My Cover Model (A Love Like That #1) - R.L. Kenderson Page 0,88

two hadn’t been dating that long. You need to tell her that she can trust you and come to you. After Christy, she was probably worried you’d be mad. And she was right.”

I blew out a big breath. “Damn. You’re right.”

“Duh.”

Sydney’s cheeks turned pink before my eyes. “Oh.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. She’d sent me the book for that very purpose, but she was now embarrassed that I’d done the very thing she’d wanted.

“It was good, except…”

“Except what?”

“I didn’t like the way it ended.”

Sydney took a deep breath. “Why’s that?”

“Because you and I are supposed to end up together.”

“But that book isn’t about us.”

“It isn’t? You gave the heroine an eye with a brown spot in it.” I pointed to her eye that matched the very description in the book.

“It’s a couple like us,” she said, her head held high.

I laughed. “Good save.”

“Besides, I think the book ended great. They each got their happily ever afters.”

I picked up Sydney’s hand. “But I don’t want it with someone else. I want it with you.”

She sucked in a breath. “But…but…”

“But nothing. You are perfect for me, and I love you just the way you are. And, if you ever say anything about not being pretty enough or thin enough or any shit like that, I will take you over my knee.”

“Oh.” She narrowed her eyes. “But I hear you have a new girlfriend.”

I frowned. “From who?” Who in the hell is spreading rumors about me?

“From some readers.” She looked around. “Over there. Those two.”

He laughed. “I was talking about you. I was telling them I came to find you.”

“Oh.” She laughed nervously. “Does this mean you forgive me?”

“Yes. Do you forgive me?”

She eyed me suspiciously. “For what?”

“For rushing to judgment. For comparing you to my ex. For not listening to you.”

“I suppose.”

“You suppose?”

She sighed. “Travis, the thing is, I’m not perfect.”

I opened my mouth to argue, and she put her finger over my lips.

“I’m not talking about looks. I’m talking about actions and thoughts. I’m going to doubt myself sometimes. And, if something happens between us, I want to know I can come to you, and we can talk about it. I realize that was part of the issue—me not coming to you—but I was worried about how you would react.”

I pulled her hand away, so I could speak. “You’re right. But you have to do me a favor.”

“What’s that?”

“Please don’t assume the worst. You have to trust that I love you and want to be with you. And I will trust that you will come to me when you’re unsure of something or feeling insecure.” I pulled her toward me, so our foreheads touched. “And I said that you were perfect for me, which you are.”

“Well, well, well, isn’t this cozy?”

Sydney and I looked over to see Harper standing in front of the table.

“I leave for ten minutes, and Travis just sweeps in and steals my chair.”

I stood. “Sorry. I had to talk to Sydney.”

Harper waved her hand in a downward motion. “Sit. I’ll see if I can find another chair.” She put her hands on the table, leaned over, and grinned. “Does this mean you’re back together?”

I looked over at Sydney for an answer.

When she didn’t say anything, Harper said, “Syd, he came all the way to another state for you.”

Sydney backed away and looked at me. “Why did you come all the way here? We live in the same state.”

“I needed to get my shit together this past week, and I thought it would be romantic. We met at a book signing, and I came in to sweep you off your feet at another signing.” I smiled. “So, did I? Did I sweep you off your feet?”

Sydney laughed. “Not even close.”

I frowned, and she fell against me she was laughing so hard.

“But I’m super glad you came,” she admitted.

“Oh, you are, huh?”

“Yes. Because I love you, and I think we deserve a second chance.”

I grinned down at her. “I love you, too. Admit it; I totally swept you off your feet.”

Epilogue

Sydney

“Honey, have you seen my phone?” I called out to Travis.

“It’s in here,” he answered from the hotel bathroom.

Whew.

I was so worried about tonight that I couldn’t keep track of basic things.

I walked toward the bathroom, grabbing my purse as I went.

As I came around the corner, my dear husband of three years whistled at me. “You look beautiful.”

I curtsied. “Thank you, kind sir. You look dashing yourself.”

Travis had just cut several inches off his hair and shaved his