Page 44 of The Location Shoot
She shook her head. “Wait until you get back to LA.”
He wrapped his arms around her and said, “I don’t know if I can wait that long. I want our love to be uncomplicated and free.”
“Not tonight,” she insisted. “Just don’t do anything now. It’s been a long day. I’m sorry I overreacted.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. I know it’s not an ideal situation, but when two people are meant for each other, they can’t allow anything to stand in their way. Albie taught me that. Please, don’t let this come between us. What we have is so beautiful. Let’s nurture it. I love you, Ella.”
She stared into his eyes and said, “Show me.”
He slowly undressed her and took off his own clothes. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime love,” he whispered, cupping her face in his hands. They began kissing, stumbled onto the bed, and made love tenderly, their eyes and souls connected. Finn whispered, “I love you,” over and over again.
CHAPTER 11
Afew weeks later, Finn, Michael, and Willow had the day off. Michael suggested another trip to the town they had enjoyed. As they were wandering past the jewelry store, Michael said, “Do you mind if we stop in here? I’d like to get something for Sophie. Willow, I’ll return the bracelet you gave me. It was very generous of you, but this is something I should pick out myself. If you guys don’t mind, I could use your help.”
“That’s a great idea,” Willow said cheerfully.
“We’d love to help,” Ella said, and they casually entered the shop.
The clerk looked like he was going to pass out when the stars walked back into his store. “You’re back!” he exclaimed. “Anything special you’re looking for today?”
“I’d like to find a present for my daughter. She’s eight,” Michael said.
“Certainly,” the clerk replied. “Over here,” he said, ushering him to the corner. Michael spent half an hour perusing the selection and asking the others for advice before settling on a heart-shaped amethyst pendant.
He turned to his friends. “Maybe I should get something for Lauren too. What do you think?”
“That’s a lovely idea,” Ella said.
“I don’t know what to get,” he said, running his hand through his hair in exasperation. “I’m terrible at this.”
“Well, what does she look like?” Willow asked.
“Wavy brown hair, brown eyes with flecks of gold, sort of like autumn leaves. Her complexion is similar to Charlotte’s, fair with creamy skin. She’s beautiful, in an unassuming way. She has delicate features, a long, graceful neck . . . oh, and she has the most wonderful smile, it’s just slightly crooked. I used to joke that the only thing that could ever straighten me out was her crooked smile,” he said with deep affection on his face.
Ella smiled. “Brown amber would suit her coloring. It’s the big thing around here. Perhaps earrings to flatter her neck.”
With everyone’s help, he carefully selected a pair of dangling amber earrings and a matching bracelet. The shopkeeper gift wrapped the items impeccably in tissue paper and velvet jewelry bags, and the group spilled back onto the cobblestone street.
“Thanks, guys,” he said.
“Our pleasure,” Finn replied.
“I’m sure they’ll love their gifts,” Ella said.
“Where to next?” Finn asked.
“There was a little gelato shop up that way, on one of those side streets. Do you feel like something sweet?” Ella asked.
He ran his finger down her cheek. “Always.”
“Ooh, I don’t want to blow my diet,” Willow said. “Do you mind if we separate and meet up in a bit? There are more shops I want to pop into.”
“I’ll go with you,” Michael said.
Finn took Ella’s hand and they ambled to the gelato shop. On the way, he said, “It was sweet how you andWillow helped Michael. By the way he described Lauren, it sounds like he’s totally hung up on her. It really surprised me to hear him speak about a woman that way, since he always acts like such a Lothario. It’s a shame he screwed things up.”
“People are imperfect. Truthfully, I feel bad for him. It must be agony to love someone that much and know that you’ve fouled things up. Something tells me he’s going to make it right, or at least he’ll try to. The jewelry is just a first step. Either way, I hope he becomes the father his daughter deserves.”
