Page 72 of Famous for a Living

As I open my mouth to respond, she sucks in her breath. “Please tell me you aren’t so starved for attention that those two rangers you talk about are starting to look good.”

I laugh. “At this point, that’s like asking if I’m interested in my nephews.”

“I know where you came from. I know you may find it . . . tempting.”

I frown. “For the millionth time, Serena, people in West Virginia don’t marry their relatives.”

“Fine. Who are you trying to impress?”

Steadily, I ignore her, setting my phone on the vanity and tapping to speaker again. I grab a new strand of hair and snap it into my wand. “Nobody.” I wind up the section of hair, stopping an inch from my temple. “Really. Nobody.”

And it’s entirely true.

Yes, technically I was caught off guard by Zaiah’s arms when he wrapped them around me, even more when he pulled me close and lifted me off the river bottom. Technically I found his strength and willingness to put himself between the moose and her calves for my sake appealing. But the thing is, I am human. I am female. And frankly, my pool of available men has shrunk from four million to three, literally three—and that is a generous number given two of those include Jax and Kevin. I can’t help noticing a man among boys.

But that doesn’t mean I’m such a fool as to recognize how opposite we are.

Or to forget my life doesn’t belong here.

And his, as he said in so many words, doesn’t belong in a city, or with a girl like me.

“I don’t believe you. Mina!” Serena shouts over the speakerphone sitting precariously on the ledge of the small vanity. “Mina!”

“Shh.”

But a moment later Mina pops open the door.

“Hi, Serena.” Mina leans down toward the speaker.

“Hi, darling,” Serena coos. “How is all?”

“Pretty good.” Mina takes a step deeper inside the bathroom that already isn’t big enough for one. “Got another two hundred Cozy orders last night after Cat did one of her ads. Just trying to get a few done now before we go.”

“That’s fantastic and not at all surprising. So. Who is Cat trying to impress tonight? D’you know?”

“No one,” I put in, at the same time Mina says, “We’re just going downtown with the boys.”

“Really? Which boys?”

She shrugs. “Kevin and Jax. Zaiah is going to drive so—”

“Is he now? Spending the evening with Zaiah, Cat? That brooding mountain man you always complain about who partners up with you in the town hypothermia games and casually saves your damsel-in-distress butt from straying moose on any given Saturday? That Zaiah?”

“I’m not spending the evening with him,” I say, visibly pinking in the mirror. “We are going into town. And honestly. I’ve seen you take a shower and start your makeup from scratch just to hit up Panera with me. I’m just recurling a few loose strands.”

Mina raises a brow at the very obvious complete makeover I’ve done in the past hour, and I resolutely avoid her eyes. “Anyway.” I pull at the sleeve of the third sweater I’ve tried on this evening. “I’m bored. There is, and I can’t emphasize this enough, nothing to do here.”

“Not so!” Mina says defensively. “Our Snowball Cornhole Risk Blitz game begs to differ.”

“I stand corrected.” I frown at the mention of my entertainment source the past four painful nights. “We have Snowball Cornhole Risk Blitz.”

People my age are riding the stock market waves.

Getting married.

Having children.

Me? I spend my evenings getting dragged outside with Jax, Kevin, and Mina, throwing snowballs as fast as I can to liberate Australia and finally lock in that sweet continent bonus.