Page 16 of Play Book

“It’s so pretty up here,” I say softly.

“It is.” He moves closer to me, sliding his arm around my waist.

“I always dreamed of living here,” I admit. “When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a movie star, and I was enamored with anything Hollywood. I started modeling with that as my goal, but I started making money as a model and it seemed silly to switch gears. I’m probably too old now.”

“Old?” He looks down at me in confusion. “How old are you?”

“Thirty-one.”

“You don’t look it,” he says, his eyes laser-focused on mine. ‘I would have guessed twenty-five.”

“Thank you. I’m sure I could get some roles if I put the effort into it, but honestly, I’m happy doing the occasional modeling gig while focusing on my art. I love to paint and draw, and it feels like too much work to try to break into Hollywood at this stage of my life and career. Although I’ve done some acting, I don’t enjoy it nearly as much as thirteen-year-old me thought I would.”

He brushes my hair back behind one ear.

His eyes are incredibly blue and if he keeps looking at me the way he is, I’m going to kiss him.

He does it instead, lowering his mouth to mine slowly but purposefully.

Our lips met tentatively, with soft whispery kisses that don’t deepen. Instead, he seems to take his time, exploring and teasing, letting us get to know each other.

“You taste sweet,” he says against my mouth. “I really want to take you home, baby.”

“I want that too.” I lean into him. “If we go straight to my place, you’ll have to take me back to my car in the morning, since I left it at the gallery.”

“That’s not a problem, but I have practice at ten, so we’ll have to leave around eight-thirty.”

“Gallery opens at nine, so we would’ve had to do that anyway.”

“You want to drive?” he asks.

I smiled. “I really do.”

“Go for it.”

The drive to my place doesn’t take long, and I cut the headlights as I pull into my driveway.

“This is nice,” he says, looking around.

“It’s quiet, the neighbors are great, and it was pretty affordable all things considered.”

“No garage?”

I shake my head. “My only regret. Well, that and the lack of wine cellar.”

He chuckles. “Same with the condo I rent. It’s spacious and everything is new, but there’s nowhere for a wine cellar and there’s no pool. I’d love to be able to swim every day in the summer.”

“Yeah, that’s on my house bucket list too.”

I turn off the ignition and hand him his keys. “Come on.”

We walk to the front door just as the door of the connected house opens. My neighbor, Joel, is coming out with a bag of garbage.

“Hey, Saylor,” he says, smiling.

“Hey, Joel. This is my friend, Canyon. Canyon, Joel and his wife Gina live in my rental unit.

“Nice to meet you.” The two shake hands as I unlock the door.

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