My secret baby with the movie star

Fresh start

*Levi*

I pull up in front of the studio, my mind teeming with questions. Was it just an excuse, her needing to stop by the studio on her way? Perhaps she harbors a hint of uncertainty, not yet ready to trust me with her address. She wants to be able to leave this if needed without me being able to find her easily. And that's perfectly fine; I understand completely.

A smile dances across my lips as she emerges through the glass doors, radiating beauty. Eager to make a good impression, I swiftly exit the car to open the passenger door for her. "Good evening, Willa, you look absolutely stunning, darling."

"Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself," she replies, her smile reaching her eyes as they appreciatively scan my navy suit. Indeed, I had decided to pull out all the stops and dress to the nines tonight.

Once she is comfortably seated, I gently close the door behind her and make my way to the driver's side. Slipping into the car, I ignite the engine, my heart racing with a blend of excitement and nerves.

"I hope Italian sounds good to you. I know this cozy little spot with truly exquisite cuisine, and not many knows about it" I venture, stealing a glance her way, the nervousness in my voice betraying my calm demeanor.

Her soft smile and brief glance in my direction are reassuring. "That sounds perfect. I'm not really one for those grandiose places where the main attraction is being seen by others."

"I couldn't agree more," I respond, feeling a genuine connection. My disdain for ostentatious venues, especially on dates, has always been strong. I have always believed in the beauty of intimacy and romance over grandiosity and spectacle.

Navigating the car through the city, I find a secluded alley near the restaurant and park. Hurrying to her side, I open the door, offering my hand with a hopeful smile. She accepts it, her smile brightening my world.

As we walk hand in hand to the restaurant, a surge of happiness washes over me. Her comfortable acceptance of my gesture suggests that perhaps, just maybe, I might stand a chance with her. It seems she's beginning to warm up to me, and in that moment, I feel a glimmer of hope for what the evening might bring.

As we step into the restaurant, the owner greets us warmly in Italian, and I respond in kind. "Oh, so you speak Italian?" she inquires, a hint of surprise coloring her voice.

"Just a little," I reply with a modest smile, assisting her with her coat and guiding her gently by her lower back to our table. I hold out the chair for her, ensuring she's comfortably seated before making my way to my own.

"Wine?" I suggest as the waiter presents us with our menus.

Her smile is my answer. "Yes, please."

Engaging in a brief conversation with the waiter in Italian, I discuss the various wines before selecting one that seems most fitting. She watches me, an amused arch to her eyebrow.

When the waiter returns with the wine and takes our orders, she smirks at me. "Just a bit? You just discussed wine and ordered food in Italian. Do you always downplay your talents?"

"I don't mean to, but I would rather not come off as boastful or pretentious. Honestly, it's just some basic words and phrases. I can order food and exchange greetings, and that's about the extent of it," I explain with a casual shrug, hoping to convey humility rather than false modesty.

*Willa*

As we dine and engage in conversation, I find Levi to be every bit as sweet as others have claimed. Beyond his sweetness, he's remarkably attentive, brimming with humor, and possesses just the right touch of sassiness. To my own surprise, I find myself thoroughly enjoying the evening.

"I want to say I'm sorry, Willa. I know I came off as a jerk back then. I truly had no idea you were a virgin. Had I known, I would have never slept with you," he confesses, reaching to gently grasp my hand across the table.

I take a moment to process his words, feeling a lump form in my throat. I believe him. How could he have known? Besides, I can't harbor anger for what happened; it led me to Will. "It's okay, Levi. It was as much on me. I should have told you," I admit, the weight of our shared past pressing on my chest.

"I hope it's okay for me to say, but I kind of never stopped thinking about that night. It felt so amazing, so perfect," he continues, his cheeks coloring with a slight blush. The sight of Levi Thomson, a man seemingly unshakeable, blushing is indeed a rare spectacle.

I exhale, a mix of nostalgia and regret washing over me. "It was for me too, well, until your girlfriend showed up. That kind of ruined the mood, to be honest."

"I'm so sorry about that too. I had no idea she would show up. I know I made a mistake, but she and I weren't serious, not even exclusive, we had only been on a few dates. I ended things with her on the way back to school. I wanted to see you again," he confesses, his gaze locking with mine, earnest and hopeful.

I swallow hard, pondering his words. Did he truly wish to see me again? So did I, until the unexpected arrival of his girlfriend followed by the discovery of my pregnancy. "But then your mother died. I thought you would come back, or that my mother had an address or something, but you just disappeared," he adds, a note of sadness in his voice.

"Yeah, I just couldn't handle everything, so I left. My mother left me a bit of money, so I moved away and tried to start over," I manage to say, my heart heavy with the secret of Will. How could I possibly reveal to Levi that he is a father, and how would I ever explain this to Will?

Levi offers me a radiant smile, then softly suggests, "So, maybe we could, you know... Start over with a clean slate here? Pretend we just met at the set and get to know each other?"

I respond, though a part of me knows the complexity of our situation. "Well, I guess so. I don't really hate you for what happened, not anymore." But deep down, I'm acutely aware that a fresh start is impossible; our lives were irrevocably changed the moment Will was born.

He lifts my hand to his lips, planting a tender kiss on my knuckles, igniting a spark of electricity within me. "Thank you, darling. You don't know how much this means to me."

Later, as we stand outside my front door, he leans in, brushing a soft kiss against my cheek. "I had a wonderful evening, Willa, and I sincerely hope you will let me take you out again."

"I had a wonderful evening too, Levi, thank you. And, well, we will just have to see, won't we?" I reply, my smile tinged with both hesitation and a desire to explore what might be. Despite my reservations, the thought of seeing him again fills me with a cautious optimism.

He graces me with one final smile. "See you tomorrow, Willa. Sleep well."

"You too, Levi. See you in the morning," I return his smile, closing the door behind me with a soft click. I pause, the silence greeting me, and hope that my son is sound asleep, unaware of the complexities unfolding in his mother's world.