Page 63 of Drive Me Wilde

"I don't know what to say, Landon." But a few good words are circling my mind.

Neighbors have trickled out onto their lawns. The cameras and reporters are swooping in now, like vultures on a dead carcass, and that's what I feel like. "Will you go back to him?" a reporter asks. She turns to the cameraman next to her. "Get ready for the kiss," she instructs.

I nod to the man with the camera. "Yes, get ready for it." I turn on my heels, away from the ridiculous scene on the driveway, away from the harsh glare of my ex-boss, and I march straight toward the man I love. I wrap my arms around Jameson's neck, and he pulls me against him for a long kiss.

"Does this mean no selfie?" Rio asks.

Jameson and I laugh. I take her hand and walk over to Landon. He doesn't look the least bit hurt by my move, and I knew that would be the case. I lean closer to him. "Seriously, get a new agent. This one is toxic, and she'll only hold you back."

A reporter juts her notebook in front of me. "Can I quote you on that, Miss Nash?"

I smile over at Genie. She's flustered and yanking down on her tight pink coat. This didn't go quite the way she expected. "Yes, you can quote me. Landon Arlo is a great actor with a big career. And I didn't break his heart." I look at him. "We just drifted apart. And now, if you'll excuse us—he owes me some selfies."

Without a huge, fairy-tale ending, the reporters leave disgruntled and disappointed. Landon spends fifteen minutes taking pictures with Rio. He even records a quick message letting her friends know that Rio rocks and is the coolest kidaround. Jameson and Landon shake hands and then he climbs into Genie's Mercedes. Her tires squeal as she leaves the street.

Rio has texting while skipping down to an art as she heads back to the house. I wrap my arm around Jameson's.

"Never a dull moment with you, Jones."

"Well, you can expect nothing less when you're dating the school jewel." I turn in his arms and face him.

His silvery gaze rolls down to my lips, which releases a surge of heat through my entire body. "I'm finding it hard to believe I've got you in my arms," he says quietly.

"Not as hard a time as I'm having knowing I'm standing here."

"Oh my gosh, Becky is having a full meltdown," Rio squeals from the doorway.

Jameson smiles at me. "I think you just solidified your chance at sainthood in her eyes." He kisses me on the lips lightly, and I can feel him holding himself back from more. "Mine too," he says.

We turn to walk inside. "You know, I wasn't sure where to go after I left L.A., but a wise woman named Sunshine told me she always heads home when she's feeling off or bad. Seems she was right."

Jameson is looking at me. "Her name is actually Sunshine?"

"Yes, and it fit her more than she realized."

thirty

. . .

Jameson

The late afternoon breeze feels like a cool shower on a hot day. It's the best part of the day on the coast when the sun is still shining, the morning haze has been replaced by blue sky and the air coming off the water is refreshing and brisk. Rio and Indi are inside making hot dogs for an early summer dinner. They are laughing more than cooking.

I close my laptop and take a sip of beer. In high school, I never would have dreamed of this ending. I never thought I'd be lucky enough or worthy of having someone like Indiana in my life. I don't think I ever thought about having a stock portfolio when I was sitting in detention or in the principal's office either. And I certainly didn't expect to be a dad at this age. It's amazing how much things can change. Now I have one more thing to add to the list.

The sliding door opens, and Indi sits down and stretches her long legs out on the lounge. "We're just waiting on the French fries. Rio is on oven watch. She says there's a fine line between good fries and overdone ones."

I nod. "It's true. She's got a gift for pulling them out at the right moment."

"She has a lot of gifts," Indi says.

I look over at her. "I agree. And you're exactly who she needed in her life after what happened with her mom."

"I think I needed her more than she needed me."

I cross my arms. "And what about needing me?"

Indi reaches across, and we clasp hands. "You were a nice bonus." She gazes out at the ocean. "In fact, if I had a job or career to go with all this happiness, I could say my life is perfect."

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