Page 65 of Lovestruck at Sundown
Huffing, I swung the door open, and said, “Lily, you didn’t have to—oh.”
“Hey.” Nathan was standing on the other side of the door. “I won’t take up too much of your time. I wanted to make sure you’re okay because clearly, you’re not.”
I stepped outside and pulled the door behind me, leaving it slightly open as if saying,I won’t invite you in, but I also can’t make this conversation last longer than it has to.
“Thank you, but I’m fine.”
“You don’t seem fine.” He angled his head to the right, his gaze digging for answers. “What did he do this time?”
I shook my head twice. “You know how my dad can be.”
“Right.” Nathan’s brow furrowed. He was wearing his coat and seemed like he was ready to leave.
“You should stay,” I said. “Zara hates me enough as it is. She won’t forgive me if you left because I showed up unannounced.”
“I have a conference call tomorrow morning, so I need to get some sleep.” He pressed his lips into a small smile. “And Zara doesn’t hate you.”
I laughed under my breath. “Everyone keeps saying that.”
“Because it’s the truth.”
“It’s fine.” I crossed my arms at my chest. “I don’t need her to love me.” But I did. I wanted her approval. I wanted us to be able to breathe the same air without the horrible tension building up between us and be amicable, at least. “I would probably feel the same way if I were in her position.”
Nathan sighed. “It hurts to see you like this.” He took a step forward that made every muscle in my body tense.
“I’m fine.” I hated how far I was from beingfineand how badly I needed comfort. But what I craved was William’s reassurance. Nathan was nothing but a shiny mirage when I was clawing my way through the sand under the unforgiving sun. He had to go. “I just need to sleep it off. Thank you.”
He considered my answer in silence.
“I heard Tobias talking about the headlines that have been popping up in tabloids and gossip sites.”
“Well, comes with the territory, right?” I shrugged with a small smile. “I knew what I was getting myself into.”
“Do you, though?” he said with narrowed eyes. “Know what you’re getting yourself into?”
“I do.” I didn’t, but I was careful to use the right tone to convey confidence when answering his question, even if I had the feeling it was rhetoric.
Who in my position would know exactly what to expect when dating an A-list celebrity known and loved by millions around the world? It came with a price, that much I knew. But I knew William wouldn’t allow it to hurt me. He promised to do everything in his power to keep things under control. That was one of the reasons why he fired Warren and hired Naomi.
“I say this because I know you,” he continued. “I know how much you value your peace and freedom, and I’m afraid that being with William will rob you of both.”
A sharp, dreadful sensation splintered through my stomach because I’d had that fear, even if I hadn’t been brave enough to admit it to myself. I trusted William to handle things, but how was I not going to feel afraid that the situation would surpass me? It was only natural.
He made me feel freer and more like myself than anyone else in the world, but what if him being in the spotlight got in the way of our happiness?
My silence prompted Nathan to keep expanding.
“And the fact that he’ll be traveling all the time doesn’t bother you?” He was getting flustered. “I knew how much you hated it when I went away for a few days. How will you cope with him leaving for months at a time? And kissing and pretending to have sex with others on screen while you wait for him to return?”
“Nathan,” I snapped, ensuring the warning was unmistakable in my tone. “That’s enough. It’s not your job to worry about these things or about me anymore.”
The hurt was visible again in his eyes.
“It never was … ajob.” The words came out sad. “I’ll always want you to be safe and happy.”
Safe. As if being with William somehow put my life in danger. But I knew I had the power to avoid diving into an argument with Nathan by keeping my mouth shut. It was useless. I knew he meant well, but I didn’t need the added pressure of him not only worrying about me but voicing his concerns, too.
“I also want you to be happy.” I sighed. “But I don’t need this right now. I know what I’m doing.”
