Page 30 of Big Rowdy Cowboy

“So you’ve never thought he’s cute?” I press, trying to figure out more about their past together.

“The first time I saw him I thought he had a face that would sell a lot of records. But if you’re asking if I’ve ever been attracted to him, the answer is no. He’s not my type. I prefer emotionally unavailable men who ignore me.”

I look up from the coffee machine then. There’s a flicker of sadness on her face before she tucks it away. “It’s time for lunch. What do you like? I’ve got a great little Japanese restaurant that has the best noodles.”

“That sounds good,” I tell her right as my phone rings with a call from Zac. I can’t help smiling. He’s busy working and he’s still thinking of me.

“Hey, beautiful girl,” he greets me. I can almost imagine him leaning against a wall, tapping his boot as he talks.

“Hey, handsome.”

Thea makes a gagging motion, and I roll my eyes at her theatrics. “How are your promotional activities going?”

He ignores the question. “Check behind the pillows.”

“How did you know where I was?” I glance over at Thea who makes the symbol of a halo above her head. She’s stopped a few times to send text messages today. I assumed they were all to Zac’s staff.

I move one of the pillows to discover a blue velvet box. It’s clearly jewelry. “Is this for me?”

“Open it,” Zac says.

I lift the box to reveal a sparkling diamond bracelet. I show it to Thea who gives me a thumbs-up and a huge grin. I think she was in on this surprise. “This is gorgeous. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”

“Pity you don’t own a mirror. We’ll have to work on that next,” Zac says.

“You can’t buy me expensive gifts,” I tell him. “I mean, it’s stunning but Zac—”

“Go to dinner with me tonight,” he says, and I remember Thea’s earlier words.

“You can get time away?”

“For you, I have all the time in the world. Be ready at seven,” he tells me. I hear a noise in the background, and I know his work is beckoning.

“I’ll wear the bracelet, and I’ll see you then,” I tell him in a rush.

“Good girl,” Zac croons. “Now go have fun with Thea.”

Chapter 17

Dotty

“Why do I have to get dressed and do my makeup here?” I ask Thea the next day as she ushers me into the backstage area to a door marked makeup. Last night, I had a perfect dinner out with Zac where he presented me with another piece of jewelry, a matching diamond necklace to go with the bracelet.

“Because there are going to be cameras trained all over Zac tonight,” she explains. “And we both know there’s only one person he’ll be looking at.”

My cheeks heat. Everyone will know from the way that Zac looks at me how crazy he is in love. I love him too. I’ve loved him since the moment I tapped him with my car, but I’m still nervous about saying those words out loud.

He deserves to know it though. I want him to feel as loved in our relationship as I do, and that means being brave and telling him the thoughts that are in my heart.

“I have to go smooth out the chaos now, but these are Zac’s hair and makeup assistants. They help him every night before he gets on stage. You can ask them if you need anything,” she reassures me.

I do my best to give her a serene smile. I want to fit into Zac’s world and show Thea that she doesn’t have to look after me.

“Look, I know it’s hard. It’s a circus here tonight but try to enjoy yourself,” Thea says, and to my surprise, she gives me a quick hug. “You’ll do great.”

My eyes prick with tears but before I can say anything, she releases me and hurries down the labyrinth of halls. She’s already talking into her earpiece and issuing commands in that fearless way she does.

I walk into the makeup room. There are two women sipping coffee and leaning casually around a mirror. They stop talking the moment I walk into the room. The first one is a tall willowy woman with an eyebrow piercing, and the second is a shorter woman with a tattoo of a mermaid on her arm. They send me a look that makes me feel like the new kid who ripped her pants in front of the whole class.

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