He watched her drive away, feeling every inch the as**ole he’d been today.

And knowing it might be a long damn time before he saw Des again.

Chapter 17

“AND . . . CUT.”

Des exhaled, too tired from the heat to even complain about three takes for the scene. She just lifted her gaze to Colt, who looked as exhausted as she was. Fortunately, it was an early-morning scene, and the only one for today.

Thank. God.

It was Saturday, and they had spent all week filming the penultimate battle scene that would occur at the end of the film, something she thought Theo was going to save until last. But he explained he wanted to get a look at it earlier, just in case there were any needed changes that would have to be made.

Which meant special explosive effects and fire, which meant they had to get in touch with Logan and the local fire department to bring in water trucks because it was as dry as a tinderbox on the land. They also had their own water crews to douse the fires with water trucks as well. Everything had been planned out well in advance, and the scene would be played out with stunt people, except the close-up shots and dialogue between her and Colt prior to the explosions.

They went ahead and did the explosions and stunt work earlier in the week. Des stood by and watched as they filmed those on another part of the set. It was amazing to watch, and Theo had been satisfied with the way it had turned out. Fortunately, the land around the set had remained fire-free.

She had seen Logan and his crew out there with their water trucks, ready to intercede should a fire get out of control. He appeared to be searching for her in the crowd, but she’d stayed out of sight.

“Why aren’t you going over to say hello to Logan?” Colt had asked her.

They were filming that scene at dusk, when the winds had died down and the heat wasn’t so oppressive. She and Colt both wanted to watch, so they were leaning against one of the buildings just out of sight of the set.

She shrugged. “I’m taking a cooling-off period from Logan.”

“Which means you had a fight with him.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to. What happened between the two of you?”

“Nothing.”

“Des.”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Colt.”

Fortunately, he didn’t press her, and they stood side by side and watched the scene unfold. The stunt people were magnificent, as were the pyrotechnics crew. After it was over and it was clear there were no fires, Logan and his people left and Des exhaled.

She hadn’t seen him in a week. She’d been busy with her scenes, on call almost all day every day. Besides, she was still mad at him.

He had called her, though. And texted her.

She hadn’t answered either. What was the point? Logan wasn’t going to be the kind of man to ever trust a woman. He had issues, and she’d long ago given up chasing after men with issues.

So when Emma called asking if Des was up for their spa day in the city, Des hesitated. Maybe it was time to distance herself from everyone in Hope.

But then she had second thoughts. She liked Emma and her friends. Why the hell should she back away from making new friends just because of Logan?

So she accepted. Emma told her they’d come to the ranch and pick her up, then squeeze her into the car so the media would never know she was in it.

She loved the idea of sneaking off the ranch, though she doubted Emma and her friends would be able to pull it off. Emma told Des she didn’t know her friends and what they were capable of.

She went to her trailer and took a shower, then put on a sundress and slipped on her sandals. As soon as she finished drying her hair, her phone rang. It was security, telling her she had visitors.

“I’ll be right there,” she said.

She headed up to the main entrance to the set, where Emma, Jane, and Chelsea stood waiting for her.

“You look pretty. Are you ready for your adventure today?” Emma asked.

“Definitely.”

“Great,” Chelsea said. “Get in the far back of the SUV and lie down.”

Des laughed. “Is this like a kidnapping?”

“Sort of. We’re going to hide you from the paparazzi. They’ll never know we’re leaving with you.”

“I find that hard to believe. They’ll likely follow.”

“Oh, we’re going to decoy them by making a few stops first. If the paparazzi find anything exciting about the gas station and Walmart, then they need a life.”

Des often thought the paps needed a life, but she was willing to go along with it. She climbed into the third-row seats and lay down. The windows were darkly tinted, so she’d be hard to see.

“Aww, you put a pillow back here,” she said as she stretched out.

Jane leaned over the backseat to look at her. “We can’t have you uncomfortable. You’re not uncomfortable, are you?”

“Are you kidding? After the week I’ve had, I might take a nap back here.”

“Go ahead,” Chelsea said as she pulled away. “We’ll wake you when we’re close to the spa.”

Des laughed, especially as Emma gave her a blow-by-blow of the goings-on when they reached the entrance to the ranch gates.

“Paparazzi are hovering close, trying to get a peek in the windows. Quit waving at them, Jane, you’re only encouraging them.”

“I’m trying to throw them off by being friendly,” Jane said.

“Are they following?” Des asked.

“A few of them are,” Chelsea said. “Bastards.”

Des wasn’t surprised at all.

“Don’t worry. We have this covered,” Emma said.

By the time they got into town, after a stop midway at a gas station, where the paparazzi had hovered yet again, and Jane had rolled down her window to smile and wave at them, exclaiming in a deadpan fashion that for some reason they weren’t at all interested in taking her picture, they were off.

They pulled into the parking lot of the Walmart shopping center in Hope. Chelsea left the motor running and Emma and Jane hopped out.

“Be back in a few,” Jane said, then shut the door.

“There’s only one car left,” Chelsea told her.

Des sighed. “Some of them are extremely persistent.”

“I think they’re all assholes. I’m sure their parents are so proud of their chosen professions as stalkers.”

That, at least, made Des laugh.

Chelsea did a fine job of looking bored and scrolling through her phone.

“And, he’s gone,” Chelsea said. “Nothing exciting ever happens in a Walmart parking lot.”

Chelsea pushed a button, waited a second, then said, “He’s gone. Y’all can come out now.”

Within a few minutes, Jane and Emma came back out. Jane was carrying a bag.

Chelsea gave her a look. “I didn’t expect you to actually shop, Jane.”

“Hey, I needed a few things.”

They took off and hit the highway, Emma watching in her mirror.

“You can sit up now, Des. There’s no one following us.”

“I don’t know,” Des said, finally sitting up. “I was enjoying the luxury back there.”

“It is a great SUV, isn’t it?” Chelsea asked. “Will just bought it for him and Jane. I was excited to drive today. Jane was too nervous to be the getaway driver.”

“I was not. Okay, maybe I was. I’m not good at this kind of thing.”

Emma laughed. “This kind of thing. As if trying to lose the paparazzi is something we do all the time.”

“Shut up, Emma,” Jane said.

It was going to be a great day. Des could feel it.

And by the time they arrived at the spa—a place Chelsea swore was swanky, totally discreet, and sworn to secrecy—Des was more than ready for a day of fun.

Chelsea parked in the back of the place and made a call. The back door opened and a very beautiful woman with dark brown hair and blue eyes opened the door to let them in.

“You must be Desiree Jenkins. I’m Francine Willows, owner of Absolute Beauty. Welcome.”

“Thank you, Francine.”

“When Chelsea called me and told me she and her friends—and you—wanted a special spa day, I took the liberty of closing the place to our outside clients today. The fewer people who know you’re here, the less likely those pesky media types will descend upon you.”

“You’re amazing. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”

“It’s my pleasure. Of course we’re going to take a million pictures of you here today, and after you’re gone, we’ll post them on our website and use them for promotion. With your permission, of course. And I promise we’ll do your hair and makeup and make you look stunning in those photos.”

Des laughed. “Be my guest.”

They started out by undressing and heading to the hot mud room. Despite the heat outside, the temperature in the mud room was set very cool, and the hot mud felt awesome on her skin. She could certainly use the treatment since she was all dried out from filming in the heat. She sipped on some lemon water while she baked. After, she rinsed and Des chose a sea-salt scrub that felt absolutely delicious.

Then it was time for a massage, a forty-five-minute experience that was so luxurious and relaxing that Des fell asleep. Her masseuse gently woke her, and she showered off and was taken to the salon for a manicure and pedicure that perked her up, especially since all the girls sat next to her and had the same treatment. It was fun listening to Emma talk about her and Luke’s wedding plans.

“When’s your wedding date?” she asked Emma.

“In October. It takes a lot to plan a wedding, and with everything else going on, Luke and I wanted to just be with each other first. Plus, Jane and Will are getting married in September.”

Des shifted her gaze to Jane and smiled. “You are? Congratulations.”

“Thank you. We waited a while, too, but I’m tired of waiting. The kids and I want Will living in the house with us. It’ll be a very small affair, just immediate family and friends. I’ve already been through this once. And that marriage didn’t end so well.”

“But this one really counts,” Chelsea said.

Jane was beaming. “Yes, it does. And then as soon as ours is over, Emma and Luke are next.”

Emma laughed. “We had talked about how our weddings are a month apart, but it’s just so perfect.”

“And mine isn’t going to be a big deal. Just a small event, really. While Emma and Luke’s is going to be big.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say big . . .”

“She says that now. But she’s in definite bride-panic-planning mode.” Chelsea grinned.

“Okay. Maybe I am. Thank God for these women, or I’d definitely be in a panic.”

“Who’s in your wedding party, Emma?” Des asked.

“Jane and Chelsea, of course. And my sister, Molly, will be my maid of honor.”

“Yeah, providing you can get her back here for the ceremony,” Chelsea said.

Des frowned. “Does she live out of the country?”

“No. She lives out of state. But she never comes home. It’s a long, complicated story. Molly left home right after high school and hasn’t been back to Hope in years. She . . . doesn’t like it here, for some reason.”

“Oh. Well, that might be difficult, then. But surely she’ll be here for you . . . for your wedding.”

Emma sighed. “I hope so. I’m counting on her.”

“Have you talked to her about it?” Des hated to pry, but she found the idea of her sister not wanting to come home for the wedding so fascinating.

“I have. She says she’ll be here, that nothing would stop her from standing next to me when I marry Luke.”

“She’ll come, Emma,” Jane said. “She promised.”

“I agree,” Chelsea said. “Don’t worry. Molly won’t let you down.”

“I know. I’m not worried. Luke and I flew out to Baton Rouge last month where she’s currently living. She told us both she was on board and excited. We went over wedding plans, and even long distance, she’s been such a big help with all the planning.”

Jane leaned across the stations and grasped Emma’s hand. “But it’s not the same as having your sister here with you while you plan the biggest day of your life, is it?”

Des saw the tears glimmer in Emma’s eyes. “No, it’s not. But as long as she’s here on the day of my wedding, it’ll be the best wedding gift ever.”

“If she loves you like she says she does, if she promised you,” Des said. “Then she’ll be there for you when you need her the most.”

Emma smiled and nodded. “I believe that. I have to believe that. My wedding just won’t be the same without my little sister standing there beside me.”

Des wished she had closer ties to her brother and sister. It sucked not having the draw to family other people did. Other than Colt, she had never bonded with anyone. Colt was close with Sarah and Callie, but they were on the periphery of her life. She wanted girlfriends like Emma, Jane, and Chelsea.

Maybe it was time to put down roots and settle down somewhere, start making some friends.

“You should come to the wedding, Des,” Emma said.

Des’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Seriously. We’d love to have you come.”

“Oh, that would be so much fun,” Chelsea said. “You’re part of our pack now. You have to come.”

“Say you will, Des,” Emma said. “I mean, of course, depending on your schedule.”