“It’s not what I think of, but what I see: a beautiful, strong, independent woman.”
“Yes!” I turn in my seat to face him, but still keep my hand in his. “That’s how I want my fans to see me. That’s how I want the world to see me. But they don’t. To them I’m still Nora Jo Mitchell.”
“That was your character on that television show? Sorry, I didn’t watch it.”
“Oh, I don’t care. And yes, that was my character. I’ve struggled to let go of my past.”
“I’m sure it’ll all work out.”
“I hope so. Because I don’t know how much longer I can keep going on the way I am,” I say, my words morphing into a yawn.
“You’re tired. My kids are finally wearing you down.”
“Trust me, it’s not your kids.”
“Different bed than you’re used to? That gets me every time.”
“No. I’ve traveled so much over the years that I’ve gotten used to sleeping on whatever’s available. It’s just—” I stop abruptly and shake my head. “Never mind. It’s nothing.”
“You can’t do that. It’s definitely something. Tell me.”
“I’m not telling you. You’ll laugh.”
“I promise I won’t laugh.”
“Oh, you’ll laugh. And then you’ll tell my brother, and things will get weird, and I’ll have to go back to California early, which I don’t want to do. So, no, sorry. I can’t tell you.”
Grayson laughs and turns his body fully toward me. “You have to tell me now that you’ve built it up and made it a thing.”
“It’s not a thing.”
“It’s definitely a thing, especially if it’s keeping you up at night.”
I chew on my bottom lip and sigh. “Fine. But you have to promise you won’t laugh at me.”
“I won’t laugh.” He holds out his pinky, and I hook mine around it. “I can’t sleep because Nick and Jessa won’t stop having sex.”
He blinks. “Is that right?”
“Yes. They’re like jackrabbits, going at it every chance they get.”
Grayson pinches his lips together. I can see the laughter building inside of him, but he pushes it down. Smart man. “Jackrabbits, huh?”
“Yes! I swear to you, they don’t get tired. I don’t understand how either one of them functions throughout the day because they’re going at it all night long.”
“Wow…um…I did not need to know that.” He rubs a hand down his face and turns his head.
“Are you laughing?
“No. Absolutely not,” he says halfheartedly, because he’s totally laughing.
“You’re laughing. See, this is why I didn’t want to tell you. Do you know how awful it is to be kept awake until the wee hours of the morning because of the noises your brother makes while having sex?”
“No. Thank God.”
“Well, let me tell you, it’s horrible. I’ll never look at Nicky the same way.”
“You’re right.” He nods and pushes his smile away. “That must be awful. Maybe you should talk to them about it.”