Free Big Love in a Small Town (Contemporary Romance) by Kate Goldman Page A

action – snapping pictures and calling out, “Nate! Nate! Hey, man! Picture please! Look this way? How are things with Ansley?”
     
    All of the commotion stunned Tessa. The atmosphere had gone from peaceful stillness to flashing frenzy in two seconds flat. She felt someone pull her arm, and turned around to see who had touched her.
     
    “What do you want?” she snapped when she saw that it was Nate.
     
    “Tessa, what are you doing here?” he asked, not caring that they were being crowded in by paparazzi.
     
    “I came to surprise you, but obviously you are tied up at the moment, so I’ll just go away,” Tessa said, her voice cracking.
     
    “Can we go somewhere,” Nate glanced around as cameras whirred, “a little more private to talk?”
     
    “What is there to say?” she asked, hurt dripping in her voice. Tessa hated that she’d been so wrong in coming here.
     
    “ Obviously, a lot. And I’m not letting you leave this time,” he said. “Come with me, I have a private car waiting around back.” Nate put his arm around Tessa and shielded her from the crazed cameramen. Tessa was sure they were getting their fill of pricey images with the show she and Nate had just inadvertently provided.
     
    She wasn’t sure if she wanted to go with Nate, but it was a better alternative compared to the prospect of being followed by paparazzi as she called and waited for another cab. Plus, he wasn’t giving her an option. He led her back through the restaurant as dozens of eyes bore holes into them. Tessa had a feeling she and Nate were going to be plastered on tabloids, newspapers and online gossip columns the next day.
     
    Nate opened a side door that went down a flight of steps and into a private parking deck. Thankfully, no paparazzi were lurking. He motioned for the attendant to pull his car around, and the sharply dressed guy gave a nod and took off running. These people took their valet services seriously, she supposed.
     
    As they waited for the car, Tessa and Nate stood there in awkward silence. Tessa wasn’t sure how to proceed. The evening had taken a turn that she never would’ve expected – even in her most outlandish dreams.
     
    The black sports car was pulled around promptly, and Nate held the door open for Tessa to slide onto the seat. He tipped the attendant, got in and took off quickly. Barely a moment passed before he spoke.
     
    “Tessa, while I’m beyond happy to see you, I don’t think you have any idea what you’ve just done,” Nate said, staring straight ahead.
     
    “Oh, so sorry. That blonde will be pretty pissed that I ruined y’all’s date,” Tessa replied, her words drenched in sarcasm. Nate turned to look at her, his eyes wide.
     
    “Do you think that I was on a date?” he asked incredulously.
     
    “Who wouldn’t think you were on a date?” she shot back.
     
    “I know there are rumors about Ansley and me, but that’s all they are – rumors. We were having dinner together because we’re friends and we have scenes to reshoot later this evening.”
     
    “Nate, I’m sure everyone in that restaurant thought the same thing that I did – that you were on a date with her.”
     
    “Tessa, you have to understand. If people see us together and come to their own conclusions – it helps sell movies. The producers ask us to hang out from time to time to keep the public intrigued. Never at any point have Ansley and I ever been anything more than friends. I promise.”
     
    Tessa shook her head, annoyed with herself. “Nate, I’m so sorry for jumping to conclusions and acting like a crazed, jealous girlfriend. If you were on a date, you would have every right to be. I was the one that ended things the way I did, and I owe you an apology for that, too.”
     
    They pulled into a private drive and Nate punched in a gate code.
     
    “Where are we?” Tessa asked.
     
    “My house. I can take you back to wherever you are staying, but it’s safer and more private here