Did Hailey hear him correctly? She blinked then asked, "What?""We'll go on a public date. A high-profile restaurant in Center City."So not a real date. A pretend one. Her heart needed to calm down. This wasn't a romance. This was a business arrangement. "Do you think that is necessary?"He rose and crossed the room to where she stood. His hand came up but didn't touch her. Her heart was screaming for him to reach out. Her head knew better. "Yes, I do. Our alleged fight was all over social media. If we don't do something publicly then people will question our relationship. We need to keep up this charade for a few more months. We have to keep things in the public eye.""And it needs to be high profile," she said, understanding how this worked. "Yes, it does." He stepped closer to her and she could feel his warmth wafting off of her. He put a hand on her face and she once again resisted the urge to turn into his touch. "We can do this, Hailey. It just means some public displays of ou

Hailey's heart thudded in her chest. She couldn't imagine her life without her father. Things had been tough enough with him in the rehabilitation center. She'd missed him. "Let's go," Noah said.He dropped some bills on the table even though they hadn't ordered anything yet. Her stomach was in her throat. The doctor had told her that if her father had any more instances of heart trouble, he might not make it through. She would be alone in the world. Noah grabbed he hand and guided her out of the restaurant. When they reached the street, the limousine was waiting for them. "What hospital?"She gave Noah the name and he spoke to Danny. They were on their way a few moments later. The hospital was bustling when they arrived and Hailey searched for the desk. Noah took her hand and led her to a nurse. "We're looking for a patient.""What's his name? When was he brought in?" the nurse asked. "Judd Johnson," Hailey said. "He was brought in by ambulance," Noah said. "Let me check the sy

Fifty percent of the people who had this operation survived. It was risky, made worse by how long her father had been sick. As she walked back to the waiting room, she hoped her father was part of that demographic.She couldn't imagine being alone in the world. He'd always been there for her. Lately, she'd been there for him. Noah stood when she entered the waiting room. "We're supposed to go to the Cardiac Suite waiting room," he said. "Cardiac Suite. Sound like a bad hotel?"He flashed her a quick grin. "Not a place I'd want to stay, but I think your father will be in good hands.""Thank you for all that you've done. You don't have to stay. This could be hours."He picked up both of her hands. "I'm not going anywhere. I've told the director that I've had a family emergency and he's rearranging the filming schedule for me tomorrow.""Oh, Noah. I've disrupted your life."He shrugged. "You forget. I'm a big star. I can hold my breath until they do my bidding."She appreciated the lev

When Hailey returned to the waiting room, she had a smile for him that warmed him to his soul. She also had a piece of paper that she handed him. "It's from my father."He tucked it into his pocket. "I'll read it later. How is he?""He's good. Sleeping. Henry said the surgery went well," Hailey said. She looked like she could fall asleep on her feet. She flopped into a chair. "Let's get you home. I'll send Kevin a text.""I'm not ready to go home. A little too a wired.""You look tired, Hailey.""Thanks for the compliment."He laughed. "Sorry. I'm just worried.""I need food.""You're hungry?"She smiled up at him. "Yes.""There' s diner down the block I saw on the way in here. That sounds good?""Pancakes. My father used to make me pancakes when I was sad.""But you're not sad," Noah said, sitting down next to her. He could wait as long as she needed. He'd gotten to see into her soul tonight and he liked what he'd seen. She was devoted to her father and that warmed Noah's soul. Fam

Noah climbed into the limousine beside Hailey and she didn't know what to say. He must have heard what the reporter said. Her head spun as she grasped at words, but the reporter wasn't completely wrong. Noah's jaw was clenched, which was the only indication that he was angry. Hailey couldn't blame him. She should have said something, but she never imagined it would come up. The records were sealed because she'd been a juvenile."Noah."He put up his hand. "Kevin, can you get us out of here?"He should have left her behind. He could have left her to the wolves, but he didn't. Noah was a much nicer man than she deserved. "I can, sir. I can back up in the alley.""I'm impressed, then.""All in a day's work sir," Kevin said. The car lurch backward and Hailey wondered at Kevin's talent. He didn't scrape the limousine on either side as he traversed to the other end of the alley. In reverse.Hailey held her breath until they were on the street moving forward again. Noah hadn't reached for