Page 39 of Her Movie Star's Secret Plan

“Good.” He hoped he hadn’t overstepped.

“Chase always tries to hide from the family how much money he has. I don’t know why he feels this strong need to hide his obvious wealth. If I had it, I’d gladly flaunt it.”

Owen laughed.

Alexis sobered up. “I hope one day I can get my bakery successful. Maybe I’d buy a nice home in Maple Creek.”

“That’s a great goal.”

“But that’s all it is right now. A goal.” She made a face. “I hate struggling financially.”

“I remember all too well what that’s like.”

“I hate waiting for my money to show up. I want it now. I could do good things with that money, like feed the needy or donate to a good cause. I’m too broke to be good to anyone.”

“I wouldn’t think of it that way. There’s always something you can do to help, even if it’s donating your time. But I know you get that. You volunteer your time to help animals.”

“Yeah. But it’s not the same.”

Owen laughed. “Believe me, I know.”

“Maybe it’s selfish of me, but I’d love to wear designer shoes and buy a designer handbag,” Alexis admitted. “Is it wrong that I love nice things?”

Owen chuckled. “Not at all. You’re talking to a guy who loves nice things too.”

“I bet you do. And you earn enough to have whatever you’d like.”

“Don’t your parents buy you nice things?”

“Oh sure, but then they act like I owe them a favor. So, I’ve told them to stop. I want to earn nice things on my own. I want to look out my window and see a nice car in the driveway that I know I earned myself.”

“You’ll get there one day.”

“It feels like I’m swimming upstream.”

“I think you just need a break. You’re probably overworked.”

“I must sound like I’m whining.”

“Not at all. You make me think about my mom when I was younger. She must have felt the same way.”

“I’m sure she had it much worse. I don’t have a kid to take care of. When I get home, I can put my feet up. Your mom still had to take care of you when she got home from work.”

“That’s true. I grew up watching her work all day, and then she was exhausted when she came home.”

“I remember you talking about that when you were younger. It was hard for you to watch her work so hard for you.”

Owen’s heart warmed. “I’m surprised you remember that.”

“I remember everything, Owen.”

Owen’s heart sped up at her words. “I remember everything about you too.”

Alexis looked confused. “You do? I thought you just saw me as your best friend’s chubby, annoying little sister.”

“Are you kidding? I had a huge crush on you.”

Alexis arched an eyebrow in disbelief, crossing her arms. “Yeah, right.”

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