Page 66 of Heart Set on You

“Will you stop fighting me on the bodyguard? If anything were to ever happen to you I would never forgive myself.”

I know that I’m right to be upset about what happened. It’s not just the paparazzi that worry me; there are people out there who cross the line when it comes to celebrities. If I’m honest with myself, though, I also know I’m probably overreacting.

“You’ve made your point. I’ll make sure I have one of your bodyguards with me when I go out. I’ll be careful,” she says, kissing my bare chest. “This really is a gorgeous view. I’m not sure if I prefer it in the daylight or when the city is all lit up at night.”

“I really need to take you to Malibu. I think you’d like the view there too,” I tell her, my fingers travelling up and down her arm. “There’s this restaurant that I really like. It’s farm-to-table, the food is amazing. And it’s perched high up on the bluff overlooking the beach and the Pacific Ocean. I’ll take you there next time.”

“I would like that.”

I still haven’t told her about the surprise trip back to Deer Lake I’ve planned, but something about this moment feels right. I decide to bite the bullet and go for it, hoping she doesn’t think I overstepped.

“There’s something I want to ask you, but I’m scared that it might freak you out,” I say, hesitating for a second. Lifting her head from my chest, she sits up to face me with a nervous expression on her face. I didn’t mean for it to sound so serious, like I was about to ask her to marry me or star opposite me in my next film. “I’d like to fly you out to see your family next weekend. I’d also like to go with you.”

Rylee’s eyes go wide, and I immediately worry that it’s too much, too soon for her.

“Are you freaking out right now?” I ask her. I desperately want her to say yes to this trip. I want more time with her before she moves back home for good. I also know how happy it would make her to see her family. And maybe it’s selfish, but I want to be the one who gives her that, who puts that smile on her face. “I wasn’t kidding when I told you I’d like to see Deer Lake. I’d love to meet your family too,” I say.

“You want to meet my grandparents?” Rylee asks softly.

“You talk so much about them. I feel like I already sort of know them. I should confess that I already bought the tickets. I’m really hoping you’ll say yes, but I can-”

“Miles, I don’t know what to say. I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. When do we leave?”

“Friday. It’s the long weekend so I wanted to take advantage of having three days off. You’re sure you’re good with this?”

“More than good, Miles. I’m so happy. Thank you.”

I feel a rush of relief. Her arms snake around my neck and I pull her to me. There’s no doubt in my mind that Rylee is exactly where she belongs. I am starting to not be able to imagine my life without her.

* * *

It was after 9 p.m. when our plane touched down in Vancouver. I had my driver take us straight to Rylee’s hotel. We both had to be at work the next day and she said she needed a change of clothes for the morning, so we agreed to stay there.

“I’m not sure I’m going to be able to sleep tonight,” she says as we roll our suitcases through the door of her hotel room. “I’m still riding the high of being in L.A. with you and now I get to look forward to seeing my family.”

“I can head to my place if you think it will help?”

“No,” Rylee turns to face me. “I want you here with me. If that’s okay?”

“I was hoping you’d say that. Let’s have a quick shower and get into bed.”

And that’s what we do, except we don’t fall asleep right away. We lie on our sides facing one another, talking about Deer Lake and her childhood and her favorite memories. We talk about her brothers and her nieces and nephew and all the places she wants to show me.

It’s after midnight when Rylee’s breathing slows, and her body settles, and I know she’s fallen asleep. I watch her in the dark wondering how I will ever be able to go to bed without her.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Rylee

Word travels fast in a small town. I predict it will take about 5 minutes before all 7,300 residents of Deer Lake know that Miles Bennett is here. Thankfully he is used to attention, because Miles is about to become the town’s sole source of entertainment.

But for now it’s just us, driving in the direction of the countryside, me tucked closely against his side.

I watch him gaze out the window like he’s in awe of the fields going by in a blur, tall oak trees and brightly colored mailboxes lining the dirt roads. I wonder what he’s thinking. Will he like it here? It’s about as different from L.A. as you can get: Quiet country roads, diners by the dozen, mom-and-pop shops and neighbors who always know your business.

Miles is wearing his baseball cap, but instead of pulling it low on his head like he usually does when he doesn’t want to be noticed, he has it flipped backwards. It’s quite possible I’m seconds away from cardiac arrest because Miles in a backwards hat is the best thing I’ve ever seen. He’s wearing jeans and a black T-shirt, looking casual and effortless. The look suits him perfectly. He’s laid back, at ease, always up for a good time.

He’s still looking out the window when I tell our driver to turn right at the next mailbox, my stomach doing that fluttery thing it does whenever I get excited. “We’re here.”

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