So, hand-holding was fine, but kissing was not. It made a weird sort of sense. After days of dancing together, something as casual as linking hands was nothing. A friendly touch, that was all. But kissing? That would complicate matters, and as much as Stone wanted to taste her lush mouth, Gina’s actions made it clear kissing was off the table.
When they reached the bottom, they circled the fountain while Gina regaled him with funny stories from her high school years, like the time Natasha had fallen into the water.
“I guess I pushed her,” she added. “It was an accident, though. I swear.”
He let out a low chuckle. “I’ve pushed my brothers into lots of bodies of water. Not by accident.”
“My mother would have been so pissed if my siblings and I had done stuff like that. We tried not to do anything that made more work for her. She worked hard enough as it was.”
He wanted to ask what that meant, but didn’t. She was entitled to her secrets.
Lord knew he had plenty of his own.
She led him underneath the terrace, where it was cool and shady. A ceiling of beautifully painted tiles spread out above them, supported by ornate columns.
She started to say something, then raised a hand to smother a jaw-cracking yawn.
Stone almost laughed, but then he caught the yawn, and they both ended up covering their mouths and wearing sheepish grins.
“You were saying?” he joked.
“I guess we didn’t sleep a whole lot last night.”
“Hard to sleep on a plane full of celebrities.”
She tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Come on. I know where we can go.”
They climbed the stone staircase back up to the main path. Ginaled the way, but she didn’t talk any more. A quick glance at the sky told him they were walking south. They passed a large gray limestone bandshell. A few people on rollerblades zipped around the open space. Nannies pushed babies in carriages. Old men slouched on park benches. Overhead, the trees along each side of the walk formed a canopy of new green.
The smells of spring were everywhere, a combo of dirt and water and plants that spoke of growth and rebirth. And the park itself was an odd mix of city and nature that managed to maintain a relaxed vibe even while bikers zipped along the main roads and cars cut through to travel crosstown. It was a haven of peace in the city that never slept, a way to witness the beauty of the changing seasons without giving up the amenities of modern living.
“I always try to visit, when I can.” Gina tilted her face to gaze up at the budding trees. “The park is beautiful all year long. For spring walks, outdoor summer concerts, fall foliage, and snowball fights.”
He pictured her in this park, in all seasons. “You love it here.”
“I do. This is my city. I didn’t want to leave.”
“No?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. My family’s here. All my memories are here. I’m sure you understand not wanting to leave your family and home.”
Stone grunted in reply. That concept was growing more complicated the longer he was away fromLiving Wild.Sure, he missed Alaska, but the rest of it? Not so much.
“But the opportunities are in Los Angeles, so Natasha and I packed up and moved. My dream is to have homes—and work—in LA and New York.”
She’d moved three thousand miles across the country for ambition, for career. To follow the entertainment business to its home base. He could admire how far she’d gone to follow her dreams, even if he didn’t understand the impulse.
He looked up at the sky, spreading bright and endless above them, edged in on the corners by tall buildings, and sighed. “I just want to go back to Alaska and live a quiet life.”
She slipped her arm around his waist and gave him a squeeze, her warm body snug against his side. “You will.”
He wanted to tell her about life in Alaska, how much he loved the place but hated filming the show, but for now, it was enough to just walk with her.
Before long, they approached a giant field.
“Ta-da!” Gina raised her arm in a flourish. “I give you… Sheep Meadow.”
“Huh.” Stone made a show of looking around. “I don’t see any sheep.”
