The Redhead Revealed (Redhead #2)(15)
Author: Alice Clayton

“I don’t know, I sing for you all the time,” I protested, trying to make light of it.

“No, not like that. I’m truly in awe. Not only are you sexy beyond belief, your talent is just, well, I am actually speechless!” he exclaimed, prattling on like a silly schoolboy.

“I’m glad you got to see some of what I’ve been working on. I really hope you can come back for the previews,” I said. “They should be in between your premieres.”

“Grace, I wouldn’t be anywhere but the front row. Do you think you’ll have time to come to L.A. for my premiere?” he asked, seeming a little nervous.

He knew how I felt about all the cameras and paparazzi. He wouldn’t be able to walk the red carpet with me, but I was very happy he wanted me there at all.

“You want me to come to your premiere?” I asked, smiling hugely.

“Silly girl, how could you even ask that question? You’ll get to meet my family—at least my dad for sure,” he said, laughing when he saw my face change from incredulous, to thrilled, to panic-stricken.

“Meet your family? Your dad?” I asked, frozen.

“Yes, love, you’ll be at the same place, same time. I think it’s only appropriate that you meet them. I know they’re dying to meet you.” He tugged on my arm, as I was now rooted to the spot.

“You want me to meet your family at the premiere of Time in Hollywood? And to recap, you’re Jack Fucking Hamilton, and you claim you’re in love with me?” I said, cocking my head to one side.

“I am in love with you, Nuts Girl,” he said, smiling.

I started pinching myself furiously.

“Hey, Crazy, you’re freaking me out a little. Stop doing that.” He laughed, grasping my wrists and holding them firmly at my sides.

“I’m trying to make myself wake up. There’s no way in hell this is actually happening. It’s too good!” I exclaimed, laughing.

“If you were dreaming, would you be feeling this?” he asked, kissing up my neck toward my ear.

“Mmm, I’ve had dreams like this, yes,” I said, closing my eyes.

“Would you be feeling this?” he asked, sucking my earlobe between his teeth and nibbling. I twisted in his arms, my skin breaking out in goose-bumps. He loved when my body reacted to his touch.

“Mmm, this is starting to feel very familiar,” I added, throwing my arms back around his neck and pulling him closer.

“And if you were dreaming, would we be on our way to get frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity?” he whispered in my ear.

At that, my eyes sprang open, and I shook my head to clear it.

“Thanks for refocusing me, Sweet Nuts. Let’s hit it,” I said, walking us with a purpose up the stairs and out of the building.

“That’s my girl.” He laughed at me as I hailed a cab quickly and pushed him into it. He knew to never get in the way of Grace and her sweets.

***

After a lovely lunch followed by some even lovelier frozen hot chocolate, we headed over to the park. I came running here at least three times a week, and although it was a very touristy place to visit, it was a great park. People who’d lived in Manhattan for years used it daily. It was really like everyone’s backyard, in a town where no one had a backyard.

It was a gorgeous fall day, and with the leaves crunching underfoot and the smell of autumn in the air, it was easy to forget we weren’t out in the country. We spent the afternoon there, just walking and talking and holding hands. I’d actually relented today and let him wear his stupid ball cap for two reasons: One, it was chilly. Two, the cap made it harder for him to be recognized. And I did have to admit, it drew my attention to his face, which I never tired of looking at.

We were relaxed and happy, walking off the enormous amount of chocolate we had consumed. At one point he laughed at me, calling my attention to the fact that during our pig-out I’d apparently been humming “White Christmas” while I slurped. He swore I had a penchant for singing Christmas carols under my breath. I didn’t actually remember this, my attention having been totally focused on the concoction in front of me. A frozen hot chocolate of this magnitude was a true indulgence for me—a real splurge I was already calculating how I’d work off—and I didn’t miss a drop.

Now I was totally focused on the equally yummy Hamilton in front of me. We sat on a bench at the Plaza end of the park, holding hands and people-watching. There were several kids playing on the edge of the little pond, and we laughed as we watched them kick around a soccer ball. Once it came flying over to where we were sitting, and Jack jumped up to kick it back to them. The kids shouted their thanks, and he came back to sit next to me, smiling as he smoothed my hair back from my face. I was still thinking about meeting his family, father especially. My mind kept bumping into it no matter how I tried to not think about it. He watched me closely, and I smiled.

“Penny for your thoughts,” he said.

“Thought you Brits used shillings and sixpence and whatnot,” I said.

“Do all Americans get their knowledge of British culture from Mary Poppins?”

“Yes, although I also got a bit from Dickens.”

“Ah, yes. Another reliable source for current culture.”

He laughed as I kissed him on the nose. We snuggled together for another moment.

“Nice deflection, Grace, but what are you thinking about?” he pressed.

“Honestly?”

“Yes, please,” he encouraged, hugging me tighter.

“Meeting your family. It makes me a little nervous,” I replied.

“Why nervous?”

“I dunno. Take your pick. I’m considerably older than you, you’re about to be this huge star, not to mention the fact that I’m a Yank…” I trailed off, the words I’d just said hanging in the air. Jack was laughing though.

“A Yank? Seriously, where do you come up with this stuff? Mary Poppins again?”

“No, this time European Vacation. But seriously, Jack. What if your dad doesn’t like me?”

“European Vacation,” he snorted, then looked back at the group of kids playing. “My dad loves any girl who can cook. He always said that was one of the reasons he fell in love with my mum—her cooking. She used to make this shepherd’s pie. Oh, it was the best, she would—” he started, then stopped, looking sad all of a sudden. I took his hands again and wrapped him more firmly around my waist.

“You were sixteen, right? Sixteen when she passed away?” I asked quietly. He nodded.