Page 58 of Heart Set on You

“You’ll never know,” I say, waggling my brows.

“I hate you. You’re busy going to the bone zone with Miles Bennett while I’ve exhausted every single loser on Bumble.”

“I’m sure you’ll take a trip to the bone zone too, as you so eloquently put it.”

“Here’s hoping. I’m not letting this go, you know.”

“Can’t you just discuss my love life behind my back like a normal person?” I tease, shutting my laptop and placing it on the bedside table.

“I’m living vicariously through you. I’m painfully single and jaded from the asshole.”

“Are we still referring to Tyler as the asshole?”

“Until the end of time. He deserves to be drop-kicked in the balls. He’s lucky he’s still living.”

Abby has a complicated history when it comes to dating and relationships and falling in love. While she worked her way up the production ladder, Tyler, her ex, worked his way through the entire staff at The Buddha Bar, where he works.

“Love hurts, Rylee. Well, not for you. In your case a smoking hot sex symbol has fallen head over heels for you.”

“Okay, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I say, fiddling with the hem of my T-shirt.

“And let’s not discount what is happening either. You make him happy, you know? Even I can see it.”

I shrug, but then decide to be honest about my feelings. “He makes me happy too. You know, he asked me to go to the Artist Awards with him.”

“And you said yes, right?”

“I told him I would think about it, and I have, but it all seems really overwhelming. I don’t want the attention it would bring. I definitely don’t want my face in any magazines.”

I’ve always been a private person, knowing first-hand what it feels like to have an entire town talk about you. I didn’t like the attention then and I’ve tried to stay away from it since.

“Rylee, you’re dating a celebrity. A really big celebrity. One day, the world is going to find out about you and Miles and you’re not going to have a choice. It’s inevitable. Have you thought about that?”

“I have, and it makes me uncomfortable.”

“Then maybe you’re dating the wrong person,” she says. “Listen, I don’t think that’s the case, but you are going to have to find a way to deal with the attention if you want to be with him. You can’t stay a secret forever. For what it’s worth, I think you should go to the awards.”

She’s right. I’ve known that Miles and I can’t stay in this bubble forever. It’s only a matter of time before we are outed, and I need to come to terms with that. I need to take a leap of faith and go for it.

I know all of this, but I still feel terrified.

“I don’t have a clue how people aren’t on to the two of you,” Abby admits. “You both go all googly-eyed around each other. It’s… cute.”

“Stop. I do not,” I say, leaning back against the headboard. “And if I do, it’s only because of how great he is to look at.”

“I’ll give you that. The man is a walking orgasm.”

“Really, Abbs? You’re talking about the man I’m dating,” I laugh.

“It’s harmless. But I’m serious, you and Miles are good together. You care about him and not what he does for a living. And he cares about you. It’s sweet. And on that note, I’m heading back to my room. I’ll see you in the morning. Meet me in the lobby for seven?”

“I’ll see you then.”

I get ready for bed and hop in between the sheets, thinking about what Abby said. She isn’t wrong. The fact that Miles is a famous actor is exciting, but it’s not the reason I’m crazy about him. I would feel the same way about him if he was working in a bank. It’s our chemistry. It’s undeniable. I feel it in my bones.

It’s always hot between us, always intense. Earth-shattering. An image of Miles on top of me, his arms flexing while he drives into me, flashes through my mind. Just the thought of him, of his toned, hard chest and abs, is enough to send a rush of heat through my body.

I turn off the light and sink into the warmth of the bed, smiling into my pillow. It could be fun, going as Miles’ date to the awards show. I could walk the red carpet on his arm and maybe the press would print a quick story and then forget all about us. Or maybe they’d blow it up into something crazy, hound us relentlessly and his fans would decide they hate me.

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