Page 19 of California Love Songs
On impulse, he said, “Do you want to go for a hike this afternoon? The weather’s perfect.”
He was answered by a cascade of rich laughter. Crystal’s laugh was one of her sexiest qualities. “Damien, in case you forgot, I have a business that doesn’t respect weekends. It’s not like I can just gallivant off whenever I feel like it.” She glanced back at the house. “Besides, I just got another job. I’ve got Mila’s wedding to plan.”
He caught a glimpse of something more than amusement in her eyes. Something whimsical. Was she also feeling the pressure of everyone around her getting hitched?
He tried out his best puppy-dog eyes. “Right, but you don’t have to start right away, do you? They haven’t even chosen a date. They could be one of those couples who stay engaged for years.”
Another beautiful burst of laughter. “Are you kidding? Mila’s one of the most decisive people I know. She’s already told me she wants to start planning right away. I bet she’s already mentally chosen a dress, a venue, and the flavor of the cake.”
“Great! That doesn’t leave you much left to plan, then.” Damien felt as though his Saturday would be ruined if Crystal didn’t hike with him. He didn’t feel like going alone, and the Davenport house was going to be wedding central for the rest of the day, if he knew Mila and the other females in his family.
Crystal glanced at the blue, blue sky, obviously tempted. “Well, I suppose a short hike wouldn’t hurt.”
“Ha! I knew I could sway you,” Damien said, happy she’d agreed, but relieved too. He really didn’t want to say goodbye.
“Only because I’m choosing to make time for my dear friend,” she replied, her tone laced with feigned grandeur.
“Great.” He glanced at his watch. “Can you be ready by one-thirty? That gives you an hour.”
“Sure. Quicker than that.”
He liked that she wasn’t going to waste time. “I’ll pick you up. I’ll figure out a route and bring snacks.”
Damien walked back into the house he’d grown up in, feeling the warmth of the sun on his shoulders. Buster had, of course, come out with him and now headed back inside. If the family dog wasn’t going to get a walk, he’d do the next best thing and curl up where the largest possible number of Davenports were gathered.
Damien followed Buster into the kitchen and the sound of excited female chattering, which for some reason raised every voice about an octave. Still, he looked at these women he loved so much and couldn’t stop smiling.
Mila wasn’t always the easiest person to get along with, as no one knew better than her brother, but he was proud of her, proud of everything she’d accomplished, proud of the woman she’d become in spite of the accident that ended her surfing career. Now she was one of the top Realtors in Carmel-by-the-Sea. And yet she’d always had a bit of a hard shell where men were concerned. She definitely liked being in control—the love-them-and-leave-them type. But somehow, Herschel Greenfield, the most unlikely candidate to steal Mila Davenport’s heart, had done just that. He wasn’t the best-looking guy in the room. He was the ultimate nerd, being a genuine rocket scientist. And yet, when those two looked at each other, a person almost had to avert their gaze. It was so intimate and so committed. They were completely in tune with each other.
Would he ever feel that way someday? The trouble was, he was globally famous. Not to be too egotistic, but there were a lot of women he could choose from. Other music stars, actresses, celebrities from all walks of life. And he’d certainly had fun with plenty of them.
But looking at Hersch and Mila, he realized that he wanted what they had. Something down-to-earth and real. He wasn’t after another celebrity hookup with someone who had as many commitments and fans as he did. He wanted somebody he could talk to about real things, things that mattered, and not always feel like he was on show. Because lately, that was how he was starting to feel—like a show pony up there on stage. Thousands of fans screaming, swaying, slipping him everything from their underwear to their phone numbers. He’d loved the life music had given him, but it hadn’t always been easy. Maybe that was why he needed this break. He needed to be home with his family in this town he loved so much. He needed to walk his dog on the beach and hang out with his best friend.
He had a feeling Crystal was one of the things that had drawn him back. He missed her.
And like a delayed reverb, he realized that Erin had mentioned her name. He walked farther into the kitchen to where the women of the family were gathered around the table. Hersch, his dad, and his brothers were nowhere to be seen. He’d have made himself scarce, too, if he hadn’t heard Crystal’s name.
Erin said, “Damien, you’re exactly the man we need.”
He paused in his tracks. That could not be good. “I just came in to get myself some green tea. Anybody want some?”
Mila made a gagging noise. “While you’re up, can you put on some fresh coffee?”
Typical Mila, with her caffeine addiction. Still. He plugged in the kettle and then turned to Erin. “What do you need me for? Tell me it’s not some horrible job like getting a mouse out of your apartment or something.”
Erin laughed. “No, it’s about Crystal. I was just saying to Mila and Tessa that Crystal’s turning thirty soon and nobody has said a word about it.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the kitchen counter. His mom was surrounded by his sisters and his sister-in-law, Tessa, looking as young as any of them. And clearly thrilled to be the mother of the bride.
He did some quick math in his head. Crystal was two years younger and he was thirty-two. He nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. She’s turning thirty this year.”
Erin rolled her eyes. “I know that, dumbass. She and I are the same age. I mean, it’s her thirtieth birthday. That’s a big deal. She plans other people’s birthday parties and weddings for a living. It’s time we did something nice for her.” She glanced around the table. “I think we should plan a surprise thirtieth birthday party. What do you think?”
Fortunately, the kettle boiled at that moment, so he fussed about preparing his green tea. Frustrated, Mila jumped up and made the coffee herself. Then he walked over to the table, mug in hand, and sat down.
Once more, Erin asked, “What do you think?”
He took his time considering whether a surprise party was the right thing for Crystal. She liked everything to be perfect, which was why her parties were so successful. There was no way a bunch of amateurs could pull off anything like the kind of event Crystal could plan. “Don’t you think that if she wanted a party, she might have said something already? Maybe she’d prefer to plan her own.”
