Page 118 of Paparazzi Perfect
The pack hurled more questions—about me this time—and Karson sprang to his feet.
“No comment.” He took my hand, pulling me upright. Then, while keeping me close tried to push through the throng. But the wall of cameras was impenetrable.
Karson glared at them.
They glared right back.
He sighed. “Okay, guys, here’s the deal. You know I’m not legally allowed to discuss the investigation, but if you agree to leave us alone for the rest of the night, I’ll let you take some decent pictures. You might even get a smile. Sound fair?”
Murmurs passed among them as heads nodded agreeably.
“Is it over between you and Bella?” one demanded.
“Who’s the girl?” another shouted, camera raised.
Karson turned toward me. “Sorry,”he mouthed.
I turned toward the throng, meeting their stare squarely. “I’m Ivy,” I replied with a smile. “And yes, sure, we can.”
There was a renewed frenzy of camera bursts, especially from the guy standing at the back of the pack…“Where did you meet?” he called out. “Are you guys dating?”
“You two are paparazzi perfect. You’re making our job easy,” another photographer called over him. “Can you move over here into the light?”
A surprised laugh slipped out, but it vanished fast as questions fired at us.Sheesh.My eyes widened. I don’t know how Karson does this.
“Guys! Guys! ” Karson raised his voice over the noise. “Tone it down. An interrogation was notpart of the deal, remember?”
“Yes,” I said, kissing him softly on the lips as an explosion of flashes lit up the night. “We’re dating. And,” I continued, “he’s the most wonderful guy I’ve ever met.”
Everyone laughed, and the mood lightening instantly.
We posed for their pictures until Karson held up his hand. “Okay, we’re done here, guys. You’ve got enough. Now let us enjoy our night.”
After thanking us they stepped aside and let us pass through the tunnel they’d created. Once we cleared the crowd, our walk turned into a run.
We kept running until Karson stopped suddenly. At the marina gates.
I looked around, confused. “What are we doing here? Wait… you’re not going to drop another bombshell on me, are you?” I smirked. “This is giving serious”—I lifted my fingers into air quotes—“‘sorry I didn’t tell you I’m a kazillionaire’ vibes.”
“I guess you’ll just have to wait and see. Now that we’ve thrown off the pack, I’ve got a surprise for you.” He keyed in the gate code and guided me up the dock while I took in the array of luxury superyachts.
“All I see is a bunch of fancy-ass boats. Wait. You didnotbuy me a boat!” I stared in disbelief. “Did you? What? The dress wasn’t enough?”
“No.” A glint flashed in his eyes. “I boughtusa boat.”
“No way,” I whispered, my jaw dropping.
“Look.” He pointed toward a huge white catamaran nearby. “Check out the side.”
I moved back a few paces to get a better view. And there it was. In big gold letters.
F I R E F L Y
My hands flew to my cheeks. “Karson! I love it!”
I was so happy for Karson. SellingThe Canoehad hurt him.
With tears in my eyes I took in the elegant lines of the luxurious boat as the last year flashed before my eyes. But we’d made it.
