This book is dedicated to my beautiful granddaughter, Emilie.
May all of your dreams and wishes come true!
Acknowledgments
I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to the editorial staff at New American Library. I truly appreciate the time, effort and care that you put into getting a book on the shelf. I have loved all of my covers but this one in particular made my breath catch. Publishing is such a team effort and the attention given to detail shows in the finished product. Coming up with a story is just the beginning!
Once again, I want to give a very special thanks to my dear editor, Jesse Feldman. You’ve helped me find a blend of lighthearted humor and deeply felt emotion that brings this series to life. Working with you is a joy!
As always, I want to thank my wonderful agent, Jenny Bent. Having you with me every step of the way has been such a blessing.
Of course, a great big thank-you always goes out to my readers. My wish is to give you a story that brings a smile to your face and joy in your heart.
1
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
“WHAT? GARRET, PLEASE TELL ME YOU’RE JOKING.” Addison put down her fork and stared across the table at her fiance. “You want to do a reality show about our marriage? Really? Why?”
“Why not? My agent is working on a sweet deal. With my rock-star father and your finance-guru mother, we would have a built-in audience.” Garret gave Addison his megawatt smile, and when that didn’t sway her, he quickly followed up with the
Not this time. Addison shook her head. “I don’t want our life together to have an audience.”
“Addison . . .” Garret drew out her name and put his hand over hers. “Would you at least give it some thought?”
Addison tilted her head to the side. “Don’t you want to be known for something other than being Rick Ruleman’s son?” she asked gently.
Garret waited for the server to refill his water glass and then said, “Well,
“So we would simply be famous for being famous,” Addison answered flatly. “That’s not really in our own right.”
Garret shrugged.
“You know how hard I’ve tried to stay out of the public eye. And, seriously, you of all people know that it’s not easy being the child of a celebrity. Remember that my mother’s fame came much later in my life. I didn’t grow up being followed around by the paparazzi and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the idea. I’m not interested in having my life played out on the television screen.” Leaning forward, Addison gave Garret a pleading look that he didn’t even seem to notice, and her heart sank. “Garret, please don’t ask this of me.”
“You’d be so good in front of the camera. Addison, you’re so pretty and you have that, you know, sincere thing going on. And look how good your mom is in front of the camera.”
Addison gestured to her long jet-black hair and her chocolate brown eyes, all courtesy of her mother’s Native American heritage. “I look like my mom, so people expect me to have the same personality as Melinda Monroe and to enjoy the spotlight, but I don’t. Not one bit. I never told you this, but I was asked to be her sidekick on
Garret’s jaw dropped and his mouth gaped open. “And you turned it down?”
“Of course I did.” Addison put a hand to her chest. “Because it’s not
“But you’re smart and have a business degree. You could have rocked it, Addison.”
“Thanks for saying so, but you know I’m more reserved, like my dad. That’s why I work at his art gallery.” Garret couldn’t be surprised that she wouldn’t want to be on TV, and the lack of compassion in his eyes hurt her to the core.
“Yeah, but don’t you see?” Garret smiled. “We’re the same way as your mom and dad! I’m outgoing and you keep me in check. That’s why we would be so damned entertaining. Addison, all you would have to be is your beautiful, wonderful self and rake in the money. Pretty easy, huh?”
“I
“You won’t do this for me?” Garret gave her his very best puppy-dog look and then smiled oh so slowly. “Come on. What do you have to lose?”
“What’s left of my privacy, for starters.” Addison sighed. “But most of all, my dignity.” Her pointed look had him shifting in his chair. Addison felt a sense of dread.
“Well, would you just look at yourself way up there on your high horse?” Garret scooted closer and leaned forward. The puppy-dog expression vanished. “For someone who supposedly values her privacy, you sure do like dating celebrities. It was splashed all over the place when Aiden Anderson cheated on you with his costar and broke off your first engagement.”
“How lovely for you to bring that up.” Addison felt a hot flash of anger. “Aiden was the son of a family friend and I knew him most of my life . . . way before he became a famous actor. And I met
She wanted to add that Garret wasn’t actually a celebrity, only the son of one, but she didn’t see the point in being mean, especially when Garret’s attempt at his own music career was a crushing failure. The critics had been harsh, and Garret had taken it hard. One of the reasons Addison fell for him was his vulnerable side, which most people never witnessed. She knew all too well that it wasn’t easy being the child of someone in the spotlight, and she thought it was part of their common bond. Apparently Garret had other aspirations that he had kept pretty well hidden until now. “That was a really nasty thing to say.”
He shrugged again. “It’s the circles we run in, Addison.”
“So if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em?”
“And make a shit ton of money at the same time.”
“But we talked about how it sucks to be followed around just because of who our parents are. The paparazzi are just waiting for us to do something stupid so they can take pictures. Garret, my breakup with Aiden was difficult enough without having it played out in the media. Most of what was reported was false, anyway. It really sucked.”
“Come on, Addison!” Garret pleaded, shoving his long bangs out of his eyes. He had an artfully messy haircut that required lots of product. “Why are you being so stubborn?” he asked tightly. When he glanced down at
