Page 22 of Reputation (Tempt)

People whispered Nate’s name as we passed, and I tried to ignore them. Sometimes, I didn’t know how Nate dealt with it. I’d had some experience with fame—my dad had played for the Hollywood Hawks, and I occasionally got recognized for my own athletic achievements. Now that I was Nate’s nanny and had been featured in the tabloids several times, I definitely felt the curious stares, trying to ignore them and the jealous glances at my purse.

Maybe I shouldn’t have brought the Birkin.

Preston leaned in. “Ignore them.”

“I’m trying.” I smiled. “But it’s hard sometimes.”

“You can’t even imagine the uproar when people discovered I was dating Alexis.”

“Oh yeah?” I asked, turning into a row and taking a seat between Preston and Nate.

“Yeah.” He laughed. “Male nanny and the single mom. Not to mention the fact that I was younger.” He shook his head with a rueful grin. “But eventually, everyone moved on. There’s always a new scandal.”

“That’s a relief,” I said while we waited for the curtain to rise.

It was only when the lights dimmed and the curtain rose that Nate finally seemed to relax a little. The constant attention and scrutiny had to be exhausting.

Sophia came onstage, acting the role of the miller’s daughter. I smiled to myself, loving that Brooklyn and her best friend had taken the lead roles in the play. Preston beamed as Sophia delivered her lines with confidence, playing the part perfectly.

Finally, it was time for Brooklyn to make her entrance. And she did in a puff of smoke. I gripped Nate’s arm without thinking, pride and excitement and nerves coursing through me.

For a minute, she didn’t speak. Didn’t blink, as far as I could tell. I started mouthing her lines, praying all our practice would kick in. Nate placed his hand over mine, his touch oddly reassuring.

Come on. Come on.

And then she started speaking, and Nate gave my hand a pat. I realized I was still gripping his arm, and I released him and mouthed, “Sorry.”

He shook his head as if to wave away my concern, and any awkwardness I felt faded.

Brooklyn seemed to embrace her role fully, and I relaxed.

When she got to a section that she’d struggled with, I silently mouthed her lines, sending her all my encouragement. She’d only just finished delivering them when Nate nudged me with a smile.

“What?” I mouthed, fighting a smile of my own.

He shook his head, his eyes lingering on my lips as he said a silent, “Nothing.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, grateful for the dim lighting.

He leaned in, his breath brushing the shell of my ear when he whispered, “You’re cute.”

I tried not to shiver. Tried and failed. So much for banning him from my celebrity fuck-it list.

CHAPTERSIX

“It’s not too late to back out,” I teased, nudging Emerson.

The limo was parked out front, and most of the girls had started to arrive. We’d already celebrated Brooklyn’s birthday with family, and now it was time for her slumber party with friends at the Huxley Grand.

“Are you kidding?” Emerson said, grinning up at me. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

I shook my head with a smile. But then my mood darkened. If only Brooklyn’s own mother felt that way. Trinity had sent a card and a present—shocking. But the gift was something Brooklyn would’ve liked three years ago. Which only proved just how out of touch Trinity was with her own daughter.

Despite Trinity’s meager effort, she hadn’t even called to wish Brooklyn a happy birthday. Nor had she asked about attending Brooklyn’s party, not that I’d want her there. The woman had a way of poisoning everything, making it about her.

Like now. On the eve of the release of Annalise’s tell-all.

Fucking hell.

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