Page 58 of Her Movie Star's Secret Plan

Alexis came down the stairs. “Don’t laugh at me, okay?” A pair of baggy gray legs showed up, followed by an oversized black t-shirt. His clothes had swallowed her whole. He let out a throaty laugh.

“I told you not to laugh,” she scolded.

“I’m sorry. But you’re just so cute in my clothes.”

“Well, I’m glad you approve.”

“I wholeheartedly approve.”

She sat next to him, and he pulled her close. She was perfection against him. “You smell nice.”

“That’s because I spent the day at the spa. I’ve been thoroughly pampered.”

“Let me see your nails.” He picked up her hand and inspected her manicure. “It looks nice.” He kissed the side of her head. “I can’t wait to see you all dressed up for the wedding. I bet you’re going to look so gorgeous.”

“Me?” Alexis turned to look up at him. “What about you, Mr. Hollywood? I think I’m going to faint when I see you in a tux.” She fanned herself.

He chuckled. “You’re too cute for your own good, Ms. Remington.”

“You think you have fangirls. You haven’t seen anything yet. I’m the ultimate fangirl.” She covered a hand over her mouth. “I can’t believe I’m admitting this to you.”

“I figured that out a long time ago.”

“I know I can be kind of obvious. I’m not the most subtle person.”

“No, I wouldn’t say subtly was a strength of yours.”

“Are you still planning on the pool gathering with the wedding party tomorrow?” Alexis asked.

“As long as the rain clears up. Otherwise, we’ll just hang out in the house.”

“I need to talk to you about something, Owen.”

“Go ahead.”

“I’m not sure how I’m going to keep running my bakery. I’m afraid I’m too far into the red to keep operating.”

“I thought you got a bunch of new customers.” Had all the work he’d done been in vain? Frustration settled on his brow.

“I did. But it hasn’t been enough. I got hit with a big tax bill. I’m afraid that the customers who were ordering regularly were the ones that Hadley’s picked up, and they were making up a big portion of my income. Without them, I can’t make ends meet.”

“So you’re blaming Hadley’s for your bakery’s collapse?”

“I didn’t say my bakery was collapsing.” Alexis’s body stiffened against him. “I said I wasn’t sure how I was going to move forward.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“No,” she said defensively. “It means I’m working on it.”

“And in the meantime, I’ve ruined everything? That hardly seems fair. All I wanted was to open my dream restaurant in my hometown. How was I supposed to know that was going to hurt you?”

Alexis crossed her arms and glared up at him. “I don’t know. But you have all the same.”

“I’ve gone above and beyond to help you, Alexis. And it’s never good enough.”

“Above and beyond?” Alexis gawked at him like he was out of his mind. “You call stopping by to refill your muffin supply going above and beyond?”

“Look, I get it that you’re hurting, and you’re stressed out. But please don’t take it out on me.”

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