Chapter Eight
Beverly
Rain continues to pelt the roof, interspersed by the occasional flash of lightning and rumble of thunder.
Ridge and I are sitting in my kitchen, the huge sunflower bouquet pushed to the side so I can see him from across the table. He’s complimented my cooking skills several times, even going back to my Crock-Pot for a second helping of chili.
“And what’s in this cornbread again? It’s delicious.”
“It’s actually called spoon bread. There’s kernel corn, green chilies, and pepper-jack cheese mixed in with the cornbread.”
“Mmm.” He nods. “It definitely has a kick to it. And it goes great with your chili. It’s the perfect rainy-day meal.”
“Thanks. Be sure to save some room for dessert later.”
“Dessert too? Oh, now you’re really spoiling me,” he chuckles.
Me? Spoiling a Hollywood heartthrob? I feel like I’m in a dream.
“I wanted to ask you something,” he says, pulling me out of my swoon-fest.
I take a tiny sip of beer from the same bottle I’ve been nursing all evening. I’m not a big drinker, and alcohol tends to make me sleepy.
“What is it?”
Ridge pushes his practically licked-clean bowl to the side and entwines his fingers together on the table.
He gives me that smoldering look I’ve seen him do on the big screen, only this time, it’s up close and personal.
I wonder if he can see tiny hearts popping above my head like a lovesick teen?
I mimic his actions and link my fingers together, ready to hear what he has to say.
“We’ll be wrapping up filming next week.”
My mood takes a sudden nosedive, and my shoulders slump. “Next week?” I mumble. “I thought filming took months, or even years, to finish. Does that mean you’ll be heading home to LA?”
He seems to sense my disappointment and reaches for my hand from across the table. I stare at his thick fingers and the way his thumb gently caresses my skin. Just when I’m getting comfortable with the man, he has to up and leave.
“The story takes place in Atlanta and California. Kind of like a Sleepless in Seattle vibe, city hopping from coast to coast.”
“I love that movie,” I admit, squeezing his hand. The genuine smile he launches right at me causes me to shift in my seat. Gah! How could anyone be this handsome? It should be against the law.
“I love it too. That’s why I took on the project. The storyline is similar but with a modern twist. And I liked the idea of working on both coasts. It’s been an even sweeter project since it brought me here to you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you.” He leans forward, his mesmerizing dark eyes holding me hostage. “You enchant me, Beverly. You’re so easy to talk to. I can be myself when I’m around you.”
“Well, who else would you be?”
He smirks and dips his head, causing his hair to fall across his forehead. I have the sudden urge to sweep the lock back from his face, full Hubbell-style. The melody of “The Way We Were” suddenly thrums through my subconscious.
“I’m relaxed around you. I’m full.” He pats his belly, and I laugh. He lets go of my hand and leans back against the seatback of his chair.
I feel like I’m on display as he stares back at me.
“I like you very much, Beverly, and I don’t want this to end once our East Coast shoot is finished.”
I suck in a deep breath through my nose and stifle a grin while I ponder his words.
Ridge Wilson likes me and doesn’t want whatever this thing is between us to end.
I fold my hands into my lap and dig my fingernails into my skin so I know I’m awake.
This is a genuine fairy tale. Ha! And Ridge said he doesn’t believe in fairy tales.
“The studio is throwing an Atlanta wrap party. Once I get the details from Arthur, I’ll share them with you.”
“Why?”
He cocks an eyebrow, and I lean in for another close-up. “Because I’d love for you to join me… as my date.”
***
“Are you sure it’s not too late?” I ask Madison.
“No. It’s okay,” she whispers. “I have to get up in an hour to feed Joey anyway.” I hear her yawn.
“I’m sorry.”
“Stop. Just… give me a second to get downstairs so I don’t wake up George.”
“Okay.”
I wait patiently and listen to my sister’s footsteps creep along the creaky floorboards of her ancient farmhouse. I didn’t mean to wake her up. It’s not even midnight. But she told me to call after Ridge left so I could fill her in on all the wonderful details of our evening.
“Okay. I’m downstairs and on the couch,” she says in her regular voice. “Spill it, sistah.”
I’m curled up on my sofa, the lingering scent of cinnamon candle and chili hanging in the air. The music is off, and the only sounds are of the light rain still coming down outside.
“I don’t even know where to begin,” I admit. My eyes dart to the sunflowers on my table. “Hold on, let me send you a picture of the flowers he brought. He told me he had them shipped overnight from California.”
“Shipped overnight from California? That’s fancy.”
I make a few clicks on my phone and send her the photo. Right away, I hear her gasp.
“Those look like George’s sunflowers!”
“I know, right?”
I’m tired but satiated. Captivated and keyed up. Between Ridge Wilson hanging out with me all evening and being the perfect gentleman, and the utterly romantic vibe of the rain, the music, the flowers, and the handholding, I’m on process overload.
“Did he give you a goodnight kiss?” Somehow, I knew that would be the first thing Maddy asked.
I smile at the thought. When Ridge’s Uber arrived and we were standing at my front door, I seriously thought so. Instead, he hugged me, then stepped back and held my head in his hands, pressing his lips against my forehead.
“Sort of?” I reply.
“What does that mean?”
I giggle. “He kissed my forehead. Does that count?”
“Are you serious?” The disappointment in my sister’s voice is audible.
“Yep. I thought it was going to happen. I really did. But I guess he wasn’t feeling it.” I hear Madison sigh on the other end. “But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen when I go to the Atlanta wrap party as his date next week.”
“Get out!”
My cheeks hurt because of my broad grin. “It’s true. He asked me to be his date. Maddy, this is a big deal. Do you know how many famous people are going to be there?”
“Where are they having it?”
“At some soundstage at Live Oak. You know, the big movie studio near the airport?”
“Wow.” Hearing Madison’s little sigh of pleasure signals she approves.
“He invited me to check out the studio next week before the party. His schedule is hectic as they finish the Atlanta portion of the movie, and he has no time off before they wrap. He suggested I come and hang out with him again between takes.”
“But don’t you have to work? Don’t you have school this week? I didn’t think your fall break was for another two weeks?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m way ahead of you. I’m going to request a substitute and cash in on a couple of my vacation days at the end of the week.”
“Fantastic!” Madison squeals. “You’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?”
I want to tell her, yes, that I have everything figured out, right down to the dress I plan to wear. But the only thing on my mind is figuring out how I’ll ever be able to say goodbye to my West Coast award-winning actor.
And how to get him to kiss me on the mouth before he leaves.