Page 105 of Her Greatest Adventure

That’s what the woman at the first of five dress stores told me this afternoon before I gave her the middle finger and left. It wasn’t the first time someone has told me what I should and shouldn’t eat, especially being in the modelling industry, and it surely won’t be the last. But I’ve never appreciated hearing it. I don’t believe you have to look a certain way to be beautiful, nor should you not be allowed to do something like modelling if you’re not a size zero.

They can take me as I am or not at all. I will never change myself for someone else.

It means everything to me that Cooper loves me as I am.

“There’s no such thing as too many pancakes,” he says stiffly. The sudden change in his tone has my hackles lifting. It’s closed off. Faraway.

“Tell me what did you do today. Something fun, I hope?”

His throat bobs with a heavy swallow, the arm at my back tensing ever so slightly.Something is going on.I know him too well by now to think otherwise.

“Not much. I just had breakfast with my dad and got a chunk of my syllabus done.”

“What did you and your dad talk about?”

When he glances at me, the weariness in his eyes has me even more nervous. What is going on? Is his family okay?

“You know, if something is going on, I hope you know that you can tell me. I’m here for you always,” I add, voice as gentle as I can make it.

He flinches at my words, and it’s all the confirmation I need that something’s really, really wrong.

“Let’s talk about it later. Please? I want you to enjoy the party, Addie,” he says.

I almost laugh. “I can’t enjoy a party knowing something is upsetting you. Is it your family? Is everyone okay?”

He looks around the room, expression growing more and more nervous with each person he finds nearby. I watch him tug anxiously at the collar of his shirt, my stomach leaden.

“My family is good” is what he chooses to say.

“So, what’s going on? You’re worrying me.”

“I’m sorry,” he says on a wobbly breath.

“For what? What happened? Was it something I said?”

He shakes his head, jaw tight. “No. You’re goddamn perfect. Please, can we talk about this later?”

It’s an unfair request, but as our muttered conversation draws the attention of the people nearby, some of whom apparently aren’t above trying to capture it on camera, I know I should grant it anyway.

When a hand that doesn’t belong to either Cooper or me touches the back of my arm, I recoil, my mind too scattered to focus properly. Cooper’s eyes flash over my head. The touch vanishes just as quickly as it appeared.

“Hello, I’m Sebastian. You’re Cooper, I assume?”

Cooper nods stiffly, slowly looking back at me. I suck in a steadying breath, paint a smile on my face, and loop my arm through his much tenser one before facing Seb.

He does a good job of hiding his interest in whatever he saw happening between Cooper and me. It’s an appreciated gesture.

“Yes, this is my husband, Cooper. Cooper, this is my favourite boss, Sebastian Bradford,” I introduce them.

Cooper shakes Seb’s already outstretched hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Sebastian flashes his teeth in a dazzling smile. “You as well. Addie here speaks highly of you.”

“She’s too good to me,” Cooper says.

“She’s too good to andforeveryone,” Seb corrects him, shooting me a wink.

“That’s absolutely true,” Ivy says, joining us now.

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