Hollywood Ever After (Red Carpet 1)

His eyes were warm as he scooted toward me. He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me against his side. “I’ve no place else I want to be.” He sighed then dropped a kiss onto the top of my head. We sat in comfortable silence, listening to the sounds of the beach. I let my head fall onto his shoulder and felt his fingers brushing up and down my arm. I was surprised at how comfortable this—he—felt.

His voice was soft as he asked, “Didn’t Shannon mention something about a job?”

I was unaware that he’d been listening to that conversation. Or that he was still mulling things over. “I’m not sure she was serious.”

“Hm. We should find out.”

Something about the we made me tense a bit. Out of fear? Or hope? I shook it off and said, “How was your meeting? Were you in trouble for running late?”

An ancient man and his equally ancient black Labrador went walking briskly by us then. I smiled at him. He smiled as he walked by then circled back without breaking his stride. He stopped in front of us with a well-weathered smile.

“Would you like me to take your picture?” the man asked, reaching for the camera in my hands.

“Oh no,” I said.

“Come on, Claire.” Josh looked at me, smiling.

“That would be great, I guess.” You have a killer smile, Josh Wiley.

Josh took the camera and handed it to the man, pulling me close against his side.

“Act like you like me,” he murmured against my ear.

Josh kissed my cheek. I felt my cheeks burn.

The man snapped away several times. He gave Josh the camera with a smile and we thanked him. I watched as he and his walking companion set off at a brisk pace down the beach.

“Your hair. I like it.” He wrapped one of my long curls around his finger.

“I suppose the me of today is a bit different from the me of last night.” And a bit disappointing.

He looked confused. “Not at all. Well, the curls. But those I like.” He smiled his infectious smile. He leaned forward, kissing me until I was breathless. I thought I heard the faint roar of thunder, but it could have been my heart.

I looked at his face, hovering above mine. He kissed my forehead. I shook my head at how easily he distracted me. “Your meeting? How was it?”

“Boring.” His thumb skimmed over my lower lip as he spoke. “I can think of several things I’d rather have been doing.”

The sky turned gray, clouds rolling in as Josh’s lips trailed down my neck.

When the first clap of thunder rumbled in the distance, Josh reluctantly broke his hold on me and pulled me up beside him. His gaze was heavy as he bent down and kissed me ever so softly, ever so sweetly, before taking my hand. We made our way into the hotel.

It took minutes for me to check out then climb into Josh’s very old, somewhat broken-looking vintage Chevrolet. It was clean on the inside, smelling of cigars and Armor All. When Josh climbed in, he was all smiles.

“This is my pet project,” he explained proudly. “A piece of American lore.”

“Chevelle?” I asked.

His eyebrow shot up. “Yes.” I think he was impressed.

“Learning to speak ‘car’ is essential in Texas.” I laughed. My phone rang. “It’s Shannon.”

“Go ahead, take it,” he said, smiling.

I opened my phone. “Hey, woman.”

“On your way?” she asked.

“Yes, en route right now.” I smiled as Josh took my hand in his.