Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (bts books to read TXT) 📕

up even though it’s late afternoon. I feel kind of like a mummy with the white bandage wrapped tightly around my forehead, a present from an over-enthusiastic nurse who wanted to make sure I didn’t bleed any more. They gave me a few pills, some of them green and a couple that are pink, and told me everything would be all right and to have the stitches taken out at home in ten days.

I look out the window, a wistful feeling coming over me as I look around the town. “I don't know,” I say. “I think I’m starting to like it here. It’s been quite charming.”

Miranda gapes in shock. “Gavin Adams, you sure that head wound isn’t worse than they say? You were practically seething in rage when we first arrived here. I never would’ve imagined you enjoying a place like this. What’s next, ready to go horseback riding?”

Because I’ve been pampered and spoiled my whole life, I think to myself, I didn't see the real beauty of such a simple place.

“You’re being overly dramatic,” I say, trying to remain calm. Maybe they gave me a shot or something, but I’m not too bad, actually. “You know, the people around here are nice. They care about one another.”

Miranda’s looking at me like I’m crazy. “Gavin, you’re the one who practically took my head off for coming here!”

“Feelings change,” I tell her.

Miranda shakes her head. “I guess I should be used to this by now. You’ve been acting strange ever since we got here, and now with that head wound, you’ll be speaking another language soon. You’ll be calling me ma’am and using y’all before you know it.” She mutters the last bit under her breath.

I chuckle. “You might be onto something . . . ma’am.”

Miranda gives me a startled look, then she sees me grinning and laughs slightly. “Okay, I deserve that one. I’ll see you in the morning, kiddo.”

“See ya, Miranda.”

I get out of the car, stretching a little. I'm in pretty good shape, overall, and the paparazzi actually gives me a little bit of space. The worst is just a slight pounding when I finish standing up, but I’ve had worse from football and not even come out of the game.

Excitement courses through me as I walk through the doors. I was upset about Bri not calling or showing up at the hospital, but after giving it some thought, I figure maybe she hasn’t heard the news. She did have the day off, and maybe she got mad and just sat in her apartment, fuming. In some ways, it’s kind of cute, the image putting a little pep in my step as I wave to the doorman.

My plan is simple. I’ll go upstairs and take a long, hot shower to clean up. I smell like dust, sweat, iodine, and ass. I’ll drive over to her place and offer her a fitting apology for having to leave. And then I’ll take her out for a date. Anywhere she wants to go.

On my way through the front door, I’m accosted by several crew members on their way out, their bags in their hands. For the most part, people are glad to see I’m okay, but I know some of their enthusiasm is from being relieved they won't have to work with me again. I don’t blame them. I totally screwed up.

I’m passing the coffee shop when I see Mindy waving goodbye to a customer, and I feel like I could get information out of her. Maybe she’s swapped a few texts or calls with Brianna, and I can get a gauge on how to apologize better.

I walk in, giving her a wave. “Hey.”

“Hey!” Mindy says, perking up. She comes around, reaching for my bandage, and I chuckle, letting her touch it. “I heard about what happened on set. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. It looks a lot worse than it is,” I say, reassuring her. I gesture around, seeing the shop. “How’s things going here?”

“It’s been hectic. Camera people in and out. The whole crew seems to have stopped in at some point today.”

“Yeah, a lot of them are leaving. They had flights scheduled out after the last scenes, and I heard they cancelled my bedroom scene, thank God.”

“So the movie is done? Even with you having the accident?” Mindy asks, and I nod.

“Yeah. Apparently, Leslie Hart is one big bad ass.” I tell Mindy all about the change of plans with the director, and she smirks.

“Seriously?” Mindy laughs, playfully punching me in the chest. “That’s crazy. Gonna make you look like . . . well . . .”

“Tell me about it,” I say, chuckling. I can’t be down with Mindy. Her smile says she knows it’s bullshit too. “Hey,” I say after a moment. “Have you seen Brianna, by any chance?”

Mindy’s face darkens. “I did, actually. She came in here looking sullen and out of it. I told her I'd be right with her in a minute, but she seemed to get fed up and walked out. I tried to tell her to wait but I was slammed, four customers on my docket.”

“Do you think she heard about what happened?” I ask, concerned. Did I really piss her off that much?

Mindy purses her lips. “Everyone here was talking about it. You know, you’re kinda famous, and the hotel was buzzing with the news.”

Her words feel like a lance in my chest. She had to have known and she didn’t call to check in. “Okay.”

“You all right?” Mindy says, concerned.

“Just a little pounding from my headache.” I wave it off. “Look, I’m going to . . .”

Mindy sucks in a breath, biting her lip and changing the subject. “So, you’re really leaving tomorrow?”

It’s hard to say the words, but I’m beginning to feel this was inevitable. “Yeah. Kinda have to.”

Mindy’s eyes are sad as she crosses her arms over her breasts and sighs. “Bri is going to hate that. Absolutely hate it.”

Coulda fooled me.

“She’ll get over it,” I say.