“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, still surprised he’s here.
The two of us have spent a lot of time together. Dinners that have turned into sleepovers. Nights watching the sun set behind the Pacific as we talk about everything. He asks questions, always wanting to get to know me better, and I do the same.
“I had no idea you two were a thing,” Terry beams as he adjusts his wire-rimmed glasses.
“Oh, it’s a thing,” Elias says at the same time I say, “It’s new.”
“Well, the fans are going to love you two.” Terry’s amused as he jots down notes on his clipboard.
The crew returns to filming, and Elias stays for the rest of the shoot, watching behind a monitor. Every time I steal a glance, he’s smiling, and my heart warms at his attention.
When Terry calls that we’re finished for the day, Elias crosses the room and slides a hand to the small of my back.
“You were perfect,” he praises softly. “You were made for this show.”
My heart flutters, because who wouldn’t melt at that?
I want to believe it’s admiration, but soon I’ll discover, it’s ownership.
“He made me feel seen. For the first time in a long time, I wasn't the girl who left home or the girl who losteverything. It was just...me.”
The words hang heavy in the space. I know I’m taking too long to tell my story, but it feels freeing to finally allow the words to slip free. To have others help carry the weight.
I glance beside me, Jett’s eyes meeting mine. He was the one who saw me first—my insecurities, my strengths, the real Wren Drummond. He gives me a small smile and dips his head in a way that says he’s proud of me while also encouraging me to continue.
“I used to think success meant freedom,” I say. “That if I made enough money or hit a certain level of fame, I made it in life. I didn’t used to think that way growing up, not until LA. But every door that opened came with another lock on it. Only, it was locked from the outside and I couldn’t see it.”
My voice trembles, but I keep going.
“The little things started piling up, but I’d chalk them up to harmless concern. When I’d tell Elias I was showing a home with a male agent, he’d frown, getting this look in his eyes. I’d reassure him everything was harmless, but he’d morph into this caring boyfriend. Stroking my face and kissing my forehead as he told me he didn’t like the way my co-agent looked at me. I wondered if I’d missed something. I’d tell myself Elias loved me and didn’t want to see me get hurt.” I let out a humorless laugh. “I thought I was lucky to be loved like that.”
The show eats up our storyline of the adorable Midwest girl and the charming son of the top brokerage in LA. We were LA’s newest power couple.
We film open houses together, attend red-carpet events arm-in-arm, and smile at cameras until my cheeks ache while staring adoringly at my boyfriend.
It’s the night of our final filming session, and when he shows up to the office, he has a large bouquet of roses in one hand and a bottle of champagne tucked in the other.
“Congratulations, everyone,” Terry shouts, his headset resting behind his neck. “That’s a wrap of season three, and I’m pleased to announce, we’ve been renewed for another!”
Cheers erupt as everyone claps. Elias pops the champagne he brought before pulling me down onto his lap. He nuzzles his nose against my jawline.
“We did it, baby. They love us, you and me. We’re perfect for this world,” he murmurs against my neck as I fall deeper into his touch.
Warmth floods my chest as he praises us. Tabloids have been covering our story more often than not. It’s weird seeing my face flashed across magazine covers and on billboards. I can barely get on social media anymore with gossip sites and videos spliced together of our relationship.
“I was thinking…” my voice trails off as I sip my champagne, the golden bubbles tickling my throat as I swallow.
“What’s my beautiful girl been thinking about?”
“Since we’ve finished filming and have a few weeks off, I thought we could go home and visit my family.”
His grip on my waist tightens, almost painfully. I groan at his touch and his fingers loosen slightly.
“Do you really think that’s such a good idea?” His voice is different, colder. I don’t understand what’s caused his mood to shift. It’s not like we’ve never gone on trips before. I’m not shackled to the agency. I’ve flown my parents in nearly every six months since I moved out here, rarely making the trip to Silo Bay, but it feels right for us to go there. Our relationship is progressing and I want Elias to meet Grams and Gramps, even Greer, a chance for him to see where I grew up.
“You’ve got momentum, princess. You don’t want to go into hiding now. LA will replace you. Find someone hotter, younger. You don’t want that, do you?”
