Page 31 of The Backup Bride Proposal

“I’d like to see Mae.”

She gave him a look that would make anyone take a step back. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am very serious.”

“Well, she doesn’t want to see you.”

“Did she tell you that?”

“She didn’t have to. And besides, you hurt her, so you’re not welcome here.”

“Look…I know I did. And I’m sorry. But I have to apologize, and in order for me to do that you have to let me see her.”

Brenna opened her mouth to retort, then closed it again. “Wait here.”

She shut the door in his face. He turned around, taking inthe grounds from the view of the front porch. There was a nice-looking chair so he took a seat, figuring he might be here for a while.

No wonder the Bellinis loved this place. From here you could see the vineyards, pond and rolling hills beyond, along with the walkway leading to the barn. The subtle whinny of horses could be heard behind the house, making Kane ache to be on the ranch in Texas.

He missed home, his grandpa, his horse. The dog, too, though if you asked Lucky, he’d tell you he was Grandpa’s dog now. That was Kane’s fault for being gone so long. He’d been traveling a lot doing back-to-back-to-back films, coupled with promotional work. But at least Lucky had Shadow to keep him company, and a lot more space to run on the ranch than at his place in L.A.

Sometimes he didn’t love this job. Today was one of those times, because he could sit here on the porch and listen to the sounds of the vineyard and workers and be perfectly content to not move for the rest of the day. Or if he hadn’t pissed off Johnny Bellini, he might have gotten a chance to ride one of the horses. He propped his booted feet up on the porch railing and sighed.

“Playing a part?”

He stood when he saw Mae. “No. Just enjoying the amazing view.”

“It is nice. You can sit.”

He waited until she took a seat in the chair next to his before he sat again, and then he swiveled to face her, figuring the longer he waited to say something the worse this was going to get, so he might as well start talking. “I’m sorry for what I said. It was insensitive and I didn’t mean to imply that the work you do isn’t important. I had only been curiousabout your plans for your future. If this is your plan, it’s an awesome one. Who wouldn’t want to be around all this, making people’s dreams come true?”

She didn’t answer right away. He didn’t expect her to. In fact, he hoped she didn’t toss him off the porch immediately.

“Most people rarely get to do what makes them happy. If this job puts a smile on your face and brings you joy, then it’s the career for you.”

Finally, she said, “Thank you. As apologies go, that sounded pretty sincere.”

“It was. I feel shitty for what I said. For making you feel as if what you do isn’t valid. It was thoughtless of me and I’ll work on thinking before dumbass comments fall out of my mouth.”

Her lips quirked. “Think you can do that?”

He shrugged. “No fucking clue. But I’ll give it a try.”

His phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket and read the text message. “I’m due on set.”

“Okay.” She stood and he did as well. “Thanks for coming by.”

“I’ll…see you later?”

“Hmm. I’m around, you know.”

She smiled, the kind of smile that was hot and made sparks dance in her eyes. He wanted to grab her and kiss her and find a place where they could be alone so he could explore every tempting inch of her.

But it was daylight and he could hear voices inside the house, and there was someplace he needed to be. So, despite what he wanted to do, he’d go do what he had to do.

“I’ll see you later, Mae.”

“Okay. See you.”

---