Page 93 of Until Then

“Noah.” She gives me a befuddled look. “Don’t you know, you’re more important than a ranch?”

I need to kiss this woman and soon.

“Look,” Rees says. “It’s going to help to have the other side of the story. Already, people are tagging Holston Films, callingfor Shane to back off. Some are asking for boycotts already. He’ll want the firestorm to die down.”

Hayley crosses her arms over her chest. “If I know my dad—and as much as I don’t know him, I do—he’s going to want this problem to go away, and fast.”

I lift her palm to my lips, kissing her there. “I love you, you know that?”

She kisses my cheek. “Yes. I feel the same, Pretty Boy. More than you know.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

Hayley

Briar and I walk into the studio offices together, to-go bags from our lunch still in hand. I wasn’t certain we’d be here, even a week after my live video went public.

I thought the studio might make today even more challenging for Noah, but with Tyrell heading the new season, he’s taken on the attitude of not talking about the incident, as though it never happened.

To quote my friend’s husband, “We’re not going to worry about it until we need to. For now, we have a show to wrap.”

I’ve adopted the same sort of attitude.

Shane’s threats of taking legal action against Noah went mute. There’s been no word, and it’s unsettling. Maybe I ought to count small blessings, but in truth, it seems more like a calm before the storm.

I don’t know what to anticipate.

The only thing that’s helping both me and Noah move on day to day is the overwhelming support for his position. Fans left endless comments praising Noah for supporting his girlfriend. Endless stories of others who’d experienced some sort of parental abandonment were shared. Men, women, most wereglad to know in his personal life, Noah Hayden, defended those he loved.

He didn’t think twice about his own career, his own reputation. It was honest, and to those who saw my comments, it was refreshing.

Noah’s fear my statement would detract from my own career and clients never came about. If anything, it drew more attention to Sweet Cream Ranch. I have a full caseload for the first time . . . ever.

Perfect timing. My boyfriend is about to be draped in furs and battle axes, fighting off dark magic and villains all day for four or five months soon enough.

Work on the ranch with my own clients will keep the days speeding past until I’m with him again in the nights.

“Ty said they’re about done.” Briar sits in a black leather chair outside the closed door.

I blow out a breath and take the twin seat at her side. “How do you think it’s going?”

“Oh, I’d guess there’s a slew of emotions.” She studies the door. “Everyone is excited to reach the conclusion, but it’s emotional. It’ll be a rough, good day.”

A fair way to put it.

Noah’s been antsy the last few days. Partly from waiting for fallout with Shane, the other is for this reading.

A final run through and cast read of the final episodes ofWicked Darlings. The read is wholly private. Not even I will know how the season ends, the executives are so tight-lipped. Then again, the mystery is what’s aided the success of the show, in my opinion.

I finally started with episode one.

Noah at twenty-one was both adorable and delicious. He’s one who struggles to watch his own performance, so while I satthere, he paced, left the room, wandered the halls until the final credit.

“What’d you think?” he asked, peeking around the corner.

“You’ll need to leave, Pretty Boy.” I lifted the remote and settled back against the couch pillow. “There is no way I can end on that note. I’m starting episode two.”

Have I skipped some scenes since? Yes.

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