Page 235 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

“Oh,” Belle had gone on to say, “I hope I get to experience that one day. How exciting.”

Ellie had sensed there was a story there, but she hadn’t pressed. She, herself, hoped to experience pregnancy and motherhood too. And what a magical place to raise a child this would be.

"Now for my favorite part," Grandma C said as she sprinkled flour over the countertop and urged Ellie to do the same. “Rolling the dough.”

Ellie dunked her fingers into the shallow flour pan and pinched out a portion of her own. She tossed it over the countertop as Grandma C continued.

"You saw how I put a bit of vinegar in the crust,” she said while measuring out a ball of pie crust dough the size of a softball and plunking it onto the floured surface. “That’s my secret to making the crust extra flaky –"

"Andextra delicious," Nash finished from behind.

Ellie glanced over her shoulder, pleased to see him striding into the kitchen from the mudroom. Her heart fluttered at the mere sight of him. He didn't wear an apron, per se, but he had something akin to it wrapped around his jeans to hold a set of outdoor cooking utensils, spices, and hot pads.

Nash looked her up and down for a moment before meeting her gaze. A flash of heat rippled through her once more, infused with longing and an ever-growing amount of love.

"My, my, my,” he rasped, smelling of campfire and aftershave. He scratched his scruff-covered jaw. “Don't you look pretty?"

The ladies let out a round ofahsin response.

"Do I look pretty, too?" Rosie asked as she hopped off the chair to spin in place.

Nash lifted his hat and tipped his chin. "You sure do, sweetheart." He turned his attention back to Ellie as he stepped closer. "What have we got going on here, ladies?"

"I'm just about to teach Ellie here how to roll a perfect piecrust," Grandma C said. She lifted her rolling pin and began wagging it at him. "And I'll tell you this: I don't tell justanyoneabout the secret ingredient in my pie crust. Once that's done, it's done, so you best be planning on making this one a keeper, Nash."

A grin spread over Nash’s face, and suddenly, he began striding determinedly toward Ellie.

A thrill washed through her as he grabbed her hips and spun her in place. With his eyes locked on hers, that scent of his pleasing even more of her senses, Nash replied.

"Oh, don't you worry, Grandma. I'm not gonna let this one go." With that, he moved in and kissed Ellie boldly on the lips. Not a short, modest kiss she might expect with everyone watching, either. No, he dipped her low, leaning her back to lengthen the kiss as their apparent audience began to cheer.

Nash had barely set her upright when he dipped a finger into the flour pan and ran a powdery streak down the bridge of Ellie’s nose. He tapped the tip with a wicked grin. "Scrumptious." He reached in and snuck another peck to her lips.

Jackie came right up beside him and swatted him with a hand towel. "You scoundrel," she teased. "Now get out there with the men and leave the lady be.”

A rash of thrills flushed through Ellie as she watched Nash pinch the dough, pop a pebble-sized portion into his mouth and shoot her a wink. "See you later, sugar."

“Bye,” she managed, face flushing as she bit her lip. Deep elation sprung from every fiber in Ellie's core. She’d never known happiness like this. And giddiness; she was worse than a school girl with her first crush.

"Oh, I know that look all too well," Taja said knowingly.

"I was about to say the same thing," Abbie chimed while sprinkling flour on the countertop before her.

"Yep,” Belle said, "she's in love, folks."

"She'snot the only one." Jackie nodded to Ellie. “That boy is crazy about you, hon."

“Well, ofcourse, he's in love," Grandma C said. "He’d be a fool not to be.” She jabbed the rolling pin toward the dough ball, waiting for Ellie. “Now, you gonna roll out that pie crust or what?"

Laughter filled the space as Ellie nodded and took hold of the pin. "Yes," she said, delighting in the moment that had just taken place, a moment she was enjoying even still. Being here at the Copelands felt just like a dream, one Ellie never wanted to end.

Ellie found herself on the set of her new movie, but the odd thing was nobody else was there.

A strange, melodic tune sounded in the distance, soft at first, but then it grew louder as Ellie searched for the source.

At last, she recognized the sound and the melody too. It was her mom’s voice, and she was singing an old song she used to sing to Ellie.

"Mom!" Ellie cried out as she spun in place.