Page 45 of California Waves

“If somebody came along and wanted to make a movie of your life story, how would you feel?”

“Mostly awful, I think. And I’m pretty sure that’s how Herschel feels too.”

“I’m sure you’re right. I’m just thinking that maybe you should let him fight his own battles. He seems perfectly capable of doing so.”

She took a last sip of coffee and with an exaggerated sigh said, “Okay. I should head back and get ready for the office.”

They hugged good-bye, and Mila collected her board and walked home slowly. She hated to admit it, but Hersch and his steamy lovemaking had gotten under her skin, and her sister had gotten straight to the heart of her annoyance with Jay. What was it with her lately? She kept things in control—everything from her time to her love life. Now? She felt her control slipping, and she didn’t like it one bit.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Mila couldn’t believe she had actually done a pinkie swear with Erin, like they were twelve years old. But then, secretly maybe she was happy to have a reason to be forced to give Herschel a chance.

Erin knew her as well as anybody did, and if she could see that there was something special between Mila and Hersch, maybe Mila should listen. Besides, it wasn’t difficult to imagine spending a little more time with the sexy astronaut. She couldn’t stop fantasizing about getting wild with him again in bed. He had surprised her in every possible way. He could take charge in the bedroom while also making sure to check in with her, and he was unbelievably sensitive to her needs.

A couple of times, she found herself just gazing out of the office window, forgetting what she was working on. She was that blissed out.

When Hersch called her a little later, she was shocked at the way her heart jumped when she saw his name flashing on her phone. Instead of putting on her professional greeting voice, she just answered with, “Hey.”

“Hey yourself,” he said, his voice all low and sexy. “I want to ask you a favor.”

“Okay.”

“Archer put me in touch with your dad, and he’s lined up some local painters for me. I’ve got some paint samples like you suggested, but I don’t know which colors I like. Do you think you could give me a hand today?”

Mila laughed. “Wow, you work fast.”

“I like to be efficient.”

She respected that. But still, he wasn’t wasting any time. She checked her schedule and said she could be there by four. Then she plowed through her to-do list so competently that she did everything she needed to do by three-forty.

When she drove up to Hersch’s place, she was surprised to see her dad’s truck sitting in the driveway. She recognized a low stab of disappointment as it reached her belly. Part of her had hoped that the painting call was more of a booty call than an interior-design emergency. But she should have known better. Hersch was a man of his word—if he’d been calling for hot sex, he would have just said, Come over and get back in my bed.

She rang the bell, and after Hersch let her in and gave her a quick peck hello, he led her to the living room, where she found Howard Davenport admiring the view. When he saw her, he came over to give her a hug.

“I know she’s my daughter, Herschel, but I have to say Mila did fine work finding you this beautiful home. It just seems to suit you.”

“She’s the best Realtor I’ve ever worked with,” he agreed.

Mila felt a glow of pride because her dad wasn’t the kind of person who gave out compliments he didn’t mean. She was glad he’d noticed, too, that this house was perfect for Herschel. While her dad was going on about the fine bones and the quality construction, she snuck a glance at Herschel and saw that he was gratified by the Howard Davenport stamp of approval. It was all feeling a little bit too mutual-appreciation-society for Mila, who had to break the tension by cracking a joke.

“Dad, are you doing the painting now too?”

He shook his head at her. “I admit I wanted to get a gander at this place. I’ve always admired it. So I brought the paint samples over myself, and Herschel was kind enough to give me a tour.”

She couldn’t believe him. Was it the house he’d wanted to see, or had he just wanted to meet the famous astronaut? Either way, he was as nosy as she was. Or maybe she’d inherited that trait from him. Still, her dad also had a good eye for design and color, having worked on so many homes over the years, and somehow the three of them found themselves on Hersch’s couch discussing color palettes and possibilities.

Mila was surprised that spending time with her dad and her new lover didn’t feel weird at all. In fact, it felt entirely natural, the conversation easy and warm, as though Hersch was already part of the family. Between them, they came up with a color plan that she thought would work. Her dad opened the tiny paint cans and took the time to paint sizable squares of three colors on the wall. He did the same in the kitchen, the bedroom, and the hallway. All of them had agreed that it would be best to keep all the hallways the same color and add a little more variety to the main living rooms.

After Howie was finished, Herschel offered him a beer to say thank you, but after shooting a far too scrutinizing look at his daughter, he said he’d better not. Betsy wanted him home in time for dinner. And with a cheerful good-bye, he left.

As his truck disappeared down the drive, Mila watched with a mix of pride for having such a cool dad and happiness that she was finally alone with Hersch.

“I like your dad,” Herschel said, coming to join her at the window.

She grinned at him. “Everybody loves my dad. He’s the best.” Then she sniffed the air. “Something smells really good.”

He looked slightly bashful. “It’s lasagna. I made dinner in case you wanted to stay.”

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