Page 31 of Kicking it with my Fake Fiancé
He gasped in fake outrage. “You would never.”
I leveled a look at him, grinning, one eyebrow raised. “Try me.” With that, I backed out of the parking spot and headed to the bar, joy coursing through my veins.
Chapter Sixteen
Matty
Matty
By the end of the next week, I felt like I was starting to settle into life in Port Grandlin. I’d adjusted to the time difference—mostly—and I had even gotten most of my belongings unpacked and put away in what Jared continued to call the guest bedroom, even though I had ended up staying in it full time. It wasn’t that I didn’twantto share a bed with Jared, because just as I’d told him, I very much wanted that. We hadn’t so much asseeneach other without clothes since I’d been in America, though, and I wasn’t interested in rushing things. In Norway, we’d toyed with a physical relationship, one that had hit us without warning, like a thunderstorm in summer—it seemed it had always been simmering in the background, until one day the skies opened up. It had roiled through us fast and hard, and I didn’t want to risk the fallout if we picked things back up the wrong way. I had too much to lose, and if weweregoing to attempt that kind of relationship, one with both physical and emotional components, I wanted to do it the right way. I wasn’t entirely sure if my resolve would hold out, though.
I was in my bedroom, tapping away on my laptop as I worked on an article, when a knock startled me out of my focus. When I looked up, Jared stood in the doorway frowning, a furrow between his eyebrows.
“What’s wrong?” I asked immediately, pushing the chair away from the desk. “Is it the show?”
He shook his head and looked up at me. “It’s the tour. Paul just called and he wants me back on the road as soon as possible. The next show is in two days.”
My breath left me in a rush. “Now what?”
“I guess we need to call Charlie, tell her we’re traveling.”
“Good idea.”
Jared pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed the number for theDestination Loveproducer.
“This is Charlie,” she answered.
He cleared his throat. “Hey, Charlie, this is Jared. I’ve got Matty here with me.”
Her tone shifted to a warm one. “Hey there. What can I do for you?”
“So, uh… I just heard from my manager. He’s got some shows lined up for me. Another month on tour.”
“Jared, that’s great news! How’s Matt feeling about it?”
I looked from Jared to the phone and back to Jared. “I’m looking forward to seeing more of America, even if it is crammed in a van with a bunch of musicians.” It was true, too. I wanted to be near Jared, regardless of circumstances.
“Oh.” Her tone grew more serious. “Matt, we can’t approve that, you know that, right?”
“Can’t approve what?” I asked, confused.
“The travel. The execs won’t want to spend the money to send a camera crew traveling with you. Besides, having you alone in America—it makes for good television.”
“Oh.” I’d planned on joining him, writing a few short pieces about the experience and the cities we visited. “But why?”
Charlie took a breath and continued. “Listen, I can talk to Doug. I’ll push the issue, but he’s going to say absolutely not.”
“Okay.” I wasn’t sure what else there was to be said. “Well, thanks.”
Her tone softened. “I’m sorry about this. I really am. I know it’s not the news you wanted to hear. But listen, you’ll be okay. It’s just a month. And Jared’s tour will be great for publicity for the show.”
“Thanks, Charlie,” Jared murmured.
“No problem. Anything else you need?”
“No, that’s it.” A few moments later, we said goodbye and hung up.
Jared swallowed, his jaw twitching as he clenched his teeth. “I’m really sorry. I wanted you there.”
