Page 67 of The Holiday Makeover

“Per my contract, I have to run all public appearances by the network before I can commit to anything.”

“We thought that might be the case. But if you could let us know by the end of the business day, that would be appreciated. We’re on a tight timeline here.”

Considering it was Tuesday, they certainly were.

“I’ll do my best. I’ll call my publicist now, and he’ll get in touch with the network’s people.”

“Thank you. You can call this number. We look forward to hearing from you.” Justine hung up without so much as a goodbye.

I let my phone fall on my lap and turned toward a blinking Rory. She looked almost as shell-shocked as I felt.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing. I just can’t believe you have your own publicist. How very pretentious of you,” she teased.

I pulled her onto my lap, and she snuggled into me, her finger drawing circles on my chest. “So, who is requesting your appearance?”

“Aspen Lake,” I said, still surprised. “They want me to light the town’s Christmas tree on Friday. Apparently Josie Cavanaugh was supposed to do it, but she has the flu.”

“Oh my gosh, I love her pirate books. I actually met her at a book signing she did here last year.”

I knew it. Bless Josie Cavanaugh. “Does she have anything new out? Should we grab a copy of it? Perhaps we could read it together.”

Rory poked my chest. “Don’t think I don’t see right through that. But,” she said seductively, “she does have a new book out, and we should definitely read it together.”

I nuzzled Rory’s ear. “Download it immediately.”

“First, tell me if you’re going to do the tree lighting,” she hesitantly said.

“Do you not want me to?” I asked, leaning back and tilting her chin with a lift of my finger so I could see her face.

“Actually . . .” She took a breath. “I think you should do it.”

“You do?” I said, surprised.

“Don’t sound so shocked. I want you to love Aspen Lake and see that people here love you too. And I want to be supportive. I know you live for this stuff.”

“I live for you more, so if this makes you uncomfortable, just tell me.”

She brushed my lips with hers. “You’re sweet,” she murmured against my lips. “But I’m a big girl, and I told you that I will do better about being part of your public life as long as I’m the one you come home with and our home is just that. Home. Not part of the spotlight.”

I ran a finger down her warm cheek. “You really are incredible. And I always want to come home with you. I promise to do better this time about keeping our private life private.”

“See? Compromise.” She smiled. “I guess you’d better call your publicist.”

“I think I have something to do first.”

I leaned in and claimed her mouth. She didn’t just fall into the kiss—she met it with a quiet, fierce sigh that made me want her all the more. I gathered her closer to me, locking my arms around her waist and pulling her flush against my chest, wanting not a single inch of empty air between us. Her hands flew to the back of my neck, pulling me even closer.

The thought of publicists, tree lightings, and every other thing faded away, leaving nothing but the familiar taste of Rory and the heat of her skin. There was just something about the realness of her in my arms. She was real life, and I needed to remember that this time around.

While I ran the sander over the patches where the old cabinets had once hung, smoothing the wall for the new ones, my phone buzzed.

I figured it was Michael, my publicist. He didn’t think the network would have any issue with me doing the tree lighting, so I wasn’t expecting Quinton’s name to flash across the screen.

Honestly, it surprised me that he hadn’t been hounding me this whole time. Not that his warning about canceling my show hadn’t been hanging over my head. Rory had helped keep it from consuming me, but it was still there. Waiting.

My stomach tightened. Maybe this was it. Maybe I was about to get the axe. And if that happened, Aspen Lake probably wouldn’t want me as their guest of honor. Hell, I’d probably have to hide my face in this town.