Page 66 of California Dreaming

As he and Tessa approached the tide line, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. It was a perfect morning, the waves coming in nice sets. No wonder all the Davenport kids were suited up and ready to go.

But patience was key. He’d be out there soon, the waves rolling beneath his board, the sun glinting on the water. And the next time he went surfing, he’d be teaching Tessa.

As if she could read his mind, she said softly, “Don’t worry. You’ll be out there with them again soon.” Briefly—far too briefly—she took his hand and gave it a squeeze, before dropping it, just in case anyone should see them touch.

His siblings grabbed their boards and headed into the water. When she was ankle-deep, Mila turned to Tessa. “Next time, we’ll take you out too. You definitely want me as your teacher, not Arch.”

Arch rolled his eyes as the rest of the Davenports paddled out into the ocean. He threw out the blanket they’d brought with them, and Tessa unpacked the Thermos flask of coffee.

It was still early enough that only the most dedicated surfers were out. Mila, Damien, Finn, Nick, and Erin paddled out toward the break. They got in position in a ragged line, then straightened and easily navigated the waves.

Growing up by the beach, his siblings had become experts on the boards, but Mila was clearly the best surfer, even post-career-ending injury. Her stance was the most natural, as though she was in communion with the movement of the ocean. Her style was so unique that it was hard not to be impressed with how effortless she made it look, when he knew surfing was not easy at all. He’d certainly had plenty of gnarly wipeouts in his time.

He took a sip of his coffee and relaxed back on his elbows. Now that he was healing well, he could appreciate chilling out a bit. No early call time, no huge crew waiting—each of whom needed him for something at the same time. No eighteen-hour days.

He loved his work, but the truth was that it felt good to relax. He’d thought he’d be bored stiff by a slower pace of life, but everything he did with Tessa took on a magical quality. He watched her concentrating on the surfers. She seemed genuinely captivated.

“It’s so inspiring,” she said, awe in her tone, not tearing her eyes away. “Especially Mila. I’d love to capture the fluidity of her movement in watercolor.”

Arch smiled broadly. How he loved seeing the world through Tessa’s eyes. Everything looked brighter that way and full of artistic promise.

His siblings caught wave after wave, riding in, showing off for one another—but mostly Tessa—each of them clearly having a great time, then turning and paddling back out to catch another wave. Between sets, he knew they’d be chatting about whatever came into their heads.

“Mila outshines everyone,” he said, “but look at Damien go. He’s getting some amazing rides, especially for someone who’s been on the road for so long that he hasn’t been able to get to the ocean.”

They weren’t out for much more than an hour. It was a workday after all. Mila caught a last wave and rode it all the way in to the beach. Damien was hot on her tail, and then all the others followed, walking up the beach, talking and laughing together with their dripping boards under their arms.

“Damn, those were some great rides,” Damien said, his black hair slicked back, dark eyes sparkling. “I can’t believe how much I’ve missed this.”

Erin turned to smile at Arch. “You’ll be back on the board soon,” she said, just as Tessa had earlier. His youngest sister always thought about other people’s feelings.

Tessa and Erin were right. Between his determination and Tessa’s guidance, he’d be out there soon, chasing the perfect wave with her.

* * *

“You did well walking on the sand,” Tessa praised as they made their way back to his house.

“Thanks,” he said, holding the front door for her. But then had to add, “Although walking on sand doesn’t seem like great progress when there are waves to surf.”

“Trust me, you are doing incredibly well.”

“Thanks to you. And I don’t want to waste any more time whining. So what’s the plan?” he asked in a deliberately sexy voice. “Some more rehab therapy? Or, after yesterday’s successful workout in the pool, maybe we could try out the bed for some new moves?”

She was about to answer when she heard a male voice calling Arch’s name. She’d become accustomed to his family coming in without knocking, but this was a voice she didn’t recognize. When a couple walked into the living room, she was so surprised, she blinked as though she were seeing things.

To her total disbelief, there stood Smith Sullivan, the world’s hugest movie star. And with him was his beautiful wife, Valentina.

“I hope you don’t mind us dropping over like this,” Smith said. “We’re staying at Ian’s place. How’s the leg? I see you’re out of the cast.”

Tessa knew almost as much about Smith Sullivan’s career as she had about Arch’s before she’d met him in real life. Like Arch, Smith came from a big family. She was pretty sure that the Ian he referred to was his cousin Ian Sullivan, a billionaire who apparently had a house nearby. Smith Sullivan was a year or two older than Arch, with dark eyes, a masculine jaw, and a physique to make his fans sigh.

Valentina was lean and tall and equally gorgeous. Her thick hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her hazel eyes shone behind her glasses. She was wearing a dress the color of pearls, but it was the glow of happiness on her high cheekbones and full lips that really wowed Tessa. She’d seen them both on TV before, of course, but up close, the famous couple were even more dazzling.

Among the three Hollywood heavyweights, she felt damp and sandy and so very ordinary.

Smith and Arch embraced like the old friends they were, clapping each other on the back. “My leg’s getting better every day,” Arch answered.

Then he introduced Tessa.

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