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I nodded, unable to speak and uncertain of what I would even say if I could.
“It looks beautiful, Tillie. Really. It’s going to be a smashing success.” He was standing near the counter now, close enough I could breathe in the cologne he wore, expensive and rugged. I glanced over, noticing he wasn’t alone. Two men in suits and dark sunglasses stood at the door, one watching Leo and one watching out the windows as if we were in a movie. A third man had walked right past me and was standing guard at the back door.
“What are you doing here?” I finally asked. My voice came out jagged and sparse.
“Well, I’ve been ringing you so often, to no avail. I thought I would come over and make sure your phone still works.”
“It’s a far trip just to see if someone’s phone works.”
“It’s not a far trip to see you,” he said, his voice softened. I looked away.
“Tillie, listen. I’m sorry for how things ended. I’m sorry I had to go back. But I had to. I had to fulfill my obligations and deal with the whole lip syncing situation. I had to get back to my career. But I feel horrible about leaving you. For a while, I thought giving you space was the best thing. My life is complicated and messy. I didn’t want to bring that on you if it’s not what you want.”
“We’re from two different worlds,” I said morosely, his security guards a visible symbol of that fact.
“I know. But the thing is, the whole time I was gone, up on that stage singing those love songs to thousands of screaming fans, well, it didn’t mean as much. It didn’t mean anything at all, really. Because I meant what I said, Tillie. I love you. I do. I loved you from the moment you fell down the stairs, as morbid as that sounds.” He cracked a smile, and I did, too, shaking my head.
“I fell in love with you because you made me feel free, made me feel alive for the first time in a long time. And it didn’t matter what we were doing. Painting class or making pizza or singing karaoke. All of it. Every second of it was just music to my soul because it was with you. It’s you, Tillie. The way you’re stubborn but also always thinking of others. The way you tuck that strand of hair behind your ear, and the way you laugh, really laugh. It’s the way you make me feel like home even when I’m halfway across the world. You make me feel worthy. I’m crazy about you. If I’m honest, I was crazy about you from the moment you woke up in that hospital ticked off about a stranger at your bed. I didn’t want a tour guide for the summer—I wanted to be near you. And the thing is, being away, it made me know without a doubt we were more than just a summer song. I love you, Tillie.”
“I love you, too, Leo. I do,” I confessed for the first time since he’d left. I had tried to convince myself it wasn’t true, but seeing him standing in front of me, hearing him speak, an undeniable warmth flooded through me. It was like home, a true home, was standing in front of me. A familiar comfort mixed with an unmatchable chemistry.
He smiled at my confession and nodded. I grew solemn.
“But we’ve already discussed this. Nothing’s changed. How would we ever work? You’re a popstar everyone knows. I’m a small-town girl with a coffee shop dream. And as much as I love you, I can’t give up everything on a whim and follow you around. I just can’t. I like to take care of myself, to earn my own way.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to give this place up. It’s amazing.”
“But you’re in London, Leo. And I’m here. An ocean away.”
“I know it won’t be easy, Tillie. But I also know we’re both stubborn enough to find a way if we want to. And I want to.”
I could see the genuine look in his eyes. I wanted it to be a movie where I ran into his arms, where I just let my heart take over. But I’d let my heart guide me before and it hadn’t worked out well.
“I don’t know how we can have a relationship with you on tour, an entire ocean away all the time.”
“But I won’t be. My UK tour is ending in a few months. And I’ve already had a meeting with my agent, manager, and my parents. Things are changing. You inspired me, how you went for the life you wanted. I talked to them about how I want to cut back on my tour dates, add some US tour dates, and how I want to be home more.”
“That’s great, Leo,” I said, truly meaning it. “I’m happy you’re taking back ownership of your life. But I don’t think you flying here all the time to see me would really give you that freedom back you wanted. You’ll be spending all your time traveling.”
“But I won’t.”
I looked at him, confused.
“The house I rented for summer is up for sale. So, I bought it.”
“What?” I asked, shocked.
He walked around the counter to stand right in front of me.
“I’m serious about this working. I know it’s going to be messy sometimes, and it’s going to take a lot of work. My life comes with complications and security guards and tabloids. But I’ve already worked on plans to minimize those issues. I bought the beach house with plans of staying here as much as I can, especially when I’m not touring. It will give us time, Tillie, to sort this out and at least try to make it work long term.”
I was speechless. I couldn’t believe he’d gone to that length for me.
“What do you say? Can we at least try it? I miss you. I want you in my life. I love you.”
I looked up into his ocean blue eyes. Leo Turner, the popstar, was standing in front of me. But as he said the words, as I saw how genuine they were, that melted away. He was just Leo Turner, the man I loved.
I stepped forward then, leaning up on my tiptoes to reach him. When I kissed him, sparks flew just like the first time—except not like the first time, too. Because this time, they were sparks for what we would build together, sparks of possibility. Leo Turner was coming to Ocean City on a more permanent basis. There would be struggles with that, sorting out how to fit into each other’s busy lives. Navigating the press and tabloids. Working on avoiding publicity when we were out together and needing more security. The world wouldn’t see us as just an ordinary couple. That would be challenging.
