Page 85 of And I Love Her

“Still a closed book, huh?” Jake asked.

“I might have gotten started on the first chapter.” Destiny winked at him. “He’s been picking me up a Sugar Joy croissant every now and then, though he tries to pretend like he didn’t buy it specifically for me.”

“Why don’t you ask him out?”

“I’m kind of enjoying the slow burn.” She fiddled with her multiple silver necklaces. “Heightens the anticipation, you know? However, I’ve also considered showing up on his doorstep and stripping naked.”

Jake laughed. “That’ll get his attention.”

“And that of the police chief.” She shot him a smile. “You off to see Callie?”

“Later today, yeah.”

“Nice to see her getting out and about.” She arched an eyebrow and turned to go inside. “She’s a good girl.”

Jake sensed a warning in that statement. If he wasn’t careful, he’d have to deal with a fallout in Bliss Cove as well as Hollywood.

All the more reason to secure his relationship with her. Maybe a movie star wasn’t good enough for a Classics professor, but somehow, they’d locked together like two pieces of a puzzle. It was more than just physical attraction, though they had that in abundance.

He was happy when he was with her. If he wasn’t with her, he was thinking about when they’d be together again. He found himself storing up little things to tell her—about a new Rick Riordan book he’d seen at the bookstore, a photo he’d taken of a bee buzzing around a flower, a Mexican restaurant where he wanted to take her.

Calliegothim—his chaotic feelings about his career, his love of storytelling, even his vague dreams about making his own movies. She knew the popular, well-liked high school kid he’d been was part of his role, his need to please and take care of people. She even believed he was capable of writing his own screenplays.

And she knew he had to stop making choices based on what others wanted and start making them based on whathewanted.

Now it was time to do that with her. Because of all the things in the world—more than any contract or role Hollywood could offer—Jake wanted Callie.

Remembering Eleanor had told him she took Friday mornings off from Sugar Joy, he walked back toward Starfish Avenue. The Prescotts lived in one of the older neighborhoods in Bliss Cove, with Spanish-style houses and cottages close to downtown.

He turned into the cul-de-sac to Callie’s childhood house and rang the bell. His heartbeat increased in pace. He had no idea how Eleanor would react to his plea, but God knew he’d do everything to convince her to accept it.

She opened the door. Dressed in a paint-splattered smock and jeans, she lifted her eyebrows. “Jake. What on earth are you doing here?”

“Sorry for not calling first.” He pulled off his baseball cap and rubbed his hair. “But can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Of course. Come in.”

He followed her into the living room. The smell of paint hung heavy in the air. Drop cloths covered the floor, and paint cans and supplies sat open.

“Need any help?” he asked.

“Sure, if you’re up for it.” She indicated a bunch of clean brushes. “This is the second coat.”

Jake dipped a brush into a can of light blue paint and joined her at the south wall. They worked in silence for a few minutes before she spoke.

“I’ve been hearing all this buzz about you walking away from yourFatal Glorycontract.”

“Yeah.” He squinted at the taped window trim and drew the brush close to the edge. “It was a great ride, but I’ve been ready for it to come to an end. They’ll obviously have no trouble finding another actor.”

“From what I hear, theFatal Gloryfan group is launching a letter-writing campaign claiming no one else should be allowed to play Blaze Ripley.”

Jake smiled, even as sorrow tugged at his chest. “I’m going to do an online talk with them and explain. I also have a fan convention coming up. I hope they’ll eventually understand.”

“So that must mean you’re leaving Bliss Cove soon.” Eleanor turned and dipped her brush into the paint.

“Sunday morning.” His shoulder muscles knotted. “But I’ll be back.”

She glanced at him, her eyes wary. “Why?”

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