Page 32 of Her Movie Star's Secret Plan

But he wasn’t sure he was ready to take the mask off, to trust this woman enough to show him who Owen Hadley really was on the inside. There were very few he showed his true self to. He hardly knew that person himself.

“You know, I’ve spent so many years pretending to be other people, both in front of the camera and off the screen. I’ve honed my acting skills so well I hardly know how to be just Owen. Whoever that person is.” Didn’t this woman deserve someone who knew himself well enough to share that part of him with her fully?

“I can’t imagine what that must be like for you.”

He was incredibly drawn to her. The pull was magnetic, and it was strong. “I want to know you better, inside and out, Alexis Remington.”

“I want to get to know you too. I hope you know you can always be just Owen with me.”

He reached out to touch her face. His eyes locked with hers, and he saw vulnerability there. Was she as scared as he was? He stroked a thumb across her cheek, and she closed her eyes. The draw to kiss her was overwhelming. He had to know what her lips felt like against his. Were they as soft as they looked? He leaned toward her, his eyes closing.

“How’s everything tasting for you two?”

His eyes flew open, and he sat back from Alexis, the moment lost.

“It’s fantastic,” Owen said, looking up at the server. He hardly knew how he could find his voice. It felt gravelly and thick with emotion. Had their waitress noticed that she’d just interrupted a pivotal moment for him? Frustration sat heavy inside him.

Alexis looked up at the server and smiled, but Owen noticed that her smile seemed forced. Was she as disappointed as he was? Had she even noticed that he was about to kiss her?

“It was delicious, thank you,” Alexis said. He glanced at her plate. She’d already finished all her food.

“Can I get a box?” Owen asked. “I’d like to take the rest of this to go.”

“Sure, I’ll be right back with that for you.” The server left, and Owen felt his insides twisting.

When the waitress came back with the box, Owen asked for the check.

When he’d paid the bill, Alexis said, “I should get going. I have to get up bright and early to open the bakery in the morning.”

“Oh, right. I hadn’t thought about how early you’d have to get up.” He frowned. Had he made her uncomfortable by almost kissing her? It seemed like she wanted to escape from him now. His heart sank. He hoped he hadn’t ruined his relationship with Alexis by pushing things to get physical with her.

He was starting to have feelings for this beautiful woman, but he wasn’t sure those feelings were returned. And he wasn’t sure he had the courage to get physical with her again. He just hoped it wasn’t too late. He didn’t want Alexis to run away from him.

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