She met Matt’s gaze as he spoke to his older brother Peter, and Belle, who held a baby in her arms.
Ashley felt nothing but happiness for them as she told Caro, “I’m learning a lot from the set director, like how props ensure a certain mood for maximum effect. I hadn’t guessed something as simple as a tea versus coffee pot could show tranquility versus efficiency.It’s the small things that make the job fun.”
“And you get to see Matt.” Caro gently tapped her side.
Matt was gorgeous, the nicest-looking man she’d ever met. The rush of adrenaline still raced through her as she glanced at him. “Yes, we can come and go together, but I never want to be a star. That’s all him.”
Caro sipped her wine. “And you’re okay with that?”
Acting?It was part of his life, part of how he saw himself and she’d never interfere with that. However, she understood the implied question. “If he was kissing my cousin on set for the cameras, that doesn’t bother me as I know it’s fake, his life is his as long as he comes home to me.”
Caro squeezed her arm and then went to join her husband who spoke to Elizabeth and Rafe.
Ashley headedtoward Matt, who took her in his open arms. She made googly eyes at the baby, happy he had his family, and then as she glanced at Matt, happiness filled her own heart.
She was here and home with him. Nothing else could be better.
Chapter 20
A few weeks later…
MATT WALKED out to the veranda where Ashley sat with her old-fashioned book as the Hawaiian sun warmed the patio—she was hot despite the shade of the trees.
He was shirtless, showing off those muscles she adored, and wore blue lounge pants.
Breakfast was still warm under silver cloches on the table before her, but she’d beenwaiting.
For him.
Matt was the sexiest man alive and an online article she’d read earlier agreed with her so she must be right.
And luckily she had him all to herself, forever. He kissed her cheek. She patted his backside and said, “I like you better with your hair cut now that filming is over.”
He took the seat opposite her and served himself a cup of coffee from thecarafe. He settled into the comfortable white padded lounger. “I look more like myself.” Her eyelids fluttered closed as she hoped he’d kiss her but then he pulled back. “Your phone is ringing.”
Her eyes narrowed as she glanced at the caller ID. Her heart grew colder as she said, “Mom.”
Matt poured her a coffee and tugged his seat closer to her. She took his hand and answered, “Hello?”
Her mother said, “I read about your engagement, Ashley.”
Most of the time a woman’s heart warmed on hearing their mother’s voice, but her mother sounded like a stranger. She ignored the goosebumps she had and asked, “How? I haven’t called anyone.”
“It’s my job to know things.” The smugness in her tone meant she was still the same person who only checked in with Ashley whensomething she did might affect her life.
Ashley’s muscles tensed. “Is my house bugged?”
“No. But I know that Matt asked you on Rodeo Drive last month and you’ve been wearing an engagement ring since.”
No. He’d asked at the house so her mother was digging or creating her own version of the news from their public dinner on Rodeo Drive, not that it mattered. And her mother spunblogs and magazines in favor of her cousin so she paid attention to Hollywood everything. Ashley met Matt’s blue eyes that made her feel warm and alive as she said, “You really do have spies for Jennifer.”
Her mother giggled. “And you too now. You and Matt have a price for the paparazzi.”
No. No. No. Just no. This was bad. The coldness in her heart was now in every cell of her bodyas she said, “Well, your life is yours and mine is mine. Just try not to pick my cousin over me in public.”
“I… I never meant to hurt you Ashley,” her mother said in a softer tone.
As a teenager who needed a ride to school but whose mother was too busy getting her nails done, she’d forgiven over and over, but Ashley the adult said, “We all make our own choices. I’ll call you whenI set a wedding date.”
