Nolan shook his head, dismissing the concern. âItâs nothing, probably just my imagination.â
Dahliaâs heart had been thumping in her throat and she quickly reassured him, Turns out no oneâs really paying attention to me after all. I told you, aside from my fans, nobody really knows who I am.â
It wasnât until they were back in the car that Nolan let out a sigh of relief, cracking a smile. âOne day youâre going to be so famous, you wonât be able to just pop out on the street like this.â
Dahlia clutched a bag of chestnuts, though she didnât seem to want to eat them.
âReally? Iâm kind of looking forward to that dayâ
âI thought youâd hate it. Always in the spotlight Given your personality, Iâd think youâd prefer your freedom. Youâre not even keen on interviews.â
She hugged the bag tighter. âI donât mind interviews. Itâs just that I canât stand the reporters who come at me with nonsensical questions. They care more about gossip than my art. An interview with them is pointless.â
âSo, you chose Regina.â The words slipped from Nolanâs mouth, and Dahlia looked at him, surprised. âI didnât think you paid attention to my schedule.â
âIâve met her a couple of times because of her father. We got off on the wrong foot initially, just misunderstandings. Sheâs straightforward easy to get along with.â
A sour feeling twisted in Dahliaâs gut. This was the first time sheâd heard Nolan highly of another woman.
She couldnât help but retort, âAnd how do you know sheâs not just putting on a s in your good graces?
Nolan, you should know that these women flock to you fo reason.â
Nolan frowned; he didnât like Dahlia talking about Regina that way.
âI told you, didn was her fatherâs guest, and I sure didnât know she was a Tanner. Besides, Iâm not so naive kid. I can tell if someone is being sincere,â the first time we met, we didnât even know who the other was o Dahlia looked hurt, âYouâve only met her a few times, and youâre defending her over me Nolan, I didnât mean anything by it. I just donât want you getting hurt again. If you donât hearing me talk about Ms.
Tanner, Iâll remember that.â
Though she tried to hide it, her turned-away face said it all.
Nolan sighed internally, feeling weary. He decided to drive straight to the movie theaterâs nderground parking and only where the dome light due ha gente tug at lahleâs arm Tony okay saying, je shila pucheal)
encoring Besides Me Termer underground parking, and only when he turned on the dome light did he gently tug at Dahliaâs arm. âIâm sorry, okay? Stop crying in secret.â
Dahlia pushed his hand away with a sniffle, her voice choked, âSo Iâm being petty, right? If you like Regina so much, go to the movies with her.â
âWhat are you talking about? Iâm not that close with her.â
Dahlia turned back in shock, her eyes wide. âAre you saying youâve thought about going to the movies with her? When did you become so trusting?â
Nolan grew a bit impatient. âI havenât thought about it; I was just following your line of reasoning.
Besides, Ms. Tanner isnât like that.â