Page 52 of Even Ground

I nudge his arm. “Let’s have something to eat because the smell of that food teased me the whole way here. Want to sit down?”

“There’s even a picnic blanket in the basket.”

I grin. “Even better.”

He opens the basket and pulls out a red checked blanket. Spreading it out where we stand, he then moves the basket onto it while I slip off my shoes.

Leilani’s packed cold meat and salads with freshly baked bread. A small package with two sweet muffins sits in the basket too—a little dessert for afterward.

There might be a handful of other people here, but quiet falls over us all as sunset approaches. And when we’ve finished eating, Reece clears the basket away to one side and moves closer to me.

He says nothing. But we end up sitting so close, I can smell his aftershave. I press my eyes shut and take a big breath. It’s still a bit surreal to be here with this big movie star, but the more time we spend together, the less that plays on my mind.

This must be how Delaney feels being around Josh all the time. For a while, I didn’t get how he was just Josh to her, even if they met before he became famous.

Now, I know.

Orange hues slowly fill the sky, and the white fluffy clouds become dark against them as the sun sets.

I’ve seen so many sunsets in my life, but this is breathtaking.

“This is why I love it up here.” Reece nudges my arm.

“It’s beautiful.”

He opens his mouth, as if to say something, but his mobile rings, and instead he wrinkles his nose.

Reece pulls his phone out of his pocket and frowns at the screen. “Sorry. I have to take this. If I don’t she’ll just keep calling back.”

She?

I don’t even know who she is, but I smile and nod, and he turns away to take the call. And of course I try really hard not to listen in, but he’s right there, and …

“Hey.”

My throat tightens at his soft tone. For a moment, he says nothing, but whoever’s on the other end is reading him the riot act. He has his back to me, but his free hand tightens into a fist before he straightens it out.

“I’ll be back in LA next week, and we’ll go out for dinner.” He rubs his forehead with his palm.

Jealousy ripples through me. We’ve spent the past week together, and he never mentioned seeing anyone. Not that he owes me any insight into his personal life.

“Geez, Jessie, when did you get so needy?”

Oh. I narrow my gaze.

Reece glances back at me. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later. Yes. I promise.” He grunts. “I know I promised to call you last week, but I was busy. I’ll make it up to you. Bye.”

I bite my bottom lip. Hard.

“Sorry.” He slides his phone back into his pocket.

“Problem?” I ask.

He drops his head. “Just something that can wait until I go back to LA.”

“Jessie Lane something?” I cross my arms. It shouldn’t irritate me—I’m not sure I have the right to be pissy about him talking to her. But I am, and I’ve never been one to hold back.

Reece screws up his face, and I know I’ve guessed right. His eyes dart from side to side. “You heard that, huh?”

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