Injury by Tobin Val

Author:Tobin, Val [Tobin, Val]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Val Tobin
Published: 2015-05-08T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

The Saturday shoot rescheduled to the Monday shoot as the search for a new partner for Dani got underway, and the script was rewritten. Cope took an early day on Saturday since Dani didn’t have to go to the studio. He’d arranged to pick her up in the late afternoon and had told her to wear casual clothes—shorts and a T-shirt and flip-flops or sneakers.

Unable to contain her excitement, Dani took longer to dress for this casual date than she’d taken for the fanciest date she’d ever had. She settled on denim capris, a white, midriff-baring tank top, and canvas sneakers.

Neutral makeup and a tousled hairstyle enhanced her almond eyes and highlighted her cheekbones. When Dani verified the effect in the mirror, the results pleased her. She was doubly pleased when Cope expressed appreciation of her efforts with kisses and touches.

Forty minutes into the drive, the route became disturbingly familiar.

“Are we headed to your parents’ place?” Dani tried to keep the anxiety out of her voice and thought she’d succeeded.

“Okay, ya got me. That’s where we’re going, but not to visit them. I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep it to myself for too long. The beach on my parents’ property is a great place for a picnic. I figured that still counts as ‘going out,’ but we won’t get swamped by paparazzi or fans.”

Eyes wide, Dani clapped her hands and bounced in her seat like a kid.

Cope turned to watch her and smiled. “You’re so cute.”

Dani laughed, loud and delighted. “I can’t recall when I’ve been this excited to go on a date. What a wonderful idea.”

The car pulled off the highway, and Cope followed the route to the cliffs. Dani now considered that beach the location of their first unofficial date. She shuddered at the memory of how that had ended. One day, Dani supposed, she’d look back on it and laugh, but that day hadn’t arrived.

Twenty minutes later, the car sat parked at the head of the trail, their cell phones turned to silent and tucked away. They sat on a large blanket on the sand amidst a spread of crusty breads; tapenade; a variety of cheeses; a container with a mixture of greens, sliced fresh tomatoes sprinkled with basil; pickles; chopped vegetables; and fruit.

“You’re amazing.” Dani beamed at Cope, picked up a glass of sparkling peach juice, and sipped, appreciating the change from plain mineral water.

“You inspire me, Daniella. I love that radiant smile on your face, and I’ll do anything to make it appear. It’s fun to think of things that’ll make you forget everything but us.”

Touched, she raised the glass in salud, and Cope picked up his own goblet and clinked it to hers. “To us.”

They ate, enjoying the sunshine, the food, and each other. The ocean lent a romantic ambience. After the meal, Cope packed up the basket, removed his and Dani’s shoes, and pulled her up for a walk in the surf.

“So cliché, isn’t it?” he said. “A walk along the beach.

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