Page 67 of Sunrise

I shake my head. My eyes have to be playing tricks on me, so I continue. "Wren said we should say that you saw the article, and we sat down to talk. That you said with your life and the inn here and mine in Hollywood, we agreed we just didn't see it working out right now. Then I got this big role, and we decided to take a break and try to figure things out. This way, we can place the blame on this leaking out."

Even as I say the words, it just feels wrong.

"When do you leave?" She stands and turns her back to me to look out her office window.

"Tomorrow morning," I tell her.

"I see," she says, her voice cold.

"Lin, what's wrong?" I ask. Does she not like the plan? Is she going to make this more difficult now?

"It's stupid, but this was the plan all along, so it sounds fine," she says but doesn't turn back to me.

I stand and cross the room, walking up behind her. Placing my hand on her hips, she takes a shaky breath and leans her back against my chest.

"It just started to feel too real," she whispers as she watches the waves crash onto the sand on the beach ahead.

"I know." It's all I can offer her. It did feel real, but this is what we agreed on.

"I've worked my whole life for a role like this one," I tell her, and even to my own ears, it feels like a flimsy excuse, but it's true. How can I turn this down?

I squeeze her hips. "I have you to thank for helping me get it." I try to cheer her up.

"Oh well, you're welcome," she says sarcastically, and then her whole mood shifts. She turns and pulls away from me.

"Listen, I need to go to Sunset. The guy is on his way to install Brynn's sales system. Have Wren email me anything I need to know. I don't plan to do any interviews other than Ned to boost the inn. Extra security is here. Keep the doors locked, and I will make sure there is coffee in the morning."

She is already building the wall back up, and I hate it. I don't want to lose what we have, being able to talk to her and share with her.

"Lin..." I try to reach for her, but she pulls away.

"No, it's fine. Stupid me. Go back to Hollywood. I'm so happy for you, and I will be at the theater on opening day to see your movie. I'll be able to say hey, I kind of dated that guy. Maybe we can do dinner? But if I don't see you before you leave, have a safe flight and good luck on set." With that, she is out the door.

In a daze, I head up to my room to start packing.

What the hell just happened?

Chapter 31

Linly

It's been a week since Kade left without even saying goodbye. I went back up to his room to have one last dinner with him, and he was already gone. He left me a note, saying he would stay at the airport hotel that night, and was sending some extra security to make sure fans didn't get too crazy and hired a PR firm to filter out interview questions and media requests.

He thanked me for the last few weeks and said they were the best he's ever had and he's going to miss everyone. Brynn thinks saying goodbye would have been too hard. I think a leopard doesn't change his spots that fast.

I glance up at Dale, who has his eyes on the door at the man who Kade hired. Dale doesn't trust him, and I can't say I blame him. He sticks out like a sore thumb here in town. All the people Kade brought in do. I like my security to blend in so guests don't really notice them, but these guys have a shirt that says security in big, bold letters on it. There is no hiding them.

I sigh and get up to walk around the lobby. Something I've been doing for a while now. We start taking guests again next week and are already booked solid, and it's a few weeks before the season. A few people have called to book the Kade Markson room. Brynn suggested I rename the room, and I threw my fries at her. She laughed so hard I couldn't help but laugh too.

It was what I needed to laugh out the tension and the heartbreak. Because for a fake relationship, this heartbreak feels very real. Every place around here holds a memory. Kade and I taking walks on the beach, or having sex in my bed, or working in the office, or eating dinner at the Sunset. Even time in town reminds me of him. I am so screwed.

I debate heading off the island for a bit just to get a break from the memories before the inn is filled with guests, but I don't have the time to do it, and I know that.

I'm so lost in thought, I don't realize someone else is in the lobby with me until Jessica speaks.

"I can't believe you thought a man like Kade was with you for anything other than to boost his career. He used you to get that part. I knew he could never be with you for real." She huffs.

Did she really come here to put me down? Old Linly would roll her eyes, walk away, and then have her escorted off the property by security and ban her from the grounds.

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