He gave his head a shake and focused on his surroundings. Trees lined the river on both sides, concealing the homes farther back on the properties. Piers stretched out into the water. A weeping willow dipped into the edges of the stream.
The salt marshes near the shoreline petered out to water soclear he could see fish swimming below. A sultry breeze stirred the branches above, and the salty scent of the ocean hung in the air. A seagull cried from somewhere nearby, the sound mingling with the splash of the oar dipping into the water.
He stopped rowing a minute just to relax and enjoy the moment. Drew in a deep breath and let it empty from his lungs. His chest loosened.
Until this moment he hadn’t realized how stressed he was. Between his publicity problems, the upcoming film, and (according to his dad) his mom leaving slurred voice mails on his phone, Liam had been a little tense lately.
It had been a long time since he was so far out in nature that he couldn’t hear the signs of human existence. No beeping horns or sirens. Just the whispering treetops and the gurgle of water. “It’s peaceful. The world seems so far away.”
“I kayak out here all the time. It’s my best thinking spot.”
He hoped the paparazzi wouldn’t ruin this for her. Still, it warmed him that she’d share her favorite spot with him. Their gazes tangled for a long moment. The connection stirred something in him. A longing maybe, but for what? He lifted the oars from the water and eased them forward.
“There are streams coming into the river, and you can wind your way back, taking tributaries till you get lost.”
“Have you ever gotten lost?”
“Only once and it was getting dark. I learned to pay better attention. And now I’ve been out here so many times I know my way by heart.”
He fell into a steady rhythm. “You have an amazing getaway, not to mention a pretty good workout, right in your backyard.”
She flashed a smile. “I’m a lucky girl.”
Something behind those eyes intrigued him. Made him want to ask questions. But they were virtual strangers. Two people involvedin a simple quid pro quo.She didn’t owe him personal information, and he’d gotten into the habit of playing his own cards close to his chest. The first thing you lost when you made it in Hollywood was trust in other people.
But Chloe seemed trustworthy. His mind flashed back to the garage and that tacky wedding book. He’d never had sisters. Was that a common thing young girls did? Somehow he didn’t think so. Chloe was a romantic.
He remembered the pile of diaries, complete with keyed locks, and the cute picture of her with freckles, braces, and those familiar wide blue eyes.
“What’s that look for?”
He forced an innocent expression. “Nothing.”
“You’re thinking about that stuff you found in my garage.”
“No comment.”
“Maybe I should’ve hadyousign an NDA.”
He laughed. And man, it felt good. When was the last time he’d laughed for real? The indignation on Chloe’s face only made him laugh harder. And seeing the white glitter still clinging to his forearms and hands didn’t help matters.
“Sorry, sorry,” he squeezed out, but the image of that scrapbook flashed in his mind.
Her cheeks flushed. “It’s the bridal book, isn’t it?”
“You sure had a thing for glitter. Can I see the inside of the book? Just a little peek?”
“I’m burning it when I get home.”
A moment later his laughter faded, but a smile lingered as he tried for a turn, taking a wide tributary that led back into the marsh.
Chloe’s attention was on the landscape, so he let his gaze feast on her. She appeared so young today with her hair pulled back. Some strands had escaped the ponytail and curled alongside her pinkened cheeks. She embarrassed easily and he wasn’t used tothat. The women in Hollywood... they were more likely to embarrasshim.
Hard to believe he’d met Chloe only five days ago. He enjoyed her company. She was fun and funny andreal. In fact, she was fast on her way to becoming one of his favorite people to spend time with. He felt at ease around her somehow, as if he didn’t have to impress her or be someone he wasn’t.
And unlike so many of his Hollywood friends, she’d been up front about what she wanted from him.
While he was here in Stillwater Bay, he wanted to enjoy her company. Fill some of his hours when he wasn’t working. She could swing by his place for brunch while they talked about Ledger and ran lines.
