A rush of love poured through her for this man.
Her man.
Dash gave her a long, sweet kiss goodnight.
“I’d call you in the morning but I don’t have your number,” he said with a straight face.
That caused her to laugh. She retrieved her phone from her purse and handed it to him. “Punch in your digits, DeLauria. I’ll call you so you have my number. Maybe I’ll answer it when you call.”
He handed the phone back to her. “It’s still a piece of crap throwaway. We need to get you a new phone tomorrow.”
“Like you can stroll into Apple with me and not cause a scene.”
He chuckled. “I have more disguises in my repertoire than a Dodgers cap and sunglasses, you know.”
“If you say so. I’ve got to meet with Dad tomorrow morning. Also, Regina might’ve lined up a few auditions for Rachel so the phone store will have to wait.”
“Then call me after you meet with Monty. Let me know how your day’s shaping up.”
“Okay.”
Dash hugged her close to him. “I love you, Syd.” He kissed her cheek. “Go inside or we’ll be saying goodnight until the sun comes up. The famously moody Diamond will arrive tomorrow morning and give me an earful for making out with you all night long.”
“Diamond will come around. She’s always had a soft spot for me. If she sees I’m happy, she may give you a chance. Even if you are an actor.”
Sydney kissed Dash again and went inside the house. She leaned against the door for support because she thought her legs might buckle underneath her.
She loved Dash. He returned that love. Sydney was the luckiest female on the planet.
As long as Wake didn’t find out where she was.
◆◆◆
Sydney sucked in deep breaths of salted air as she bent and placed her hands to her knees.
“Am I killing you, Revere?”
She slowly raised up and then punched Dash in the arm. “Yes. I’m not a runner. On the beach or anywhere else. I do Tae Kwon Do. That’s about speed and agility. Not endurance like running. Which I detest.”
“Really—Tae Kwon Do?” His eyes lit with interest as he stared at her legs. “I can see those long legs doing the head-high and spin kicks. That’s so cool. My girl does martial arts.” He gave her a crooked smile.
Sydney dropped her head and wrapped her hands around the backs of her ankles to stretch her leg muscles. She didn’t want Dash to see the blush she could feel heating her cheeks. Little things, such as him calling her his girl, made her absurdly giddy.
It had been a week since he’d told her he loved her and Sydney couldn’t have been happier. They’d gone to dinner at Ken and Melanie’s house, along with Rhett and Cassie. The three couples had enjoyed each other’s company during an afternoon of swimming, followed by dinner and a game night. Ken was crazy about Win, Lose, or Draw so they broke into male and female teams. It had come down to the last clue and Sydney was pleased that Dash won the game for the men. She grumbled along with her teammates but she was glad how well she and Dash fit in with the other two couples.
Auditions had begun in earnest for Rachel. Regina liked one actress that Cassie and Sydney couldn’t picture in the role but they agreed on two others for the callback. Dash would test with all three women on Monday. She would have to be at her most objective when she watched those actresses interact with Dash.
“I’m going to hit the shower,” she told him. “I don’t want to be late picking up Brenda.”
Dash followed her inside. They both stripped off their sweaty clothes. She caught the hungry look in his eyes.
“No,” she said firmly. “Go use Dad’s shower. If I let you in mine, I’ll definitely be late. I don’t want Brenda standing around, worrying about me.”
He gave her a wolfish grin. “As long as you make it up to me tonight. See you back at my place.”
Sydney showered and dressed and drove to LAX. Jayla had found Brenda the perfect apartment, while Sydney had stocked it with food and other necessities such as paper towels and toilet paper. Brenda’s furniture was on its way. In the meantime, Sydney had purchased a blow-up air mattress that Brenda could sleep on for a couple of nights.
She checked her phone again at a light and saw the plane had landed. She located a parking spot and