Page 101 of Valentine Nook
His eyes are glued to mine. I don’t think he’s even noticed anyone else. But he has an air about him that compels people to move out of the way when he passes, and for a second, I marvel at him.
By the time he reaches us, a smile stretches across his face. “What are you two gossiping about?”
“I was telling Holiday about the Fall Ball.”
I nod, peering up at him. “I’ll find something cool to donate for the auction. Maybe a trip to a movie set?”
Lando wears a curious expression, both thoughtful and amused.
I’m wondering what it means when he drapes his arm around my shoulders and twists me into him enough that he can press a full kiss to my mouth with little effort.
It’s brief but not too short and gives absolutely no doubt to anyone watching us that we’re in a “relationship” at the bare minimum.
“Thank you, Hollywood. That’s very kind.”
I sense the snap of a camera. There’s no way he doesn’t either. But we walk off the field and back to the stands like we haven’t noticed and don’t care.
CHAPTER 20
Lando
“So tell me what to expect.” I put my coffee down and watch Holiday.
We’ve been flying for thirty minutes. Her fidgeting has grown progressively more fidgety, and I’m not sure why.
I’m certain she’s not a nervous flier because she wasn’t gripping the armrests on takeoff. She seemed perfectly comfortable settling into her seat, requesting a mint tea, and flicking through a bundle of loose notes she pulled from her bag. She nodded to the pilot when he asked if we were ready to leave, and the moment the wheels became airborne, she turned to me with a blinding smile, following up with a kiss that made me wish this flight lasted longer than an hour.
But if she clicks the top of her pen any more aggressively, it’s going to break.
“Hol?”
Her face does that thing where I know she hasn’t heard a word I’ve said.
“What?”
“Are you okay?”
She nods, though it seems more like she’s going through the motions of nodding. Head loose from her neck.
“Yeah?” It comes out as a question.
“Let’s try again. What’s wrong?”
She lets out a long sigh and slumps back in her seat. “Nothing.”
“Holiday?”
Her eyes roll closed. “Do you remember when I told you I sometimes think I can leave acting for good?”
I almost laugh. It was the night I kissed her, the afternoon I drove her back to Valentine Nook. One of the best two hours of my life. It’s not a day I’ll forget in a hurry.
But I just say, “Yes.”
“My agent, Marcy, will be in Paris. She’s very good, one of the best. I’m lucky to have her, really. She built my career, and she works phenomenally hard for her clients, negotiating top-dollar deals. I’m where I am today because of her?—”
Babbling is something I’ve learned Holiday does when she’s nervous, in particular whenever her agent is mentioned. It reminds me of being in investor meetings when bad news is being delivered.
Start with the good stuff, and no one will notice how you’ve lost one hundred million in land value after a season of terrible weather.
