Page 224 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

He wondered if Tucker felt the same way in regard to his late wife, Darla.

Just then, Nash caught eyes with the kind man and lifted his glass ceremoniously.

"Thank you," he said as Tucker extended his glass with a clink. “Here’s to going in with both eyes open and giving it my all."

Nash felt as if he’d gotten just what he needed from his conversation with Tucker, even if he hadn’t known what he was looking for. He was falling fast and hard for Ellie Blaire, and as scary as that was, he hadn’t wanted to stop.

Tucker had given him permission to take his foot off the brake, and that’s just what Nash planned to do.

CHAPTER 11

Ellie could not believe thatthiswas the carrot Dad was dangling—a fake relationship contract? No wonder her dad was so happy to hear about her trysts with the cowboy; he wanted to use it to his advantage.

"This is absurd,” she told Geneva upon hearing the news.

“I'm sure it feels that way, but people make deals like this in Hollywood all the time." Geneva wore a surprisingly straight face while delivering that rebuttal, which only made Ellie shake her head.

"You don't understand. Things are going perfectly with Nash right now. This is the exact type of thing that could ruin it."

"No, it's the exact type of thing that could buy you time to really get to know the guy and see if there's something there.”

"Yes, but I'm already doing that, minus the creepy contract that says we have to publicly become a thing and promise to stay together until after my next movie comes out."

Geneva lowered her head to level a look at her, then joined Ellie where she sat on the couch. She patted her knee. “Honey, if this man wants to dance with a diva, he's going to have to learn the moves. Something tells me that if he wanted just any old country girl, he'd have had one a long time ago. There'ssomething special about you, and he knows it. Trust me, he’ll be willing to go the distance if it means setting you free. Besides, how else are you going to get out of the other contract?"

Ellie gave that some thought, wishing very badly she could tell Geneva the extent of her dad's dirty dealings. And who was to say thatthiswasn't just another one of his shady maneuvers?

Ellie glanced down at the notes Geneva had scratched out during the Zoom call.

This contract would replace Ellie's current contract and all obligations therein.

Ellie will be a free agent once her end of the contract is fulfilled, so long as Nash keeps his end of the deal.

The couple will need to go public with their relationship before production and remain a couple (according to the public) during the production and post-production process (approximately two weeks after its spring release.)

Nash should be seen on set with Ellie throughout the Dallas production, which runs September 20th—October 31st

Ellie nodded as she saw the final production dates. “Just a month and a half of filming?"

Geneva nodded. "Maybe less. They’re not shooting action or anything. And since the production dates got pushed back, the cast has had plenty of time to work on their lines. Something I hope you’ve been doing too.”

“I have,” Ellie assured, considering the irony of playing a role where the character was striving for the very thing Ellie wished she could rid herself of—fame. Still, she felt confident she’d do the character justice.

She dropped her gaze to the notes once more. "So, in short,” Ellie said, “Nash and I sign the contract, we go public with our relationship, and stay together until at least three weeks after the March release?”

“Right.”

And then she’d really be free? Ellie wondered what Montana looked like during Easter. Did they have small-town events like Easter Egg hunts on the church grounds or the County Square?

“And if we do this, I’m free from the other contract, and Nash gets a lump sum for his troubles.” She hated adding that part because she knew it would mess with her head and plant questions that didn’t exist now. Like, did Nash really like her, or was he just sticking the course to get the money?

And while she was almost positive Nash would like her without all the Hollywood ties, she wondered if that would change if he knew she really planned to be through with it for good.

Would she lose part of her appeal?

“Oh, and I forgot to tell you,” Geneva blurted. “That rugged cowboy of yours sent you flowers.”

That lifted her mood. “He did?” Ellie hurried into the kitchen, wondering what sort of flowers Nash might pick out for her. Perhaps something that reflected his country roots, like daisies or sunflowers. Yet the moment she spotted them, Ellie knew they weren’t from Nash at all.