Page 115 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

“Psst,” he hissed through his teeth.

The man stopped, seeming to test his ears for a bit before taking another step.

Zander tried again. “Mr. Morgan,” he whispered.

This time he spun to look over his shoulder. “Zander?” he asked, scurrying back down the hallway.

“Yes,” he said. “Can I speak with you for a minute?” he motioned to a hidden foyer across the hall. An array of fresh fruit, granola bars, and bottled juice rested on a counter along the wall. Zander pointed to a far corner before leading the way.

“I overheard you speaking to Kat,” he admitted. “Just parts, and I wanted to make you an offer.”

The man’s dark brows knitted together. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, Kat should be able to fight the contract if she wants to. And if money’s the only thing keeping her from doing that…I’ll pay her attorney fees. Anonymously, of course.”

The man’s eyes widened. His lips parted, but no words came.

Zander ignored the ache that ripped through him. This could cost him the chance to make things right with her. Heck, she might skip the live production entirely. But if Kat wasn’t willing to listen, perhaps she wasn’t in love with him after all.

“Just tell her that…I don’t know, you got an offer from an anonymous donor. And that if she wants out, she can get out without facing the backlash.” It felt as if his chest might collapse after he’d said it, the fear of losing her like a body-sized vice.

A hint of moisture welled in her dad’s eyes as he stared at a spot on the floor. At last he nodded and met eyes with Zander once more.

“You’re really in love with her?”

He nodded. “Deeply.”

“Yet you’re willing to let her go?”

Zander gave him the subtle nod of his head. “If that’s what she wants.”

The man scratched his jaw. “Well, I’ll be…” He reached out then, slapped a hand to Zander’s back, and pulled him in for a mighty grizzly-style hug. “That a boy.”

New emotions stirred within him. Zander had lost his own father years ago, but he’d be danged if this man’s warm embrace didn’t reach into that inner child of his, and he couldn’t help but bask in his approval.

“Kat’s a lucky woman,” her dad said, giving him one last pat. “I’ll do what you said. And I hope she makes the right choice.” He pulled back then, smeared his sleeve over his face, and headed back toward the hallway. But two steps into it he stopped short.

“You know what her middle name means?” he asked without looking back.

The image popped into Zander’s mind in a blink. Aponi—butterfly. “Yes, sir.”

He nodded, then sniffed. “Thank you, for loving her enough to give her wings. Now let’s see how she’s going to use them.”

CHAPTER 24

Kat peeked through the crack in the massive drapes as Lisa Throw introduced the live episode. Amidst the introduction, the popular host promised loads of action, drama, and surprises that no one would see coming.

All of it set Kat’s growing anxiety into train-wreck speed. As soon as the woman introduced her, Kat would walk out and face not only the audience but Zander too.

An ache pinched at her heart at the idea of seeing him again.

“Kat,” someone hissed from behind.

Kat stiffened at the sound of her name. She spun to look over her shoulder, certain she’d see Randall and his shiny face filled with worry, ready to shoo her onto the stage. She didn’t.

“Dad?” Forget train-wreck speed, her pulse was racing up there with jet airplanes by now. “You can’t be back stage like this.”

“It’s fine. Your mom’s saving my seat.” He brought his hands to her shoulders and squared a look at her. “I found a way out.”