All he knew was that he desperately wanted to talk to Adeline, but her gaze held the guarded mistrust that he’d noticed when they had first met, weeks ago.
They were back to square one.
Daisy was raising an eyebrow, like she was prompting him to say something.
This was why Eli was supposed to be in character all the time. If he had been, he’d have known what to say, even if it wasn’t exactly right. He might be terrible at memorizing lines, but he was exceptionally talented at becoming someone else.
Except for right now. And every day since he’d come to Starlight Ridge.
This wasn’t working. He was trying to play too many roles at the same time, and Benjamin seemed to be losing.
“Cut,” Christopher yelled. He approached Eli and lowered his voice. “Is everything all right?”
Eli began to shake his head but then morphed it into a nod. “Yes. Sorry. I… I’m good.”
Christopher frowned. “You sure? Because if something is going on that we need to take care of, let’s do it now. I doubt your castmates would like this to turn into an eighteen-hour day.”
Something that needed to be taken care of, or someone.
Guilt tugged at Eli. He knew the agony of a long day all too well, but it had always been someone else who had slowed production. Never him. Until now.
“I know.”
Christopher gave him a hard stare, then released a long sigh, his features relaxing. “I know you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the production of this movie, so I’m going to trust you on this one. But if changes need to be made and distractions need to be removed, now’s the time.”
Distractions like Adeline.
“I’m good,” Eli said, and grinned, as if that would prove it.
With a quick shake of his head, Christopher walked away. “Let’s try that again,” he yelled.
Eli threw a glance in Adeline’s direction as he walked toward the front door, but she was already disappearing into the back, her arms full of the prop boxes.
“Really, Eli?” Daisy said from her place behind the counter. “I’d have expected better from you.”
At first Eli thought she was referring to his performance, but then she nodded toward the doorway where Adeline had disappeared.
Eli hated to think that he agreed with Daisy on anything, but this was something he couldn’t argue against. He knew that starting something up with Adeline had been a terrible idea. But of course, that would be in character for him. Most everything that Benjamin did was a bad idea.
18
It was nearly midnight when Adeline slipped out the back of her store, wanting nothing more to do with cameras or lights or actors. She’d known that the filming process would be long and arduous and even monotonous. What she hadn’t expected was how difficult it would be to work so close to Eli, and yet at the same time feel like she was on a completely different planet.
Of course, she only had herself to blame. How dumb had she been, kissing him like that? He had probably laughed about it afterward with that director, Christopher, and Daisy. When she had seen how close those two had been on set, she’d nearly walked out.
But she’d made a commitment and signed a contract.
So, here she was. Exhausted and angry at herself.
Adeline rounded the building. The road was dark. Normally there would be wreaths, bells, and other varieties of Christmas decorations hanging from the streetlamps, all lit up. And they’d never missed a year of having their huge lighting festival, when the Christmas tree would be erected just off the boardwalk. Except this year. The movie was supposed to take place during the spring. When there were no Christmas decorations.
And so, their town was left without.
Of course, Eli and Christopher and the rest of them hadn’t thought about what that would mean for their town. The only indication that Thanksgiving was over and Christmas was fast approaching were the decorations Adeline had begun to hang in her own home the previous week. And even that wasn’t finished.
Adeline was walking across the road that would lead her to her small house when someone called her name.
She glanced over her shoulder and groaned.
Under a streetlamp, she could make out the figure of Eli Hunt hurrying toward her. Of course.
Adeline kept walking, but he jogged to catch up. “Are you in need of more truffle-making lessons?” she asked when he drew near.
Truffles. Oh, shoot. The ganache was still in the fridge. If she pulled it out in the morning and left it on the counter, it would probably be warm enough to use by the time they finished filming the following day.
“No. I just wanted to tell you how well you did on your first day of filming,” he said. “You’re a natural.”
Not the compliment she had expected, or wanted. “I carried around boxes all day. Not a lot of talent involved with that.” What had amazed her, though, was how someone as mean-spirited as Daisy could completely transform into a delightful and sweet person that Adeline could see herself wanting to be friends with. And there had been no method acting needed.
Eli placed a hand on Adeline’s arm as she approached her house. It startled her, and she slowed to a stop.
“I feel like we need to talk about what’s going on here,” he said, stepping around her so they faced each other. Thankfully his eyes were shrouded by the darkness; otherwise, she’d probably start kissing him again. And they couldn’t have that.
Adeline released a heavy breath. “What is there to say? Your character has a thing for chocolate-shop owners. You’ve channeled his aura, or whatever. I get it.”
Eli was already shaking his head. His accent dropped. “No, you don’t get it. I’m only supposed to care about one chocolate-shop owner. But when I’m talking with her, I’m thinking about you. I get my lines all mixed up or forget them completely, because I can’t get your laugh out of my head, or how your brow furrows when you’re feeling extra competitive. Your kisses taste like chocolate, and you protect your friends fiercely against anyone who might cause them pain. Including me. And when you hear me speaking in Benjamin’s accent, it’s only because I’m desperately trying to figure out how to both do my job and keep you close. But there isn’t an ounce of Benjamin left in me.” He paused. “And I don’t know what to do about it.”
Adeline stared at Eli, who was breathing heavily, as if his declaration had taken everything out of him. “I…” Her gaze dropped. She didn’t know how to finish that—what to say. Because that was the most perfect thing anyone had ever said to her, and she felt herself falling for Eli. And she didn’t want to. The fact of the matter was that Adeline was scared—terrified, actually.
Of becoming her mother.
Of choosing someone who would leave her.
What if this was a rebound thing for the actor? His wife had recently left him, so it wasn’t a crazy notion.
When she glanced up again, Eli was watching her. And with each passing moment of silence, he seemed more unsure—more pained. Could Eli Hunt really be interested in someone like her?
“It’s okay. I understand,” he finally said, his gaze dropping as he turned away.
Adeline knew she had to stop him from walking away, but she wasn’t ready for a bold declaration of feelings. She was still figuring out what hers were—and if his could be trusted. The only thing she could think to say was, “Can I make you a cup of tea?” The words came out fast, and desperate. “I noticed Christopher brought you a cup several times today. I don’t have black, like you prefer it, but I do have several options you can choose from. Do you like chamomile? Or lemon and honey?” She knew she was rambling, but she didn’t want to leave things. Not like this.
He turned back slowly, his gaze curious. After a moment, his lips twitched up. “I have a confession to make. I…” He took a slow breath, like he was trying to muster up the courage. “I can’t stand tea. In fact, just the thought of drinking another cup of tea makes me feel like I’m going to vomit.”
/> Adeline stared for a moment, before bursting into laughter. “Why on earth do you drink it, then?” Realization dawned the second she’d finished the question. “Benjamin prefers it.”
He shuffled his feet, like he was embarrassed. “It sounds stupid when you say it like that, but yes. Benjamin prefers it.”
“And…does that make you a better actor?” She didn’t mean the question to be rude, but she was genuinely curious. Did drinking and eating like a certain person help you understand them better?
Eli’s brows furrowed as he thought for a moment. “Can I get back to you on that?”
She smiled. “Sure. But in the meantime, it’s freezing out here. How about you come in for some hot chocolate instead.”
“Do you have the little candy canes? And little marshmallows? Ooh, maybe some caramel as well?” Eli kept the questions coming as he followed her up the drive and into the house.
She finally had to stop him after he asked about the Lucky Charms. “Yes, I have all of that. But please tell me you don’t put all that in a single mug of hot chocolate. You’d have so much stuff crammed in there, it wouldn’t even be hot chocolate anymore.”
Eli leaned against the wall, his ankles crossed as she shut the door. “Nah, I like mine plain. Just the hot chocolate, please.”
Adeline hung her keys on a hook by the door, then dropped her arms in exasperation, though laughing at the same time. “Then why did you want to know if I had all that stuff?”
Eli grinned. “Just curious. I want to know what kind of woman Adeline Baker is.”
“And what is your determination?”
“You’re adaptable. And trust me, that’s a very good thing when you’re dealing with the film industry. Did you notice that you were given nothing but tentative dates on your schedule, and your call time for tomorrow morning changed three times?”
She nodded slowly, trying to keep his compliment from going to her head. So what, the famous Eli Hunt thought that Adeline was adaptable. That wasn’t the type of thing most women would swoon over. “Well, thank goodness I passed your test. I’d hate to think what would have happened if I’d only had stale marshmallows,” she teased.
Eli’s smile slipped, and he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I wasn’t giving you a test.”
Seemed like she’d hit on a sore spot. As confident as he usually presented himself, there were moments like these when he seemed desperate for approval. And Adeline hated to think she’d done or said anything that made him feel that way around her.
Adeline brightened, knowing that one mug of her hot chocolate would smooth everything over. “You might have to move a couple of boxes, but make yourself comfortable,” she called over her shoulder as she bustled into the kitchen and started grabbing ingredients. Chocolate chips. Check. Milk. Check. Cocoa Powder. Check.
She paused, smiling.
Eli Hunt wasn’t going to know what hit him.
19
Eli looked over the room for a place to sit. It didn’t look much different than when he’d last been there. The Christmas tree was still bare, and boxes still littered the couch. Adeline had mentioned that business in her store had picked up since the film crew had arrived, and he’d discovered her making chocolates a little after five o’clock that morning, which meant little time for decorating.
Rather than move the boxes, he began to unload them. First things first—Christmas music. Oh, right. His phone was at the bottom of a drawer in his trailer. So he hummed instead. “Silent Night” seemed a good one to start with.
He continued the melody as he turned his attention to the Christmas tree. It looked so sad, bare and alone in the corner.
Most of the boxes held lights and ornaments of some kind, and he was unsure which ones Adeline preferred for the tree. He decided to go with the box that also held a tree skirt. Except, that one held ornaments that were bright pink. And the blue ones? Crikey. They were so bright, he wondered if he should be wearing sunglasses as he decorated. Surely she wouldn’t want him to decorate her tree with those ones.
Eli wondered if he should ask her first, but wandering into the kitchen felt like an intrusion. He sniffed the air. That hot chocolate smelled amazing, better than anything he ever made. Usually he just stuck a mug of water into the microwave for a minute, added a packet of hot chocolate powder, and called it a day.
Adeline appeared a moment later, two steaming mugs in hand, and caught him examining the ornaments as he tried to decide what to do. She smiled as she took in the scene, a flicker of guilt passing across her face. “I’ve been meaning to get around to it all week, but time flew by and I never had the chance.”
“No worries,” Eli said, then he hung a bright pink ornament near the top of the tree and showcased it for her, like he was a gameshow model. “What do you think?”
He thought Adeline would laugh and tell him there was no way those ornaments were going on the tree. Instead, she nodded in approval.
“Looks great. We just have to get the lights on first.”
His gaze swiveled between the pink ornament and Adeline. “You…want the pink ornaments on the tree?”
She nodded, her eyes bright, as if she were imagining what it would look like when they were finished. “I like to alternate the pink with the blue and white ones.” Adeline held a mug out to him. “You don’t have to help me decorate, though. You’ve had a crazy long day, and I know you have to be up early again. I appreciate the thought, though.”
Eli placed the blue ornament back in the box and took the mug from her. “I’m no busier than you are.”
She gave a small shrug. “The decorations will go up one way or another. I always make time for the little things. They’re what counts.” She paused. “You have an amazing voice, by the way. And ‘Silent Night’ is one of my favorites.”
The little things. Like hot chocolate after midnight on a cold December night. And an acapella version of “Silent Night” while hanging florescent pink ornaments.
Eli looked down at the dark, thick liquid in his mug. Without even tasting it, he could tell this was not made from a packet. “You just whipped this up from scratch?”
Adeline grinned, like she knew how impressive that was but didn’t want to admit it out loud. “You wanted hot chocolate, correct?”
“Yes, but…well, this is pretty amazing.”
Adeline gave an embarrassed smile, like it hadn’t been a big deal. Like she hadn’t already been on her feet all day, and then spent more time in the kitchen. “It’s easy to make.” She glanced around the room, and calm seemed to settle over her. “Besides, it fits my mood.”
Eli blew on his hot chocolate, nervous the first sip would be way too hot. “Are you going to decorate the outside of your home as well?”
Adeline’s smile dipped as she stirred her hot chocolate with a candy cane. “That’s not a choice I’ve been given. Normally, by now we’ve had a big town event where we erect a giant Christmas tree next to the boardwalk, and Christmas decorations are hung from the streetlamps. The shop owners usually decorate their front windows, and our homes look like they’ve been bedazzled.” She took a sip from her mug, looking thoughtful. “When you live next to the ocean, it can be easy to forget that the holidays are upon us, so we make sure we don’t miss out.”
“But then why…” He gestured toward outside, where there were obviously none of those things she’d just mentioned.
“Because of the contract you had some government official sign. Someone who doesn’t even live in Starlight Ridge.” Her gaze remained on the liquid in her mug as she sat down on the arm of the couch. “Your story takes place in the spring, which means no decorations. No pine trees. No Christmas.”
Oh, right. He hadn’t been the one to draw up the contract; a lawyer had done that part. But Eli had a faint recollection of the “no Christmas decorations” section.
Adeline’s gaze lifted, her eyebrows scrunched together. “Didn’t you read your own contract?”
Eli hesita
ted. “I…read the important parts.” He paused, realizing how that must have come across. He quickly added, “Not that prohibiting the town from decorating for Christmas wasn’t important. But, you see, it was a ton of pages. I mean, you saw the contract you needed to sign just for us to use your store. Now imagine one that covered the entire town.”
Adeline did not seem impressed. She placed her mug down on the coffee table in front of her. “Yeah, that’s part of the job.”
This wasn’t going well. It was late and had been a long day, and Eli apparently shouldn’t be doing this when so tired. In an effort to buy him a moment to regroup, he took a sip of hot chocolate.
The sweet liquid made Eli sit up straight. “You really made this from scratch?”
“I do work with chocolate for my profession.”
Right. Eli’s cheeks heated with embarrassment as he continued to drink. It was the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted. But he couldn’t use it to avoid the topic of discussion forever. After a long pause, he said, “There are some things I do for my job, and there are others that I delegate. With my dyslexia, well, I usually let others do most of the reading.”
Adeline nodded thoughtfully, then picked up her mug and drained the last of the hot chocolate, like she was trying to get every last drop. When she lowered the mug, she had a thin layer of chocolate above her lip. It was endearing. “I suppose it doesn’t matter now, because there’s no changing the contract.” She gathered up the mugs and took them to the kitchen.
To Eli’s relief, when she returned, her eyes were bright once again. “Even though I know we have to be up for work in like five hours or something, Christmas is only twenty-three days away, and I haven’t had any time to enjoy it yet.” She then pulled her phone from her pocket and rapidly touched the screen. It wasn’t more than a moment later that Christmas music flooded the room. “If I fall asleep on Daisy in the morning, kindly wake me up, and then save me from her wrath.” She then reached into the same box that held the pink ornaments and pulled out a strand of Christmas lights.
Starlight Love Page 14
