Isaac’s hand slid up the back of Leanne’s shirt, but then he stopped. He pulled away, breathless. “Wait, that wasn’t all I wanted to say. There’s more.”
She grinned against his lips. “All right.” Normally he wasn’t so chatty when they were making out.
To her surprise, he gently shifted her so there was more room between them. He held her gaze. “I know you’ve given up a lot. To stay here, with me. Your dream of becoming a famous screenwriter—you could have had that.”
Leanne placed her hands on both sides of his face, willing him to believe her when she said, “Yes, I did want that. But I want you, and this life, more. I hated living in LA and the type of people I had to deal with, and I have no interest in being a screenwriter. Not anymore.”
“That’s too bad,” a man said nearby, interrupting their moment.
Leanne practically shot off Isaac’s lap. Standing in the doorway to the dining room was… “Eli Hunt?” Her gaze jumped from Eli to Isaac and back again. “I’m sorry, we weren’t expecting any new arrivals today.” She smoothed her shirt, still crinkled from her and Isaac’s kissing session.
Eli Hunt gave an easy laugh and waved a hand through the air. “Freddy said he’d tried calling to give you some forewarning, but it seems your phone is out of order.”
Oops.
“Well, Eli Hunt, what can I do for you?”
“Please, it’s just Eli.”
In her mind, she gave an excited fangirl squeal. She was on a first-name basis with Eli Hunt. Or just Eli, as it were. Leanne tried to appear as collected as possible. “What brings you to Starlight Ridge?”
Eli’s gaze scanned the bed and breakfast, and it settled on the window. There was an unhampered view of the ocean from there. “You told me the only thing I was missing at home was the ocean. You spoke so fondly of your small town, I wanted to see it for myself.”
“Really?”
Frederick had freaked out because she’d supposedly been rude to the actor and burned a very important bridge. Guess that was another thing she could tell Frederick he’d been wrong about.
“I came straight here from the airport, but from what I’ve seen so far, you were absolutely right,” Eli said, his attention returning to Leanne. “Which is why we’re going to film your movie right here in Starlight Ridge.”
She glanced back at Isaac, wondering if this was actually happening. But he seemed to be stunned into silence, bewilderment etched into his features.
“When you say, film my movie…” Leanne trailed off, not knowing how to finish that sentence.
“Your script, the one Frederick gave me to look over,” Eli said. “It only makes sense that your story that takes place in a small coastal town should be filmed right where the inspiration came from.”
“So, you’re the producer that Frederick said was interested in the script?”
Eli grinned and raised his arms. “Guilty as charged. I know we were doing the whole cloak and dagger thing with revealing my identity, but with my ex-wife getting the house, half my earnings, and going after more, we thought it better if she didn’t learn of any of my current business dealings.”
Leanne’s mind reeled as she tried to catch up. “I just saw you a few weeks ago, and you were…married.” As soon as she said it, she realized she shouldn’t have.
Eli’s lips dipped into a frown. “Not exactly the happily-ever-after scenario, is it.” He brightened back up. “But the good news is that, now that I’m homeless, I have more freedom in where I go. And I’m looking forward to staying here in Starlight Ridge.” He walked back over to the doorway, where he picked up a small briefcase. “My lawyers have drawn up the contract. All you have to do is sign.” He pulled out a large stack of papers and handed it to Leanne.
“It’s…heavy.”
“As a man who has been screwed over by many a contract, I suggest you read through it carefully. I’m in no rush, as I need to visit with heaven knows how many people to get the permits I need, not to mention scout around for the best filming locations.” He paused. “Actually, would you mind introducing me around? It might be a little less awkward—”
“Excuse me,” Isaac said loudly, seemingly having finally found his voice. He rolled the wheelchair forward until he stopped between Leanne and Eli. “This is all exciting, and Leanne deserves every bit of this, but can it wait a few minutes? I was in the middle of proposing to my girlfriend.”
Leanne’s lips parted in surprise. “You were…proposing?”
Isaac snort-laughed. “I was trying to.” He leaned back in the wheelchair and shoved a hand into his pocket. It took some finagling, but he managed to pull something out. A rolled-up sock.
“Dude, you have to work on your romance skills,” Eli interjected. “Have you read Leanne’s screenplay? You should have totally done what her character, Benjamin, did. See, he was with his girlfriend at this play—”
Isaac narrowed his eyes and glared at Eli. “I know you’re famous and all, but you’re kind of ruining the moment here. Besides, Benjamin was completely lame.” He glanced at Leanne. “No offense.” His attention returned to Eli. “But he proposed on the stage, in the middle of a production. Do you realize how long those actors had been rehearsing, and then to ruin it for the audience just so he could have his own moment—” He paused when he saw the look of dismay that must have been written all over Leanne’s face.
Because Isaac had never read a single thing she’d ever written. At least, she had thought he hadn’t. “You know Benjamin and Katrina’s story?” she asked, her voice soft.
Isaac raised a shoulder, looking embarrassed now. “I read things. Sometimes. And you really should change the password on your computer, considering every screenplay you’ve ever written is on there. You’ve used the same password since you were fifteen.”
“HollywoodOrBust,” they both said together. It was followed by a small laugh, and Leanne knelt in front of the wheelchair, facing Isaac. She only had eyes for him in that moment. The man who knew her better than anyone else, and also loved her better than anyone else.
“Aren’t I the one who should be kneeling?” he asked.
She cocked an eyebrow. “Go ahead.”
Isaac’s gaze dropped to the casts he wore on both legs. “Never mind. You can be the one who kneels.” He stuffed his arm down the opening of the long sock and produced a ring.
Leanne’s breath caught. This was happening. After all these years, after all they’d been through, she still got to marry her best friend.
“Leanne Warner,” Isaac said, his gaze seeming to soak her in. “Will you marry—”
Before he could finish the question, Leanne had already leaped onto his lap and kissed him. “Yes,” she said. “Of course, yes.”
Isaac laughed, but it also held an underlying tone of pain.
“Oh, gosh, that’s not a good way to start things,” she said, leaping back off. “I remembered to steer clear of the casts but forgot about the ribs.”
“Get back up here,” he said. “Discomfort I can handle. Not kissing my fiancée, well, that’s just too cruel.”
Leanne smiled and gently settled herself back on his lap. As their lips met, she vaguely heard Eli say something like, “I’ll…go get checked into a room. Maybe see the sights. Or…yeah… Congratulations, by the way.”
And then it was just her, Isaac, and his arms holding her tight.
Arms that she hoped would never let go.
Epilogue
Adeline sat reading a magazine, its pages spread over the counter in front of her. The day had been slow, and she wondered why she even kept her chocolate shop open. Ever since word had gotten around that Eli Hunt was producing his first movie, and starring in it, and that he had chosen Starlight Ridge as its location, well, nothing else mattered anymore. Not even chocolate, apparently, because her regulars were no longer quite so regular.
They wouldn’t start filming for another month, but Eli had been back and forth to Starlight Ridge a few t
imes as they made preparations. She hadn’t seen him yet, but everyone who had met him said he was as wonderful as the magazines made him sound. The one she was currently reading was an old copy from Patty’s medical clinic that the doctor had let Adeline take. It was all about Eli Hunt and how he juggled life as a method actor with his family life.
According to the article, he was able to separate the two with very little problem. But Adeline had heard about the man’s recent divorce, so she doubted the article was very reliable.
The door to her shop abruptly opened, and Leanne held the door open for Isaac, who was still in the wheelchair. They were arguing, their voices raised.
“I read your script, and there was not a single mime in it.”
Leanne released an exasperated sigh. “And like I told you, it went through multiple revisions while I was in LA. You read an old version.”
“But why mimes?” Isaac asked. “Were you mad at me at the time?”
Leanne shook her head and glanced at Adeline with a look that said, Men, am I right? “I’m going to need a double shot of chile chocolate, Addie.”
Adeline grinned. “Coming right up.”
“It was to add a humorous element,” Leanne said, turning back to Isaac. “The mime interrupts a very serious moment, and Benjamin just can’t get the mime to leave them alone.”
“I understand. And that sounds delightful. It does,” Isaac said. “But that means there is going to be a mime somewhere in Starlight Ridge. I won’t know when, or where, but I will run into them. And then I’ll have to start driving to the city to see my therapist again.”
Leanne looked like she was trying to be sympathetic, but when she approached the counter to pay for the chocolate, Adeline could tell she was trying not to laugh. “Thanks. Oh, I better buy a third box. Sorry.”
“A third box?” Adeline said, grabbing another one from below the counter. “Who’s that one for? Or have I created a chile chocolate addiction for you two?”
“I wish, but sadly, no. It’s for Eli. He’ll be here in a moment. He was just finishing up with Caleb at the scuba shop.”
Adeline nearly dropped the box she was placing in the bag with the others. “E-Eli…as in Eli Hunt is coming…here?”
Leanne took the box from Adeline. “Yeah, I thought I told you. The heroine in my script owns a chocolate shop.”
“So…Eli Hunt wants to film part of his movie in my store?” Adeline asked, though dreading the answer.
“Yeah, this is where he meets his love interest.” Leanne acted like it was just another day in Starlight Ridge, though it was anything but. The last thing Adeline needed was a hotshot movie star taking over her shop.
“Why is he filming in Starlight Ridge in the first place?”
Leanne gave her a look that said it should be obvious. “Uh…because it’s beautiful. Besides, Eli says it’s ideal because no matter what time of year the movie takes place, they can shoot here during the next few months without worrying about snow.”
That made sense.
“And he’ll be spending a lot of that time…in my chocolate shop.” Adeline knew she probably sounded like an idiot, but she was still having a hard time wrapping her head around all this. She’d thought they would mostly be filming outdoor scenes on the beach. Maybe she’d have to see Eli Hunt in passing, but she’d never thought he’d be using her store.
Leanne placed the box of chocolates that she still held onto the counter. “Will you give this one to Eli? We have to run, wedding plans and all that.” She took the bag that held the other two boxes.
“How are those coming?” Adeline asked.
Neither Isaac nor Leanne answered, both sharing a look that was difficult to interpret. Adeline suddenly feared for the couple.
“You are still getting married, right?”
“Oh, we are definitely getting married,” they said simultaneously. And from the secret smiles they both shared at that moment, there was no doubt that the two were madly in love.
“The thing is,” Isaac said, “I was hoping for something a little smaller—just close family and friends, you know.”
“So, the entire town,” Adeline said with a smirk.
“Yeah. Exactly. But Leanne wants to get married…like actually get married…as they are shooting a wedding scene for the movie.”
Adeline glanced between the two. “Whoa. Seriously?”
Isaac continued. “Apparently, the main dude crashes a wedding of people he doesn’t even know. And that would be us. After we say ‘I do,’ Eli Hunt would come barreling in, looking for his girlfriend. And then instead of us making out up there and making everyone uncomfortable, everyone’s attention, including ours, would have to be on Eli, because we’re still shooting for the movie, right?”
“I keep telling him that we can cut right after Eli comes in, do the rest of our wedding, and then continue with the filming,” Leanne said. “I mean, we’re going to have to do multiple takes anyway; just the first one would be our real wedding. And Eli already said he’s cool with it. In fact, he said that one of the crew members is an ordained minister and can officiate.”
They both looked to Adeline, their gazes pressing her to choose a side. She didn’t want to; this should be something they worked out between themselves. “That’s…” She meant to say that it was a cool idea, but that they should figure out all the details before deciding on either choice. Doing the small wedding would mean probably having to wait until shooting was complete. But the movie wedding would mean it wouldn’t be as intimate.
Instead, it came out as, “That’s…interesting.” Adeline usually tried to hide her disdain for anything Hollywood, but this time she didn’t quite manage it.
“You don’t like the idea?” Leanne asked, looking stunned, and maybe even a little hurt.
Isaac sported a wide grin.
“No, I love it. It’s very unique,” Adeline hurriedly said, trying to backpedal. “It just caught me off guard, that’s all.”
“Oh, come on,” Isaac said, throwing his arms in the air, though he was laughing at the same time. “What is with all you women being starstruck? You’d even go so far as wanting Eli Hunt to crash your wedding.”
“It’s not that, and you know it,” Leanne said, wrapping her arms around Isaac’s neck and planting a long kiss on his lips. It was good to see those two back together again. “But how cool would it be that whenever we watch the movie, we get to see ourselves get married all over again? For real. It will be immortalized.”
“Okay, I guess that’s kind of cool,” Isaac said. He gave Adeline a small wave as he rolled toward the door.
Leanne mouthed “thank you” as she hurried in front to open the door for him. It hadn’t even had time to close before someone else caught it. It stayed open for a moment while whoever it was talked with Leanne and Isaac, and then a man entered, a briefcase in one hand.
He was tall and very good looking. His face was rugged, yet it also had a boyish look to it—it was a face that said, You can trust me.
Adeline glanced down at the magazine that still lay out in front of her. Her gaze flitted between it and the man several times before she could say for certain that the man in front of her was definitely Eli Hunt. His hair had grown out a bit over his ears, but everything else matched the picture.
“Adeline Baker?” he asked.
She clamped her lips shut, forcing herself not to freak out. So what, one of the hottest guys in Hollywood knew her name. First and last. She would not go all fangirl on him. Because, no matter how attractive he was, Eli Hunt was nothing more than another product of the film industry—just like her father. Except, Eli Hunt was worse. Because he was a method actor—a man who sacrificed everything for the art of filmmaking. Apparently even to the detriment of his marriage.
“Yes?”
Eli flashed her one of his world-famous smiles, then walked up to the counter and leaned on it. His gaze found the magazine she had been reading. “Don’t believe everything you read,
” he said, his eyes bright, almost as if they were laughing at her.
“I don’t,” Adeline said, feeling heat rush into her cheeks at being caught reading about him in a gossip magazine. She shut the magazine and shoved it aside.
Eli looked into the display case. “I hear that you sell the best chocolates in town.”
“It’s the only place you can buy homemade chocolates in Starlight Ridge, so yes, they are definitely the best,” she said, trying to keep herself from smiling.
Eli raised his gaze to meet hers. “What do you recommend?”
“Probably the box that has already been bought and paid for. Courtesy of Leanne.” Adeline dropped her gaze and picked up the box from the counter. She didn’t like how looking into his eyes made her feel. Adeline held the box out to him. “Chile truffles. You won’t find anything like it in LA.”
He straightened up, looking intrigued. “Do I dare try one here, or should I wait until I won’t completely embarrass myself?”
Adeline grabbed one of the small water bottles she kept on hand for such occasions. “Go ahead. I won’t judge, I promise. I’ve seen reactions range from people who couldn’t even taste the chile to people who were full-on sobbing. Out of happiness,” she said quickly. Couldn’t have Eli Hunt thinking that her chocolates made people cry.
Except, he now looked wary, like maybe he’d be one of the sobbing people. “I…might save them for later.” He placed his briefcase on the counter, and then the box of chocolates next to it. “Can’t have me crying all over the paperwork that my lawyer was nice enough to put together for me.” He paused. “Of course, I paid him plenty to do it.” He laughed, like he’d just made a joke.
“Is that for the movie you’re filming here?” Adeline nodded toward the large stack of papers he placed on the display case in front of her.
Resisting Love Page 17