Get a Grip (Hollywood Nights) by Cara North Read Free Book Online Page B

was you. I’ve always been attracted to you. I didn’t trust myself or my emotions in that department. I let my agent help me decide, I let my sister guide me, and even a few friends threw their two cents in from time to time. I thought they knew best. My gut was right, Bo. I should have asked you out three years ago when you wore that t-shirt with my favorite band on it.”
    “You remember that?” He softened his expression just a bit.
    “Yes,” she admitted. “I do. I remember talking to you about music for a good hour while waiting for them to repair something on set. I remember the talk about old movies and sound effects back then. I remember most recently the conversation you had with Jonas about surfing. I didn’t say much because I don’t surf, but I remember imagining what you would look like out on the waves. I remember that assistant flirting with you and it drove me crazy to see you smile at her the way I wanted you to smile at me.”
    “Uh huh.” He sounded doubtful.
    She looked at him. His eyes darted to her a moment and then back to the road. She bit into her bottom lip and slid her hand across the seat to his thigh. Her fingers touched then slowly moved up until her hand rest on top of the hard muscle.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Trying to say I’m sorry. I’m trying to let you know that what I thought I could do, I can’t. I don’t think I would have made it to a chapel with anyone else, Bo. I was worried that you would change your mind once we left Vegas and I was trying to keep you with whatever I had to give that might be worth something to you. Everyone wants something from me. My family, my agent, my fans, they all want something from me.” She took a fortifying breath and asked, “What do you want?”
    “I just wanted to take you out to dinner.” He let out a breath of frustration.
    Her heart warmed, soothed by the simplicity of the answer. “I think I’m available tonight.”
    A wry smile crossed his lips and he said, “I might have other plans.”
    “Oh.”
    He groaned out loud and said, “I don’t know, Ivy. My head is messed up with this. One part wants to believe you. The other part…”
    “Forget the other part.” She said quickly. He let out another breath, his cheeks puffing as he did. She knew he was struggling with trusting her. She didn’t blame him. As they pulled into his gated community, she understood why.
                  Ivy tried not to gawk at the place. Her neighborhood was nice, filled with celebrities and others in the industry. The homes were too large for an average family, but not extravagant. His home was ridiculous. She knew the neighborhood immediately. It was exclusive, old Hollywood mansions filled with mega stars and industry owners. It would suffice to say that Bo didn’t need anything from her.
                  “How much does your brother make as a lawyer if this is what she walked away from?” The question came out before her brain could filter it. They pulled into the garage and he parked the car.
                  “I don’t know. She left me when I was just a grip. I guess it’s funny in a way. She left me because what I wanted to do wasn’t good enough for her, and you married me because you thought what I did wasn’t really good enough for you.” He looked at her sincerely.
                  Ivy gulped down the lump that had formed in her throat. She squeezed his thigh. His hand moved to cover hers and then lifted it away. He got out of the car. She sighed and opened her own door. He was on his way around. When she got out he moved back towards the trunk and retrieved her bag.
                  He looked at her and said, “This way.”
     
    ***
     
                  Bo wasn’t expecting her to want to come to his house. He couldn’t very well refuse her because she was, after all, his wife. He had purchased this home out of spite. He wanted to show his