Your Endless Love

by Layla Hagen

  “I’m so sorry.”

  I push myself up, crawling on my seat. I miscalculate the distance to the window and bang my head against it.

  “Owwwww.”

  “What—”

  “I have coordination issues, don’t worry.”

  Sitting properly, I massage the sore spot.

  “Does it hurt? I’ll pull in somewhere and look at it.”

  “It’s not necessary. Are we being followed?”

  “No, those were fans, not paparazzi. Paps would have followed us, but fans don’t go to those lengths.”

  “Okay. I should have gone and bought the flowers.”

  “Don’t know why it didn’t occur to me.”

  We drive for all of five minutes until we reach the city limit, and he pulls into what looks like the parking lot of an office building. Since it’s Saturday, it’s deserted.

  “This really isn’t necessary,” I mumble, but show him the side I banged. “See? Nothing happened.”

  He kisses the spot, cupping my head, and his tenderness reaches to a place deep inside me.

  “I’m sorry, Summer,” he whispers softly.

  “It’s not your fault you’re so popular you can’t even buy flowers without being mobbed. I told you this cap thing is a lousy disguise.”

  Taking it off, I throw it in the back, which is when I notice the bouquets of flowers. Plural.

  “Why did you buy two bouquets?”

  “One for you. I saw peonies, and you told me you liked them back at the lake.”

  “I see you discovered the secret to a woman’s heart.” My voice comes out laced with more emotion than humor. “Buying her flowers for no reason at all.”

  “Sweetness... come here.” He kisses my head again, on the spot I banged, then trails his mouth to my temple. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I’ll have my security team around more often until the premieres are over. I thought things would be more relaxed here than in LA. Celebrity culture is insane there. But I’ve let my guard down. I shouldn’t have.”

  “It wasn’t so bad.”

  He pulls back to face me. “How was that not so bad?”

  “Okay, so I admit my idea of a quiet Saturday morning wasn’t hiding from your fans, under our jackets. I... errr, honestly thought Preston was being overcautious with the lists and the protocols. How often do you get mobbed by a hoard of fans? It didn’t happen that night during our walk or at the hotel.”

  “We got lucky during the walk. As for the hotel... people are more laid back when they see me around for a longer period of time because the novelty wears off. But this happens often enough that it may become uncomfortable for you.”

  His eyes grow sad, which I can’t have. Am I shaken, and maybe a little scared? Yep. Do I fear that all this hiding will overwhelm us? Absolutely. And then there’s the little fact that his promo tour with Amy will start in three weeks, but that’s a can of worms I don’t even want to think about.

  He needs me to be strong now. Pressing my mouth to his, I kiss him with all I have, then pull back a notch, looking him straight in the eye.

  “I’ll learn to deal with this. I’m tiny. I can hide in small places. I kind of feel like James Bond. And after we don’t have to hide anymore, I’ll strut on your arm everywhere, giving every woman in sight the evil eye. I can’t wait for that part.”

  “You’re incredible, you know that?”

  “Feel free to remind me whenever you feel like it. I happen to love compliments in any way, shape, and form. But, if we don’t hurry and we arrive late at my parents, there will be no saving your skin, superstar.”

  ***

  Alex

  Once we’re on the road again, Summer talks my ears off, dishing advice about winning over her family.

  “Sebastian and Logan will play their eldest brothers’ card. No doubt about that. Don’t let them scare you.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Oh, and pay special attention to Blake. He’s the youngest of my brothers and likes to pretend he’s laid-back. Actually, he might genuinely think he’s laid-back. He’s not.”

  “At least Daniel will have my back,” I reason.

  “Nope, he most definitely will not. You might have been his client, but I’m his sister.”

  She fiddles with the hem of her shirt, and I reach out to clasp both her hands in one of mine. “Summer, why are you nervous?”

  She shifts in her seat but doesn’t answer. I wrack my mind for the best way to coax her out of her shell, because I want to know. I don’t want her to feel like she needs to hide her fears from me.

  “I’ll tickle you until you tell me.”

  “You’re driving!”

  “We already established I’m great at multitasking.”

  She chuckles. “No, you claimed that. Out of respect for your man pride, I didn’t contradict you.”

  “You just stamped all over my pride,” I inform her. “And you’re trying to distract me. Something is eating at you. Tell me.”

  “I... well, my family is important to me... but we can be a bit overwhelming when we’re all together.”

  “I’m not going to run away, sweet girl.”

  She’s silent for a beat, then leans in to place a quick kiss on my cheek.

  “What was that for?”

  “Pfft, I don’t need a reason to kiss you.” Even though her tone is playful, I don’t miss the hint of emotion, and I bring one of her hands to my mouth, kissing it. We spend the rest of the drive in companionable silence, and I can’t help replaying the scene with the fans in my head.

  After the episode, I half expected her to ask me to pull over so she could go about finding herself a date who doesn’t ask her to hide under a seat. But she keeps surprising me, with her quiet strength and fierce determination. Still, I know exactly how crazy my life can get, how fast it can become too much. I silence the voice at the back of my head that reminds me Hollywood craziness has a way of wearing out people’s patience, driving them away.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Alex

  Within five minutes of arriving at the Bennett house, I realize Summer wasn’t exaggerating when she said her family is huge. Eight siblings sounded like a lot, but nothing I couldn’t handle—or so I thought. Once you factor in everyone’s spouses, and the kids... the numbers escalate quickly. Her parents’ home is a two-story house on a vast property, but everyone’s gathered around the white gazebo in the front yard. Even though I train my memory extensively by learning lines, I forget about a third of the names after the introduction round. The kids, who seem to range between toddlers and primary school, mob me right away.

  “Can we get an autograph?”

  “Can you really fly?”

  “Of course he can. He’s a superhero. Can you teach me how to fly?”

  “No, me first.”

  They sputter questions faster than I can answer them.

  “Kids, settle down,” Jenna Bennett says. “Pizza’s ready, why don’t you eat before the flying lessons?”

  Seeing their little faces all scrunched up as they weigh in pizza against flying lessons is hilarious. Pizza wins.

  “Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful,” Jenna says once the little ones sprint to the gazebo, where I presume the pizza awaits. “I’ll go put them in a vase.”

  “Momma, I’ll go. I got flowers too, and I’ll put those in water as well. They’ll dry up if I leave them in the car the entire day,” Summer says.

  “Sure thing, honey.”

  Summer takes the flowers from her mother, turning to me. “Did you lock the car?”

  “No, it’s open.”

  “Great. I won’t be long.”

  “You have a beautiful place here, Mrs. Bennett,” I comment after Summer leaves, and we walk in the direction of the gazebo.

  “Thank you. It’s far too big for my husband and me, but when the entire family gathers here, it’s just the right size. I’m happy you could make it here today.”

  “
Summer talks a lot about you. Couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet everyone.”

  Jenna smiles, sizing me up the way only a mother can. With just enough severity that you know she’s measuring how worthy you are of her daughter.

  “How are you liking San Francisco? Summer says you moved recently.”

  “Yes, ma’am, a few weeks. I wanted to be closer to my sister and her family.”

  I can practically see Jenna checking off an item on her mental worthy-of-my-daughter list.

  We chitchat about Sophie and San Francisco, and why I chose to move here. When we approach the gazebo, Summer’s sisters join us too.

  “Mom, don’t monopolize Alex,” Pippa says. She looks a lot like Summer, while Alice resembles their mother. “We all want to talk to him.”

  “I need to go check on the next batch of pizzas. He’s all yours. I’ll catch you later, Alex.”

  I lean against one of the wooden poles of the gazebo, looking between the two of them. I have a hunch I’m about to be cornered.

  “Summer wasn’t exaggerating,” Pippa comments once their mother is out of earshot. “You look even better in real life.” Then she presses her lips together, looking around her. “And I have to add that I meant that in a purely objective and sisterly way. No one’s hotter than my husband.”

  Her expression shifts subtly when she trains her eyes on me again. “So, I’m gonna say this outright. You already won about one thousand points with the spa conspiracy, and about another thousand for bringing Mom flowers.”

  “But that still doesn’t mean we won’t be keeping an eye on you,” Alice weighs in. “Any hint that our baby sister’s unhappy, and you’ll have your hands full.”

  I grin. “Summer warned me about your brothers grilling me. She forgot to mention you two.”

  Alice scoffs. “I’m offended. She thought she’d show up here with you, and we wouldn’t give you the talk?”

  “That’s how little she thinks of us, huh?” Pippa asks, tsking and shaking her head. A delicious smell reaches us as the wind blows in our direction.

  “Pizza’s ready,” Jenna announces.

  “Oh man, the second pizza batch smells even better than the first. Mom is killing me,” Pippa comments, rubbing her belly.

  I remain just outside the gazebo while the sisters head in, lured by the promise of pizza.

  I like knowing that my girl has so many people who care about her, who have her back. I’m so lost in my own thoughts that I don’t notice Summer until she steps right in front of me.

  “What are you thinking about?” Summer asks. “You’re flashing your I’m-super-happy smile.”

  “I’ve got a sad smile too?”

  “No, but you’ve got your acting smile—the one you flash when you’re required to smile but don’t feel like it; you also have the sneaky smile—that’s when you’re smiling even though you’re not supposed to.”

  Gripping her waist with both hands, I pull her flat against me.

  “What are you doing?” she whispers.

  “I’m about to kiss you.”

  “No, no, you can’t do that. Everyone’s watching, and your kisses aren’t exactly PG-rated.”

  She tries to wiggle out of my grip, but I just sling my arms tighter around her, nuzzling her neck with the tip of my nose. She shudders lightly.

  “This is the first I’ve heard you complain about my kisses.”

  “It’s not a complaint, but your kisses are always at least a seven out of ten on the heat scale, you know?”

  I stop nuzzling her neck, straightening up. One glance at her expression, and it’s clear she’s not pulling my leg.

  “No, I don’t. Believe it or not, I haven’t actually measured the heat level of my kissing.”

  She smiles sheepishly, her cheeks turning pink. Summer is her own brand of adorable, and she’s getting under my skin faster than anyone ever has. Deeper too. I missed her while I was gone, looking forward to our nightly calls more than anything.

  “Sooo... I’m thinking I should be your shield,” she says.

  “What?”

  “You know, be a buffer between you and whoever wants to interrogate you. I know your superhero arsenal includes a cape, but that won’t help you much here.”

  “Summer, you don’t need to babysit me. Go do whatever you do when you’re here. I’ll kiss the hell out of you if you don’t go, and I’ll make it heat level eleven.” Whatever that is.

  “Fine. Fine. I’m going.” Licking her lips, she adds, “But, can you make good on that threat later? When we’re alone?”

  She knows exactly the effect her words have on me, the adrenaline spiking my blood. But I can give as good as she can.

  “I’ll make good on it and then some. That’s a promise.”

  Her eyes widen, a light flush spreading on her cheeks. Mission accomplished.

  Once Summer heads inside the gazebo, the kids gather around me so fast, I bet they were watching like hawks for me to be alone.

  “Mr. Superhero, can you teach us how to fly now?”

  “His name is not Mr. Superhero—”

  “But the police officer called him that in the last movie.”

  The group explodes into conversation, contradicting each other, talking at the same time. All I can do is watch them and grin, deciding on the best tactic.

  Obviously, teaching them how to “fly” is out of the question. It requires a green screen and CGI.

  Early in the superhero movies, I made the mistake of explaining this to kids. The expression on their faces was akin to them finding out Santa Clause doesn’t exist.

  “Kids, flying’s out of the question today. I left the magic cape at home. I’ll teach you a few other tricks. But I need another adult to assist me.”

  “I’ll go get Dad,” the boy named Will announces. In his absence, I instruct the group to form a semicircle so they can watch what’s going on while they wait their turn.

  Will joins us, with Sebastian in tow. We shook hands when Summer introduced me earlier today, but I didn’t have a chance to talk to him.

  “There’s no getting out of this, huh?” he asks as Will joins the semicircle.

  “Afraid not, but it’s not too complicated, and it won’t take long.”

  About one hour later, I’m forced to admit that I’m in over my head. Both my arms feel like they’re about to fall off. Sebastian flexes one hand, holds up the other.

  “All right everyone, you’ve each had your turn. That was enough. Alex isn’t here to entertain you all day. Say thank you and go back to what you were playing before.”

  To my astonishment, the kids don’t argue... out loud. They mutter under their breaths but accept the dismissal.

  “That’s some serious group management skill right there,” I tell Sebastian honestly.

  “I’ve had plenty of time to exercise. Once they get used to you, it’s easier.”

  He throws the comment offhandedly, but I don’t miss the point. Sebastian’s sly, but not sly enough. He wants to know if I plan to stick around.

  “I look forward to that,” I reply. “Though I’m not sure how often I can use the excuse of forgetting the cape before I have to explain that flying is a special effect.”

  Sebastian whistles, shaking his head. “Wouldn’t want to be in your skin when you have to explain that.”

  “I’ll ask Summer for tips.”

  “You do that. She’s excellent with kids.”

  I’d surmised as much from seeing her interact with the kids at St. Anne’s. But I like seeing Summer from her family’s perspective, piecing together more details about her.

  “Come on, let’s go get a drink inside,” Sebastian says. “And by the way, Summer told me and Logan about some trouble with the press. If there’s anything we can do... Bennett Enterprises has a lot of resources. You can count on our support.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

  It’s been a long time since anyone offered me their support. Usually, people a
pproach me looking for something from me.

  The party’s split into several subgroups, which isn’t at all surprising, given the sheer number of people. Several, Summer included, are sitting in the gazebo, another group is huddled around the grill.

  Laughter reverberates throughout the yard, and I swear to God, the sound is contagious.

  The interior of the house is eerily quiet compared to the mix of voices outside. Sebastian leads me through the foyer into a vast living and dining room.

  “Ah, I knew you’d eventually find your way to the bar,” Daniel says from the other end of the room, where a bar has been set up. His brother Blake is with him.

  It’s a good thing I didn’t bet against Summer that Daniel would have my back, because I would have lost spectacularly. As far as brother’s duty is concerned, I could take notes.

  “Alex, I like you, but if you break my baby sister’s heart, you’re going to have a big problem on your hands,” Daniel says, pointing at himself.

  “Two,” Blake puts in. “We’ve got her back.”

  I nod. “Fair enough.”

  The rest of the day is a whirlwind of activity, with eating, talking to every Bennett, and yet another round of stunt performance for the kids.

  Usually when I meet new people, especially a group as large as this one, I’m on the defensive. But I’m relaxed around this lot. It helps that, aside from the kids, no one gives a damn about my being an actor. I like watching people interact—learn a lot about approaching roles, slipping into other people’s skin. And watching the Bennett family paints a picture of a group who sticks together no matter what, who doesn’t mind going the extra mile, or balk when the going gets tough. I can see where Summer got that quiet strength of hers.

  By the time Summer and I head back to the city in the afternoon, I’m wrung out. But she’s smiling ear to ear, holding the peonies I bought her this morning. I’ll be damned if I’ve seen her so happy before.

  “Did you have fun?” she asks as I veer the car out of her parents’ property.

  “I did. Thank you for trusting me enough to invite me here. You know who is actually laid-back? Your dad. He didn’t give me a single warning.”