Chapter 33 Nova
Nova
“I’m so glad you could make it,” Charlotte says as I walk into the foyer of her glamorous home.
I glance around at the soft-pink-and-white décor, which gives a warm feel to the atmosphere.
“Thank you for the invite. Gosh, your house is beautiful.”
When Charlotte invited me to join their fundraiser committee, I didn’t hesitate to accept.
In honor of Rachel, I want to continue her legacy by pursuing everything she was passionate about.
Until now, my life has revolved around Easton and Lainey, and I feel the need to do something else that’s also worthwhile.
Besides that, I have to make a good impression with the press, and what better way to do that than to be involved in a fundraiser?
“The other moms are already here. Let me introduce you,” Charlotte says.
I follow her to a formal lounge where three women are seated on sofas.
“This is Jamie Bridges. Her daughter, Casey, is a year younger than Porsha and Lainey,” Charlotte says as she points out a woman who’s wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt that says ‘Bite Me.’
“Hi. I love your style,” I tell her.
Although Jamie smiles, it doesn’t reach her eyes, instead she looks at me with something akin to contempt.
Chin up, Nova. Not everyone’s going to like you, and you’ll just have to deal with it.
“This is Jane Carlson. Her son, Josh, will be a sophomore next year.”
I give the woman a friendly smile, which she returns, making me feel better after Jamie’s haughty look.
“Nice to meet you,” I murmur.
“And last but not least is Tori Douglas. Her twins, Shiloh and Tyrel, are in Porsha and Lainey’s class.”
Ooooh, the mother of the boy who gave Lainey and other girls chocolate.
A grin tugs at my lips. “Hi.”
“This is Nova Allen, and she’ll be our fifth supermom.”
“I don’t know about supermom,” I mutter with a playful tone. “But I’ll give it my best try.”
Charlotte and I sit down, and she gestures at the coffee table that’s loaded with finger foods, juices, and flavored waters. “Help yourself.”
Jamie lets out an audible sigh, and when I look at her, I can swear she just rolled her eyes at me.
Choosing to ignore the woman, I smile at the other moms.
“We’re so sorry about Rachel,” Jane says, compassion softening her features. “She was such a beautiful soul.”
I’m getting used to my heart clenching whenever Rachel is mentioned. It’s comforting in a way because I never want to forget her.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
“Okay, school is almost over,” Charlotte says, drawing the attention away from me. “I think we need to get the raffle set up so we can gather funds for the kids who would like to go to summer camp but can’t afford to.”
We spend the next hour coming up with ideas of things to raffle, then Jamie says, “You know what would bring in a lot of money?”
She gives me a mocking smirk, and I just know I’m not going to like what she has to say.
“What?” Charlotte asks.
“A chance to win a date with Easton.”
Oh, hell no.
Instead of losing my temper because the whole world knows I’m dating Easton, I suck in a calming breath, force a polite smile to my face, and say, “There’s no way Easton would agree to something like that.
The best I can do is to get an autographed photo of him and some merchandise from his latest movie. ”
Jamie rolls her eyes again, but luckily, Charlotte jumps in.
“That would be great, Nova. I can ask my husband for memorabilia that was used on one of his sets.” When she sees the surprised look on my face, she explains, “My husband is a producer, so I know all about the pressures of the film industry.”
“Oh wow.” The corner of my mouth lifts. “I didn’t know that.”
“We need to discuss the cost of the raffle tickets,” Tori mentions, turning our attention to her.
Jamie remains quiet while Tori and Jane do most of the talking, and I begin to get my hopes up that Jamie won’t say anything else in an attempt to upset me.
When we’re finally done and we’re enjoying the finger foods, Jamie raises her eyebrow at me, and I groan internally.
“How does it feel to be Easton Rowe’s girlfriend?” she asks, her tone dripping with contempt as if she finds it hard to believe that Easton would be interested in someone like me.
Before coming to LA, her behavior would’ve made me feel insignificant, but after living with Easton for two months, my self-confidence has skyrocketed.
“Hush, Jamie,” Charlotte mutters with a frown on her forehead. “I’d like for Nova to come back after today.”
“What? It’s a question every woman wants to hear the answer to,” she defends herself. “Easton never dated, no matter how hard every single mother at the school tried to get his attention.”
“It’s okay, Charlotte,” I say. With a polite smile, I reply, “Obviously, it’s a dream come true. Easton is an amazing man. He really has a way of making me feel loved and protected.”
Jamie looks like she’s sucked on a lemon while the other women practically swoon, and I take it as a sign that I’ve won this round.
Jane leans a little forward, hanging onto my every word. “And?”
“That’s it. I’m not sharing anything else,” I reply while chuckling. “We’d like to keep our personal lives as private as possible.”
Charlotte steers the conversation to what’s happening in the kids’ lives, and I let out a relieved sigh.
Yep, I’m getting the hang of being a Beverly Hills mom and representing Easton in social settings.
Rachel would be so proud of me.
Easton
When we walk into the restaurant, Nova asks, “Why are there no other people?”
“I booked the entire place for us so we wouldn’t be interrupted every five seconds,” I mutter.
The manager of the restaurant smiles at us, then she says, “Mr. Rowe, it’s such a pleasure to have you here. Please have a seat. Your server will be with you shortly.”
“Thank you,” I murmur as I lead Nova to our table.
My woman’s wearing a stunning cream pantsuit, so I’m happy there aren’t many men around because her cleavage is next-level sexy.
Slowly, her style has been changing, and she’s becoming more confident with her sexuality.
It’s one hell of a turn-on to watch Nova evolve into a sexy siren, but I still get her to blush in bed, and I hope that never changes.
When we reach our table, I’m satisfied to see it’s decorated with red roses and candles. I pull out a chair for the love of my life, and once she’s seated, I move my chair a little closer to hers before I sit down.
My eyes drift over her beautiful face, then I admit, “I’m the luckiest man on this planet.” I reach for her hand and hold it in mine. “You look absolutely breathtaking tonight.”
Her lips curve up. “You must really like this outfit because it’s the fourth time you’ve complimented me.”
I lean into her and brush my knuckles over her cleavage. “Can you blame me?”
“A server is coming,” she warns me, and I reluctantly pull back.
We’re given our menus, and after glancing over the selection of dishes, Nova asks, “What are you in the mood for?”
“You, but seeing as that’s not on the menu, I’ll settle for wagyu tacos and sushi.” I look at her. “What are you having?”
“Hmm . . . I’ll have the wagyu tacos as well and the spinach and cream cheese dim sum.”
I gesture for the server to come closer and give our orders to her and also ask for a bottle of wine.
When we’re alone again, I turn my attention back to Nova and say, “Filming will end soon, then we’ll have to attend a premiere and a few conventions.”
She takes a sip of her water. “Will you have some time off afterward?”
I shake my head. “Right after the premiere of The Eradicator, I’ll begin to work on the next movie.”
“What’s it called?” she asks.
“Man of Wrath.”
The server brings our wine and pours some into the glasses before giving us privacy again.
Nova’s eyebrows draw together with a worried expression. “When will you get time off again?”
“Over December and January, but I have something important planned for those months.”
Something I’ve been planning for the past couple of weeks.
Her shoulders sag. “Damn, will you at least get to spend Christmas week with us?”
I let out a chuckle. “Of course.”
When our orders arrive, we discuss Lainey’s upcoming summer camp while we enjoy the delicious food.
After our plates are cleared from the table, I say, “There’s somewhere else I want to take you.”
Nova nods and takes a last sip of her water before getting up.
I thank the server and manager on our way out, and luckily, I’ve already discussed our plans with Izak, so I don’t have to tell him where to go.
We get into the back seat of the SUV, and Nova gives me a questioning look. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
It’s a twenty-minute drive before Izak steers the SUV through the gates of the studio.
To keep Nova in the dark a little longer, I say, “I just need to get something from my trailer.”
“No problem.”
Izak stops near the studio where we’re currently filming, and after we get out of the SUV, he drives off because we’re spending the night in my trailer.
“Where’s Izak going?” Nova asks.
“He’ll be back,” I answer vaguely, pulling her toward the alleyway between the two buildings where Jason is waiting for us.
“Hey,” I greet him. “Thanks for doing this.”
“Sure, man. Let’s get you geared up.”
“Geared up?” Nova asks, a world of confusion on her face.
I nod and point at her high heels. “Take those off.”
Even though she has no idea what I’m up to, she does as she’s told.
The second Jason holds a harness out to us, her eyes widen. “I’m not jumping off the building.”
“Yes, you are,” I reply while chuckling. “With me.”
Looking very unsure, she lets me help her into the harness, and while I put on my own, she stares up at the rooftop. “I’m not so sure about this, Easton.”
“It’s safe,” I assure her.
Jason double-checks that our harnesses are secure before walking to the control panel. “Give me a thumbs-up when you’re ready, Easton.”
I wrap my arm around Nova’s waist and tug her tightly to my body. “Will you be my leading lady tonight?”
She lets out a burst of laughter. “Yes.”
I give Jason the signal, and the next second, we’re hoisted into the air.
“Oh God.” Nova chuckles nervously while wrapping her arms around my neck.
Once we reach the top, I help her onto the roof and say, “Stay right here. I’m going to run toward you. Don’t duck out of the way.”
“I’ll try not to,” she says, her features tense. When she glances down, I grip hold of her chin and shake my head. “Eyes on me.”
She does as she’s told while I walk to the starting point. “Ready?” I call out.
“No, but what the hell. Let’s do this.”
“That’s my girl.” I break out into a run, and when I reach her, I grab hold of her as I dive off the roof.
Nova lets out a shriek, her arms quickly wrapping around my neck to the point that she might strangle me.
I turn our bodies midair right before my back slams into the safety net. As we bounce on the net, I roll her over and kiss the living hell out of her.
Minutes later, I lift my head and stare deep into her sparkling eyes. “Will you be my leading lady for the rest of my life?”
She nods, and it’s clear she doesn’t realize what I’m asking.
“Will you be the mother of my children?”
Her smile turns affectionate, and she nods again.
I frame her face. “Nova, will you marry me?”
Finally, it sinks in, and her eyes go wide with surprise while her lips part, then her features go slack with disbelief. “Easton.”
I tilt my head, and my tone is much more intimate when I repeat the question, “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She begins to nod, then emotions flash over her face, and I can feel the wave of happy energy bursting from her. “Yes. Yesyesyes!”
I seal my mouth to hers and savor her answer for a long while before I break the kiss so we can climb off the safety net. It takes me minutes too long to get us out of the harnesses, then I pick my woman up bridal-style and carry her to my trailer.
When I set Nova down on her feet and open the door, I’m glad to see Sylvia managed to put up all the fairy lights. There’s a podium in the living room with red silk flowing over it and a box perched in the middle.
I walk to the podium, and picking up the box, I turn to face Nova as I go down on one knee.
Nova
My heart can’t contain everything I’m feeling, and as Easton goes down on his knee, a sob bursts from me.
I cover my mouth with a trembling hand, my gaze glued to him as he says, “Nova Allen, I choose you. I’ll keep choosing you every single day of our lives because no one compares to you.
Your smile lights up my world, your selflessness keeps me humble, and your love gives me strength.
Please let me love you for the rest of our lives because, until you, all I did was act. But with you, I get to be the real me.”
I nod like a crazy person and struggle to rein in my chaotic emotions so I can reply.
“I chose you fourteen years ago, and I’ll continue to choose you forever.
I’ll be a safe space for you where you can be vulnerable, and I’ll always do my best to keep you grounded and make you feel loved.
” When I walk closer to him, he climbs to his feet.
I look into his eyes as I whisper, “I will never love another the way I love you.”
He opens the box, revealing a diamond ring that leaves me speechless. I can only blink like an idiot at the massive glittering stone.
Easton removes the ring and takes hold of my left hand. When he pushes the diamond onto my finger, another sob bursts from me.
“Dreams do come true,” I whisper while lifting my head to look at the man I’ve loved all of my life. “You’re mine.”
“Forever,” he murmurs as he wraps his arm around my lower back, “and always.” I’m tugged against his chest, and right before his mouth claims mine, he says with a hoarse tone, “Every single beautiful inch of you belongs to me.”