‘Can I get you a glass of champagne?’
‘That would be lovely, thank you.’
Gracie took in the actor’s appearance. He was wearing dark denim designer jeans, hand-stitched dark brown shoes and a crisp white shirt. His hair was cut neatly and his skin looked like an ironed peach. He looked much younger than his forty years. He looked edible.
‘As it’s such a nice evening I thought we could sit out on the terrace, have a few canapés, have a chat and then Kingston can set the table for dinner. Sound like a plan to you?’ Leo raised his eyebrows.
‘That sounds like an amazing plan to me.’ Gracie smiled, suddenly feeling shy.
‘It’s easier to eat in sometimes, what with the paps and everything.’
‘And the fact you have a girlfriend,’ Gracie added.
‘You look great, Grace. A tan suits you. And as for the girlfriend, she’s traded me in for two twenty-year-olds. But that’s life, eh.’
Gracie’s lips downturned. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Are you really?’ Leo smirked.
Gracie nodded. ‘As mad as it may seem to a man of your calibre, I can assure you the last thing I want is another one to complicate my life.’
The sun shone as they downed their champagne. After two glasses Gracie felt quite heady.
She fanned her face with her hand. ‘That’s hit the spot.’
‘Good.’ He rang a bell and Kingston appeared with a delicious plate of canapés.
Gracie ate a couple, tipped her head back and shut her eyes. ‘These are amazing!’
‘So how are you, Grace? Not so good from your previous comment, I assume. But I have to say I’ve thought a lot about you since St Lucia.’
Gracie blushed. ‘And me, you actually.’
‘Really?’ Leo smiled. Gracie bit her lip and nodded. ‘And you were so kind to let me see Jack. I will never forget that. It made me realise that actions speak louder than words or money. I can be a shallow bastard sometimes.’
‘I think we probably all can.’ Gracie reached for a canapé.
‘Being so privileged, it’s bloody hard to keep your feet on the ground. But forget all the women, fame and this—’ He panned his arm behind him. ‘The most important thing to me now is meeting Jack and trying to be a good father to him, not just financially but emotionally. Do you think your sister will ever let me in?’
‘I think she’s just worried what it will mean for Jack if word gets out that you’re his father. With the kids at school and all that sort of thing.’
Leo grinned. ‘If I was a five-year-old kid I’d think it was really cool.’
‘Maybe, but I understand Noms’s way of thinking, too.’
‘I see where she’s coming from. But maybe she could introduce me as a friend and I could get to know him? I could call myself something else. I guess he hasn’t seen any of my films?’
‘No, but your face is all over the place at the moment, now that Working it Out has hit Netflix, so I’m sure he’d pick up on it.’
‘Will you talk to her for me, Grace, please? My intentions are only good, you know that.’
He poured her another glass of champagne and pressed the bell again.
‘You ready for dinner?’
She took a sip of champagne. ‘Yes, I’d better soak this up with something substantial.’
‘I took the liberty of choosing a tasting menu, so hopefully there’s something on there you will like.’
