“Me too.” She laughed.
He set the paint can down with a leery look. “I’m not quite sure I trust you two.”
They giggled conspiratorially but didn’t comment.
“Hey up there,” called a photographer. “Smile!”
They repositioned themselves for the photograph and Mark’s arm draped across Allie’s shoulder. She leaned into him, appreciating his solidness and sexiness and lighthearted fun. She wouldn’t think an A-list actor would spend his Saturday afternoon painting over graffiti with a bunch of teenagers, and yet here he was, all strong and happy and like a dream.
The photographer snapped the picture and waved to say he was done. Allie tipped her head up to look at Mark. “You’re not what I expected.” “Is that your way of saying I’m shorter in person?”
She put her hand on his chest. “If anything, you’re a bigger man, Mark.” Mark brushed his fingers across her cheek.
“If you don’t get to work, I’m going to have to separate you two,” yelled the organizer. His tone was half-serious, half-joking, but Allie suspected he would follow through with the threat.
Mark squeezed her side. “I guess we’d better paint.”
“So long as you paint the brick and not me.” Allie rubbed her semi-wet elbow into Mark’s side.
He gave her a stern look. “Don’t start.”
Laughing, she wiggled her brush towards him and then went back to painting the brownstone building. Mark took some time to talk to Olivia and Owen. He asked about school and after-school activities and their family.
Allie was glad for a moment with her thoughts. Mark had indeed turned out to be different than she’d thought, which meant he wasn’t as different from her as she’d first believed. The heady feelings and bouts of giggling
he induced to the side, he had a way of looking at the best in people, herself included. She liked that about him, liked the way he made her feel like she was special.
She’d never been special to someone before. In a way, that was comforting, because if she been a special someone and the relationship didn’t work out, she’d be broken. She just knew that when she gave her heart away, it would have to be to a man who would guard it as closely as she had. Even with Reed, she’d never quite trusted him and kept a part of herself back.
Mark was slowly pulling at her heart, and if she wasn’t careful, he’d have her undone for sure.
OceanofPDF.com
CHAPTER TEN
Mark pulled into a spot in front of Allie’s building. There was ado not entersign taped to the glass, but a man shoved the door open from the inside.
“Are you sure you can get back in?”
Allie checked her phone. “It’s after seven and they said we could return by six, so I’m sure it’s fine.”
Mark got out of the car and retrieved her suitcase from the trunk. Allie waited, the bag of fabric hanging over her forearm. He walked with her to the front doors, taking in the street. The neighborhood wasn’t the best, but the streets were clean. The rent was probably cheap and there were kids playing stickball half a block away. The Star Café down the street flashed a neon open sign in the window. That must be the place Allie waitressed.
Allie turned and leaned against the doorframe. “Selina should have the quilt done in a week or so. She’s going to be so excited to work with this fabric.”
“Do I have to wait that long to call you?” asked Mark. He took a step closer, and Allie had to tip her chin up to look in his eyes. She’d hardly made eye contact with him at lunch yesterday and now she held his gaze— he enjoyed the closeness.
“You can call me anytime.”
“How about tomorrow?” he pressed as he set her suitcase down next to the door.
“Um …” She glanced down at her hands.
“Too soon?” He cocked his head, studying her response. He wanted to leave, walk away like some suave guy in a movie. But he couldn’t bring himself to go.
“Not at all. I turn my phone off during church services.”
Mark leaned closer and slid his hand onto her hip. “Is it too soon to do this?”
