AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Thirty-Five
“How did you even find out about this place?” I asked as Leo parked the bug and helped me get out. He’d brought a picnic basket, a blanket, and even his guitar. I was intrigued.
“Lainie,” he said.
I tilted my head pausing.
“Cat sweaters,” he said in explanation. I smiled. I realized I’d never even asked her name, which seemed ridiculous now.
“She had this contact. We were talking the other day, and she mentioned if I ever wanted a secluded beach, she could hook me up. I thought it was the perfect night for it.”
It was a chilly night for summer, and I’d actually grabbed a cardigan. With my ankle further along on recovery, I’d foregone the garbage bag, despite Leo’s protests.
We needed to stay low for a while with the reporter on Leo’s case at the club. Grace had called and filled me in. He’d been tipped off by someone in the club, which really didn’t narrow it down. Still, I had my suspicions. I was pretty positive Brad was behind it all, which made me mad. Grace had managed to mislead the reporter, though, saying there wasn’t a Leo Turner in the club but another famous Brit singer; she’d convinced him the person who called had been mistaken. It had bought us enough time to get away, but we still knew he’d be suspicious and watching, so we were being careful. I wasn’t ready for the bubble we were living in to end, not just yet.
We smiled as we saw the tiki torches the owner of the house had lit. An older lady stood on the balcony and waved. Leo looked up under the moonlight and smiled at her.
“Lainie swore her friend wouldn’t tell anyone or bother us, which is sweet. I’ll be sure to send her flowers tomorrow,” Leo said as he helped usher me to the sand. The owner’s house had a gorgeous patio and some seating on the edge of the beach, so we stayed there, the tide high since it was nighttime. Leo abandoned the blanket idea and helped me into one of the comfy seats.
I glanced around at the gorgeous setting and then at Leo. The ocean under the moonlight was always magical, but being there with him was something else entirely. I inhaled the ocean air, content in a way I wouldn’t have thought possible a few months earlier. For once, I wasn’t worrying about tomorrow or my ankle or my future. I wasn’t thinking about goodbye or what could go wrong. Instead, as he popped open the picnic basket and poured us each a glass of wine, I basked in the peaceful feeling I had and the fact that the man across from me was responsible for a large part of that.
“To us and a messy but magical summer,” Leo said, raising his glass. I held up my glass, and he walked over to clink his against it. The wine was delectable, and I sank back into my chair.
“Are you worried at all about the reporter?” I asked after taking a sip. Leo took a moment and looked out at the crashing waves.
“A little. I’m sure he figures it could be his big break with the tabloids about my whole scandal and all.” He looked over at me.
“And how are you feeling about all of that?” I asked, realizing so much had happened in such a short course of time. The tabloids had, of course, kept spreading. I’d turned on the news the day before to see more coverage of Lost Leo and his singing career debacle.
“I mean, it’s never fun to have your reputation on the line. I’m worried, if I’m being honest, that this will stick. I hate that I let my fans down, but mostly that I let myself down by not being true to who I am.”
“I’m sorry this is all such a mess,” I said, meaning it. I wished I could just let the world see Leo like I was seeing him now.
“I’m okay. I’m okay because how couldn’t I be? Being here just makes it all feel smaller somehow.”
“I’m glad,” I said. “I’m glad that you could find peace here.”
“Enough heavy talk for tonight,” Leo said. “I have a surprise for you.” His serious face from the conversation about the tabloids turned into a wide smile. I reciprocated the expression.
“I thought this was the surprise,” I replied, knowing it was more than enough to be on a private beach with him.
“I have another surprise.” He returned to the car for a moment to retrieve something. I turned to see him carrying his guitar case, confirming what I had been hoping for. I clapped my hands, leaning forward, mouth open in delight that he was going to sing for me.
“I know my music isn’t your thing, but I hope you won’t hold that against me,” he said. His fingers fumbled with the guitar strings, and if I didn’t know who he was, I’d think maybe he was a little nervous.
I opened my mouth to argue, but he just put up a hand. I was silent, settling back in. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I’d never been serenaded, and I couldn’t wait to see what song he would sing. Secretly, I’d been listening to his music more, and I had to admit it was good. Really good. Although, that could just be the connection we formed. In truth, the man could sing the restaurant menu from Tino’s to me, and I’d have it stuck in my head.
Leo looked even more nervous now, though, which seemed crazy. The man performed in front of tens of thousands of fans regularly. It was just me. Still, it took him a minute to gain his composure. He exhaled. I stared at him, etching the moment into my memory. And then he began playing a song that was nothing short of chill-inducing. Especially when I heard the chorus.
“Falling for you by the seaside,
