Page 128 of Even Ground

“We’ll see.” She leans forward, kissing me on the neck and nipping at my ear lobe. “We should go to the hotel.”

“You’re insatiable. I’m not sure I can handle this.”

“Deal with it,” she whispers.

“Let’s go.” I shove her off my lap, and she laughs as I stand and turn toward the car park. “Hurry up. I think you just made a promise to me you have to fulfil now.”

“Race you.” She pushes herself up, and runs past me.

I speed up to a jog and laugh to myself as she disappears into the distance.

I’ll let her have this race—right along with my heart.

29

Reece

In the morning we head out, and I’m glad Pania knows where she’s going because I have no clue.

We end up on a long road that runs parallel to a river. The water gently flows along, and trees line one side of it, the other side visible from the road. It looks like a peaceful place to swim. Next time I’m here, I want to stay longer and see everything.

We reach a grassed area where there are a ton of cars parked, and a wire fence.

“This is the spot I think,” Pania says. “If Josh got it right.”

“That’s a big if.” I laugh.

She grins and parks the car.

We walk together to the gate. I know movie sets, I’ve been on enough of them, and now we’re closer, I can see this is definitely one.

There’s a security guard on the gate, and his eyebrows rise as we approach.

“Aren’t you …?”

“Reece Evans. I’m here to see Alex Stone.”

He looks down at the iPad in his hands. “Does he know you’re coming?”

“No. It’s a surprise.”

He shakes his head. “As much as I’d like to, I can’t just let you in, mate. I can talk to my boss.”

I smile. “I’d really appreciate that.”

We’re left waiting at the gate as he ambles off into the compound, but it doesn’t take long for him to reappear with another man beside him.

Pania’s face lights up.

“Pania. What are you doing here, cuz?”

A tall, well built, good looking Maori guy walks up to the fence. He’d do well on screen, with his chiselled looks and two-day stubble.

Pania claps her hands like he’s her long lost love. “Reece, this is my cousin, Peter. Peter, this is my boyfriend, Reece.”

He plasters a big smile all over his face. “You scored Reece Evans?” He shifts his gaze to me. “I’m a big fan, man. That movie you won your Oscar for, that brought tears to my eyes. And Gabby Reynolds, what a hot—”

“Ahem.” Pania clears her throat, and I bite down a laugh.