is going to tear us to pieces. “We’ll have to keep everything quiet until we see what they air, so we won’t be able to get ahead of it.”
Her arms tighten around me. “Do you think when it airs, it’ll make you remember how awful I was to you?”
“Well, I was there the first time,” I say. “And I didn’t exactly handle it with grace.”
“A hell of lot more grace than I did. And I’m not even talking about nearly face-planting out of the carriage on night one.”
“I think it’s safe to say this situation didn’t bring out the very best in either of us.”
“Welllll . . .” she says with a coy twist to her lips. “I can think of some things that felt like the very best.”
My body heats up and I chuckle. “Okay, yeah. I can too.”
We look at each other, that heat passing between us. “Will I really not be able to see you once the show starts airing?” she asks.
“We can sneak around. If you don’t mind me being around a lot, I could camp out at your place at least some of the time.”
“I think I’m going to want you around all the time,” she says, and I smile. After what we’ve been through, I pretty much want to attach myself to her, too.
“What do you think the girls will say?”
“Thea came within an inch of starting an official Mom Should Date Nate campaign, so she’ll be thrilled. And Rosie will be happy, because Rosie is always happy.”
“Except when she’s not,” I say, and Becca grins.
“Except when she’s not. But trust me, this won’t be one of those times.”
“I’m excited to see them again. And to talk toThea about something other than whether or not you should be dating Prince Charming.Though I’m going to have to learn a lot more sign language than I’ve picked up from YouTube.”
Becca lights up even more. “You can practice with us! And you could take a course—online, probably, because I’m guessing you shouldn’t do that in person, what with all the sneaking around we’re going to be doing.”
I take a deep breath. “The sneaking around is going to suck. And the press is probably going to be merciless once the finale airs. Are you sure it’s worth it?”
