Chapter Eighteen
“Oh, Kris, is it true?” Kristen’s mom asked the moment she opened the door. She froze when her eyes quickly flickered toward the two security people behind Kristen.
“Mark and Eric.” Kristen stepped into the house. “My mom and dad, Hannah and Dave.”
Her father came over and hugged her. “I’m okay,” she assured him with a pat on his back.
Her mom closed the door after Mark and Eric entered. “You’re not wearing your rings.”
“They’re back in the loft.” She had removed them after filming the fight she had with Spencer and got on the plane just before the episode aired. “Spence and I are fine.”
“What is going on?” her dad asked. “Was the fight just created for the show? Why are you here alone?”
“I’ll explain everything, I promise. Right after I show Mark and Eric to their rooms. Is it all right for them to stay in the rooms Spencer and Esther stayed in? Spence wants to make sure they’re close to my room.”
Her mother’s brows drew closer. She gave Mark and Eric another head to toe scan before nodding.
Kristen headed up the stairs, and once Eric and Mark set their bags down, they told her to stay with her parents while they did a sweep of the house.
When she got back downstairs, her parents were seated at the dining table, a mug of hot chocolate on the table in front of an empty seat.
Kristen grinned and headed over. “I really am okay. Spence and I both are.” She took a seat and pulled the mug closer. “We’re trying to lure out the stalker.”
“Using you as the bait?” her father asked.
“No, of course not. No one knows I’m here. The show’s supposed to make it look as if I moved back to my own place. Didn’t they do that?”
“They did,” her mother said. “Which was why I was surprised to see your text.”
“I should’ve texted earlier, but we had to film all the scenes to make it look as if we were fighting over Alvin.”
Her mother nodded. “So you and Spencer didn't actually get into a fight?”
“We didn’t. It was all an act. With photos of Alvin and me floating around, Spence thought it was a good opportunity. The producer was pissed off with us for hiding the meeting I had with Alvin from them, saying they needed to add a little drama to our romance. So they were happy to be on board for this.”
Her father leaned back and crossed his arms. “Why did you meet with Alvin again?”
Really? That was what her father was concerned about when she showed up at their place with two security personnel in tow?
“He texted me, saying he had something he’d like to return to me. I asked him what it was, but he wouldn’t tell me. Spencer went with me. He sat a few tables away to give us some privacy.”
“So you and Alvin are completely over?”
She nodded. “I get it, Dad. He cheated once, he’d probably do it again.” Her father had told her that when news of Alvin’s cheating broke. “Anyway, no one’s supposed to know I’m back here or that Spence and I weren't really fighting.”
They had done everything possible to make everyone think they truly had a fight. A few days before the latest episode, Kristen had driven back to her own place with Ana and a suitcase in tow. The photos taken by Heidi were released online, causing speculation about the breakup.
Spencer had remained at the loft while the security team stayed at her place.
Her phone rang then, and she realized she hadn't texted Spencer to let him know she had reached her parents’ place. She pulled her phone out of her back pocket and walked away from the dining table. “I’m home. I’m sorry I forgot to text you.”
“It’s okay. Have you told Dave and Hannah what happened?”
“Yeah.”
“Promise you won’t go anywhere without Eric and Mark.”
She smiled and nodded. “You have my word. Don’t worry about me.”
“I’ve got to go. I’m heading out for a party.”
“Have fun.”
“You know it doesn't mean anything, right?” he said and paused. “I love you. And Nick will be there with me.”
“I love you, too. Please be careful.”
“You, too.”
She turned back to her parents, and her mom was smiling coyly at her. “What?” Kristen asked.
”He told you he loves you?”
“Yeah.” She returned to her seat.
“For the show?”
“Of course not.”
“Did he mean it when he asked you to marry him? Or was that for the show?”
Kristen pursed her lips, but the corners defied her and curled anyway. “I think he was, but I thought it was too fast. I don't know.”
“But you love him?”
“I do.” She lifted the mug to her lips. “He helps me see who I really am.” She put the mug down without even taking a sip. “And he’s been so sweet.”
“I like him.” Her father uncrossed his arms and smiled at her.
“Really?” Kristen arched a brow. “You do know he’s Hollywood’s Mr. Party, and I’ve recently been labeled Hollywood’s prude.”
Her mother shook her head. “Have you seen the way he looks at you? He definitely doesn’t think you’re a prude.” She reached out and stroked Kristen’s hair. “Everyone could see he was in love with you.”
“Ben started a round of bets on when you guys will get married for real,” her father added.
“What?”
Her mother laughed softly, her head rocking from side to side. “When you came down that morning with the engagement ring, we all thought we’d lost.”
That explained the sudden awkward silence around the table that morning. Kristen knew they were all eyeing each other about her engagement ring, but she’d thought it was merely because she was suddenly wearing one.
Her father broke into a grin. “The money will be going to charity if all of us lose.”
“And I think Ben was afraid you’d actually say yes that day, so he kept separating the two of you during the games.”
“I see.”
Her father stood, walked over, and whispered, “I have my money on the end of the show.”
Her mother frowned. “And I have mine on Christmas.”
“Christmas? Mom, that’s like two months away.”
“If anyone knows how to throw a party, it’s Spence, isn’t it?” Her mother grinned. “And you guys have an entire production team that I’m sure will help with wedding preparations. I’m sure you could get it done in one month, so say yes the next time he asks.”
“I’m not getting married by Christmas, mom.”
“End of the show!”
Her mom hit her dad on the arm. “I’ll be paying anyway, even if you lose,” her dad added, and Kristen laughed.