“My father taught me how to make this when I was about eight. It’s the one thing I’ve totally mastered. We used to make it all the time.” Bella was at Nick’s on his night off. They’d had pizza earlier and now she was making her signature snack. She poured the oil in the saucepan, added the popcorn and turned the heat on medium high. A few minutes later, it stopped popping and she emptied it into a big bowl and melted some butter to drizzle over the top. A few shakes of salt and it was done.

Nick grabbed a handful and gave her the thumbs up. “Perfect.”

They resumed their spots on the sofa, side by side with the big plastic bowl of popcorn on Bella’s lap. They were having a Netflix movie marathon and Nick couldn’t be happier. Ever since the night she came for dinner with Andrea and Marco and shared a kiss afterward, they’d been inseparable. Whenever he had time off, they spent it together and since she was avoiding going downtown, they mostly enjoyed the beach, went fishing and relaxed at his place.

He’d never felt so comfortable with a girlfriend before. Bella was beautiful, but it wasn’t just that. There was a sense of belonging that was new for him and he sensed it was for her, too. They hadn’t really talked about their relationship yet. It was too new, and they were both aware of how limited their time together was. He didn’t know what would happen when she had to go home to L.A. He was hoping that she could extend her vacation, but he didn’t know if she would or if it was even possible.

“You’re awfully quiet. What are you thinking about?” she asked softly.

He ran his hand though her hair, massaging her scalp gently.

“Just how much I’m enjoying this. Being with you. And wishing you could stay longer,” he admitted.

She turned and gave him a quick kiss. “I’m working on that. I told my agent I’m not ready to come home yet and asked if she can delay my start date. I might be able to get an extra week or two, possibly.”

He grinned. “I’ll take what I can get.”

“Maybe you can take some vacation time and come visit? I’d love to show you around the crazy town I live in.”

Nick had never had any desire to go to Hollywood, until now. “I might be able to do that. I do have some vacation time coming.”

“Keep it in mind. I’ll have a better idea of my shooting schedule in a few weeks and we can plan it for a week where they don’t need me much and we can do some sightseeing. Maybe take a drive to Malibu. It’s gorgeous along the Pacific Coast Highway.”