Chapter Eighteen

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.