Page 49 of Full House

Nate leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Asshole.”

Victoria smirked to herself. Nailed it.

“If everyone could look at the papers in front of them. It’s a list of meetings, schedules, and events leading to the release of the film. Any changes or additions will be emailed so please check yours daily. As you can see, a larger cast meeting is set for one week from today. That meeting is mandatory.”

Matt continued to drone on, and by page two, Victoria was starting to lose focus, her mind drifting to more pleasant thoughts. It still felt surreal she was engaged. She knew Byron would be shocked, and she could only imagine what April would think. And her parents! The last time she saw them, she was a depressed lump on their couch. Funny how fast things could change in such a short time.

Her eyes drifted to her ring, feeling foreign and heavy on her finger. It really was beautiful. A large princess cut diamond set above a platinum band that was inset with smaller square stones. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the cost. If she did, she’d probably be too scared to wear it.

She felt a hand squeeze her knee, and she jerked her head Nate’s direction. He was in full smirk. “Meeting’s over. Do you need me to fill you in or was it me filling you that had you so distracted?”

“Ha, ha,” she whispered, noticing everyone standing from the table. Boy, she really had zoned out.

Nate got to his feet, holding his hand out to her. She didn’t hesitate, taking it, his arms wrapping around her once she gained her feet. Chest to chest, her head tipped back, his tipped down, they stared at one another oblivious to the people talking around them. He did that. Created her own little Nate World—population two.

“So, what’s on the agenda for the rest of the day?” she asked, looping her thumbs through the belt loops at the back of his jeans.

“I was thinking you, me, in a bed.”

“Hmm, that does sound lovely, but I was thinking we should pack up our trailers.”

A furrow formed between his brows. “I like my idea better.”

“Yes, but my idea might put me in the mood to pack other things.”

“Like things in your condo?”

“Exactly things like that.”

“Hmm,” he squeezed her closer. “I’ve changed my mind. I like your idea better.”

She chuckled. “I thought you might.”

“Victoria, a word.” Her World was invaded by Byron’s gravelly voice behind her.

“She’s busy.” Nate hadn’t bothered to look up when he spoke, keeping his eyes trained on her face.

“Yes, I can see that, but she’s never too busy to talk to me.”

“Wrong.” Nate moved his eyes over her shoulder, giving Byron a very not happy look—a look she hoped was never directed at her.

Knowing things would escalate quickly if she didn’t intervene, she gave Nate a small squeeze before spinning in his hold to face Byron but kept her back flush to Nate’s chest. Nate never lost his hold, his arms hugging her around her shoulders. Her hands came up to hold Nate’s forearms. “What do you need a word about?”

She saw Byron’s eyes flick to her ring finger, slightly widening before narrowing, his lips forming a flat line. “In private.”

She felt Nate’s chest expand and quickly spoke to stave off an argument. “Whatever you need to say can be said in front of Nate.” She felt Nate’s body relax slightly, but his arms squeezed her a bit tighter.

If possible, Byron’s expression turned more disproving. “Fine,” he snapped. “There’s a part that opened up. I think you’ll be perfect for it, and the powers that be, agree with me. It’s in early production still and filming won’t start until late February or early March. They’re very interested and want to talk with you about it.”

She felt Nate tense behind her, growing stiffer the longer Byron spoke, but he didn’t say anything after Byron finished his little speech, which Victoria was grateful for. She would deal with Byron herself. “We’ve already had this discussion, and you know where I stand. I won’t be making any commitments for the foreseeable future.”

“Fine,” he said in a short, clipped voice, obviously not fine at all, but she’d warned him to back off too many times for her to care. His eyes flicked to her ring again. “Anything you want to tell me?”

April chose that moment to join their happy trio, turning it into a jolly foursome. Victoria mentally sighed.

It also didn’t take long for April to zero in on her ring. But in all fairness, the thing was huge. She was no expert, but the stone had to be at least two carats.

April pasted on a fake smile but didn’t beat around the bush like Byron. “Are congratulations in order?”

---