Chapter 37 Garden of Eden
Sitting outside in Mrs. Meyer’s beautiful garden made it easier for Andrea to think. Even though it was January, the weather was relatively mild. She had on her coat and gloves, but there was no need for a hat or scarf. The flowers smelled lovely, though not as fragrant as the poinsettias Case had filled her room with. She couldn’t imagine anything ever smelling more pleasant than that.
She’d been sitting out there for over half an hour before Case found her. Andrea wasn’t ignoring him on purpose, but once she’d headed outside after brunch, it had been impossible to pull her phone out of her pocket, even when it vibrated from a text.
Her picture was everywhere again. That’s why Sarah had called. That’s why she was so angry again. Andrea had yet to look at the picture of her and Case kissing at midnight, but from the passion she felt while it was happening, she thought it had to be evident in that kiss, more was going on between them than they’d admitted. It would be difficult for them to continue to deny anything was happening between them—even if she didn’t know what it was. They’d have to be honest about their feelings to their friends, families, fans, and most importantly themselves.
Case sat down next to her but didn’t speak, giving her space and time to breathe. Thoughts of leaning her head against his shoulder, of breathing him in, letting the world fall away, came to mind. That wouldn’t solve any of the problems, though.
Instead, Andrea asked, “Have you seen it?”
“The picture? Yes.”
She wasn’t sure how to phrase her next question, so she thought about it for a few minutes, watching a pair of birds flitter around each other near a lovely, large tree. They got close to each other but never quite touched, as if something invisible were keeping them apart. Andrea wondered if one of the birds had a horrible past relationship filling that void.
When she grew weary of the silence, she asked, “Did it look like it felt?”
He didn’t answer right away, so she turned to look at him. Case’s face was flushed, his lips moving as he attempted to formulate an answer. “It looked… like we are more than friends.”
She nodded. He needn’t say more. She got the picture—even if she hadn’t looked at it yet.
It was easy to fall back into a bubble of silence, so she did. So many topics needed to be discussed, but she didn’t know how to begin to talk about any of them. Thinking maybe he would begin the conversation if she didn’t, she waited.
A few more minutes went by, and then Case said, “I’m so sorry about my mother. I wish there was something I could do to stop her, but there isn’t.”
“I know.” She wouldn’t say it was okay because it wasn’t, but she was aware Case didn’t like his mother’s attitude any more than she did. “I think… I just need to get away from her.”
He nodded. “You do. Have you decided when you’d like to go back to California yet?”
Her immediate answer was, “Now. Right away. This very second.” That wouldn’t work, though. So much between them still needed to be worked out. “Soon,” was the best answer she could give.
Case shifted on the bench so that he was slightly closer to her. “When do you start filming?”
“Next Monday.” She had a few days to get home, get settled, and then she’d have to start working on the movie. After being in New York for so many weeks, returning to her home in California would be a nice change. Having Case there would make it even better, assuming he truly was who he said he was.
He cleared his throat. “Has anyone told you that they cast the role of Lysa, the second female lead?”
Andrea’s forehead scrunched. “No. I mean, I haven’t checked my phone in a while. Who….” She didn’t need to finish the question. She already knew the answer. Exasperated, she blew out a hot breath and ran her hands down her face. Sarah? Really? How could she possibly work on this movie with Sarah under foot. “I thought she was already signed to do another movie with a major company?”
“She said she can do both, that her part in your movie isn’t that big.”
Muttering a few curse words under her breath, Andrea considered how many body guards she might have to hire to avoid another incident like the last happening. “Just great.” Why did this woman insist on trying to ruin her life?
Case turned toward her and put his hand on her shoulder. “Listen, Andrea, I’m really sorry about all of this. I know Sarah only took the part because of me. I like you so much. I would really like to see where this relationship could go, but I don’t want it to be so aggravating to you that you’re unhappy all of the time. I don’t know what to do. I have a friend who lives in LA who is out of town for the next few months. He said I could stay at his place while he’s gone, so I’d be there, but you wouldn’t have to worry about rumors of us living together. I’d like to continue to get to know you, but if it’s too much for you, I understand.”
Andrea stared into his blue eyes for a long moment. He looked so sincere, like he really meant that. Was she going to let Sarah come between them? The chances that he was actually doing this for Sarah were slim. She’d sounded so mad on the phone. “Okay,” Andrea said. “Let’s give it a try.”
Case’s face lit up. “You mean that?”
“Yes. I do.”
A crooked smile slipped across his face and he leaned in to kiss her. Andrea felt her breath catch in her throat. Regardless of what the consequences might be, at the moment, this seemed like the best decision she’d ever made.
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