Page 89 of Reel Love

“You are making this so awkward.”

“Why? Because I appreciate a gorgeous man when I see one? I’m not attracted to him. I mean, I wouldn’t turn down dinner …”

“What! You aren’t going to dinner with him!”

“Mm hmm. You’re right I’m not. And why is that? Because he’s yours. As he should be. I’m just saying befoooore. Before he was yours, when he was emerging from the watery depths with rivulets of water sluicing down his perfect pectorals … and that smile … and those eyes … and that voice. Yes. I would have gone to dinner with him. But now, he’s like a brother to me. A hot, sexy, very much my boss’ boyfriend brother.”

“He’s not my boyfriend!” I don’t shout, but my voice is raised and adamant.

“Not yet. I get it. You need the build, the slow burn, the development of ground rules, the testing of the chemistry. All that. But you know him, Alana. You know him from all those millions of chats through the game, and you know him in real life. And he’snot into you for your fame. This is perfect. Think about it. The man likes you because of your mind. No girl gets that. We always get to be assessed for our looks alongside everything else. You’ve been given a gift. Take that gift and run with it.”

My voice is quiet. “I think I just might.”

“Atta girl! So … tell me everything else. All about the night. Was it amazing? Did you feel like a normal woman on a date? Or did you feel all,I’m Alana Graves?”

“Definitely a woman on a date. I don’t know how he does it, but I never feel like anything but me when I’m with him.”

“Well, in truth, both parts of you are you—the public and the private, the actress and the reclusive, witty, smart, sometimes stubborn woman with a heart of gold. You’re both. And I think he’s actually the man to handle all that. I mean, he’s not afraid of diving deep underwater. He can handle you.”

“Handle me?” I laugh.

“You heard me. Don’t make me repeat myself.” She laughs a little. “And, Alana?”

“Yeah.”

“Let yourself have this. Don’t let the Wicked Witch of the West steal your Toto.”

I’m laughing too hard to answer Brigitte. But once her words sink in, my warm fuzzy feelings head straight into an ice bath.

My mother can never ever meet Stevens. That’s for certain.

TWENTY-FOUR

Stevens

Being with you is the only way

I could have a full and happy life.

You’re the girl of my dreams and apparently,

I’m the man of yours.

~ 50 First Dates

“How was the big date?” Ben’s question catches me off guard when I approach the guys for a morning surf session.

I set my board on the sand next to their three and stare out at the waves. It’s a good day for surfing. None of us have lessons or tours this morning, so we decided to meet up to hit the waves. I don’t always join them.

Today, I could use the distraction from thoughts of Alana, our kiss, our night, the way she smiled and laughed. And, most torturous of all, whether I should call her, text her, or give her space. I’m so rusty when it comes to dating, and I’ve never dated someone where the stakes felt so high. I don’t want to mess this relationship up before it’s even gotten sealegs.

I keep reminding myself she’s SaturdayIslandGirl. She knows me. We have more hours logged making a connection than many couples spend together over years of dating. That does help. For a minute or two. Then the nerves creep back in, along with this unfamiliar warmth. Just thinking of her makes my face break into a smile.

“Uh, Kai? Looks like we’ve got a diver down over here.” Ben chuckles. “Man. You got it bad, Stevens. Must have gone well.”

“Yeah. It did. I think.”

“You think?” Ben asks.

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