Page 121 of Reel Love

“She’s not Alana Graves when she’s with you,” Kai points out. “She’s just Alana. And I have a hunch there aren’t a lot of places in the world where that woman gets to be just Alana. You’ve given her something she needed.”

“I think I’m falling for her.”

I haven’t even said those words to myself yet, but they tumbleout without a filter. And it’s the truth. I’m falling for Alana, not Alana Graves.

“I want the smallest things with her. Just to take out her trash or cook her a meal. To watch her face light up when she laughs. I want to walk holding her hand. To see the way the sunlight plays across her hair when she’s sitting on the porch looking out at the ocean. I want to see her every chance I get—not just occasionally. My days are measured by the number between the last time I saw her and the next time I’ll be able to. Cheesy, huh?”

“I know that feeling. Man, do I.”

“And? What do I do?”

“You hang on for the wild ride. When it boils down to it, love is never easy. But it’s worth it. And really, we have no choice. Once we fall, we’re gone. It’s too late to course correct. We just make the best of our circumstances and enjoy the sweetness of having found a woman who wrecks us daily with simply a smile or a toss of her hair. Not everyone gets to have that kind of love. So, if you find it, you hang on with both hands. Don’t let the fact that she’s a superstar factor in. You’re just like the rest of us—two people who fell in love. It happens every day. Somewhere, right now, someone is falling in love, or they're about to. But when it’s your day? It feels like your whole life led up to this. Nothing else matters but her and making a life with her.”

I nod. And,this. This is why I came knocking right after the sun came up. My head is right again by the time I walk back to my house. I’m falling for Alana. Her career is secondary. What we feel for one another takes precedence over everything. So her mom met me in a fish costume? That was yesterday. It’s a new day.

Kai and I meet up with Ben and Bodhi for some surfing. I take two tours out later in the day. By nighttime, I haven’t heard from Alana, but I’m sure she’s occupied with photo shoots or interviews, or more events like the one last night. None of that matters. She has a life and a job. I have to keep that in perspective. Acting is her job. I can give her a life—if she’ll let me.

And, I don’t care what Kai says, she’s way out of my league.She would be even if she weren’t a movie star. I’m going to treat my relationship with her like Charlie and his golden ticket. I’m going into Wonka’s factory with a grateful smile on my face, knowing all along I don’t belong there, so I’ll never take this opportunity for granted.

I’m sitting down to dinner when my cell pings with a text notification.

I smile when I see her name.

Alana:Hey. It’s been a hectic twenty-four hours. I’m just now able to text. My mom’s still here, but she’s about to leave.

Stevens:Text me when you’re alone. We need to talk.

Alana:That’s a horrible line, merman. If you were writing a script, that would be the line before the leading man tells the leading lady he’s moving on without her.

Stevens:That’s not what it means here. I’m not in the catch and release program after all.

Alana:Good, because I’m not about to let you off the hook.

Stevens:Good one. Just text me when you can freely chat. Or better yet, call.

Alana:I will.

About fifteen minutes later, my cell rings.

“Hey.”

Alana’s voice is soft. I can hear the exhaustion beneath her words. And instantly, I’m back into a place where nothing matters but what we share. The world around us can judge, shine a spotlight, or attempt to drive us apart. She might be better suited for a match with Rex on paper, but in reality, I know she’s mine.

“Hey. You sound wiped out. Would it be better to talk in the morning?”

“No. I miss you. Waiting until the morning would only mean I wouldn’t sleep well. You didn’t stop running out the ballroom door when I called after you last night. I couldn’t chase you downwith so many eyes on me. I couldn’t even raise my voice. But I wanted you to stop so we could talk. Are you okay?”

“I am, actually. I had to process some things. But I’m good.”

“I’m so glad. I worried about you the whole day. I kept trying to find a minute to text you, but I literally had no opportunity. My mother was even at the door of the restroom whenever I went in there. I finally texted you from my balcony and then I had to stash my phone so she wouldn’t try to see what I had texted.”

“Sorry about how she met me. I didn’t know you’d be at that event.”

“My mother sprung it on me as a ‘fundraiser.’ I had no idea the cause or I would have mentioned it.”

“It gave you more exposure with Rex.” I grimace after the sentence leaves my mouth.

“Exactly. My mother has her methods.”

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