Chapter 37

Victoria

Hayden and I stop hiding.We don't make a formal declaration of our relationship, but everyone on set knows by the end of the week. The fact that he kisses me at every opportunity sort of gives it away.

And … it's nice. It feels good. And a lot less stressful, which is a huge relief. No one gives me a hard time, though I hear a few of them hassling Hayden for keeping secrets. The general attitude is basically why did he feel the need to hide our relationship. It's not like anyone would care.

Which makes me feel guilty for forcing him into that position. "I'm sorry," I tell him when I get to his trailer after I'm done working for the day early the following week.

He takes a half step back, though his hand remains on my hip, his brows pulled together in confusion. "For what?"

I wave a hand, indicating everything and everyone beyond the trailer. "For acting like people here knowing about us was some kind of world-ending thing. You were right that none of them care."

He grins, pulling me in for another kiss. "Has anyone in town found out? Or have you told anyone besides Brit?"

"No," I whisper against his lips.

He hums, a neutral acknowledgment of my statement. I know it bothers him that I haven't really told anyone, but I don't know how. Do I just randomly shoehorn it into a conversation? "Hey, everyone, guess what? I'm dating Hayden Maddox. Yeah, the movie star. No, I'm not hallucinating. Yes, we're really dating. No, he hasn't met Erin yet."

And then there's that. Once word gets out that Hayden and I are together, Erin will face as much backlash and speculation as I will.

He leads me to the couch, sitting down and pulling me down too so I'm leaning back against him, his arms wrapped around my chest. I hook my hands over his forearms, letting out a soft sigh at the contact. This isn't how we usually spend our time in his trailer, but as usual with Hayden, he knows just what I need.

After placing a kiss on my neck just below my ear, he lets out a rumbly sound of contentment. "I love holding you," he whispers.

"I love it too," I whisper back.

He's quiet a beat. "We need to talk about next week."

My gut clenches at his words. Next week filming will end and everyone will leave, including Hayden. Maybe him pulling me to the couch and cuddling isn't about giving me what I need. Or at least not exclusively about that. Maybe he needs it too.

I swallow hard. "Okay. What about it?"

He sighs. "As you know, filming should be finished by Wednesday. Even if we take an extra day or two, we'll be done by the end of the week." I nod. "We need to discuss what happens after that." He squeezes me, then trails one hand down my arm to lace his fingers through mine. "We'll still be a couple. We've already decided that. But we haven't discussed specifics. And since you said you'd feel better if you know how everything will work, I thought we need to nail down a plan." He kisses my cheek, and I turn my face to capture his lips before he turns away.

He kisses me back, and I think we both lose ourselves for a minute, because his hand strays under my top, his fingers caressing my skin, teasing the waistband of my jeans. But with a soft grunt, he ends the kiss, though he doesn't withdraw his hand. "I have to go to LA for a few days," he whispers. "There are a few things there I need to take care of. But after that, I'll come back."

"For how long?"

He shakes his head. "I already bought a one-way ticket. I'll stay until I need to go somewhere else. Brady's assistant has been looking for a house for me to rent up here to give me a home base."

Pulling my head back, I blink up at him. "Wait, really?"

He nods. "I told you that I'd spend as much time here as I could. Did you not realize that would start right away?"

I shake my head, but in wonder more than denial. "I guess I didn't really know. I've been trying so hard not to think about you leaving, focusing instead on the moment, that I didn't even let myself hope—" I cut myself off by kissing him fiercely.

He responds immediately, his tongue parting my lips, his grip on me tightening until he's pulling me into his lap so we can both get a better angle.

"God, Victoria," he murmurs. "Like I could stay away from you knowing that you want me here."

"I do," I whisper. "I want you here as often as you can be here."

I'll figure out the rest—introducing him to Erin, telling my parents, letting everyone in on the secret. I have to tell my family, but everyone else can find out the same way the people on set did—by seeing us together.

Having a plan, even if all the details aren't quite worked out yet, makes me feel better. Like this is possible. Doable. And like my life won't blow up in my face all over again.

He wants me. He's choosing me. Us. Even if he hasn't met Erin yet, he's not scared off by her very existence. And he's willing to work with our timelines, our needs, and be patient to get what he wants. Which is a life with me.

It still doesn't feel entirely real, but I'm going to follow Brit's advice and believe, take the risk, and chase the possibilities because the chance at happiness is far better than the certain sadness that I'd face if I didn't.

We don't make it to the bed. Hayden lies back, pulling me with him as he tugs off my top, his hands going to the button and zipper of my jeans, yanking them open almost as soon as my shirt hits the floor. I can't stop myself from giggling at his eagerness and the overwhelming happiness I feel. I want to laugh and cry and shout my joy to the world.

But instead I'll get naked with Hayden, and let him love me.