Page 61 of Hold Me Today

“Now that’s a shameless plug if I’ve ever heard one. We’re not doing the hydrotherapy room.”

“It’s only shameless because you’re considering it.”

My hands pause over his leg. “Nick, I’m not—”

“Kidding,” he says with one of his customary tight smiles, “I’m kidding. Though it probably would help with the media.”

“We don’t need to move in together for that.” It’s only when he gives me nothing but a blank stare that I realize he doesn’t know anything aboutCelebrity Tea. Oh, boy. Dating TV show or not, privacy is Nick’s jam. And he has no idea someone followed us last night. Wishing I had some water to quench my suddenly dry throat, I motion between us. “Well, you know.”

His lips press together. “No, I don’t.”

Ugh, great. Couldn’t Effie have been the messenger for him too? “How do I even put this?” Struggling for the correct words, I drop the hydrogen peroxide bottle back in the kit and flip the lid closed. “You . . .wewere tailed last night.” Immediately his expression turns hard and I hastily add, “I mean, maybe not tailed. That might not be the right term. But obviously someone did their research and found out where your parents lived, so they—”

“Stalked me.” His voice is pure grit. “They stalked me and caught us instead.”

I fumble for the right thing to say. Words have never been my expertise. “Nick, this is . . . this is what you wanted, right? Out of the deal?” Pushing the kit to the side, I tuck my feet beneath me, sitting cross-legged. Wanting to calm his frayed nerves, I touch my fingers to his knee. “The gossip rags are reporting that you’re seeing someone new, so it looks like we’re in business.”

The right thing to do would be to move into his house and uphold my end of the bargain. The right thing, maybe, but not thesmartthing. I want to kiss Nick again. And, yeah, I want to strip him naked and let him return the favor. But I don’t want to actuallysleepwith him, not together in one bed. That sort of proximity breeds closeness and deeper bonds, and the thought of baring more than just my body to Nick terrifies me.

It’s one thing for him to look at me and feel like the attraction is lacking physically—another thing entirely for him to see into all the dark places in my soul and realize that my baggage, my insecurities, are not at all what he’s looking for in a partner.

“It’s not the same.” Rising to the balls of his feet, Nick grabs his jeans and pulls them up his legs. Already I mourn the sight of all those muscles on display. He has the legs of a rugby player, and I can’t help but wonder what sort of activities he does in his spare time because mortal men arenotbuilt like him. “It’s not the same at all,” he repeats roughly. “I figured we’d head into Boston, do something big and elaborate and public. Maybe post a picture on Instagram—even though that’s against my contract with the show. Not”—he spears his fingers through his hair—“have someone camped outside of my parent’s house on a Sunday night. Where’s the common decency these days? Aren’t there any goddamn boundaries?Fuck.”

I drop my elbows to my knees. “So, I guess moving into your house is out of the equation then, right?”

Deep, husky laughter curls around me. “You’re a piece of work, you know that?”

“I specifically remember you telling me that I get mouthier every year.”

At my pointed stare, he only laughs again. “You’re a woman of many talents, Ermione Pappas.”

I throw him an exaggerated wink. “Just you wait and see, Saint Nick. Just you wait.”

20

To:Mina Pappas

From:Nick Stamos

Subject:question about flooring

What’s your favorite food?

P.S., I shifted some things around in the budget and managed to work in your slate floors. And, yes, I promise that I ONLY shifted around the budget. Before I pick them up from the warehouse tomorrow, I want to know how you want them laid out? On your Pinterest boards, you’ve got everything under the sun. Square? Large and rectangular? Herringbone? Something else? Any preference before I get to work?

To:Nick Stamos

From:Mina Pappas

Re: Subject:question about flooring

How in the world did you work around the budget forthat? Please tell me you didn’t break a leg and donate it . . . although, that would be very gallant of you. (But, really, please tell me how??? Also, whatever you think looks best—and is the cheapest option.)

P.S., How are you feeling? I didn’t make it intoAgapethe last two days now that I’ve been forced to evacuate the premises under someone’s dictatorial orders. I won’t name names to protect the guilty. (Good news: I booked a few clients and am doing house calls all week.)

P.P.S., Please tell Vince and Bill thank you for getting my stuff out of the apartment for me. I really appreciate their help. And yours.

P.P.P.S., I’m going to sound like a traitor of the highest order here, but . . . Italian food. Do I get to ask you a question now?

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