Chapter 17
Gage eyed his rearview for the millionth time as he pulled up to the gated entry for The Royal Palm. Not a vehicle in sight. Good.
He wasn’t so worried about being spotted without Carly, but if the press could confirm that Gage was staying at The Royal Palm, they’d focus their efforts on staff members and patrons alike, hoping to get a morsel of information on the surf instructor who’d stolen his heart.
Harry stood at the gate, a wide grin on his face. “Good evening, Mr. Craven. No ID necessary tonight. Go on through.”
“Thank you.” It felt a little odd having a fellow college student calling him Mr. Craven, but he appreciated the guy’s enthusiasm.
He handed over a tip and pulled through once the gates retracted.
He and Carly had enjoyed a quiet evening in her hotel room.
If he thought lying on the floor in front of a fireplace was a tempting setup, Gage hadn’t seen anything yet.
Her hotel room consisted of a massive bed, a spacious kitchenette, and a few wicker loveseats that were as soft as a pile of logs.
No doubt the resort had paid a pretty penny for the beachside view, but that didn’t mean the room wasn’t lacking.
Things had started out innocent enough. A card game while they sat on the bed—aka the only comfortable spot in the suite. Next, they’d spread a blanket on the floor to eat takeout. For the movie, they’d taken to the bed once more. Boy, had that been a mistake.
Images of their heated exchange rushed through his mind, warming his blood in an instant.
It was a pleasant mistake, perhaps, but it had taken Gage everything he had to not take things further.
Or to at least try. Pulling him back to his senses was his deep and growing respect for Carly, and the awareness of what she’d been through.
That, and the knowledge that it wouldn’t be long before they could make things official with a ring and a date.
One day he and Carly would climb into their mutual bed and do whatever they wanted all night long.
Of course, he wouldn’t ask for her hand right away, but if all went as he hoped upon returning to California, Gage didn’t plan to waste time either. He’d waited his whole life to find a woman like Carly and couldn’t wait to start their future together.
A quick glance at the dashboard said it was already one in the morning. He climbed out of the car, tipped the valet, and strolled toward the beach house to the sound of lapping waves in the quiet night.
He thought back on the days leading up to Carly’s suggested—or rather forced—leave of absence.
Things had changed since he sent the declaration of love off to his folks.
At first his father wrote him off with a curt reply about it being some sort of joke.
Very funny. I know you wouldn’t jeopardize an opportunity like this for some woman, Gage. I raised you to be smarter than that.
His mother had replied differently. Oh my goodness! Are you serious, honey? If so, I look forward to meeting her.
Gage couldn’t tell if his mother was in earnest or if she was simply trying to pry further information out of him. Probably both. Either way, the punishment had begun. The texts and phone calls were no more. Nor did Gage receive a single reply to the subsequent texts he sent since then.
And while it stung to fall back into that loveless place with his father, Gage knew he had gained something far greater in Carly. Her love for him wasn’t conditional. Heck, if she had it her way, Gage would back out of the film altogether, but she loved him whether he did that or not.
Gage pushed open the door to his place and rested the keys on the side table.
Four more days and he’d fly off to Maui where he’d be without Carly for an entire month.
His body ached at the thought. How had his father done it all these years?
Better yet, how had his angel mother put up with it?
Heck, half the time Dad played a romance lead, meaning he had to kiss one gorgeous actress after the next.
Gage mused then, that if he were forced to choose between Carly and the acting role, he’d walk away from his contract no matter the consequences.
As it was, Carly planned to continue her job there at the resort for the summer, and when the time came for her to fly home for the season, Gage would be right behind her. They could do this. They could.
Gage didn’t bother flicking on the lights to his place, only shuffled by lamplight to get to his room. He flicked on another lamp there and moved into the bathroom.
He wasted no time brushing his teeth, tossing his clothes, and climbing under the covers.
Yet just as he rested his head on the cool pillow, his phone let out a text.
He smiled, expecting to see Carly’s name on it as he lifted the small device off the night stand.
But the text had come in from his father instead.
Diana McCarthy will be in Maui on the day you fly in. If you’re going to ignore my advice to stay single, you should at least look like you’re playing the field.
Gage rested his phone back on the nightstand and shut his eyes.
Seems that Dad’s true colors were coming out after all.
It wasn’t so much that Gage not be dating when the film came out, but rather that he not be dating what he’d once referred to as the help.
Leonard McCarthy, the party girl’s father, was a long time friend of Dad’s; they’d razzed Gage about marrying his daughter ever since they were young.
Gage was definitely not interested. Not because she wasn’t beautiful, but because the woman spent her time chasing the spotlight.
Hadn’t worked then. And it wouldn’t work now. If his foolish father thought Gage would fall for the likes of Diana McCarthy, he had another thing coming to him.