Inn Love

But if I get my way, it won’t be long now.

Once we’re both dressed, I usher Olivia to follow me, and we head downstairs. But something isn’t right. My mother is standing in front of the door to the Inn. Her arms are folded in front of her as she stares at it. Outside, there seems to be some kind of commotion, and I can hear chatter from out there. I frown, moving to stand beside her.

“What’s going on out there?” I ask, placing a protective hand on my Mom’s shoulders. She lets out a long sigh and then looks at me in disappointment, as though I’ve done something to really upset her.

“They figured out that you’re here,” she says with a sigh.

I frown. “Who did?”

“Who do you think? The paparazzi that follow you around everywhere, trying to get an insight into your life. I suppose they’re going to get their way, aren’t they? They’ve found our home, and they won’t leave until they get something juicy, will they?”

I think about what Olivia and I were doing upstairs last night. I’m sure the paparazzi would have a field day if they knew about our blossoming relationship, but I intend to keep that private as long as I can. I sigh, shaking my head to myself.

“Maybe I can go out there and stave them off with something,” I say. I glance over my shoulder at Olivia, and to my surprise, she looks shell-shocked. I frown at her, moving to touch her cheek. “What’s wrong?” I ask. She stares up at me.

“Paparazzi?” she whispers. “Why are there paparazzi outside, Elijah? What haven’t you told me?”

Fuck. My heart is hammering in my chest. I thought I’d have more time. I didn’t think I’d have to tell Olivia about this side of my life just yet. I sigh, shaking my head.

“It’s not something you need to worry about.”

“Then tell me what’s going on.”

I glance over my shoulder. My mother shoots me another disapproving look before wandering off by herself, leaving me alone with Olivia. I cup her cheek.

“I planned to tell you…in time. The thing is…I’m an actor – a famous one. I’ve lived in Hollywood for a long time, and I’m one of the richest men in the country. I know that might seem like a big deal…but it’s not, I swear. It doesn’t change who I am.”

Olivia looks too shocked to respond and to be honest, I can’t blame her. I’ve just dropped a huge bombshell on her, as far as she’s concerned. I should have told her who I am.

I should have at least warned her that this might happen.

But now it seems it’s too late. She looks hurt. Hurt that I kept this from her. Hurt that she doesn’t know the full story. But I want to tell her that none of this part of my life matters. My life as an actor doesn’t have anything to do with my home life. It shouldn’t matter. It’s just work.

But I know it’s about more than that. I think Olivia feels betrayed. She’s used to people being cruel to her, being dishonest, and I’ve just become like everyone else in her mind. I hate that she’s been hurt by me.

“Olivia….”

“It’s okay,” she says, even though it clearly isn’t. “You should go out there and…deal with that. We can talk later. We probably shouldn’t be seen together, after all.”

I open my mouth to speak, but Olivia is already walking off. I growl to myself. I feel like I could punch a wall in frustration. Just when things were finally going well for me, I mess it all up again.

How did I allow this to happen? What if Olivia can’t move past this? What if she doesn’t forgive me for this slip-up?

I don’t think that’s something I’ll be able to live with.

CHAPTER TEN

Olivia

I can’t stop the shock from washing over me. This was a twist I wasn’t expecting. My hot, older lover…is a famous Hollywood actor? How did I get this far without finding this out about him? Now it makes sense why I thought he seemed familiar…I guess I must have seen his face somewhere before, in a movie or on a poster.

But this doesn’t add up. Why would a Hollywood star be hanging around with the likes of me? Why would he retreat to this small town instead of living his life of luxury in the Hollywood hills? I’m back in my room, pacing up and down, trying to process this whole thing.

I guess it makes sense why he said that money was no issue to him. I feel so stupid for overlooking this part of his life. I thought we were being open with one another, but this is a pretty big thing to keep from me. What happened to us being honest?