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Knowing I’d have time to do whatever I wanted, I’d brought my camera with me. Photography had always been a hobby of mine, and nature shots were my favorite. I’d been trying to get a shot of a couple of pelicans when Blaine yelled at me.
His reaction had caught me off guard, but I could understand why he was angry and mistook me for a member of the paparazzi. I couldn’t imagine it was easy having people follow your every move. Still, it was nice he stopped and apologized, even though I imagined I looked like a crazy person crying on the beach.
“So, I told you my story. Now it’s your turn. What are you doing here in Santa Barbara?” I asked him.
He shrugged. “Just needed to get away for a few days. Relax and unwind from wrapping up filming on a movie.”
God, he was handsome. His chestnut brown hair was longer than it had been in his last movie, and I wondered what it would feel like to tangle my fingers in it. And if I allowed myself, I could get lost in his onyx eyes.
Blaine was easy to talk to, and I almost forgot I was chatting with a world-famous actor. But I felt a connection with him, seeing as we both had bullshit we were dealing with.
As I was about to ask him how long he’d be staying in Santa Barbara, something over my shoulder caught his attention.
“Fuck, the paparazzi have descended.” His gaze flicked to mine. “And this time, I’m pretty sure they’re the real ones.”
I turned around again, and sure enough, three men with cameras aimed in our direction stood about twenty yards away. “What are you going to do?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I should probably get out of here.”
I nodded. I wasn’t ready to end our conversation, but I knew he couldn’t stay. “Okay. I think I’m going to head back to my room too.”
Blaine stood, and to my surprise, especially since there were cameras around, he held out a hand to help me stand. “Let’s go.”
I glanced back and notice the men walking toward us. “Looks like you’re being followed.”
Blaine placed his hand on my lower back, and the two of us picked up the pace. We made it back to the lobby before the photographers got too close, and I let out a sigh of relief when I noticed Debbie behind the concierge’s desk.
“Hey, there are some paparazzi out on the beach. Thought you might want to know so you can keep them out of the resort.”
Debbie peeked at Blaine who stood behind me. “I see. I’ll let the staff know.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” Blaine said.
She smiled. “My pleasure, Mr. Roberts.”
“See ya later, Deb,” I said as we walked away.
Blaine quirked an eyebrow in question. “You’re on a first name basis with the manager?”
“She’s my aunt,” I replied. “She’s been asking me to come visit for a while. Figured I had the time now.”
We entered the elevator and I pressed the button for the second floor while he selected the third. When the doors opened, I said, “It was really nice meeting you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time here.”
“Yeah, you too,” he said.
I started toward the hallway that led to my room but stopped and turned around when Blaine called out. “Kayla, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?” he asked as he held the elevator doors open.
Holy shit. Had he really asked me to spend more time with him? I did my best to maintain my composure as I replied, “Absolutely.”
We agreed to meet in the lobby at six, and I practically ran down the hallway so I could go celebrate privately in my room. I couldn’t believe I was having dinner with Blaine freaking Roberts.
The moment I stepped into my room, I called Simone. “Pick up, pick up,” I chanted as I waited for her to answer.
“Hey, Kayla. How’s Santa Barbara?”
“Simone! I need your help. You’re never going to believe what just happened.”
“Slow down. Are you okay?”
