Like they were made for each other.
* * *
? ? ?
Miguel finished securing the surfboard to the roof of Charlie’s car, then turned to Cass.
“I don’t really want this day to end,” he said, tilting his head and looking at her thoughtfully.
“Neither do I,” Cass admitted. Her spirits, which had been growing heavy at the idea of saying goodbye to Miguel, began to lift again.
“Unfortunately, I have plans.”
And back down they went. She forced a smile, determined not to appear as needy as she was suddenly feeling. “Okay, well, thanks for—”
“Would it be crazy of me to ask you to come along with me to dinner at my parents’ place? With my entire family? I know meeting someone’s family feels like a big step, and I want you to know there is no pressure to say yes. But they’re all such huge Charlie Goodwin fans. Having you with us at a family dinner would be an honor.”
“Right,” Cass said, willing her smile to stay in place the way she had learned to do during her time in L.A., pretending to be her sister while the cameras rolled—no matter what she was feeling inside. “Well, how can I say no to that?”
His handsome grin was back, and those dimples that made her pulse quicken every time they appeared. It was so effortless, the way he took her face in his hands and kissed her like he had earlier. It was as if they had known each other for much longer than just a few days, as if they somehow had a future together as bright as the California sun.
“This is going to be fun. You can follow me in your car. It’s not too far from here; their place is in Malibu. You’re okay with showering and changing there, in their pool house? My parents won’t mind at all.”
Cass felt dazed. “Sure,” she said. “I brought a change of clothes.”
“Alright, then, let’s go.”
* * *
? ? ?
Cass pulled in front of his parents’ low-slung, sprawling beach house. It was lovely, but unpretentious, with warm light flowing from the many windows. Miguel was already standing outside her car door by the time she opened it and got out, holding her day bag in hand. He seemed eager and excited, like a handsome, charming puppy.
“Wow,” Cass breathed, surveying the grounds. There were gardens everywhere, obviously well cared for by an expert gardener. A path ahead led to a pool with an infinity drop-off facing the ocean. “This place is gorgeous.”
“Yeah, it really is. One of my favorite places in the world.”
“I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Really? I just assumed you went to tons of Hollywood parties and saw places way more impressive than this all the time.”
“Those kinds of parties aren’t really me,” Cass said—although she had always imagined her sister’s life involved a lot of glamour.
“You’re not at all what I expected, Charlie. Watching you on TV, I just always assumed you were—well, a lot less down-to-earth than you are.” He took her hand and started leading her toward the pool’s gate.
“I’m not really L.A. at heart. I’m from a small town.”
“That’s right. Starlight Peak. I’ve skied at the resort near there a few times—great mountain.”
“Me, too,” Cass said with a longing sigh. “I love snowboarding there.”
“Maybe you can give me a snowboarding lesson in return for the surf lessons.” He had no idea how much she wished for both things to come true. As he lifted the latch of the gate and opened it, Cass took in the perfectly manicured poolside yard. Miguel pointed to a cedar cabana a few steps away.
“There’s a shower in there, towels, everything you need. Now, I have to go prepare everyone for the fact that you’re here.”
“It’s not going to be a problem, is it? I really don’t want to impose.”
“It’s going to be the opposite of a problem. They’re going to be so excited to have you they’ll need a little time to calm down or they’re going to completely weird you out. Plus, my dad always cooks enough for a crowd. Just come up to the house when you’re done.”
* * *
? ? ?
Twenty minutes later, Cass lingered at the sliding door leading to the kitchen, showered and changed, her still-damp hair drying in natural dark blond waves down her back. Feeling suddenly shy, she almost backed away into the shadows.
But then a voice called out, “Here she is.” Miguel’s sister, Jacintha, had been standing at the kitchen island chopping herbs but now she rushed over to the screen door and slid it open, welcoming Cass inside. Miguel had been pulling place mats and napkins out of a drawer but he abandoned the task to make introductions: his parents, Essie and Javier; his brother, Romero （who went by Ro）; Ro’s partner, Anna; Jacintha’s wife, Lila—who was, by her own admission, massively and delightedly pregnant.