Page 55 of The Road Trip Romance

“Why not?” he asks as we continue on our way.

“Because we live two different lives. He’s filming movies all over the world. He has to be in LA all the time. I live on the East Coast with two kids. How can that work?” I ask.

“It’d be hard, but I bet you could find a way,” Jordan states.

“Yes, but is it possible to do forever?” I question.

He shrugs. “I make it work with my wife,” he points out.

“She’s an actress. That’s a little different,” I counter as we start climbing boulders.

“No falling this time, M,” he teases me as we come out of the clearing to find the sun rising over a valley below us.

“Damn,” I murmur as I take in the natural beauty.

“It’s beautiful,” he says, and it makes me think of Tate saying that about the stars last night.Fuck. What am I doing?I should have been helping him plan his grand gesture, and instead, I’m making out with him in the rain. This is all so messed up! This week went from crazy to crazier. Part of me wishes he never read my book. Then he could be living his best movie-star life and I’d be none the wiser.

“I messed this all up,” I mutter.

“No, you didn’t,” Jordan says.

I look at him. “What if someone came between you and Alisha?”

He gives me a stern look. “No one would dare do that.”

I grin. “Damn, Jordan! I didn’t know you’d go all alpha over my statement. It’s kind of hot.”

He narrows his eyes. “I love her, and I would do anything for her.”

“Clearly,” I say, enunciating each syllable. “Glad we confirmed that.”

He grunts his agreement. “Thanks for reminding me though. I need to do more to show her that.”

“Good. Do it. She seems like a nice woman, and she deserves to be showered with affection and gifts,” I say, figuring it can’t hurt to plug that for another woman.

“Noted,” he grumbles. “Don’t give up so easy. He’s worth fighting for.”

I swallow. I know it, but I just can’t imagine going through another breakup. It’s easier to hide behind my romance novels where it’s safe and no man actually ever hurts me because there’s always a happily ever after.

“Please promise you’ll consider putting yourself out there,” he says as if reading my mind.

“I have…and…I just can’t,” I say as I turn and start back down the rocks to the trail.

Jordan follows me and we walk in silence for the next quarter mile to the campsite. I want to tell him that I’m confused and scared, but then he might talk me out of what I’m about to do.

The car is packed by the time we get back. Tate is closing the back. He brushes his hands together.

“All set,” he says.

Penn and Rex look from Tate to me. Shit. Does everyone know? Penn winks at me and I sigh. Fuck. Everyone knows.

“Why don’t you guys just drop me at an airport? I can fly back,” I say.

Penn frowns. “What? No way. It’s your car.”

“This is all messed up and I feel like it’s my fault,” I mutter as I tighten my ponytail.

“It’s not your fault. I should have stopped this crazy trip before it started,” Tate says as he steps toward me.

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