Page 102 of Reputation (Tempt)

“Fine.” I could barely form words.

“Just fine?” she asked. “Did Meghan Hart finally show up?”

“No.” I laughed.

It had become a bit of a running joke with Emerson. Meghan Hart had yet to show up, and I was beginning to think she never would. I couldn’t imagine being able to maintain such privacy despite being such a well-known author. It must be nice.

“You should come visit the set,” I said, knowing that Emerson had read the book the movie was based on.

“Seriously?” she asked. But then she shook her head, her excitement fading. “I don’t want to be a distraction.”

“Are you kidding?” I pulled back to look at her. “I’d love to have you there.” I should’ve thought to invite her sooner, but I knew she was busy with her training and taking care of Brooklyn.

“I suppose people would expect your fiancée to visit you on set.”

“Exactly,” I said, hating that she felt the need to mention our fake engagement to validate her visit, instead of just wanting to come see me.

Brooklyn bounded into the room, and Emerson slid off my lap to sit at my side. “Where’s Auntie Sloan?” She frowned at us. “And why haven’t you changed?”

Emerson stood, patting my thigh as she did so. “Your dad’s going to stay here.”

I peered up at her, furrowing my brow.I am?

“He needs his rest after filming, and I think it would be fun to have a girls’ adventure.”

Brooklyn perked up at that. “Okay. Can we go shopping too? And get mani-pedis?” She turned to me and batted her eyes. “Please, Dad?”

“Fine,” I sighed, pulling my wallet out of my pocket and handing her my black Amex.

“You dropped something,” Emerson said, picking it up and staring at it.

It was a picture of Emerson and Brooklyn, one I’d discovered in the daily calendar she’d made for me for Christmas. Every other photo had been of Brooklyn on her own, except this one. As soon as I’d seen the photo, I’d torn it out and stuck it in my wallet.

“You keep this with you?” Emerson asked.

“Since Christmas,” Brooklyn said as if the answer was obvious.

As in,beforewe were fake-engaged.

Emerson’s eyes remained on mine. Questioning. She handed it back without saying a word. Did she know how I felt about her? That it wasn’t pretend for me?

Part of me thought my feelings for her were obvious—they had to be. But another part feared she believed they were all part of the ruse. I didn’t know what to do. I was afraid if I told her, it would make things awkward, especially if she didn’t feel the same way. But I couldn’t stand the thought of giving her up—not now, not in a year, not ever.

“Get some rest,” Emerson said, brushing my hair away from my face and kissing my temple.

“Thanks,” I said, lying down and trying to ignore my tumultuous thoughts. “Have fun.”

“Oh, we will.” She grinned, fanning herself with my black Amex card.

I narrowed my eyes at her, though I trusted Emerson not to go overboard. “I’m sure.” My eyes slid closed, and I waved at them over the back of the couch.

When I woke again, it was to an empty suite. It was quiet, and I assumed everyone was still out enjoying their adventure. It made me happy to think of Brooklyn getting to spend time with her two favorite women. Two women who were strong and independent and… Well, I only hoped things were going well between Sloan and Emerson.

I pushed myself off the couch, glancing at the time on my phone. I had a missed call from Pierce. I changed into my workout clothes and headed to the gym for a run.

I placed my phone on the treadmill and hit the button to connect the call. “Pierce. Hey. What’s up?”

“Just checking in on how things were going.”

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