Chapter Sixteen

Adeline picked up her phone from the nightstand. Four-thirty. It was much too early to be awake, but there was no way she was going to be able to go back to sleep. Today would be the first day Amaretto would be filmed inside her store. Which would mean seeing Eli Hunt. She hadn’t seen him over the past week but had known they’d been filming out on the road by the diner, because they’d blocked it all off and she couldn’t get through to buy her dinner. And then she’d been grumpy about it, so Caleb and Bree had invited her to eat dinner at their place instead.

But as much as she tried being annoyed about the fact that, like the road to the diner, her store would be shut down for the next couple of weeks, she was having a hard time managing it. It was partly because she knew she was being compensated more than fairly for the inconvenience. And the other part?

Adeline wouldn’t admit it had anything to do with Eli. So what, he was good looking. And he was surprisingly down to earth, unlike his costar. Just thinking about Daisy made Adeline’s skin crawl.

And on that happy note, rather than looking forward to the full day of filming, she now dreaded it. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Adeline clicked on her lamp. The day’s filming schedule sat next to it, and she glanced at the time she needed to be “on set.” AKA at the same place she went every morning. Her shop.

Hmm. Seven-thirty.

She supposed it wouldn’t hurt to be early. Three hours was a bit excessive, but she should probably whip up a batch of truffles. Judging from what she’d seen over the past few days, she’d still be selling plenty, she just wouldn’t have any time to make them.

As she slipped into a pair of jeans and a navy-blue blouse, her phone chimed with a new text. Adeline glanced at the screen, wondering who would be crazy enough to be up so early.

It was Leanne. Of course. Adeline wondered if her friend ever slept nowadays with all the bed and breakfast’s rooms filled, plus juggling her screenwriting. Thank goodness her sister Jules was around to help their parents, but even she’d been busy with waitressing part time at a high-end burger joint on the edge of town. In the off season, she usually didn’t work the second job, but with the presence of Eli Hunt and his movie, everything had been turned on its head.

There are rumors on the set. Are they true?

Uh, oh. It didn’t take much speculation to figure out what types of rumors Leanne was referring to. Not if they were happening on the set of Amaretto and about Adeline. Especially because she hadn’t even been on set yet. Adeline decided to feign innocence.

What rumors?

Leanne didn’t reply right away, and Adeline busied herself with getting ready for the day.

How about the one where you and Eli are dating? Or at least snogging.

Since when did Leanne use words like snogging? Since Eli Hunt had gone full British, that was when. She wondered how people had found out. Had Eli told them? She doubted it, considering it seemed to have been a one-night thing. A moment of weakness for both of them. But now the status quo had been restored, and they were back where they belonged—Eli as the famous method actor, and Adeline as chocolate shop assistant #2.

No, we’re not dating. I haven’t even seen the bloke since the day we had to wear the chicken costumes.

Oh, great. Now she was going British. Eli had been a bad influence on their little community.

Too bad. I think he’d be perfect for you.

A second passed before Leanne added, Mostly.

Adeline didn’t respond to that one. Because she had kind of thought so too. For a hormone-induced moment. And then it had passed and reality had settled in, and life had returned to how it should have been all along. Except, she was currently on her way to her store, where Eli would be, filming a movie. Which wasn’t at all how it was supposed to be.

Guilt settled in her stomach. Adeline hadn’t kept her promise to her mom. But then again, neither had her mom. Her mom had only managed to stay away from the Hollywood life until Adeline left for college. Whether she had been impatiently waiting for the right moment was anyone’s guess, but Adeline suspected that once her mom had gotten over Adeline’s father, she’d begun missing the fame and money that Hollywood brought with her marriage. Adeline had lost track of which husband her mom was now on. Number four. Maybe five. No, definitely four. Her mom had broken off the engagement to the last one a few months earlier.

She didn’t understand how her mom could give up everything Starlight Ridge had to offer and go running back to that insanity. Hollywood men weren’t stable, they weren’t husband material. Her mom always insisted she’d found one who was different. And then she’d always ended up heartbroken. And searching for the next one.

That wasn’t the life for Adeline.

She steeled herself for what the day would bring. The lights. The cameras. Eli.

Just four months. She could do this.

The lights flickered on in Adeline’s shop, and she breathed in the scent of chocolate. When she’d first opened the store, she’d thought she’d get used to it after a while, or even sick of it, but neither had happened. It smelled like home. After placing her purse behind the counter, she went into the back and began prepping to make a batch of mint truffles. She’d made them so often, she didn’t have to look at the recipe anymore, and Adeline fell into the familiar rhythm.

Adeline’s fingers itched to turn on some music, but there would be no reggae music this morning. Not at 5:00 a.m. Even she had standards.

She had just begun adding the cream to a giant saucepan when a faint knocking caught her attention, like someone was at the front door. She glanced at the clock that hung on the opposite side of the room. 5:20. Frowning, she grabbed a large spoon that was as long as her arm, as if that could protect her from whoever was outside her store so early.

Adeline crept toward the doorway that led to the front of the store, then poked her head around the corner. A large shadowy figure stood on the other side of the door. Yeah, that wasn’t creepy. She raised the large spoon higher.

But then the figure shifted, and the light from her shop illuminated his face.

Eli Hunt.

Adeline released a long sigh and lowered the spoon. It took a moment for her pulse to slow, but once it did, she realized how silly she probably looked. If someone had really posed a threat to her or her store, they wouldn’t have knocked. And they wouldn’t have felt threatened by a spoon.

She unlocked the front door. “You couldn’t wait a couple of hours for your early morning chocolate fix?” she asked Eli as she opened the door wide while motioning for him to come in. He looked just as good as she remembered. Better, even. It took her a second to realize why. Eli was in full-on Benjamin mode. Everything from the leather jacket to his shoes was perfectly coordinated. Even his hair had been meticulously designed to emulate bedhead, seemingly held in place by a strong gel.

Eli grinned and stepped past her. “Couldn’t sleep, and I saw the light on. I thought maybe the crew had come early to get set up, and I thought I’d help.”

“Sorry, no crew here. Just me.”

She wished she could come up with a reason for Eli to stay but came up blank. He didn’t seem in a hurry to leave, though, instead shifting his weight, his gaze bouncing around the store, like he too was trying to find a reason to spend more time with Adeline.

Of course, that was her own wishful thinking. In actuality, he was probably trying to think of a tactful way to excuse himself and leave.

Adeline inwardly groaned, frustrated with herself. Why did she have to go and make out with Eli Hunt? They couldn’t even look at each other now.

After another moment of awkward silence, Adeline said, “So…you’re more than welcome to wait around for the crew, but I actually have a batch of truffles that I need to finish in the back.”

She expected Eli to say that he’d leave and come back a couple of hours later when they were expected on set. True to her expectations, he adjusted his weight, like he was about to take a step toward the door, but then surprised her by turning to face her fully.

Eli held her gaze. All nervousness seemed to have vanished. “Will you teach me how you make your truffles?”

Adeline studied him for a moment. Was this Benjamin who was asking, or Eli? Judging by the accent, it was Benjamin. “Are you sure that’s wise?” She didn’t bring up the rumors that Leanne had texted her about that morning, but from Eli’s hesitation, he already knew. His cheeks had taken on a pinkish hue, and he gave her what seemed an embarrassed shrug.

“Probably not. But will you teach me anyway?”

And then he gave her a hopeful smile, and it was so endearing that Adeline kicked her rational side to the curb. Told it to come back later. Or not. She really didn’t care if her rational side ever returned.

Adeline nodded toward the back of the store. “Right this way.”

Adeline had to laugh when they entered her work area. She’d gotten used to how things were set up, but Eli was looking around like he’d just stepped into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. His expression was full of awe as he slowly took it in.

“Everything is so…big.”

She smiled as she picked up where she’d left off, adding the sugar into the giant mixing bowl. “Good thing too, if I’m going to keep up with you and your crew’s chocolate consumption. Seriously, I’m going to have to put a limit on y’all, or you’re going to give yourselves diabetes. Especially that lovely leading lady of yours.”

Eli didn’t miss the sarcasm, and he laughed. “I know Daisy can be a bit…intense. But she’s a talented actress.”

“Intense? I was going for something along the lines of rude, condescending, vindictive…” Adeline stopped. Why was she saying all this to Eli, like they were equals? Daisy and Eli existed in the same universe, not Adeline. And everything she’d just said would probably come out around the proverbial water cooler. “Please don’t tell her I said all of that.” So far, Daisy had only treated her poorly over some chocolate truffles. But they were going to be working together, and Adeline could only imagine what the woman would do if she found out how little Adeline thought of her.

Eli laughed and waved a hand through the air, putting her at ease. “Everyone already knows Daisy is all of those things. It’s not exactly news.” He walked over to where she was removing the saucepan from the giant burner and adding a bag of chopped chocolate. “That…is a lot of chocolate.”

“Yes, it is. Turns out that the mint truffles are your guys’ favorite, with the dark chocolate chile truffles as a close second.”

“Really? You’re sure it’s the chile chocolate they like?” The actor seemed taken aback that anyone could actually like the spicy concoction.

Adeline playfully nudged him as she waited a couple of moments for the chocolate to begin melting in the hot cream. “My empty shelves don’t lie.”

Oh, gosh, was she flirting? Adeline’s arm still tingled from where she had touched him with it. And Eli didn’t seem to mind, instead smiling. His gaze was soft, and it turned Adeline’s insides all gooey.

No, no, no. This was bad. Her rational side jumped back into play, surveying the damage, as if trying to figure out how to fix things. But it no longer had control and was easily vanquished.

“Would you like to take a turn?” she asked Eli, offering him a large whisk. “If you want to help me get this smooth, I’ll add the butter and the peppermint extract.”

Eli moved to take the whisk, but paused, his fingers brushing Adeline’s. “You’re sure you trust me with this?”

No. Adeline wasn’t sure about anything nowadays. “It depends…” she said, her words slow. For the past couple of weeks, she’d been trying to reconcile the man that Eli portrayed himself to be and the man that he really was. And instead of becoming easier, it had only gotten harder. “The small fence that you erected on the beach, proclaiming the area inside as Jessie’s spot.” She paused, then allowed her gaze to find his. Looking into his eyes, she tried to ignore the excited patter of her heart. “Why did you do it?”

Eli’s lips quirked up at the edges. “Because she deserved something nice.”

That was true, Jessie did. She served the town a hundred times more than she received in return. If anyone deserved something nice, it was her. But Eli hadn’t known any of that when he’d constructed the fence—he couldn’t have. As Adeline studied him, searching for the answer, a realization struck her. Despite his frustrating acting methods, Eli was just a genuinely nice person. It wasn’t exactly newsworthy, and it wouldn’t be splashed across the front page of a magazine, but Eli had recognized someone who had a need, and he was able to fulfil it. Just like with the broken door at the bed and breakfast. And joining her for the chicken dance. Just like with everything since he’d arrived in Starlight Ridge.

Adeline placed the whisk in his hand and closed his fingers around it. “I trust you.”

That statement should have scared her—should have sent her running from the room, panicking. Adeline had never thought she’d say she trusted a Hollywood megastar.

But strangely, it didn’t scare her, and she didn’t run.

Instead, she held the whisk with Eli, showing him how to get the quick movements that would give them the texture they needed. To stand at the right angle, she found she needed to adjust her position, so she stood just behind him, one hand resting lightly on his back as she leaned forward, helping him get the desired motion. Eli wasn’t wearing his usual cologne this morning, and she found that his natural scent seemed to be pineapple and…sea salt. It was a combination that enticed her, left her wanting more.

When everything was well mixed and smooth, Adeline knew she should step back so she could get the mixture into the fridge to cool for a few hours. But just the thought made her miss his presence, even with him still standing so close.

And that scared her.

Adeline moved back so fast, she nearly sent the bowl tumbling.

Eli glanced at her over his shoulder, his brows knit in confusion as he steadied the bowl. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah, just…tripped,” she said, offering him a sheepish smile.

He turned to face her. “If I did something—”

“You didn’t,” she interrupted, her words quick. She glanced at the clock on the wall, not really seeing the time, just going through the movement. “We better get this in to cool. The crew will be here soon.”

Eli looked at the clock. “I doubt they’ll be here for at least another hour.”

She did a double take. Oh. It had only been fifteen minutes since Eli’s arrival. How had time slowed? Or was it that every minute with Eli seemed to be an eternity, and at the same time, not long enough? Okay, this was getting ridiculous. Adeline did not do sappy, but here she was, practically writing a ballad.

“I guess you’re right,” she said, turning back to the large mixing bowl. “All the same, we should probably get this in.”

Eli moved forward, as if to help her carry it. But rather than lift the bowl, his hands rested on hers. “Thank you,” he said, his voice soft. “For showing me what you do back here, and what you have to do to keep your shop running. Even if Daisy doesn’t take the time, it’s been very helpful for me—helps me to understand her character better.”

Right. A movie. That was why Eli, AKA Benjamin, was here, and why he was standing incredibly close to her. For research. She’d need to keep reminding herself of that.

Adeline slipped her hands from under his and wanted to tell him she was happy to help out but she would take things from here. When she stepped back to give herself some space, though, her movements were so quick and chaotic that she stumbled backwards. Eli wrapped an arm around Adeline, keeping her from falling, and she placed a hand on his chest, steadying herself.

“I…” She didn’t know how to finish the sentence. Pineapple and sea salt and his intoxicating eyes muddled her brain.

And then she was moving in. Quickly. And there didn’t seem to be anything she could do about it. It was as if her brain were on autopilot and she was just along for the ride. Her lips landed on his, and he didn’t pull away.

Great. They were kissing. Again. Something she’d determined to not repeat.

Until…

“Miss Baker,” a man called from just outside the doorway. “The door was unlocked and…”

Adeline and Eli shot apart, and she couldn’t bring herself to look at the actor. With a quick glance at where the voice had come from, she saw the doorway was empty. Whoever it had been must have seen her and Eli and then promptly disappeared.

Adjusting her blouse, though it had no need for it, Adeline grabbed the large bowl of ganache and crossed the room to place it in the industrial-size refrigerator.

By the time she turned back to where she and Eli had stood, he had also vanished, leaving her alone. The room had never felt larger, or emptier.