Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Tessa often went out in the afternoons, when he was resting or working on his script, leaving with a backpack and returning a couple of hours later, flushed and happy. He was deeply curious about what she was up to during her off time, but a voice inside his head told him not to ask. Tessa was a private person. She had already opened up about her love of art and the bad way things had ended with her husband. He didn’t want to push her for more too soon. If she wanted him to know where she went each afternoon, she would tell him. And it would be all the sweeter if she opened up to him of her own volition versus his dragging the information out of her.
As he gazed out the window, wondering when she would return, it suddenly hit him. He was falling for Tessa. Hard.
He’d always been career-driven and had dated women who worked in the same industry, since he was so busy there wasn’t time to meet a woman outside of work. But something about breaking his leg, and meeting Tessa, had literally stopped him in his tracks and made him reevaluate his life. The truth was that he was enjoying his forced vacation more than he could have imagined.
But more than that, he was enjoying Tessa in his life in a way that was different from anything he’d ever felt.
Could it be that he’d been waiting all his life for this woman?
Sitting with the questions for several long moments, he realized that instead of frightening him, the idea made him happy.
He picked up his script. The plot was great—full of action and surprising twists and turns. But right now, he was reading a romantic scene between his character and his character’s quiet assistant and love interest. Arch couldn’t help imagining her with Tessa’s dark hair and vivid blue eyes—
“Daydreaming, little bro? Bet I can guess about whom.”
He jumped, jolting his leg so it smarted. When he looked up, Mila was standing there, looking at him with a knowing expression.
“I was working,” he said, knowing better than to sound defensive, but not quite managing it. “Daydreaming is part of being an actor.” She looked as though she doubted his word, so he added, “At least it is when you can’t do more than sit in a recliner all day.” Finally giving her a smile, he said, “It’s good to see you.” Maybe his sister could take his mind off Tessa. He set the script on the glass coffee table.
She slumped onto the sofa across from him, looking a little worn out, which was strange for her. “I’ve been working some serious overtime trying to find your agent a place he’ll fall in love with.”
He knew Jay was looking for a beach house in Carmel. It would be great to have him in town, but it also made him feel more determined than ever to be strong enough to shoot Shock Tactics. What if Jay was depending on his commission in order to afford one of the ridiculously expensive houses in Carmel? What if his leg didn’t heal in time and they decided at the last minute to replace him?
“Is he a tough customer?” Arch asked, guessing at why his sister had a slightly frustrated look about her.
“Let’s just say that Jay is… discerning.” She sat up straighter on the couch and drew her shoulders back. “But you know me—never one to back down from a challenge. In fact, I thrive on them. Just like you.”
Clearly, his sister’s natural competitive streak had been activated. She’d always been that way and then found the perfect outlet in professional surfing. When that had ended in tragedy, Mila’s thrill in chasing the perfect wave had transformed into closing the sale on the perfect house. It was what made her one of the hottest Realtors out there.
“So how are you feeling?” Mila asked, her tone serious now. “Is the pain still bad?”
Arch shrugged. He could feel himself getting stronger by the day, but the ache in his left leg throbbed often enough to remind him he was still healing. “It’s okay,” he said.
“Which means it hurts like heck,” Mila replied knowingly, given that she’d been in even worse physical shape after her career-ending injury. “And I know what you’re like. Too proud and stubborn to admit when you need help.” A sly look came into her eyes. “Except when it comes to Tessa.”
At just the mention of her name, his heart beat faster. But he didn’t want to risk any more teasing from his sister. “You know I had no choice about a live-in caregiver. That was all the studio’s doing.”
“Yet you managed to snag the prettiest caregiver around.”
Arch grinned. “All part of the healing process,” he joked. “But seriously, she’s amazing at her job.” Suddenly, he had an idea. “Did you drive here?”