2. Hadley
Idon’t know what I expected but it isn’t the hot guy with a handful of calla lilies. I guess I figured Quade didn’t have a girlfriend because he wasn’t the best looking.
Well, I can toss that thought out the window.
Quade Sanderson is hot.
Capital H, capital O, capital T.
HOT!
And throw in an exclamation point.
Maybe two of them.
As I walk toward him, the nerves I thought I’d managed to get rid of with a Bloody Mary instead of the small snack they offered on the plane are back, and while they were gone they took steroids or something because the nervous energy buzzing from my head to my toes is threatening to take out my knees.
I’ve seen hot men. Hard not to be exposed to them when your father runs one of the country’s top talent agencies.
Of course most of those hot men are all flash no substance and I rarely give them the time of day.
And now I’m expected to hang off this one for months?
Convince everyone we come into contact with that we’re in love?
Quade gave me a simple rundown of why he needs someone at his side for the summer and I understand his desire for a fake date completely.
Hell, didn’t I tell my dad I was seeing someone just before I left town?
You bet I did.
I might not be interested in the numerous male models who pass through the agency’s doors but more than a few are interested in me and my dad isn’t any help in deflecting their interest. He’d like to see me settled.
His words, not mine.
Also his words, I’m tired of you bouncing through life with no real aim.
What he doesn’t get is that I have an aim. It’s to enjoy everything this world has to offer. It’s to experience and learn and do everything my brother and sister never can.
It’s not like I’m old. I’m only twenty-five. And I got the degree he insisted on. And yes, it may have been me sticking my tongue out at him doing the double degree in marketing and public relations when he wanted me to go the MBA route but he isn’t the only one tired.
I’m tired of being told how I should live my life.
Before she died, my mom made me promise I’d never live up to anyone’s expectations but my own. Never live to please somebody other than myself and that included my dad.
I might make a lot of my life choices with my brother and sister in mind but they’re still my choices. I wouldn’t do them if they weren’t what I wanted.
“Hadley?”
Quade’s voice rolls over me and I have to admit, the tone matches the look. He’s all big and growly and as I stop in front of him, I see how much bigger than me he is and I can’t help asking, “Is this size difference going to be a problem?”
He mars his beautiful face by frowning down at me. “No. Why would it?”
“Well, I imagine you prefer woman closer to your height.”
“Stop imagining. I don’t care how tall a woman is.”
“So your family won’t question us together?”
“My family has never seen me with a woman, so no, they won’t question your size.”
“Never?” He’s told me he doesn’t have a girlfriend or any prospects or interest but surely he’s had one in the past. “You’ve never brought a woman you’re seeing to meet your family?”
“No. And after you meet the family you’ll understand why.” He reaches out and takes my duffel bag off my shoulder. “I’m assuming you have more than this one bag.”
“Ah, yeah, who can get away for months with only one?”
“We’ll probably have to go shopping for you to purchase appropriate clothing for some of the events we’ll be attending.” His forehead creases in what I can only assume is deep thought. “I didn’t think to mention you’d need a couple of semi-formal outfits. It might be best to take an extra day in Charleston so we can shop before heading to Love Beach.”
“We’re not heading straight to the beach?” Quade didn’t give me an itinerary but I assumed we’d make our way from the airport directly to his family’s estate.
“No. The plan is to head up there tomorrow. We’ll see what time we hit Charleston today and how quickly you can shop. We may get away tomorrow morning or early afternoon. I would prefer not to drive up in the dark if we can help it.”
“You’re the boss.” I give him a quick salute.
“That ends now. I’m not your boss, I’m your boyfriend.”
“Right. Okay.” Taking a deep breath, I ignore the delicious shiver his voice uttering the word boyfriend produces and try to wipe my mind free of anything other than the reason I’m here. “Quade, darling, let’s go get my bags so we can get on the road. I’m tired from having to take such an early flight.”
The look he gives me is one of shock but he quickly smooths out his expression and says, “I’m sorry about that. But I wanted to be sure we had plenty of time together before we left Charleston to join the family.”
I wave his explanation away. “Don’t worry about it. I’d just like to get out of these travel clothes and into something more comfortable.”
The minute I climbed into the car Quade had organized take me to the airport this morning I’d cursed myself. The pants I chose to wear might look great on and boost my confidence but they’re on the tight side on my best days and today obviously isn’t one of those.
“Do you wish to do that before we leave here?” Quade looks around. “We can get your bag and you can change in one of the bathrooms.”
“I could…”
Normally I wouldn’t but I’ve already been in these pants for hours and I’m pretty sure they’re going to cut me clean in half if I have to sit in a car for another few hours.
“Come on. We’ll get your bag?—”
“Bags.”
He frowns at me again. “Bags.”
The one word is an acknowledgement and censure and I feel the need to explain. “It’s only two. I needed enough clothes to last the summer. I tried to cull my choices and now you’re telling me I have to buy more clothes.” I shake my head. “Maybe you should check what I’ve brought with me and decide if I need to take it all or if I should leave some things at your place when we head to your family’s estate.”
Quade shakes his head, that frown I’m beginning to think never leaves his face aimed my way again. “It’s fine. My mother usually travels with six bags when she goes to Love Beach for the summer.”
Six bags?
What the hell could she possibly take to their holiday home that requires six bags?
And with that thought the nerves are back. Tenfold.
The idea of meeting Quade’s mother, the rest of his family, and pretending to be in love with him suddenly becomes all too real, and as I follow my boyfriend toward baggage claim, I fear I’ve gotten myself into something I can’t handle.