Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Chapter Eight
As he walked Crystal out of the family home, Damien was both full of breakfast and also digesting the news of another of his siblings getting married. Was there something in the water in Carmel-by-the-Sea? Why had everyone suddenly decided to start settling down? Glancing at Crystal’s profile, the outline of her cute nose and the slight shine of her glossy lips, he realized he wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet. He still had a lot of catching up to do with his high school best friend.
On impulse, he said, “Do you want to go for a hike this afternoon? The weather’s perfect.”
He was answered by a cascade of rich laughter. Crystal’s laugh was one of her sexiest qualities. “Damien, in case you forgot, I have a business that doesn’t respect weekends. It’s not like I can just gallivant off whenever I feel like it.” She glanced back at the house. “Besides, I just got another job. I’ve got Mila’s wedding to plan.”
He caught a glimpse of something more than amusement in her eyes. Something whimsical. Was she also feeling the pressure of everyone around her getting hitched?
He tried out his best puppy-dog eyes. “Right, but you don’t have to start right away, do you? They haven’t even chosen a date. They could be one of those couples who stay engaged for years.”
Another beautiful burst of laughter. “Are you kidding? Mila’s one of the most decisive people I know. She’s already told me she wants to start planning right away. I bet she’s already mentally chosen a dress, a venue, and the flavor of the cake.”
“Great! That doesn’t leave you much left to plan, then.” Damien felt as though his Saturday would be ruined if Crystal didn’t hike with him. He didn’t feel like going alone, and the Davenport house was going to be wedding central for the rest of the day, if he knew Mila and the other females in his family.
Crystal glanced at the blue, blue sky, obviously tempted. “Well, I suppose a short hike wouldn’t hurt.”
“Ha! I knew I could sway you,” Damien said, happy she’d agreed, but relieved too. He really didn’t want to say goodbye.
“Only because I’m choosing to make time for my dear friend,” she replied, her tone laced with feigned grandeur.
“Great.” He glanced at his watch. “Can you be ready by one-thirty? That gives you an hour.”
“Sure. Quicker than that.”
He liked that she wasn’t going to waste time. “I’ll pick you up. I’ll figure out a route and bring snacks.”
Damien walked back into the house he’d grown up in, feeling the warmth of the sun on his shoulders. Buster had, of course, come out with him and now headed back inside. If the family dog wasn’t going to get a walk, he’d do the next best thing and curl up where the largest possible number of Davenports were gathered.
Damien followed Buster into the kitchen and the sound of excited female chattering, which for some reason raised every voice about an octave. Still, he looked at these women he loved so much and couldn’t stop smiling.
Mila wasn’t always the easiest person to get along with, as no one knew better than her brother, but he was proud of her, proud of everything she’d accomplished, proud of the woman she’d become in spite of the accident that ended her surfing career. Now she was one of the top Realtors in Carmel-by-the-Sea. And yet she’d always had a bit of a hard shell where men were concerned. She definitely liked being in control—the love-them-and-leave-them type. But somehow, Herschel Greenfield, the most unlikely candidate to steal Mila Davenport’s heart, had done just that. He wasn’t the best-looking guy in the room. He was the ultimate nerd, being a genuine rocket scientist. And yet, when those two looked at each other, a person almost had to avert their gaze. It was so intimate and so committed. They were completely in tune with each other.
Would he ever feel that way someday? The trouble was, he was globally famous. Not to be too egotistic, but there were a lot of women he could choose from. Other music stars, actresses, celebrities from all walks of life. And he’d certainly had fun with plenty of them.
But looking at Hersch and Mila, he realized that he wanted what they had. Something down-to-earth and real. He wasn’t after another celebrity hookup with someone who had as many commitments and fans as he did. He wanted somebody he could talk to about real things, things that mattered, and not always feel like he was on show. Because lately, that was how he was starting to feel—like a show pony up there on stage. Thousands of fans screaming, swaying, slipping him everything from their underwear to their phone numbers. He’d loved the life music had given him, but it hadn’t always been easy. Maybe that was why he needed this break. He needed to be home with his family in this town he loved so much. He needed to walk his dog on the beach and hang out with his best friend.