“What is it with you and the stars?”

“They’re fucking hot. I’m not the only one. Brynna said she wants to lick them too and claims that she hates me because I get to lick them whenever I want.”

“Women are weird.” He smirks.

Just then my phone rings on the bedside table. “That’s Mr. Foss.” My stomach clenches as I look down at the caller I.D.

“Answer it. I’ll be on the balcony.”

He kisses my forehead and lets himself out the glass door to his covered balcony as I reach for the phone.

“Hello?”

“Ms. Williams?”

“This is she,” I respond and pace around the room, my feet cold on the marble.

“This is Foss calling regarding our interview from the other day.”

“Yes, hello, thanks for calling.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have great news, Ms. Williams. We’ve decided to go with a different candidate.”

“I see.” Why am I relieved?

“I am certain you’ll find the position that suits you soon. Best of luck to you, Samantha.”

“Thank you, Mr. Foss. Have a good day.”

I disconnect the call and sit at the side of the bed.

Now what?

***

~Leo~

Sam is pacing in my bedroom, her phone pressed to her ear. It’s started to rain. Not a light, soft rain, but a pounding, all-consuming rain that seems to have a life of its own. It sounds like drums on my roof and almost obscures the view of the water.

I rock in my chair, in time with the music of the rain, and think about the small woman with the enormous personality in my bedroom. She’s bloody amazing. Her strength, her big heart, her loyalty, all bring me to my knees.

I can’t get enough of her.

The glass door opens and Sam slips out onto the balcony.

“Well?” I ask.

“They turned me down.” She shrugs, her gorgeous face sad and maybe a little scared.

If you’ll let me, I’ll take care of you and you’ll never have to work again.

“Come here, baby.” I take her hand in mine and pull her into my lap. She settles her cheek against my chest, and I wrap my arms around her, rocking her gently. “Just rock with me for a while.”

She smiles up at me softly, remembering the last time I said those words to her and we made love in my chair.

“I don’t know why I’m sad. I don’t think I wanted that job anyway. You were right, I don’t want to move to L.A.”

“Rejection sucks,” I mutter and kiss her soft blonde hair.

“Yeah,” she agrees.

“I’m kind of glad you didn’t get it,” I admit. “I don’t want you to move out of Seattle either. I think I’m going to sell this place and move up there.” I frown and watch the rain around us, my mind wandering. “This place has never felt like home. You said it yourself, it’s not exactly ‘me.’”

“Hmm…” she agrees and snuggles down closer to me. God, she feels perfect in my arms.

“I’m tired of traveling so much. I can probably arrange it so we only tour about three months out of the year. They would be three solid months, with no breaks, but then the rest of the time I’d be able to be home. The guys would like that too. Especially Gary and DJ, since they have families.”

“When is Lori due?” she asks quietly.

“Next month. We’re all getting too old for touring all year long anyway. It’s not like we need the money.”

“It’s good that you can be choosy,” she agrees.

I nod and kiss her again. I can’t stop kissing her sweet honey-scented hair.

Fuck, I have it bad.

“It’ll be good to be near Meg too. Keep an eye on her.”

“Wait.” She sits up and frowns at me. “Why all these big life changes?”

“Oh, sunshine,” I whisper and smile gently. “Haven’t you figured out that I’m completely in love with you?”

Her eyes go wide and her hands grip onto my shirt and for the first time since I met her, I think she’s speechless.

“You had to know that, baby.” I kiss her forehead and cup her face in my hands. “I don’t bring women around my band. I don’t write songs for girls. I don’t bring them here. I certainly don’t talk about my family with just anyone. I love you, Samantha.”

“Oh, wow,” she whispers and drags her fingers down my face, watching my eyes with her beautiful, bright blue ones. “I’m afraid to fall.”

“I’ll catch you, baby.”

She blinks and swallows hard, her brain in overdrive. We sit quietly, listening to the rain, as she processes her thoughts. I expected this from her. She’s not a girl who would squeal and throw herself at me, screaming her love for me.

That’s not how she works, and that’s just one of the many things I love about her.

“I love you too,” she whispers so quietly, I can barely hear her through the rain.

I tip her chin up with my finger, forcing her to look me in the eye. “What was that?”

“I love you too,” she repeats, louder this time. “You scare me.”

“Good, ‘cause you terrify the hell out of me.” I laugh and pull her in. “But being without you scares me more.”

“Are you really moving to Seattle permanently?” She asks, her face hopeful and happy.