by MK Meredith
The smile on his face diminished, and he pressed a piece of paper in her hand. “You wanted to do the right thing by selling the house and returning the money. But it isn’t you who owes me. He tapped her hand.
She opened the folded paper to find a check with more money than she’d ever thought she’d see in a lifetime. Confusion stole her breath. “What is this?”
“You were right. My dad confirmed it. We had trouble back around the time that Heart Break hit the theaters. An employee with too many questionable acquisitions, trying to sell them off as his own. We’d taken care of the projects we’d known about but missed yours. Martin had the investigator look back through the evidence they’d collected and found this.”
He pulled a thick stack of papers out of his bag.
Heartbreakers Diary by Addi Dekker.
“My book.” She whispered the words, unable to hold them in as she pulled the pages to her chest. All her hopes and dreams crashed into the pain of what happened, stealing her breath. Never in her wildest imagination had she ever expected to be able to celebrate that one of her stories was published, much less made into a movie. But there she was, check in hand.
“We have a few meetings next week with the studio attorney to fully rectify the situation. Gallagher Studios is happy to settle our debt and the rights to the movie in whatever way makes sense to you. We’d love to buy it…from the rightful owner this time.”
It was all so overwhelming. Her movie, the love of her life, keeping Aunt Addi’s bungalow. The rush of emotion left her head spinning and her eyes burning with unshed tears.
Restless in her silence, Roque rushed on. “That check is the value of your manuscript. Sell your house…to us. I’m homesick, and the only remedy is buying the bungalow and letting it live up to its full potential. Besides, I’m selling my condo. I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
That yanked her out of her stupor. “You’re selling your place?” She shook her head because he couldn’t be serious. The question was dumb in light of everything, but she was too dumbfounded to think straight. Her heart had seemed to stop as it kept on beating.
“You can give me back the money still owed, but after what you went through, I’d rather you didn’t.”
“I have to,” she said without hesitation. And now she could. Pride spread throughout her body to her limbs, and it was a feeling she decidedly enjoyed.
The sweetest smile she’d ever seen stretched his lips wide. “I thought you might say that. I understand your need to settle your debt, but there’s a catch, Addi. You can only pay me back if you give me a second chance. Let me live here…with you.”
Addi couldn’t wrap her brain around the plan Roque described. All her dreams, her passions, her heart, all wrapped around this man. And he was offering them to her.
He rushed on and stepped toward her. “We both win. You can keep your house, and I, I get to keep you. I was afraid of loving you too much, of not being enough, but not being with you only made it worse. My dad said he’d lose my mom all over again just to experience her love the one time. He was right.”
Roque dropped to one knee and held Addi lightly by the fingers of her left hand. “Addison Dekker, I love you. I want to wake up to your coffee every day.”
She giggled, placing a hand over her mouth to stifle the sound and hold back the sob that threatened to strangle her. Finding strength in her voice, she said, “But you only feel that way now that you know—”
“No. I decided you were the one for me before I found out the truth about what happened. I was going to buy the bungalow and insist you stay with me, but this is better.” He looked around the cozy space. “This is your home.”
Reaching out, he slipped his hand into hers, lowering it from her face. “I want to marry you, but if you aren’t ready, I understand. We don’t have to rush it. Just know I want you with me.”
With a tilt to his head, he gave her a crooked grin. “And I want to go to sleep every night to your smile. You work harder than anyone I know—though you don’t realize it yourself—and you are caring and kind and funny as hell. We’ll never be perfect, but we’ll be perfect for each other. Will you do me the honor of letting me move into your house with you?”
It took her a moment to find words. “You really forgive me?”
“Yes.” His gaze steady. “Do you forgive me?”
“Do you realize you were an ass?”
“I was a huge ass, Addi. But I don’t want my past to be my future. I want a lifetime of us forgiving each other and learning how to be the best versions of ourselves. And I think we can only do that together.”
Addi dropped to her knees in front of him and hugged him, burying her face in his neck. “I’m so sorry about everything, I’ll never lie to you again. I—”
“I know. And I’ll make sure you feel like a priority, not an afterthought of my work and that you always get the credit you deserve. You are an incredibly talented writer. I’m sick about what happened with your work.” He rubbed her back, splaying his hand wide and pulling her close to his body. His hard abs and firm chest were so welcoming she wanted to burrow in and never come out. “You didn’t answer my question. Will you let me move in? Let’s build a life together, Addi, and show Hollywood how it’s done.”
Addi couldn’t stop the rush of emotion that tightened her throat. He trusted her, forgave her, and wanted to make her his. But she shook her head through her blinding tears. “No.”
Roque stilled. “No?”
She kissed each cheek. “You can’t just move in—”
His shoulders sagged with apparent relief, and he growled. “Woman. You’re terrifying.”
She giggled. “You have to marry me. But I’m warning you, you may regret it.”
Roque stood, pulling her along with a laugh. He lifted her off her feet and swung her around and then crushed his mouth to hers. Her heart swelled so much in her chest she felt like there was no room left for air.
He pulled back, cupping her face in his hands. “Goddamn, you’re beautiful.”
She sighed with a wink. “You’re coming on to me.”
He pulled back slightly, his teeth flashing white against his tanned cheek. He teased against her lips. “I told you, when I came on to you, you wouldn’t have to ask.”
Epilogue
Roque and Addi walked through Sam’s front door and into the warm embrace of family at Christmas, and there was nothing better. Everyone was there, including Roque’s dad and Jimmy.
Addi spotted him first and made a beeline for him. Roque stopped her, pulling her back to his chest. “Where are you going?”
She pressed a kiss to his mouth, no embarrassment, no hiding, and she loved it. “When I promised you forever, I assumed there was at least a ten foot radius of allowable separation.”
He laughed, the glint in his eye teasing. “Only five, but I forgive you for forgetting.”
Pressing her lips together, she batted her lashes at him. “As you promised to.” She took his hand, the feeling of his warmth rushing straight to her heart. “I want to go see Jimmy, make sure he’s comfortable in this crazy gang all alone.”
Roque laughed. “You’re worried about Jimmy? He’ll love that.”
She wiggled her brows. “It’s what I do.”
“Go. But come back.”
She lost herself in the intense blue of his gaze. She didn’t know how she got so lucky, but she’d work hard every day to show how thankful she was. “Always.”
Turning, she winked at him and got a slap on her ass. She jumped. “Roque.”
Shaking her head, she wove through her family, leaving hugs and grabbing squeezes along the way.
Jimmy sat off to the side near the bar by a large stone fireplace, watching the crowd with interest on his face. He tipped a glass of eggnog at her as she approached.
She kissed his cheek with a grin. “I never pinned you as an eggnog man.”
He smacked his lips. “Delicious.”
She nodde
d toward the pitcher sitting close to his arm on the bar top. “That why you’re keeping it so close?”
“Let’s just say I like to take stock of what I like and keep it close.” He winked at her. “How’s Roque?”
Addi scooted next to him and leaned against the bar, looking out over her family. Frank and Mac laughed at their own hilarity at the big round kitchen table, and Martin stood with Sam at the piano while Gage played “Jingle Bells.” Luca worked feverishly on his cell off in the corner of the living room’s large leather couch. Addi shook her head. Her brother needed to relax.
Dee and Raquel walked up with Gage’s sister, Bel, in tow. Raquel led the way with her hand limp and her knuckles out in a demure greeting to Jimmy. “And who do we have here? I don’t believe I’ve been introduced.”
Addi didn’t buy it for a minute because Raquel knew who everyone was in Malibu—but she’d play along. “Raquel, this is Jimmy. He works with Roque, and he’s an up-and-coming photographer, I believe.”
Jimmy eyed her, then turned to Raquel. He dipped his chin and, with his fingertips barely under Raquel’s, brushed his lips over her knuckles. She expelled a small breath, her eyes bright.
Addi gave a slow mental clap of approval. Nicely done, Jimmy.
On a nod, Raquel turned to Bel. “Darling, have you met Jimmy?”
“Callahan, Irish father, Italian mother.” He nodded at Bel. Addi felt him tense at her side and looked at his face, curious. He didn’t just watch Bel, he studied her, his expression so intent he almost seemed angry.
Bel resisted the push forward from Raquel but ended up right in front of Jimmy nevertheless. Addi almost laughed outright at the look of shock and awe on Bel’s face.
Bel looked at Jimmy and then quickly at Addi. “Any eggnog left?”
Jimmy jumped into action, grabbing a tumbler and pouring a smidge into the glass. Turning, he held it out to Bel with a serious face, the corners of his mouth upturned into what Addi imagined he believed was a smile. She’d have to tell him to work on that.
Bel looked at the miniscule amount of eggnog in the glass and raised a brow.
Poor Jimmy was slow at catching on, and Addi had to smother a giggle. “More? I figured you wouldn’t want too much. By the looks of you, you’re not one for eating.”
As soon as the words were out, Addi’s jaw dropped open. She blinked at how quickly the man went from class to ass—even if he had no idea what he’d just done. Of all the things to say to Bel, that was one of the worst.
Bel narrowed her eyes, then, with a smile to Addi, said, “Nice to see you, Addison.” Shoving the glass back into Jimmy’s hands, she grabbed the pitcher, and with a defiant stare, chugged straight from it. She came up for air, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, and then stomped away with the pitcher in hand.
Jimmy whistled, Raquel grinned like the Cheshire cat, and Dee laughed. Addi joined her mother. Only in her family. She slapped Jimmy on the shoulder. She felt like she’d been doing that since they’d met. “What the hell?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t know, I—”
Roque walked up and slid next to Addi, pulling her close to his side. “Your partner in crime here needs some classes in manners,” Addi said.
Roque looked to Jimmy, his brows raised in question.
“Don’t ask.”
Raquel clapped her hands together. “I think it’s delightful.”
Addi grinned at the excitement practically pouring from the Mother of Malibu. “What is?”
Raquel slid her arm through Dee’s and turned but added, “Love is in the air, Addison. Love is in the air.” She blew a kiss to her and Roque. “Just as I knew it would be with the two of you.”
Roque shook his head. “Aunt Raquel.”
She paused to put up a well-jeweled hand. “There’s a reason Addi’s bungalow was the only available rental.”
Addi’s jaw dropped. “You knew?”
They watched as the two women made their way across the room.
Jimmy stood from the stool next to Addi. “What the hell is that woman talking about?”
Roque and Addi exchanged glances, and then Roque said, “I don’t know exactly, but I think you’re about to find out.”
Jimmy’s eyes widened in a look of panic Addi never thought she’d see. He downed his eggnog, and then grabbed for the pitcher to pour another glass. His hand met an empty space. “God damned woman.”
Addi laughed, and Roque pulled her to him, wrapping his arms about her waist. “Do you think she was serious about the bungalow?”
Addi looked up at him. She kissed his nose, his chin, and then his mouth. If Raquel did have something to do with it, she’d have to be sure to thank her. Every dream Addi never knew she yearned for was right in front of her. “I don’t know, but she’s a force. It doesn’t matter what it is. If Raquel even thinks someone’s a little camera shy, she’s the first to shove them right in front of a lens.”
Roque kissed her back. “Well, I’m glad she shoved me to you.”
She released a dreamy sigh and didn’t even care. “You are?”
“Yes.” He looked so pleased with himself. “You make me happy. Did you know that?”
She turned her head from side to side. “You’ll need to show me.”
He tightened his hands about her. “Do I make you happy?”
“I’m an open book, Gallagher, for as long as you’re interested in reading me.” She grinned.
He pulled her in to his chest. “Oh, I’m interested. I know for a fact you’re a master at happy endings. And like you said, I really do need to show you.”
She giggled and grabbed his hand. With the family entertaining one another and dinner at least an hour away, no one would miss them.
He followed her up the stairs. “Where are we going?”
Addi winked. “I’m going to show you just how good at happy endings I really am.”
His eyes widened, and she turned back to the stairs, taking them two at a time.
Roque was right at her heels, and she pulled him into Sam’s guest room and closed the door.
If this was Raquel’s way of shoving her in front of a lens, she’d happily go because this kind of camera lens promised beautiful memories that would last a lifetime.
Did you love Just a Little Camera Shy? Want to read more stories that promise an emotional ride on heated sheets? Then follow me on Amazon and Bookbub to receive emails on all new releases!
Feed your romance addiction with more books by MK Meredith!
Cape Van Burn
On the Cape Novels:
Love on the Cape (Ryker and Larkin) bk 1
Honor on the Cape (Blayne and Jamie) bk 2
Cherish on the Cape (Claire and Mitch) bk 3
Novellas:
Draw You In (formerly Falling for You)
International Temptation Series
A strong dose of decadence along with a side of tall, dark,
and sexy in your favorite travel destinations.
Seducing the Tycoon (Drago and Chase) bk 1
Playing the Spanish Billionaire (Meteu and London) bk 2
Scripted for Love Series
There's no place like paradise and the happy ever afters found in the film industry of Malibu, CA.
Love Under the Hot Lights (Sam and Gage) bk 1
Just a Little Camera Shy (Addi and Roque) bk 2
A Heated Touch of Action (Bel and Jimmy) bk 3
What Happens in Vegas Series
multi author series)
What happens when a romance convention descends upon Vegas?
A whole lot of love!
Seducing Seven (Seven and Blake) bk 9
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Connect with MK:
Website: mkmeredith.com
Twitter: twitter.com/MKMKMeredith
Facebook: facebook.com/MKMKMeredith/
&nbs
p; Acknowledgments
To my children and husband, otherwise known as my hearts and soul, thank you for believing in me and always knowing I could do this even when I didn’t. Brian, I’ll never get used to how supportive you are. I’m in awe.
To my big brothers, Tommy, Todd, and Billy—as goofy as I am, you’ve always held me up. Tommy, you’ve always known I could do it. Todd, you put your support into action. Thank you for reading my first book. Billy, you’re the best cheerleader a girl could have. To Paula, my sister of the heart, I’m forever in awe of you. And to my mom, who’s continued to mother me from the other side, I hope I have a fraction of your grace. Thank you.
To Kathy and Jim Krans, you’ve always loved and supported our little family. You have a special place in our hearts. We love that Nana and Grandpa.
Thank you to Kerrie Legend for always inspiring me with your beautiful interpretations of my writing. Your support has been life changing.
Thank you to L.T. Kelly, talented author and friend, for working through the rough parts with me. I cherish our friendship.
Thank you to Jessica Snyder and Kameron Claire for your efforts in helping me make this book better. Your critiques and edits helped to push me to be a better writer. And thank you Taylor Reynolds for your continued and tireless support through all my crazy rantings. You are a saint.
Thank you to my street team, MK & CO for your friendship and for believing in me. I love everyone in this family, from the very first to the still to come.
One more exuberant thank-you to the readers of this book. Experiencing life with you in this way is magical. I hope that at least one scene, one line, or simply one word resonates with each of you. And to my sisters and brothers in the fight against breast and all types of cancer. I know both sides, having lost my mom to breast cancer at a young age, and surviving myself. I got hit during the last edits of my first book, worked through a mastectomy during the edits of my second book, and finally received my cancer-free call and reconstruction during the edits of this book. My writing is one of the things that carries me through. I have many more books to write.