Whoa. That was a dangerous thought. Her life was in LA, and his was not. Besides, he wasn’t in the business, and that had a way of making relationships difficult.
And yet . . . those butterflies.
He’d turned off the boat, and it bobbed gently in the waves. He made no move to get up, and she could feel his gaze on her.
She looked at him and found him closer than she realized. He was regarding her seriously. His piercing blue eyes making those wings flutter.
“I had a good time today.” His words came slow and lazy.
Tension crackled in the air between them. “Me too.”
His eyes dropped to her lips, making them tingle with just a look.
And then he was right there, his lips meeting hers. He brushed them once, twice. A hum of pleasure moved through her, making the world disappear.
He moved back just a breath, pausing.
Her heart stuttered as she waited, eyes still closed, feeling his breath on her lips. Then he palmed her face and drew her back to him.
She settled her hand on the warmth of his thigh and gave herself fully to the kiss. And what a kiss it was. She’d had many of them, both on-screen and off.
But this one. She never wanted it to end. Wanted more.
He turned more fully into her, wrapping an arm around her waist, delving his fingers into her hair.
Her heart stuttered. Her breath caught in her lungs. She couldn’t get close enough. Couldn’t get enough of him, period.
A clicking sound pulled Mia back to planet Earth. A repetitive clicking. Almost like . . .
Levi pulled back.
Over his shoulder she saw the photographer, camera poised.
Levi shot up from the seat, rocking the boat. “Hey, take a hike, buddy! This is private property.”
Mia turned from the camera, running her hand through her tangled hair, her brain still fuzzy with that kiss.
Someone from the marina was already making his way down the dock. “I’ll have to ask you to leave, sir.”
The photographer was backing away, still snapping photos.
Levi took a few threatening steps toward the man. “Back off!”
“Sir, you need to leave.”
Had Levi seen the photographer lurking in the shadows as they’d approached the dock? Had he staged the moment? That amazing kiss?
Think they got some good shots?
Levi’s words from earlier flashed in Mia’s mind. Those butterflies seemed to sink like lead to the bottom of her stomach.
“I’ll tie up for you,” the marina guy said to Levi.
“Thanks, Ernest.” Levi grabbed her hand. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
* * *
The mood had shifted by the time Levi ushered Mia inside the inn. The photographers were still out front, although there were fewer. Mia had been quiet since they left the marina.
He’d been irate when that infernal clicking had interrupted their kiss. But it had only taken about two seconds to start wondering if Mia’s generous response had been for the benefit of the camera. And that had done nothing for his mood.
The quiet drive home provided time for further speculation. This was Mia Emerson he was talking about. The famous celebrity, Mia Emerson, worshiped by every male over the age of twelve. What had he been thinking?
The front desk was empty, but there were noises coming from overhead.
Mia seemed a little shaken.
“You all right?” he asked.
“Yeah, I just . . . I think I’m going to work a while, maybe catch up on emails.”
“Yeah, sure.”
The phone rang just then. Molly must’ve turned the ringer back on.
“Guess I better get that.”
And then Mia was gone, taking the stairs like she couldn’t get away from him fast enough.
What in the world had just happened?
twenty-seven
Molly set her cloth napkin on her plate and pushed it back. The evening was perfect. She and Adam had watched the sun set quietly over the lake, and now the interior of the Crow’s Nest glowed dim in the candlelight.
The golden light flickered on Adam’s handsome face. He’d worn his charcoal gray suit with a crisp white shirt and the red tie she’d gotten him for Valentine’s Day.
She wiped her sweaty palms down the length of her red sundress. She loved him so much, and she couldn’t wait for the moment he settled that ring on her finger. She bit her lip. She would not start rambling about nothing. She’d already done that a few times tonight, and she was determined not to ruin everything with her ridiculous blathering.
The server set the bill on the table, and Adam tucked his credit card inside the folder. A moment later the server snatched it up.
Adam leaned in, his elbows on the table, his face growing intent. “I was wondering . . . Do you remember what tonight is?”
Molly sighed. Finally. She leaned forward, falling headlong into his denim-blue eyes. “I was wondering if you remembered.”
He gave a shy smile. “How could I forget the best kiss of my life?”
Her heart squeezed. He said the best things. She winced playfully. “Until I ruined it.” They’d gone over that kiss many times. It had been wonderful. But the intense feelings she had for him had scared her silly.
“I admit it felt like rejection at the time. But the explanation you gave me later more than made up for the heartache.”
She smiled, the memory of the kiss flooding back. “It was a great kiss, wasn’t it?”
“Definitely worth celebrating.”
The server smiled as she set the bill folder on the table. “Thank you. Y’all have a wonderful evening now.”
Adam responded to the server as Molly bit back an impatient huff. They were just getting to the good part.
He removed his credit card from the folder and tucked it into his wallet, meeting her gaze.
Here it comes. She leaned closer.
He lifted his brows. “Ready?”
Molly blinked. They were leaving? “Um, yeah. Sure.”
He was already standing and pulling out her chair. Befuddled, Molly followed him from the restaurant.
All right. He wasn’t going to ask her here. She gave her head a shake. Of course he wasn’t going to ask her at a restaurant. This was Adam, notable writer of epic love stories. He’d take her someplace special. Maybe to Pawley Park where he’d first told her how he felt about her. Or out in the boat where they’d shared that first kiss. She should’ve worn a light sweater, she thought, as they made their way to his car.
He helped her into the car, and soon they were making their winding way down the mountain. Quiet settled between them. He was probably as nervous as she was. Of course he was. This was Adam.
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes. Although she hadn’t noticed him poking his glasses into place even once tonight.
Then again, he’d grown more comfortable around her since he’d moved to Bluebell. He rarely messed with his glasses or spewed statistics anymore. And she’d mostly ceased to babble like a downhill brook. They were content together.
Her lips tugged upward. Content. What a lovely word.
A while later they came out of the mountain turns and eased onto the low road that curved around the lake. She held her breath as they neared the turn-off for the park. This could be it. This could be the moment that . . .
But no. The car didn’t slow at all.
Okay. All right. A boat ride then. And this way she could grab her sweater from her room before they set off. Aw, this was perfect. A boat ride proposal on the one-year anniversary of their first kiss. He was so thoughtful. She couldn’t wait to throw her arms around him and say yes. She clasped her hands in her lap so her response didn’t precede the actual question.
A few minutes later he pulled into the slot in front of the inn. Thank God the paparazzi had given up their station after Levi and Mia had given them what they’d wanted.
Molly and Ada
m were all alone. The porch light glowed, giving the place a homey feel. Her heart pummeled her ribs, and her mouth was a little dry. A bunch of words bubbled up, but she bit them back.
No talking, Molly. Do not ruin this!
He shut off the engine and came around for her door. She gave him her best smile as she brushed past him. The moonlight kissed every surface, giving the night an ethereal glow. The scent of jasmine hung in the air. It was a perfect night for a proposal. For an engagement.
Squee!
Deep breaths, Molly. Settle down. Remain calm.
Her knees felt a little rubbery as she took the porch steps. Adam’s hand rested on the small of her back. She had to be careful not to ruin the surprise he’d planned. When was he going to suggest a boat ride?
She reached for the door handle.
“I should probably say good night out here,” he said. “I have an early radio interview.”
She turned and met his gaze, her heart stuttering. “Oh?”
“Out of New York. One of the largest stations in the country, actually.”
“That’s great.” On the porch then? Was he going to ask her on the porch?
He brushed a thumb across her cheek and looked deep into her eyes. “I had a wonderful time tonight. I always have a wonderful time with you, Molly.”
“Me too. Thank you for dinner.”
Something shifted in his eyes. But it wasn’t something good. More like a dark shadow. Sadness? Regret? He wasn’t supposed to be having regret tonight. He was supposed to be—
But then his eyes were closing, and he was brushing her lips softly.
Molly responded to the kiss as her mind spun. What was going on? Why wasn’t he asking her? Had she done something wrong?
Maybe . . .
Oh my gosh, was it possible she’d invented the whole thing? Had she completely misunderstood? The dinner reservations could have simply been his way of celebrating their first kiss.
But no. Two days ago she’d seen a call come in on his phone when he was out of the room. It had said Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany! You didn’t have to be from New York to know what that was. Of course, they sold more than just engagement rings. But her birthday was a long way off, and Adam didn’t wear jewelry at all. What else could it possibly be?
She didn’t have to have a Tiffany ring; she wasn’t fussy. She’d be thrilled with a ring from Jared’s or Kay’s or, at this point, a gumball machine.
Adam pulled away, giving her a quizzical look. “Are you all right?”
She forced a smile. “Of course, I’m fine. I’m great. Just peachy. I’m not sure I’ve ever been better.” She bit her lip.
He quirked a brow, giving her a fond look. “You’re so cute. Have I told you that lately?”
“Well . . . not tonight. Except you just did. So I guess you did. Say it. Tonight.”
His lips twitched. He brushed her lips again. “Good night, Molly. I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you.”
“Love you too. Good night.”
He turned on the way back to his car, giving a little wave. Molly forced a smile as she fluttered her fingers and hoped he couldn’t see the sheen of tears in her eyes.
twenty-eight
On Sunday afternoon Levi tapped lightly on Mia’s door. He’d hardly seen her since the kiss. On Thursday the photos had hit the tabloid websites—Molly had shown him. He was never going to hear the end of it from his sisters.
He’d had plenty of time to think about that kiss though. Mia had definitely seen that photographer. Why else would she have responded so eagerly? He wasn’t sure how he’d gotten up the nerve to kiss her at all, but it was best if she thought he’d simply been playing a role too.
That wouldn’t stop him from reliving her passionate response though. He could still feel the softness of her lips on his. The warmth of her hand on his thigh.
The door swung open, and there was Mia—hopefully not reading his thoughts.
“Hi.” She smiled at him, looking beautiful in leggings and a pale green tunic that brought out the color of her eyes. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, highlighting her cheekbones.
“Hey. So, all the guests have checked out. You have time to look for the necklace?”
Her eyes lit as she tossed the script she was holding onto the bed. “I always have time to look for the necklace.”
“I can come back if you’re working.”
“I needed a break anyway. Where should we start?”
He gestured toward her room. “In there, I was thinking, since that was likely the Livingstons’ bedroom.”
She opened the door wider with a sheepish smile. “Okay, but I may have already checked behind the wall hangings.”
She was so cute. A thought supported by every man in America, he reminded himself. And probably half of Europe.
She kicked a pair of balled-up socks to the side and picked up two soggy towels. “Where should we start?”
Levi glanced around the room. “How about the floor? It’s the original wood. We can just go plank by plank and see if anything’s loose.”
“Sounds like a plan. We should probably roll up the rug first.”
They got on their knees and began rolling the floral area rug. He liked the way she dug right in. His initial presumptions about her had sure been proven wrong.
“So . . .” She spared him a glance under those long eyelashes. “Did you see the pictures online?”
“Molly made sure of it.” He scrubbed the delicious image from his mind. “I guess we played that off just right, huh?”
Her lashes fluttered down. “Right, yes. That’s all they’re talking about now—or so I hear. I’ve learned the hard way to let Nolan filter the gossip for me.”
“I can’t imagine having my whole life on display. How do you deal with the lack of privacy?”
“It’s not my favorite thing, but what are you going to do? It goes with the job. I learned that early on from watching my mom. I think she kind of got off on the spotlight though.”
“Liked the attention?”
Mia gave a dry chuckle. “You could say that. I felt more like her showpiece than her daughter sometimes. Even when I was little she dressed me up like we were headed for a photo shoot. Every time we left the house, I was told to smile and stop fidgeting and act ladylike. She just . . . preened for the cameras, and I was her little mini-me.”
Levi stopped rolling the rug and looked at her. What kind of mother made her child feel like an accessory?
“Listen to me.” She gave an awkward laugh. “I’ve known you for all of two weeks, and I’m spilling all my secrets.”
The vulnerable look on her face tugged at him. She tore her gaze away and continued rolling the rug.
“That must’ve been very difficult for a little girl to understand,” he said when they’d finished. “A lot of pressure. It’s a wonder you wanted to be an actress.”
“It’s the work I enjoy. Unlike with my mom, the attention is just something that comes with it—something I put up with.”
“All things considered, you seem very well adjusted. And I hope you know I’d never share the things you’ve told me with anyone.”
“So you’re not going to sell me out to People magazine?” she said lightly.
“Never.” He gave her a playful smile. “Maybe Entertainment Weekly or U.S. Weekly.”
Her eyes met his, lighting a moment before she started laughing.
“What?” he asked, bemused. “What’s so—?”
Mia snorted. “It’s Us Weekly, not U.S.! United States Week—” She couldn’t finish for the laughter.
His face heated. He scratched his neck. “All right, all right. So I don’t know my gossip rags. Sue me.”
Her cheeks had blossomed a pretty pink color, and her nose crinkled adorably. Her laughter was like a beautiful melody—even if it was at his expense.
“If you’re gonna laugh, sweetheart, I’m gonna give you something to laugh about.” He poked her in
the side.
She squealed and sternly pointed her finger. “Levi Bennett . . .”
He got her again in the ribs, the soft clothing making it so easy to reach his target.
“I’m very ticklish!”
“How lucky for me.” He went after her, careful of her ankle, making her laugh hysterically. “Yes, much better than being laughed at.”
She rolled onto her back, wiggling and squirming. “I wasn’t laughing at—”
He got her other side. “What was that?”
“All right, I was, but it was so—”
“Sweet? Cute? Clever?”
“Cute! It was cute. Let’s go with that.”
He paused a moment to give her the stink eye.
A snicker sneaked out.
Levi lifted his tickling hand over her in a threatening manner.
The smile dropped from her face. Though her lips may have twitched.
Then her expression suddenly shifted. She widened her eyes, all innocence. She gave a slow blink. “It was so cute I could hardly stand it. Cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”
He narrowed his eyes, waiting for a lapse in her expression.
She looked every bit the innocent. Her eyes didn’t so much as twinkle.
“Darn, you’re good.”
She blinked again. “Does that mean I’m off the hook?”
“All right. Fine. As long as you don’t tell all your celebrity friends what I said.” He helped her up into a sitting position.
She chuckled.
He could hardly even bring himself to scowl at her, so instead he said, “And you, Mia Emerson, are a snorter.”
She gasped. “I am not.”
“Like a happy horse.”
“A horse?” She elbowed him, chuckling.
A tap sounded on the door. It was still open, so he could easily see Molly leaning on the doorframe, arms crossed, a dustrag in her hand. She looked every bit as innocent as Mia had a few seconds ago.
“Need any help with your . . . project?” Molly asked, wide-eyed.
“Are you finished cleaning the rooms?”
“No . . .”
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