“Shit,” he muttered, sitting up. The sheet draped around his waist, and his gorgeous chest greeted her, making her wish they had more time.
“Quit ogling and go shower,” he said in a gruff voice.
She grinned and jumped out of bed, glad she’d woken up feeling better, with yesterday’s nightmare behind her. One more day to get through.
They raced through their morning routine. She grabbed a quick shower and blow-dried her hair. When she was finished, she cracked open the bathroom door to get some cooler air while she put on a little bit of makeup.
Alex’s voice sounded from the other room. “I understand it’s an inconvenience, but I can’t help it. Something important came up, and I need to be in town today. Remind them they called me about it at the last second yesterday, so me canceling today can’t come as too much of a surprise.”
She walked out of the bathroom as he ended the call. “What was that all about?” she asked, dressing for court as they talked.
He met her gaze, but his expression showed he was clearly uncomfortable. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to you after the hearing yesterday. You were so tired and—”
“Just tell me,” she pressed him.
“I got a message during a break in the hearing yesterday. My agent said the people in New York set up a flight and meetings for today and a test with Allison for tomorrow. I agreed because I thought the hearing would be finished, but things changed. So I postponed traveling.”
A mixture of feelings assaulted her at once. Gratitude for his thoughtfulness, annoyance that the job existed at all, intruding on what would otherwise be a perfect situation between them, and then a gut cramp as the reality of what this job meant settled around her again.
“You need to go.” She zipped her skirt and fussed with her blouse. “It’s important, and today won’t be nearly as grueling as yesterday. It’s Jonathan’s turn to prove our side, so Eric will be the one grilled, not me. I’ll be fine.” And she needed to relearn to stand on her own feet and not fall back on Alex when things went bad.
He narrowed his gaze. “I said from day one this was a we situation. You and me. I’m not going to leave you mid-nightmare just so I can—”
“Go test for something that could very well change your life? That means a lot to you? Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t need you there.” Did she want him there? More than anything. But she wouldn’t let him sacrifice his dreams for her.
“They can reschedule.”
“What if they can’t? Or won’t? Or decide you’re being difficult and go with someone else?” She picked her earring off the dresser and inserted it into her earlobe, doing the same to the other one.
He frowned at her. “You’re pushing me away.”
“I’m being realistic. Today will be cake for me compared to yesterday, and if you weigh things, you need to be in New York more than you need to be here.”
He studied her, as if he could get inside her head and decide if she was telling the truth or saying what she thought he wanted to hear. “Alex! Call them back and go to New York.”
She turned away, hoping on hope she was doing the right thing by sending him there. Her mind insisted it was best, for him and for her. They were two independent people who would either make a relationship work or not. She didn’t want to be a burden to him. But her heart? Oh, that had been battered and beaten so badly over the years she couldn’t imagine how things could work out for them if he became a celebrity television star with the world—and women—at his beck and call once more.
“Are you sure?” He walked up to her, grasping her forearms and forcing her to meet his gaze.
She managed a bright smile. “Absolutely. Now go make your call and let me finish getting ready so I can grab some coffee before I go to the courthouse.”
He hesitated. “I don’t like leaving you.”
“Well, you need to go,” she said.
He placed a warm kiss on her lips.
Warm but quick, and in seconds, he’d grabbed his phone and dialed, already distracted by all the possibilities the bright lights and big city had to offer.
* * *
Madison had been right about today’s events at the hearing. It was Eric’s turn on the stand. He looked more disheveled than he had yesterday, giving her hope his appearance would have an impact on the judge. Jonathan was brilliant in his questioning, making it clear yesterday’s character assassination had been inaccurate.
Jonathan grilled him on his visit to his mother at dawn that had upset her so much, but Eric had that covered. He claimed he was a distraught son. Seeing his mother in a nursing home, knowing someone else was making decisions for her and for his family home, had all gotten to him. He sounded contrite and genuine, and he was lying through his teeth. But Jonathan had been unable to rattle him or get him to admit to needing the money from the sale of the land instead of donating it as Madison claimed Franny wanted. In the end, they’d done all they could.
Whatever way the judge decided, Madison knew she’d done her best by Franny, the same way the other woman had done for her. That’s what mattered, and she could put her head on the pillow and sleep at night, knowing she’d given this fight with Eric her all.
She picked up dinner to eat at home and walked into her apartment at the end of the day, drained. She tossed her keys on the counter and poured herself a glass of white wine and ate alone before turning in for the night. It wasn’t what she’d gotten used to, but it might be what she’d need to expect in the future.
Because the entire day had passed, and Alex hadn’t checked in. No text, no phone call, no email.
* * *
Overscheduled didn’t begin to cover what Alex’s agent and S&E had planned from the minute he landed in New York. His agent, Kevin Falcon, sent a car for him, and the first stop was a late lunch, at which Kevin toasted his return to the big time.
The other man’s enthusiasm made Alex uncomfortable. He’d been out of the spotlight for a while now and had gotten used to the quieter way of living. Kevin began by assuming the television test, which was now scheduled first thing tomorrow morning, would lead to him being offered the television show. Done deal. He had plans ready to go based on that.
Using the new job as leverage, he intended to put out feelers with big companies looking for hot sports guys for commercial ads. “Because within a month of the viral campaign I’m sure they’ll launch, you’ll be on everyone’s lips, and women will flock to you again.”