Page 68 of California Dreaming

“We should rehearse,” Smith said.

Tessa could tell how important it was to both actors to do their best work, even if they were simply presenting an award.

“That’s our cue,” Valentina said to Tessa. “Want to go upstairs and check out the view with me? I love Arch’s telescope.”

Tessa nodded, happy to spend more time with such a fascinating woman.

They climbed the stairs, and Valentina said how much she loved visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea. “It’s so calm and peaceful here.” She settled into the chair by the telescope. “I could watch the waves for hours.”

Tessa agreed. It was exactly why she felt so inspired to paint here. Well, that and a certain someone giving her all the feelings.

“Do you know yet what you’re wearing for Moonrise?” Valentina asked, still gazing through the window.

Tessa was glad Valentina couldn’t see her expression. “I’m not quite sure. It’s not my usual kind of night out.” Truth be told, she never did nights out, but she didn’t think Valentina was dying to know all about her ordinary life.

Nor had she said she couldn’t afford a gown for an awards ceremony, but Valentina must have picked up on her hesitation. “You’re more than welcome to borrow something of mine. We’re not far off in size, and I have a special ‘not for real life’ section in my closet.” She turned back to face Tessa. “I’m sure I have something that would look lovely on you. You’re so pretty you could wear a trash bag, and it would look good.”

Tessa blinked in surprise. Valentina thought she was pretty?

“Wow,” she said, suddenly shy, “that’s so kind. But I’ve got it handled.” Tessa was determined to find herself something at a thrift store, something that didn’t make her feel like another person entirely. But she couldn’t tell Valentina this.

Valentina flashed her another smile. “Well, the offer’s open if you change your mind.” Then she sighed with pleasure as she turned to look back out the window. Her hand settled over her belly, and she rubbed it absentmindedly. “What a view,” she murmured. “Watching the dogs running on the beach, and the birds, and the waves, is so relaxing. Smith and I should really visit more often. Hollywood feels like a world away. Which is a very good thing.”

Just that quickly, Tessa found she couldn’t stop herself. “What’s it like to be in a relationship with a movie star?”

Oh no—she hadn’t meant to ask that! Talking about giving away the secret that she was falling hard for an A-lister herself. And she didn’t want Valentina to think she was prying into her marriage to Smith either.

But Valentina looked pleased to be asked. She was thoughtful for a moment and gazed down to where her hand still rested on her belly.

“It’s not always easy,” Valentina replied. “But when you’re in love, it’s worth it.”

* * *

Arch and Smith rehearsed their part for Moonrise, which didn’t take that long. Then Smith drained his cup and leaned forward in a way that told Arch his friend was preparing to ask a tricky question.

“So. Tessa.” Smith paused a beat. Always brilliant at holding people’s attention. “She’s a natural beauty. Down-to-earth. Patient. And she seems to put up with you pretty darn well.” He raised a questioning eyebrow as he waited for Arch to pick up the thread. “Anything you want to tell me?”

Arch grinned. Though he had promised Tessa he’d keep their budding relationship a secret, he couldn’t hide his true feelings from Smith. His friend had likely picked up the energy between them the minute he walked in—especially when he’d told Smith and Valentina that Tessa would be attending the awards ceremony with him.

Although the women were upstairs, he lowered his voice as he said, “She’s all of those things and more. Smart, thoughtful, gorgeous inside as well as out, and really talented too.” He stopped and smiled. “She’s under my skin, Smith.”

Smith grinned back, his eyes creasing with pleasure. “I can see that. Even with a broken leg, you look so happy. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, but I need your advice,” Arch said. “Tessa comes from a totally different world. She values her privacy above all else. She doesn’t want anyone to know there’s anything between us—whereas I want to shout it from the rooftops. I know you had a hell of a time getting Valentina to be with you in the beginning. She had the same kind of reservations Tessa does.” He paused. “How did you sway her?”

Smith blew out a long breath, one that seemed to speak to just how difficult it had been to win Valentina over. “When we first met, I felt like I was never going to convince her to see me as any more than a spoiled-rotten movie star. I had to be completely open and honest with her and show her, time and again, that I would always love her, heart and soul.” Arch had never seen Smith look as serious as he did when he said, “The key is not to give up and to always be honest about your feelings for her. That’s your best chance for her to come around. For her to see that even though your jobs are different, and she’ll have to spend far too many nights in the spotlight, in the end it’s just about what the two of you have together. Because that’s all that really matters.”

Smith’s advice was sound. But Arch needed him to know more. “I’m worried that being honest about my feelings will scare her off.”

Smith wasted no time. “Are you telling me you’re in love with Tessa?”

Arch remained quiet for a long moment. His heart felt huge in his chest. Then he finally said, “I think that’s something she should be the first to know.”

Smith gave a low whistle. Because he clearly already knew the answer. Then he grinned broadly. “This is a great day for news.” Then he yelled up the stairs. “We’re finished rehearsing. Come on back down.”

He heard female voices, and then the two women came down to rejoin the men.

Smith held out his arm, and Valentina walked forward and snuggled against her husband. The two of them looked so damned happy, Arch found himself leaning forward, wishing he could walk over to Tessa and pull her in that close to him.

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