“Close your eyes, dreamer.” He started to hum a song she liked and she fell asleep.
Chapter 28
Leona woke the next morning to her phone ringing. Her eyes were too blurry to see, so she hit talk. “Morning. Morning, right?”
Luke’s smooth laugh teased her awake. “Tired, dreamer?”
“Yeah. Why are you—oh yeah, you’re six hours ahead. Did you sleep?”
“I took a nap, both here and on the plane. I know you usually wake up around now.”
She yawned and reached for the bottle of water before answering. “Catching up on sleep since someone kept me up late the last two weeks.”
“You complaining?”
“Oh no, only pointing out I planned to sleep in.”
“Go back to sleep.”
“No! No, I’m fine.” She sat up and crossed her legs. She was still naked after their fun on the video call. Wasn’t the same, but in a way, it was perfect. “Sorry, how’s Italy?”
“Okay, I guess. I went to the restaurant, but spent most of dinner on my phone. Came to the hotel, talked to you, took a nap where I dreamed about you. Now we go meet the cast, and all that.”
“I shouldn’t keep you then.”
He laughed softly. “I have a little time. Wanted to hear your voice before I go. What are you doing today?”
“I have some errands to run, but I’ll have my phone on me. And no, I don’t expect constant updates or calls.”
“But you wouldn’t mind a text now and again.”
“Definitely won’t mind. And I’ll be able to answer, pretty quickly. First order is brushing my teeth, then a shower.”
He groaned. “There’s an image that will keep me smiling all day.”
“Let’s hope it’s all happy scenes if you’re starting today.”
“Oh, all I have to think about to be sad is the fact you won’t be in my arms at the end of the night.”
She dropped her head. “This is so fast, Luke. I want you, all of you, I do, but I can’t wrap my head around forever, and you make it sound like it’s a given.”
“Yeah, and you aren’t ready for that.”
“Are you?” she asked, her breath leaving in a rush.
“Honestly, I’d take it there if you weren’t so scared.”
“I’m sorry, I do have stuff to deal with here. I should have come back sooner to deal with it, but I wanted every second with you before I went back to reality.”
“What we have is reality,” he bit back.
“Shit, calm down. I know it is.” She paused a second to find the words to explain. “We’re a whirlwind I wasn’t expecting. It picked me up and threw me into a whole different life than I was expecting. We’re not a bad thing, but I need to settle my past while you’re busy working.”
“Sorry, makes me nervous when you act like it was all a fantasy.”
She rubbed a hand over her face. “It is, and in all the best possible ways. I don’t think there’s a more perfect man out there. When I say go back to reality, I mean what came before. I’m not even sure my parents are going to believe me when I mention I’m with you.” Her face scrunched. “And yeah, I’ll admit I’m a little worried about what they may say, because my niece loved your show when you were just a kid. And she watched it a lot when I was watching her.”
He sighed. “I can’t change that.”
“Don’t want you to. Look, my parents will be cool. They may tease me for robbing the cradle, but it won’t be in malice. I’ll deal. They won’t be the first to bring it up.”
“Readers?”
“Some of your fans, actually. And that’s fine too. I’m adapting. I’m all in, if you are.” Not that she could really go back on that.
God, she had to shut off notifications for all her social media at some point in the night because they wouldn’t stop. And she was slightly terrified of what happened while she slept. However, she could deal with that later.
“That is one problem with being a celebrity. And I wish I could change that.”
“Don’t do that, Luke. I’m not complaining. I’m not asking you to change anything. I roll with the flow. I always do. You have a good day of work, and I plan to get some necessary things done, and then work on this story.”
“No hints?” he murmured.
“Not yet, it’s too early.”
“You already told me it was Zack’s book. One little detail.” His interest was clearly piqued.
She dropped her head. “This is a new, unrelated story.”
“A new project?”
“Yeah, and you have inspired a couple things, but I don’t fully base anyone on a real person, ever.”
“Fair enough, but I hope I’ve only inspired good things.”
“Only good. Now go, otherwise I may never get off the phone.”
“Miss you, dreamer. And don’t forget, I love you.”
“Love you too, Luke.” She hung up and trudged to the bathroom. At least Mona wasn’t up. She wasn’t ready for questions.
* * * *
Luke stepped into the hall as Raven came out of her room. “Ready for that meeting?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
Her brow scrunched, and she got serious. “What’s the matter?”
“Feel like an ass. I jumped ahead and assumed she was ending things, or back to not believing it was real.”
“Why would you think that?”
“She said she was going back to reality.”
Raven laughed. “You read way too much into that, didn’t you?”
“Way, way, way too much. So yeah, I feel like a jerk.”
“You’re not. You know she was hesitant to believe it could be real. And she does have to deal with what came before you. Her time with you was great. Everything else, not so much right now.”
“I’ve never wanted to leave a project before now.”
“You want to ditch this movie?”
He shook his head. “No. Not really. But I wish I had more time before the shoot.”
“Would it really change much? She put off going back for you, because she wanted time with you.”
“Yeah, but she seemed freaked out when I said I was ready for commitment.”
“Don’t blame her. Relax. She’s there, she’s just not ready to admit it.”
“Yeah, she did put everything on hold for me.”
Nodding, she smiled. “Speaks volumes right there.”
They stepped into the elevator, and he laid his head against the wall. “Hopefully, I won’t be a total idiot on this movie.”
“You won’t be. You’ve dealt with heavy stuff while filming before.”
“Never missed anyone this bad, and I’ve barely been gone.”
“You’ll deal.” She nudged him. “And she’s really cool. It will be fine.”
He fucking hoped so.
The doors opened to the lobby. Ryan stood on the other side of the elevator with the coffee, ready to go. “Morning, lover boy.” He handed over the latte and started down the hall.
“You already get your coffee?”
“Yeah, spilled too, thanks to some douche with a camera,” Raven explained. “It’s why I was upstairs.”
“Sorry. They always go for you, too.”
She nodded, glancing over her shoulder. He would have thought in another country, she may not be so worried, but she was still on edge.
“Are we going far?”
Ryan chuckled. “You don’t remember?”
He huffed. “Uh, no, was distracted when we discussed all this.”
Raven nudged his shoulder. “Well, it’s a short drive. You got time to finish your coffee and focus.”
“Will do.”
Chapter 29
The drive was nerve-wracking. Leona didn’t know what to think, or what to say. However, she wanted her parents to know, and the more she thought about it, the more she realized she probably should have brought it up before then.
Too late to worry about that. Pulling into
the driveway, she parked and checked her phone. Nothing from Luke, but it had been less than an hour since he called. And Instablast gave her a headache every time she checked in to see all the crazy there.
Three different pictures of the three of them together, at different times, so now at least it was obvious they were together.
And really, while he was out of the country, she couldn’t imagine anyone coming to bother her. She was just an author, and sure, she had a little popularity, but she wasn’t one of those huge names everyone knows off the top of their heads, even if they had never read anything from them.
Sighing, Leona climbed out of the car and made her way up to the door.
Her mom threw it open and grinned. “You and Luke Chance?”
She winced. “How do you know?”
“It was on one of those celebrity gossip shows you hate so much. There are actually quite a few pictures of the two of you together. So, he’s the reason you stayed in California so long?”
“Uh, yeah.” She gulped. “You don’t think it’s too soon, do you?”
“Oh, hell no. Russell turned into a slimy little ass. I’m glad you’re over that douchenozzle. And Luke, my, my, my, he’s so yummy. Those dark smoldering eyes, his dark hair.”
Leona held up her hands with a wince. “Stop there, I don’t want to think about you fantasizing about my guy.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “How did it all happen?”
“Mona dragged me to a club I didn’t want to go to. We met. Some truly gorgeous blonde broke up our dance, and I left before he could send her away, fully expecting him to go for her. I figured he was only interested in the fact I had just sold the rights to Midnight Daughter: Legacy.”
“He was interested in a lot more, wasn’t he?”
“Yeah, he is.”
“As long as he makes you happy, I’m ecstatic.”
Dad came running down the stairs. “Going for the younger guys now? Allana will be jealous.”
“If she even remembers watching that show. That was ten years ago,” Leona countered.
“Hey, he’s what, twenty-five? He’s not a baby. There are six years between your mom and me. You’re both legal.”
Shaking her head, Leona started toward the kitchen. “Please tell me there’s coffee ready.”
“There is. And your sister is here,” Dad added.
“Where’s her car?” Leona asked.
“In the shop,” Naydene called. “I’ll have it in a few hours.”
Leona came around the corner and grabbed a cup of coffee. “You tell Allana yet?”
“Just found out when Mom squealed about Luke. And wow, he really grew up from that kids show.”
“Um, yeah, but we were all kids once.”
“Oh, I know, but the first thing I thought of when Mom said something was when he was like twelve.”
“You came with Mona and me to the Wild Side of Dance and were drooling along with the rest of us.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Oh my friggin’ God, that was Luke Chance? Holy shit, he’s a damned sex symbol.”
“Uh, yeah.” Luke definitely deserved that title, not that she was going to say it in front of her mother.
“So, yeah, he’s in Italy filming. We were on the phone for hours last night.”
“Oh?” Mom asked.
“Yeah, look, it could really be something. Try not to jinx it, please.”
“So, can I punch Russell next time I see him?” Naydene begged. When she’d found out about Russell and Mindy, she lost it. Leona had to drag her sister out of the restaurant and into the car. That had been fun.
When Naydene asked why she wasn’t doing anything, Leona answered, I’ll do this legally and leave him. Simple as that.
“How about we just ignore him. No need for you to land in jail.”
Naydene booed. “You’re no fun.”
Rolling her eyes, Leona smiled. “So, what have I missed?”
“Not much. Same old, same old. What about you? I know they’re turning your book into a movie, but beyond that.”
“Going to talk to a real estate person. I’m going to get rid of the house. Want to come along?”
“Sure. But you’re really going to sell the house?” Naydene asked.
“Yup. Don’t want to be surrounded by memories. I’m leaving all that in the past. Figured I could rent a lake house, and when Luke comes back, we’ll figure something out.”
Mom perked up. “You may move to LA?”
Leona shrugged. “Way too early to say what I’ll do. That’s why renting seems the best choice for now.”
“You may move in with him? After just two weeks?” Dad asked. “I mean, I’m happy for you, but that’s extremely fast.”
“I didn’t say that. I’m leaving things open. I don’t know anything yet. I don’t know where we’re going.”
“As long as you’re happy.” Dad hugged her.
Mom joined him. “By the way, you two look amazing together.”
Shaking her head, Leona muttered, “Thanks. See you later.”
Naydene hugged her parents and they headed out to the car.
“So, what happened to the car?” Leona asked.
“Just maintenance stuff. Nothing major.”
“How’s my niece?”
“Good, her father has been around lately. Jack is a dick, but she doesn’t see that yet because he’s only an ass around me. Maybe he should hang out with Russell.” Naydene nudged Leona.
“Maybe. Ready for a day with your big sis?”
“Sure, let’s have some fun. And get some things done.”
Chapter 30
A week had passed, and Luke missed Leona more every day he was gone. Didn’t matter how long they talked on the phone, how many texts they exchanged.
She never missed a call, never took more than a few minutes to respond. Still, he could do more. Not more calls, or talking, but he needed to figure out what he could do for her that no one else could make happen, or at least no one else would make happen.
A wicked smile lit his face. He knew what he could do, but it would require the help of someone she trusted, but would that be too far?
Oh, it may be, but he was going to take the risk. He scrubbed a hand over his face and tried to figure out the right way to ask Mona for this favor.
Either she’d find the whole thing perfect, or she’d think he was the stupidest man on earth. Screw it. He went to his laptop, brought up a well-known sex toy company, and started searching for something that could get her through the lonely nights, while he contemplated something that might work for him.
Took some time, but he found the perfect item for Leona and called Mona.
She answered after a few rings. “Hey, Luke. Uh, what’s going on?”
“Leona with you?”
“No. She’s having dinner with her sister and niece, who by the way is jealous.”
“Who?”
“Her fifteen-year-old niece. Anyway. What’s up?”
“So, this is going to sound like a strange request, but I don’t want to send it directly to Leona without some prep, and damn, that sounds bad.”
“Spit it out. You have me intrigued.”
He slapped a hand on the desk and let the words flow in a rush. “Leona’s ex didn’t like her playing with certain toys. I want to send her something that can give her some relief before I’m there to help ease that ache. Maybe she can show me what she likes with it. But I don’t want to send it without a note and some other things. So can I get your address? I’ll ship everything to you.”
She squealed so loud he almost dropped the phone. “Oh my God, you’re unbelievable.”
He winced. “Good or bad?”
“Absolutely fucking amazing.” She laughed. “Yeah, that’s definitely something Russell would have never done. Something she could appreciate. What are you planning to send with it?”
“There’s these caramel things a friend makes at a restaurant I took her to. I want to sen
d her a mix-CD of things we listened to. Maybe some flowers. Candles.”
“Wow, and with the toy?”
“I’m hoping it’s romantic, not sleazy, but I want her to know I trust her, that I’m not intimidated if she wants to get herself off, that I appreciate everything about her, and that I’m thinking about her.”
“Damn, I need a man like you. Okay, yeah, I’ll give you my address, and you send the rest of the stuff. I’ll get it put together and give it to her.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“She’s going to love it,” Mona promised.
“I can’t thank you enough.”
“Don’t need to. I’d do anything to make my girl happy.”
“I need to order. Thanks for the address. You’ll have stuff as fast as I can get it to you. Not sure how long coming from Italy for the note and such.”
“By the way, she loves orchids. You could send her a bouquet for now. Russell always bought her roses. She hates them.”
He laughed. “Good to know. And she’s still staying with you, right?”
“Yeah. So send the flowers here.”
“I may be sending more than the flowers to her before the stuff arrives.”
“Works for me.”
* * * *
Leona walked out of the real estate office with a smile. The house was sold. A week. That was it. She had no reason to use that as an excuse to stay put. And she was driving out to look at a lake house about an hour outside of the city.
Too many people were staring, probably wondering if she really was with Luke. Every day, Luke put up a new picture, saying how much he missed her.
And she only had a fraction of the pictures, but she had never been big on selfies, or pictures in general. It wasn’t low self-esteem. But she never liked being the main focus. It was why signings were always a strange experience. People she didn’t know, knew who she was. And they were generally excited to meet her because they loved the worlds she created.
But now, people sought her out because of who she was with. Her true readers wouldn’t change, she hoped. It was everyone else that made her nervous. And then the movie. Still crazy to think someone wanted to bring her book to the big screen, but it was happening.
The Callback Page 17