Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
“Damn, those were some great rides,” Damien said, his black hair slicked back, dark eyes sparkling. “I can’t believe how much I’ve missed this.”
Erin turned to smile at Arch. “You’ll be back on the board soon,” she said, just as Tessa had earlier. His youngest sister always thought about other people’s feelings.
Tessa and Erin were right. Between his determination and Tessa’s guidance, he’d be out there soon, chasing the perfect wave with her.
* * *
“You did well walking on the sand,” Tessa praised as they made their way back to his house.
“Thanks,” he said, holding the front door for her. But then had to add, “Although walking on sand doesn’t seem like great progress when there are waves to surf.”
“Trust me, you are doing incredibly well.”
“Thanks to you. And I don’t want to waste any more time whining. So what’s the plan?” he asked in a deliberately sexy voice. “Some more rehab therapy? Or, after yesterday’s successful workout in the pool, maybe we could try out the bed for some new moves?”
She was about to answer when she heard a male voice calling Arch’s name. She’d become accustomed to his family coming in without knocking, but this was a voice she didn’t recognize. When a couple walked into the living room, she was so surprised, she blinked as though she were seeing things.
To her total disbelief, there stood Smith Sullivan, the world’s hugest movie star. And with him was his beautiful wife, Valentina.
“I hope you don’t mind us dropping over like this,” Smith said. “We’re staying at Ian’s place. How’s the leg? I see you’re out of the cast.”
Tessa knew almost as much about Smith Sullivan’s career as she had about Arch’s before she’d met him in real life. Like Arch, Smith came from a big family. She was pretty sure that the Ian he referred to was his cousin Ian Sullivan, a billionaire who apparently had a house nearby. Smith Sullivan was a year or two older than Arch, with dark eyes, a masculine jaw, and a physique to make his fans sigh.
Valentina was lean and tall and equally gorgeous. Her thick hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her hazel eyes shone behind her glasses. She was wearing a dress the color of pearls, but it was the glow of happiness on her high cheekbones and full lips that really wowed Tessa. She’d seen them both on TV before, of course, but up close, the famous couple were even more dazzling.
Among the three Hollywood heavyweights, she felt damp and sandy and so very ordinary.
Smith and Arch embraced like the old friends they were, clapping each other on the back. “My leg’s getting better every day,” Arch answered.
Then he introduced Tessa.
“Hello,” Valentina said. She extended a hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. I heard that you’re coming to the Moonrise awards ceremony. I hope we can sit together. It’s always good to know a friendly face at these Hollywood events.”
Tess took a deep breath and tried to swallow down her anxiety. These were Arch’s friends, and she’d be sitting at a table with them all. They were so close, they were able to wander right into his house without calling, and Arch was thrilled to see them.
She felt like she might need to breathe into a paper bag in a minute.
She put on her best breezy smile, the one she reserved for her most stubborn clients, and shook Valentina’s hand warmly. “It’s nice to meet you too,” she said. “I’ll be accompanying Archer to make sure he’s steady on his feet and feeling up to presenting the award.”
Was that a little flicker of amusement on Valentina’s face, as though she’d already guessed that Tessa and Arch weren’t just caregiver and client?
Thankfully, Arch diffused the moment by saying, “I’m so glad you could meet Smith and Valentina here, so you’ll already know them when we sit together at Moonrise. It’s going to be a great night.”
From what Tessa knew about Valentina, she was a fascinating woman. Sister to the movie star Tatiana Landon, she was also her business manager, as well as a screenwriter. Her wedding to Smith Sullivan had been the subject of much Hollywood speculation, but Valentina herself had remained quite private, which Tessa really respected. How had Valentina managed to stay out of the limelight? Granted, Tessa had only just met her, but she got the feeling that Valentina definitely wasn’t with Smith for fame and celebrity.
Arch motioned for everyone to take a seat in the living room, and Tessa offered coffee and tea. “I’ll help,” Valentina said quickly and joined Tessa in the kitchen. “Do you mind if I have an herbal tea?” She moved around the kitchen with ease, knowing exactly where things were kept.
“I’ll have some too,” Tessa said. “I’ve had too much coffee today.”