Star-Crossed Letters (Falling for Famous #1)(78)

“You okay there?” he asks.

“No,” I cough out, gasping as the chip sticks in my throat. When the coughing subsides, I fake-glare at him. “It’s your fault. You did that sexy-smolder thing. You need to prepare me for it.”

“And did it work?”

My eyes meet Chase’s. I promised myself that I would be honest, even if it makes me vulnerable.

“Yes. Everything you do works for me, Chase. That’s part of the problem.”

He draws in a breath and looks away, focusing on opening the champagne bottle. The cork pops in the night, blending with the sound of the rhythmic surf.

“So, we’re celebrating more than just your risk with this champagne,” he says, sounding hesitant.

“We are?”

He fills a glass and passes it to me. Our hands brush, and there it is—the electricity when we touch.

“We’re celebrating that the tabloids have finally moved on from us.”

He says it so casually, raising his glass.

“They have? Why? How?”

“I’ve been working with my public relations team to get the tabloids away from you and focused on another story.”

I stare at him blankly.

“Another girl. With me,” he says meaningfully.

It takes a few minutes to connect his words.

“Cassidy,” I say.

He nods. “Cassidy.”

“So, when Cassidy was over at your house yesterday…”

“She made it very evident that she was visiting me. It’s all over social media. The fan sites and comment boards aren’t even mentioning you anymore, and everyone is chasing the story of Cassidy and me reunited. We’ll arrange to get photographed together a few more times, and you’ll be forgotten.” He flashes me a grim smile. “Your fifteen minutes of fame have officially ended.”

My stomach clenches. Will Chase forget me along with the fans?

“Cassidy doesn’t mind?” I ask. “I thought you broke up because she hated all the attention your relationship created.”

“Cassidy’s up for a huge movie role, so her PR team wants the extra publicity. When all this is over, we’ll both put out statements saying we’re just good friends, and everything will go back to normal.”

I bite my lip and wonder if maybe Cassidy’s motivation might also be getting to spend more time with Chase, despite what she said. Perhaps she regrets the breakup and misses their relationship. Fake dating is the perfect strategy if she wants to get him back.

“What about the stalker? Isn’t this putting her in danger now?”

“Cassidy has great security, much more than she had when we dated. She’s not concerned.”

He rubs the nape of his neck. “This is just one step closer to getting you home and back to your real life. All we’re waiting for is the fire report, which should be coming in any day.”

My gut twists with guilt over the lie about the fire report. But even worse is the knowledge that Chase seems to be in a rush to get me out of Malibu and back home. I take a sip of the champagne, but it’s ash in my mouth now. Suddenly, the picnic, this romantic setting, everything seems wrong.

“So, that’s it?” I say.

“That’s it.” He nods, looking at the ocean.

I watch him, willing him to say something, anything that will ease the ache taking up residence in my gut.

Every time I open my heart, he shows me he doesn’t want it.

I know I should just gracefully accept his friendship. The girl I was before would go back to her safe, small life without putting herself on the line. But that was before Nanna reached out from beyond the grave to kick me in the ass, daring me to start taking risks.

I’m learning that making myself open and vulnerable is a strength, not a weakness. It hasn’t been an easy, comfortable journey, but it’s led me here, to a secluded beach with the guy of my dreams. I’m not going to waste this. There are twinkly lights, for fuck’s sake.

I might not end up with the guy. But I can at least be the heroine in my own story. I’m not going to be ashamed of my feelings. I’m going to be brave enough to tell the truth. At least about this.

“I get it, Chase.” I give him a sad but determined smile. “You warn me away from you, are deliberately vague about having a girlfriend, and toast me going home with champagne.” I tilt my head. “You draw me in and then push me away. And I’m still here, barely able to breathe every time you look at me. You may confuse the hell out of me, but I see you, Chase. I see the real you when I suspect almost no one does. I see the loneliness behind your fame. I see the pain in your childhood and how you give quietly to those in need. How you support Daisy and care about your friends. How you turned your life around to protect me. I know you’re keeping me at a distance, but I also know that you’ve opened up to me in ways that are rare for you. I just want to do the same. If only you’d let me. If only you’d want me,” I say, my voice ragged and fierce.

“You don’t get it at all.”

“Pot, meet kettle.”

In one quick motion he shifts forward, cradles the back of my head, and pulls me closer until his forehead meets mine, until we’re just breathing each other in.

“I want you,” he forces out. “So damn bad I can’t breathe either.” He pulls back slightly. “But not at the expense of your life or happiness.”