“Hey, Kurt, what’s that building over by the trees?” Bella asked.
“A studio. This was an artist’s home before I bought it, and that’s where he worked.” He ran his hand through his hair, then pulled Leanna down on his lap and lowered his voice. “I might be writing until eleven or so. Are you sure you still want me to come by?”
“Absolutely. That’s not late. I thought you meant, like, two in the morning.”
“Sometimes I write that late, but I’ve had a great writing day. I shouldn’t need more than a few more hours.”
“Why don’t you write in the studio?” Bella zipped up her sweatshirt.
“I prefer to write outside. I find the fresh air and the sounds of the water inspiring.” He kissed Leanna’s cheek. “You inspire me, too. I came up with a great idea for a villain for my next book. She’s a free spirit.”
“You did that? I’ve been so wrapped up in figuring out my life that I haven’t even had time to ask for details on what you’re writing. I’m sorry.” She traced a circle on his chest. “You know I don’t like thrillers, or anything creepy like that, but if you want me to, I’ll read one of your books. I do care about what you do. I hope you know that.”
“You’re patterning a villain after Leanna?” Amy sat down at the table. “She’s the sweetest person I know. She could never be a villain.”
“I’m just borrowing a few traits of hers. It’s not really her.” He brushed Leanna’s hair from her shoulder. “You don’t have to read them. I don’t want anything to steal your happiness. Not even for a second.”
“You two are too cute.” Bella leaned against the railing and sighed.
“Hey, Leanna,” Jenna called from the bottom of the stairs.
“Yeah?”
“I found your phone.” She ascended the stairs and handed Leanna her sandy phone.
“Oh my gosh. It must have fallen from my pocket when you carried me to the deck that first night we met.” She laughed and pushed the power button.
“It’s not going to work. You were in the water for quite some time.” Kurt ran his hand up her calf.
“My brother Colby is a Navy SEAL, and when he found out I was coming to the Cape for the summer, he sent me a LifeProof case for my iPhone.” She turned the screen with the illuminated apple toward Kurt. “See? It still works.”
“That’s crazy, and really good to know for my villains and victims. I’ll have to remember that.”
Leanna jumped off his lap. “I guess we’ll go eat, but before I forget, want to swap phone numbers? That way I don’t have to show up and use your writing time. We can text or call.”
Kurt picked up his phone and handed it to her. “Have at it.”
Bella crossed her arms. “You’re just going to let her rifle through your phone?”
“If she wants to rifle, why not?” He rubbed the goose bumps on her legs. “I have nothing to hide.”
“Old girlfriend’s numbers? 1-900 phone calls? Come on. Every guy has something to hide.” Bella rolled her eyes.
“Maybe you’re hanging out with the wrong guys.” Kurt laughed. “I have a few women’s numbers, but she won’t find any recent calls to them—besides my sister—and I’ve never called a 900 number. Maybe I’m missing out.” He squeezed Leanna’s thigh.
She handed him back his phone. “Here. I put my phone number in and called my phone from yours, so I have yours, too.” She glared at Bella. “And I didn’t snoop. Geez, Bella. Trust much?” She kissed him goodbye, then stopped at the top of the stairs. “I almost forgot to tell you; the meeting with Daisy Chain is rescheduled for the twenty-eighth.”
“The twenty-eighth?” Kurt’s voice became serious. “That’s Jack’s wedding.”
“Oh no, really?” Shootshootshoot. “He’s getting married on a Friday?”
“Yeah. It was the only day everyone could make it. Savannah’s brother is a fashion designer, and he has to be in Paris by Sunday.”
“Daisy Chain said the twenty-eighth was the only day their executive staff was free over the next few weeks. I guess I can reschedule again for a few weeks out.”
“No. Don’t be silly. This is what you’ve been waiting for.”
“We’ll wait in the car.” Bella and the others left them alone.
Leanna took Kurt’s hand. “I’m so sorry. We never talked specific dates, and I didn’t think twice about accepting. I can change the meeting. Really, it’s okay.”
“No way. You want to start out on a good foot with them. I’ll miss you being there, and I was hoping that you’d meet my family, but we’ll have plenty of time for that. I haven’t made your flight arrangements yet, so I’ll just make them from the Cape to New York. It’s an easier flight than going out to Colorado anyway.”
“I’m sorry, Kurt.”
“Listen, babe. What would life be without the need for revisions here and there? We’re fine.”
He held her gaze, and even though she knew he was right, it didn’t ease the awful tightening in her stomach.
“This is a great opportunity for you, and you’ve been excited about it. I wouldn’t steal that from you, Leanna. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be waiting in New York when you get there.”
“You’re so good to me.”
“You’re so good to me,” he said with a smile. “My flight takes me back to New York after the wedding. I have a meeting with my agent the following Monday. When do you want to come out?”
She shrugged. “Right after the meeting. Oh, wait. I have to close up the cottage and make all the arrangements for my mail. Gosh, I can’t fly. What were we thinking? I have my van, so I’ll drive to New York. It’s only a few hours. When do you land back in New York?”
“Sunday night.” He kissed the back of her hand. “Listen. Go have fun with your friends, and don’t stress over this. We’ll be fine, and I’m confident that we can handle anything. I’m so proud of you. This could put you exactly where you want to be with your business.” He squeezed her hand. “What’s a few days?”
Oh, not much. They’ll only feel like a lifetime. “Okay, but I really am sorry.” She reached for Pepper’s leash.
“You can leave him with me if you want.”
“But you need to write.”
Kurt glanced under the table. “I think he’s pretty used to my schedule. We’re okay. Have fun with the girls. Enjoy a leashless night.”
Leanna threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “How on earth did I get so lucky?”
“It was all part of Pepper’s big plan. He scoped me out on the deck and then pretended to drown. I didn’t stand a chance.”
She’d never been more thankful for Pepper.
Chapter Twenty-Two
SUNDAY MORNING KURT awoke to the sound of Leanna typing on her computer. By the darkness of her bedroom, he guessed it wasn’t yet six o’clock. Kurt rolled over and caught the scent of her shampoo on the pillow and let his cheek settle into it. He was going to miss her when he left for Colorado. He’d already spent most of Saturday missing her and she was only minutes away. But he’d pushed through the loneliness and was nearing the end of his manuscript—and it was a darn good story. Even better than his last. Jackie would be pleased.