Chapter 20
Aknock sounded at her door and Tori hurried over to answer it, smoothing her hair and straightening her dress in anticipation. Gavin stood there looking relaxed and casual. If he was as nervous as she was, there was no sign of it. His hair was still damp from a recent shower, the ends curling slightly in a way that made her heart skip a beat. Khaki shorts showed off his long, tanned legs, and a button-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves exposed his strong forearms. She was glad he’d told her semi casual. The simple teal t-shirt dress she’d picked was a perfect match for his outfit.
They headed out, and he paused on the porch. “You mind walking?”
“Not at all. Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” he said with a hint of playful secrecy.
She followed him along the sidewalk until he cut across at the far end of the island. He slipped off his shoes at the edge of the beach. She did the same, enjoying the cool feel of the sand beneath her feet. He took her hand, leading her across the beach. As they went around the bend, she gasped.
A wispy white canopy fluttered in the ocean breeze. Beneath it, a cozy blanket and smattering of cushions beckoned. Two lanterns flickered beside the blanket, casting a warm, romantic glow. A small, low table was centered under the canopy, adorned with a vase bursting with bright flowers. A wine bucket rested beside the table and a wicker basket sat to one side.
She clapped her hands in delight. “Gavin, it’s wonderful.”
His mouth spread into a wide, satisfied grin. “I was hoping you’d like it.”
“You did all this?” Her voice filled with awe as she stared at the magical setup.
He laughed. “No, but I arranged it. There’s a fledgling business start-up that’s trying to gain more customers here on Magnolia Key. I heard about them and hired them to do all this. Thought it might give their business a boost. They took photos of the setup to use for their promo.”
He led her over to the blanket, and they ducked under the canopy. She sank down on the plush cushions and he dropped down beside her, close but not quite touching. “Champagne?” he asked, reaching for the bottle nestled in the ice bucket.
She nodded, and he poured two flutes. He raised his. “To our first official date.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “To our date.” First? Did that mean he planned on more? She took a sip of the pale yellow liquid, the bubbles dancing across her tongue. “This is nice.”
“It is.” Though he was looking right at her, not at his champagne, and his meaning was crystal clear.
He opened the basket and spread out the food. Strawberries, cheese, crackers, a veggie plate and dip, along with a platter with an assortment of delicious-looking desserts. “Think there will be enough?” he teased.
“I think so.” She grinned back at his infectious smile.
They savored their meal and their time together as the sun sank lower in the sky. He finally stood and reached down a hand. “One more thing.”
She took his hand and stood as he reached into the basket, pulled out a small speaker, and connected it to his phone. He turned on some music. The soft melody drifted across the sand, melding with the gentle sound of the waves. “Dance?”
She nodded and stepped into his arms. He held her close as they swayed to the music. In his arms, she felt a warmth sink through her to her very bones. A welcome warmth full of hope that in turn filled her with contentment. The stars began to twinkle above them in the darkening sky. The sun gave one last burst of brilliant color before sinking below the horizon, throwing streaks of orange that danced with the fluffy clouds.
She rested her cheek against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. It thumped jaggedly, just like hers. He pulled her closer. Still, they swayed gently to the music, the waves, the night breeze. He finally stepped back and tilted her chin up, his gaze locking with hers.
Time stood still. Her breath caught and there was no force of nature strong enough to break their gazes. He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her gently. A small sigh escaped her lips, unbidden but unstoppable.
“That was nice,” he murmured as he pulled back slightly.
“Hmm,” was all she could manage to say, still lost in the magic of the moment.
“We should practice to see if we could do it better.”
She sincerely doubted they could, but she sure was willing to give it a try. He kissed her again. Then they were dancing and kissing and laughing and talking as the night sky grew dark and the moon played hide and seek with the clouds.
Reluctantly, he looked at his watch. “I think we’re going to have to wrap this up. The company I hired is scheduled to come collect all this in just a few minutes.”
A pang of disappointment crept through her. She wasn’t ready for the magic to end.
He gave her one more lingering kiss and took her hand. They walked over to the blanket and each had a final sip of champagne before heading across the sand. They slipped on their shoes when they reached the sidewalk, but then he took her hand in his, not letting go. Which was fine with her because she wasn’t ready to lose this connection with him. Wasn’t ready for the magic to end.
As he walked her home, her heart sang in her chest. Gavin had kissed her. Gavin had kissed her.
When they got to her house, he stood with her on the front porch, a silly grin on his face. She probably looked the same way.
“I had a wonderful time tonight, Tori.”
“I did too.”
Then his face got serious. “But there’s something I’ve been wanting to explain to you. About why I overreacted to that reporter you talked to.”
She looked up, watching his face closely. “Okay, tell me.”
“You see, I dated this woman. Anna. For quite a while, actually. She was an actress.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his words, but she kept her expression calm.
“She only had minor roles when I first met her, but then she was in a big box-office smash hit and things changed. She changed. She always wanted attention. Always looking for the limelight. People treated her like she was special, and she treated others like… well, like she was better than they were. We grew apart, but some reporter started the rumor I was going to ask her to marry me.” He looked down at her quickly. “I wasn’t.”
She held her breath, letting him continue.
“But everything blew up at this big party. A reporter shouted out, asking if that night was the night that I’d finally ask her to marry me. It didn’t end well…” He glanced out into the night, then back toward her. “So you can see why that run-in with the media plus what happened with the lighthouse restoration… Well, I have a healthy distrust of the media.”
“I can see why.” She got the words out, but just barely.
“So, I promised myself I’d never date anyone who needed the spotlight like that. No one who would attract media attention. But then I met you, and now I don’t have to worry about that.” He smiled at her.
Her heart plunged. Oblivious to her thoughts, he leaned in and kissed her again, and her arms threaded themselves around his neck, holding him close. He finally stepped back, and she reluctantly slid her hands to her sides.
“Night, Tori.”
The moment hung between them, and she was trapped between confession and wanting to preserve the fragile connection between them. Now was the time to tell him. But she couldn’t. Not after what he had just told her. She’d have to find a better time. After the opening. She promised, yet again, that she’d tell him after the opening. And she’d make him understand that she wasn’t like his old girlfriend.
So all she said was, “Good night.” He walked down the sidewalk then turned to wave to her. She entered the apartment and walked over to the window, looking out over the water with the moonlight dancing across the waves.
She touched her lips, still feeling his kisses.
Tonight had been the most magical night of her life. Topping any opening night at the theater. And then it had all crashed down around her. She was falling for Gavin. Falling hard and fast. And at this point, she didn’t even care. She didn’t even try to talk herself out of it.
Tonight, Gavin Sloan had kissed her.
And then told her he’d never date someone who would attract media attention. But she didn’t attract their attention anymore. She was simply Tori now.
She would tell him the truth. She would. After a successful opening, when she had time to explain. Not that she could tell him the real reason she was hiding out. But she could just say she was tired of the chaos that was Broadway. And hopefully, he’d believe her.