“Yeah, me too. You’re a wonderful conversationalist.”
“So… Since I’ve got time to kill while I’m in town, what should I do in Houston?”
“Oh, gosh, let me see… Houston is an international city and has all kinds of cuisines to choose from. And it might surprise you to learn that Houston has an impressive theater district. You can catch all kinds of performances—ballet, symphony. We also have museums, loads of history, and a great zoo…” She trailed off as Fin held up his hand.
“You misunderstand me. I meant what doyoulike to do in your spare time?” Fin appreciated her enthusiasm. She obviously loved her city.
“Oh, sorry,” she said, “I play volleyball. I’m in a co-ed league during the week and then play on a women’s team on the occasional weekend. When I’m not traveling, that is.”
“Volleyball.”
“Yes.” She raised her eyebrow at him.
“Like beach volleyball?”
“Yes, in the co-ed league. We play fours… um, four people on a team. It’s sand volleyball on a men’s regulation net. After playing each week in the sand on the taller men’s net, I feel like a superhero when I get in the gym on a women’s net. Like I can blockanythingthat comes near me.” Her cheeks reddened as she tapered off. “Um, it’s a load of fun.” She pressed her lips together and looked away.
Her passion touched him, and her embarrassment over it endeared her to him. “I’ve played volleyball before. It is fun.”
She looked at him and grinned. He stared into her stormy gray eyes, wondering why he felt so drawn to her? Was it the departure from his normal world that was attractive? Or the woman herself who intrigued him?
The captain interrupted their scrutiny of each other by announcing the imminent arrival at their gate and asking everyone to stay seated until it was time to disembark. Fin watched Alex give her head a tiny shake while she gathered her things and realized he wasn’t ready to end their conversation. Something about this woman drew him to her. Perhaps it was because she didn’t know who he was, or possibly it was simply Alex herself. Either way, he wanted to extend their time together.
Fin reached over and laid his hand on her arm. She jumped at his touch, and he hesitated. He cleared his throat. “Alex, I hope I’m not being too forward as we’ve just met, but would you like to have dinner with me while I’m in town?”
He watched as she sat back in her seat and stared at him. What was going through her head? Was he being too forward? He tried not to fidget as he waited for her response.
“Yes, Fin, I’d love to go to dinner with you. Let me give you my phone number so you can call me.”
He reached for his phone. “And what day is your volleyball league?” he asked casually, as he typed in her contact information.
“Um, let’s see… right now, league nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays. Why do you want to know?”
The weight of her gaze burned into him as he continued to stare at his phone. “If dinner goes well, perhaps I can come watch you play volleyball?”
“What?” she squeaked.
He looked up and smiled. “My schedule is clear for two weeks and it’s been a while since I’ve seen a good volleyball match. Even longer since I’ve played myself.” He laughed to himself as he remembered the last match he had played with his siblings and cousins. The game ended up more of a free-for-all than an actual match, and they had all wound up in a muddy mess.
Fin waited for her answer.
He wantsto go to volleyball with me?
Alex wasn’t sure why a big-shot Hollywood actor would want to hang around with a bunch of average Joes. As she recalled his earlier statements about getting away and privacy becoming a priority, she wondered if he wanted to lose himself in normalcy. Okay, fine. He seemed nice enough, and she didn’t get any creepy vibes from him. Why not let him have his “regular guy” time? Her friends wouldn’t mind. He would only be in town for a little while, so why not live on the wild side?
“Sure,” she told him. “Call me when your schedule allows, and we’ll coordinate. You know, if you’re interested in playing, people are always looking for subs for absent team members. We’re easy that way.”
His smile lit up his face. “Excellent. I’ll call you this weekend and we’ll go play volleyball. Then I’ll take you out somewhere more formal on a separate night.”
Alex’s eyes widened, but before she could respond, the plane doors opened and everyone exited the plane. As they walked down the jetway, Fin donned a hat and dark glasses. Alex raised her eyebrow at him, but said nothing as they walked together in companionable silence to the baggage area. Occasionally, Alex looked his way, but Fin kept grinning and continued walking.
As they watched the conveyor belt bumping along spewing forth everyone’s bags, Alex noticed the growing buzz in the crowd and spied a group of girls pointing at Fin.Uh oh,she thought,his cover is about to get blown and he won’t like that.Her slate-blue suitcase approached, and she recognized an opportunity for escape. She dragged the bag off the carousel and turned her back to the crowd.
“Okay, this is me. It was nice to meet you, Fin. You have my number. Let me know when you’re free. See ya!” she exclaimed, then spun and walked away before everything went awry.
Fin’s “You too” reply followed her as she walked away, his gaze burning into her back. She couldn’t believe a movie star had asked her on a date, and she had said yes! While she’d never expected to hear from the man again, she thought it was a great story to tell her friends. They were going to lose their minds when she told them about meeting him.
Chapter3
