Page 85 of Stay for Forever

I refuse to engage. We’ve already had this argument more times than I can count. “Let’s agree to disagree.”

“Agreed. To recap, I know you’re not with me for the money and you know I want to spoil you.”

“Can you spoil me by making a larger enclosure for the fennec foxes?”

“I don’t think you understand the concept of me spoiling you and not your animals.”

He slows the car and turns into a driveway. “Where are we?”

“You’ll see.”

We drive for a few minutes before we arrive at a restaurant. The building sits up high on the side of a hill with views of the mountains beyond.

“This place is gor—” My words cut off when I notice Mav securing a wig over his hair. He’s already wearing a fake beard. “What are you doing? Is this a costume party?”

“This is my disguise.”

“Disguise? Why do you need a disguise?” I search the parking lot for fans or paparazzi, but the place is empty.

“I don’t want anyone to recognize me and ruin our evening.”

I squirm in my seat. This is my fault. “I’m sorry I overreacted when those fans discovered you in Winter Falls. I didn’t handle your fame very well.”

He stops fiddling with the wig. “And now? Do you think you can handle my fame now?”

“I’m going to try. I love you and I don’t want to lose you.” I blow out a puff of air. “I guess I got complacent living in Winter Falls where everyone considers you Rickie and not Maverick Langston, the movie star.”

“As much as I’m your Mav, I’m also Maverick Langston. And I do get recognized in the middle of nowhere restaurants no matter how much I don’t want to.”

“What happens when you get recognized? Is it always the same as what happened in Winter Falls?”

“It varies. Those were the younger fans. The ones who view me as a sex symbol.”

I waggle my eyebrows. “You are pretty sexy.”

He tweaks my nose before continuing, “There are also older fans who can be cool. They want to say hi and for the most part, will leave me alone. And, finally, you have the movie buffs who want to discuss every aspect of every film I’ve ever been in. They can talk my ear off if I let them.”

“I never thought about fame as a burden.”

“It’s not a burden.” He’s quick to correct. “It’s my privilege to have fans who adore me and want to spend time with me.”

And I love him all the more for viewing it this way. For not being a snob who thinks he’s entitled to fame and fortune and adoring fans.

“I need to know you can handle my fame. I’m in deep with you, June Bug. You’re under my skin and I never want to let you go.”

My stomach warms at his words. “I feel the same way.”

“Good. Because if you can’t deal with this part of who I am, it’ll gut me.”

The vulnerable look in his eyes has me rushing to reassure him. “I’ll do my best. I can’t promise to never get annoyed or mad, but I’ll try to not be a jealous girlfriend who runs away at the first hurdle.”

I did that already. It only caused the both of us pain.

He leans across the console to touch my lips. “Now we’ve settled the issue, let’s go eat. The sooner I get you fed, the sooner I can get you home and talk you out of your dress.”

He won’t have to work very hard at it.

“Let’s go.”

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