They both laughed.
‘Come on, let’s get out.’ Leo took her hand and handed her a dry robe.
Leo snuggled Gracie into him in the hammock.
‘I adore you, Grace. You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met before.’
‘I bet you say that to all the girls.’
He looked slightly hurt. ‘I’m being serious.’
‘Oh, Leo. I think you’re a beautiful person, too, but me and you? It just wouldn’t work.’
‘Why not?’
‘Look at you and look at me.’
‘Just a boy looking at girl… just wanting her to love him… OK, I know that wasn’t strictly original either but take the external out of the equation, Grace. There is nothing not to like about you. The whole you. Grace Davies, the complete package.’
Gracie sighed deeply. ‘You’d soon want to take on a younger, prettier model.’
‘I’ve been with most of them.’
‘Oh, have you now.’ Gracie laughed.
‘You know what I mean, Grace. I know for sure that isn’t what I want now. It’s bad enough having one narcissist in a relationship.’ He dramatically lifted his arm in the air.
Gracie managed a smile. ‘I can’t have children.’
‘I have one. In fact, he shares your blood, which may sound a bit creepy, but it makes me all the happier.’
‘Happier as you know you’ll get to see him more?’
‘No way! If that’s what you think, you’re wrong. I tell you, Grace, I like you for all the right reasons. Short of putting a ring on your finger, I’m not sure what to say to you.’
‘What film is that from?’
‘It was straight from the actor’s mouth, completely un-romantic and un-scripted, for once.’ Leo leant into her. ‘Come to Vegas with me tomorrow, Grace. We can go to the Little White Chapel and Elvis can marry us.’
‘Stop it now. We’ve only met each other three times.’ Gracie shook her head.
‘That’s all it took.’ He took her hand.
‘I’ve got my Miscarriage Matters session.’
‘Cancel it.’ He picked up her hand and kissed it. ‘Sorry, I know how important that is to you. ‘I’m filming for two months, Grace. Come with me.’
Gracie shook her head. ‘So you wouldn’t have time to see me anyway.’
She reached up to his lips to kiss him. Their lips fitted together perfectly. She always felt that if your kissing was compatible, then it was a sign of whether a relationship would work or not.
‘I want to make love to you. I’ve never wanted to make love to anyone more than you in my life.’ Leo kissed her forehead.
She smiled up at him. ‘This is so romantic, so amazing, that it feels too good to be true. I can’t accept that it is real. Go to Vegas. I will carry on with my normal life. When you come and see Jack again, let’s see each other again and see how we feel. I want you to be absolutely sure that you mean what you say. The thought of making love to you takes my breath away but, for once, I’m thinking ahead. I still have healing to do and I want to make sure that I’m not being swept away by the moment. Do you understand?’
‘Reluctantly, I do.’ Leo nodded. ‘But I’m coming to see you the moment I finish filming, you hear me.’
‘I hear you, Mr Film Star. Come on, let’s go to bed.’
