Page 3 of The Kissing Part
She links her arm through mine. “Let’s go chat with everyone while we wait.”
I follow her to the lobby, where the author, Audrey, is surrounded by friends. This production has been a lot of Summerdale people, along with Claire’s friends from nearby Clover Park. I stand near Claire while the ladies, most of them in their forties and fifties, talk excitedly about the movie. It’s nearly all women here. I won’t meet the male lead until we start filming in the city. Claire’s the producer of this film. She’s known for women-forward movies with a large proportion of women staff. It’s unusual to have a male director on one of her films, but Levi is a friend of actor Harper Ellis, also in the movie. She highly recommended him. Levi and Harper grew up together in Summerdale.
He’s here.
Sweat breaks out on my forehead. Where’s that makeup artist when I need her? I discreetly wipe away sweat as I watch Owen approach. The pictures didn’t do him justice. He moves with the confidence of a man who knows his place in this world. Dark hair, dark eyes, and a trimmed dark beard that makes him look slightly dangerous. His white T-shirt stretches across wide shoulders and bulging biceps, and his faded jeans show off strong thighs. My pulse spikes. I underestimated what it would do to me, seeing him in person again. I can still hear his husky voice whispering in my ear. That night. That beautiful disaster of a night.
He’s intercepted by Audrey’s petite teenaged twin girls, who ask him questions. He nods at them, looking around and then zeroing in on his mom.
Claire turns to him. “Owen, you’re here.” She gives him a hug. He returns it, glancing sideways at the twin girls who followed him. They look like they’re crushing hard. I don’t blame them. He’s a stunner.
I wipe clammy hands on my black trousers. What should I say?Hi, it’s been a long time. Or maybe more upbeat.Hey, Owen, good to see you again. Will you help me out with my stalker situation and also forgive me and give me a second chance?
Hmm…stalker doesn’t exactly scream upbeat.
Gah! Why am I so nervous? We’ve both grown up enough to move past what happened. Right? Right?!
I can’t seem to get a deep breath. This was a bad idea.
“You said you had to see me right away,” Owen says to Claire. He looks around. “Where’s Frankie?”
“He’s waiting right outside,” Claire says. “Anyway, this is Harper’s hometown. She said we don’t have to worry about security here. It’s a closed set, and everyone we’re working with is a close friend.”
Owen nods and then stiffens as he suddenly notices me.
I swallow hard. Words fail me. I consider waving, but I can’t seem to move my frozen limbs.
He clenches his jaw. “If this has something to do withher, then I pass.”
Clearly he didn’t move past what happened between us. We were so young. What was I supposed to do?
I step closer, wanting him to understand. Where to start?
He crosses his arms over his chest, looking like a fortress forever closed off to me. Claire jumps in to smooth things over.
“Just listen,” she says to Owen. “Shay could use your company’s help.”
He keeps his mouth clamped shut.
“Are you a bodyguard?” one of the twin girls asks Owen.
He ignores her in favor of staring me down. I don’t look away. I know this man, at least I did. He has a good heart, a warm and loving nature. I’ve never met another man like him.
Claire gives my hand a squeeze before sending a significant look to the twin girls’ dad. He guides them away while they whisper fiercely to each other.
“Shayla has a stalker who’s determined to get to her,” Claire says.
Owen’s arms drop to his sides, his voice gruff as his dark eyes meet mine. “Tell me everything.”
He cares. My limbs feel lighter, a ray of hope shining through. It’s a start.
2
Owen
Shayla’s in trouble. My fingers itch with the need to haul her into my arms and keep her there safe. I don’t dare touch her. Instead, I incline my head for her to follow me.
We reach the front desk of the closed library.
