“NO. I LISTEN TO YOU. Every word. Even the ones you don’t speak.”
“You shouldn’t fall in love with me either. Your life is perfect. You told me that.”
“You know what, Gio? I’ve learned that in life you can’t always control how things go. You might want to, but it’s not always in your hands how things will play out. You just have to make the best choices you can with the options you’ve been given.” He smiles and kisses my nose. “Yes, I thought my life was perfect, but…” He shakes his head.
“What?”
“I can’t fucking imagine ever taking a woman to my bed that isn’t you.”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t know how things with us will work out any more than you do, but I’m going to enjoy every single second of it right now. That’s the choice I’m making.”
God, this man. He’s so incredible. “I’ll try, okay? I’ll try to stop focusing on the end.”
“Thank you.” He takes my hand, and we sit on the nearby bench. “I wish you wouldn’t run.”
“I’ve spent my whole life running,” I glance at him, “until five years ago when I settled here and felt I could stop.”
“What are you running from? Who hurt you?”
“That’s a long story.”
“I’ve got time.”
I pat his leg. “Tell you what. If we fall in love and get married and have babies, I’ll tell you all about it one day.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
The sun starts to set, and I shiver from the sudden chill in the air. “How did you get away from the set?”
“I just left.” He puts his arm over my shoulder. “Have dinner with me?”
I laugh. “Do you even need to ask anymore?”
“I’ll never take your answer for granted.”
I shake my head and stand. “We should go back. I’m cold.”
“How did you get here?”
“Took the bus.”
“Well, I have a car.” He gestures to the little blue thing parked nearby. “It’s the latest in movie star economy.”
I laugh. “It does the job.”
“It sure does. Come on, Beautiful. Let’s get you home.”
I climb in the passenger seat as Antonio joins me on the other side. We start the descent back down the hill.
“Tell me something, Gio.”
“What do you want to know?”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-six. How old are you?”
“Twenty-eight.” He reaches over and grips my thigh. “I just wanted to know. I couldn’t get a read.”
“Yeah, apparently I’m this weird mix of professional responsibility and emotional immaturity.”
“There’s nothing immature about you.”
“Thanks.” I look out the window. “So, how did it go with Yasmin today?”
“Fine. She was quiet. I don’t know why, but I’ll take it.”
“Might as well enjoy it while you can.”
“Exactly.”
A half hour later, we pull up in front of my house. “Spaghetti tonight?”
“I’ll bring sandwiches from The Pub. You need to save your energy for what I’m going to do to you.”
I laugh. “What time will you be by?”
“After seven.”
“Okay. I’ll be ready.” I step out of the car and wave as he drives off. Inside, I shower, then turn on my phone and listen to ten pleading messages from him. It’s nice to know he cared enough to come looking for me.
I ROLL OVER, but Antonio’s gone. I already miss him. I blink my eyes open, adjusting to the morning darkness. Yawning, I stand and stretch, then head into the bathroom. After getting dressed, I decide to head over to the store early, make the coffee, and then get the hell out of there. I don’t want to be in the way today and cause any more distraction.
I let myself in and jump when Antonio is standing in front of me.
“What are you doing here?” I say. “You scared the shit out of me.”
He grins. “Sorry. Got the keys from Dan. I knew you would be here early, and I just wanted a couple of minutes of alone time with you before things got crazy.”
“I came to make the coffee, and then I’m leaving. I’m going into Boston today to go to a rare bookstore. I’ll be back in time for dinner.”
“Oh,” he says, pulling me close and wrapping his arms around me. “Then I’m especially glad we have this time right now.” He kisses me, and I melt into his arms. He’s an amazing kisser. “Tonight, I’d like to take you on a date.”
“Where to this time?”
“Putt-putt? Mamma Rosa’s? Whatever you want.”
“Okay.” I grin. “I’ll text you when I get back.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
“Have a good day, Movie Star.”
“Be safe, Beautiful.”
Back outside, I walk down the street to my house. I’m not going anywhere near Boston today, but if he thinks I am, maybe he won’t be distracted. I hate to lie, but I think it’s for the best.
I see Yasmin entering her trailer. She’s definitely a problem. Her hunger to get Antonio in her grasp clouds her judgment, and now she has proof that he’s spending time with me. She could tell lies to the media and turn my life into a circus.
Inside my house, I plop on my couch. That wouldn’t make sense though. It would make her look bad and then everyone would know for sure Antonio didn’t choose her. Still, that wouldn’t stop her from trying to look like a victim. They could easily make me out to be the seductress that lured Antonio away from America’s Sweetheart. Women all over the country would hate me. I sigh. This is why being with celebrities is hard. As if relationships aren’t challenging enough.