Chapter Text
Leah Sava’ Jeffries had become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stars. Though she started acting before she could really talk, she had a breakout role in Percy Jackson and the Olympians (PJO) during her teenage years, and now, in her early twenties, she is being anointed as the “next Zendaya.” Blockbuster roles, endless interviews, and her face beaming from billboards and TV screens had become her new normal. So why she believed she could slip unnoticed into a cozy Vancouver bar was a mystery even to her.
Leah had gone out of her way to stay unnoticed. She swept her curls into a messy pineapple bun, skipped most of her makeup, and chose clothes that blended into the crowd. Nothing flashy, nothing plain, just perfectly forgettable.
Staring at her reflection, she barely recognized herself. Her hair, now honey caramel blonde, framed her brown skin in a way that felt unfamiliar. Filming just outside Vancouver, she hoped this new look would help her slip by without a second glance, unlike her usual striking reddish-brown hair, which she dyed back when she was 15 years old.
“Sis,” called her brother and self-appointed bodyguard, Flo (Floyd), from just beyond the door. Leah hurried over, swinging it open to welcome him with a grin.
“Yes, Flo,” she said with a smile.
“Are you absolutely sure you don’t want me tagging along tonight?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern. Flo’s protective streak meant he rarely let her out of his sight.
“Yes, Flo, I’m sure.” Leah strides to the nightstand, scooping up her tiny clutch. When she spins to face him, Flo’s frown greets her like a storm cloud.
Leah lets out a light giggle. “Honestly, I can handle myself. Besides, you and Shay (Flo’s wife) deserve a little alone time. I’m only heading out for a couple of drinks, and I’ll be back before you know it. It’s that cozy bar we used to go to during PJO days, remember? Miss Corinne still runs the place, and you know how fiercely she guards her customers’ privacy. No one’s likely to spot me there.”
“What if I wait nearby, just in case you were to need me?”
Leah rolls her eyes at his overprotective streak. You’d think her big brother might notice she’s twenty-five now, fully grown, but to him she’ll always be his baby sister. She shrugs on her black leather jacket.
“No, it’s your night off. You should go and be with Shay.” Leah walks over and pats him on the chest. “I promise I’ll call if I need something.”
Leah starts to leave, then spins around with a teasing grin. “But I won’t need anything. So go have fun. Make me an auntie, will you?”
Flo’s grin widened as he gently tapped Leah on the head, then swept her into a bear hug. “Love you, baby sis.”
“Love you, big bro,” Leah says, giving his arm a squeeze before slipping out and closing the door. She bids the doorman goodnight and steps into the night, heading for her waiting UberBlack.
When Leah finally reaches the bar, she thanks the Uber driver and slips out of the back seat. The place looked a little rough from the outside, but inside it felt just right. As she steps through the door, she quickly counts eight people scattered around the room.
Most of the people were alone, scattered around the place, lost in their own worlds, and not a single head turned as Leah made her way to the last seat at the bar.
Leah spots a man in the booth to her left, absorbed in his own task, oblivious to her arrival as he focuses on whatever lies before him.
“What can I get for you?” The bartender asks, only glancing at Leah as he cleans up a spot from a previous patron.
“Just a mojito with a splash of grenadine, please,” she replies.
The bartender nods and quickly gets to work making her drink. He brings it over and sets it in front of her, before walking further down the bar to help another customer.
Leah lets out a silent sigh of relief; if anyone noticed her, they kept it to themselves. For once, blending into the crowd felt like a breath of fresh air, a welcome change from the whirlwind that usually trailed her every step.
Leah had grown accustomed to her wild life, but that didn’t mean she didn’t crave a quiet evening, free from fans sneaking pictures or videos of her or the threat of paparazzi lurking outside every restaurant.
Leah brings the straws to her lips, savoring the soft burn of rum as it glides down her throat. A gentle hum slips out as warmth unfurls in her belly, and she sets the glass down with a satisfied sigh.
She fishes her phone from her clutch and scrolls through her messages. Flo had already checked in, asking if she’d arrived safely and how she was holding up. Leah chuckles softly and types out a reply.
A couple of messages from her PA outlined Monday morning’s call schedule, but it was the one from Trynitie, her best friend, that caught her eye.
Leah opens the message, and a grin sneaks onto her lips before she can stop it.
Tryn : Leelee, are you crazy? A bar in Van, by yourself?
Leah: Sometimes you just have to live a little, Tryn. Besides, it’s only Versus. She fires off the text, grinning as she sips her drink, and her phone buzzes again almost instantly.
Tryn: You could get hurt, Leelee. People are crazy. If you see Corinne, tell her I miss her!
Leah: I can handle myself. I promise. The minute the vibes are off, I will leave. And, if i see her, I will let her know.
Tryn: Just don't talk to strangers, young lady. Love you xx
Leah: Love you too :P
Leah puts her phone back in her purse.
Leah drains the last of her drink, then signals the bartender for a refill. When he slides her fresh glass across the counter, she offers a grateful nod before he drifts away.
Leah lingers in her thoughts, letting the smooth jazz and gentle hush of the night wash over her. That peace shatters when the bar door bursts open, and two loud men burst inside.
All eyes in the bar snap to the newcomers, the atmosphere tightening with annoyance. Leah sighs and focuses on her drink as the men lurch closer, settling a few seats away.
One catches her gaze, throws her a wink, then nudges his friend and gestures toward her.
Fuck, Leah mutters inwardly, squirming in her seat. She fixes her gaze on her glass, willing herself invisible, until the cushion beside her dips with someone’s arrival.
“What’s a sexy girl like you doing alone at a bar?” Loser #1 slurs, his breath thick with alcohol and weed, invading her space with a grin that makes her skin crawl.
“Trying to enjoy my night. Alone,” Leah shoots back, dragging her chair away from him with a pointed glare.
“Oh, come on, gorgeous, we’re not bad guys.” Loser #1 scoots even closer, this time slinging his arm around her shoulders as if he owns the place.
Leah wriggles free from his grip and spins to face him. “You think you can just touch whoever you want? Which part of ‘I’m not interested’ is so hard for you to get? Leave me the fuck alone.”
“Dude!” Loser #2 shouts, “You’re Leah Sava’ Jeffries!”
“Shit, you are!” Loser #1 actually winks at her, grinning. “That just makes me want you with us even more.”
Leah’s nose wrinkles in pure disgust. “That’s honestly the last thing I’d ever want.”
Loser #2 reaches out, aiming to cup her face. “Bet you could handle both of us,” he laughs, eyes glinting.
“I’m pretty sure she said she’s not interested,” a voice booms from behind Leah’s back.
Loser #1 scoffs, shoving back his chair and storming toward the booth behind Leah. “No one asked you, so fuck off, Buddy!” he shouts.
“Leave her the fuck alone,” the man in the booth growls.
“Or what?” Loser #2 says, “Are you going to do something about it?”
He walks up to the man in the booth and pokes him sharply in the chest. The man glances at Loser #2’s finger, then lets out a low, amused chuckle.
“Something funny?” Loser #2 asks, his confusion flickering across his face as he studies the man in the booth.
The man in the booth stands, unfolding to his full, imposing height and casting the two smaller guys into shadow. He has to be six foot three, with broad shoulders and a body that looks carved from stone. His navy flannel shirt hugs his chest, the fabric pulled taut, and his dark jeans fit like they were made for him. With his sleeves rolled up, his powerful forearms are revealed, tattoos scattered across his left arm like cryptic notes only he can read.
Leah snaps out of her trance, realizing she is practically drooling, though a spark of irritation flares. Who does this gorgeous stranger think he is, swooping in as if she needs saving?
But when he emerges from the shadows and seizes Loser #1 by the throat, hauling him into the light, Leah’s annoyance vanishes in a jolt of recognition. Wait... W-Walker?
The two guys froze, then slowly edged backward as recognition dawned on their faces. One of them stammered, “Whoa, sorry, dude. We were just messing around.”
“Get the fuck out,” Walker snarls as he keeps walking towards them, pushing them towards the exit.
“Yeah, no problem, man, we were thinking about leaving anyway,” the other one blurts out. He snatches his friend by the shirt, and together they bolt from the bar, the door banging shut in their wake.
Leah glances down at her drink, a mischievous smirk tugging at her lips. “I had that under control, you know?” she teases, eyes sparkling as she meets his gaze.
“I have no doubt about that,” Walker shoots her a small smile, “but I couldn’t stand to listen to them talk to you like that anymore.”
“Well, thank you, my hero.” She flashes him a coy smile. Walker grins and starts to head back to his booth, but she calls after him, “So, you’re just going to save a girl and leave?”
Walker pivots to meet her gaze, his voice gentle. “Well, I heard you wanted to be left alone.”
Leah just shrugs, one eyebrow arched in playful challenge.
Walker laughs, “Alright then.” He leans in to order another round, not bothering to ask her what to drink; he already knows.
Once the bartender sets the glasses down, Walker scoops them up and gestures for Leah to join him at his booth.
Leah grins, snatches her purse, and slips into the booth across from him. Walker slides her mojito over, and she takes a quick, savoring sip before setting it down.
“So, what is Walker Scobell, aka Mr. James Bond, doing in Vancouver?” Leah places her elbow on the table and leans her head against her hand. “I mean, other than being my hero,” she adds with a wink.
Walker lets out a warm laugh. “Funny, I was about to ask you the same thing.”
Walker takes a slow breath, sinking back into the booth. He lifts his whisky, eyes distant. “Honestly? I’m not even sure why I’m here.”
Leah’s brows knit in concern, but Walker’s deep, hearty laugh fills the air, sending a flutter through her chest.
“You don’t have to look so concerned, Lee. I just meant that I don’t have a specific reason for being here. I just needed to get out of the states, I guess.”
“I know what you mean.”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but it’ll definitely be a while.” Walker shrugs before adding, “What are you doing out here?”
Leah sighs, “I’m here for filming. I just got here on Thursday, and we start shooting on Monday.”
“Didn’t you just get done filming another movie?” His eyebrows knit together in concern.
Leah slips her jacket off, revealing the lilac-blue tank top she wore underneath, “yeah.”
“Leah,” Walker said warily, “you’re going to burn yourself out.”
Leah lets out a laugh, swirling her mojito before taking a large gulp. "So I’ve heard."
She lifts her gaze from the table, locking eyes with his stormy blue ones. "Oh, come on, Scobell, you know I hate it when you give me that face."
This time, Walker laughs, the concern melting away from his features, “You always have.”
Leah raises her eyebrows at him, “Yet you still do it.”
“Well, it usually works, doesn’t it?” Walker challenges, raising an eyebrow back at her.
Leah rolls her eyes, turning her attention to anything but him.
“But seriously, Leah. You should be careful not to overwork yourself. It’s okay for you to say no to roles.”
Leah lets out a heavy sigh, folding her arms on the table. "It just feels wrong to. I mean, we’ve worked for this for so long."
“Just because you don’t accept every role doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful,” Walker says, reaching across the table to take her hand. “Leah, nobody will doubt your talent or question what you’ve earned just because you pass on roles that don’t excite you or because you need to rest.”
Leah presses her lips together, considering his words. “You’re incredible, Lee. You don’t owe anyone proof of your worth, darling.”
Leah goes still, teeth catching her bottom lip. Walker studies her, searching her expression for a glimpse of her thoughts.
“I’ll be right back,” Leah says, gently slipping her hand from his, snatching her phone from her purse, and making her way to the bathroom.
Walker smiles, shaking his head with quiet amusement. Some things about Leah never change.
Leah dials Trynitie’s number, her fingers trembling. “Come on, Tryn, pick up,” she breathes, voice barely above a whisper as the phone rings.
“Hello?”
“Tryn, we need to talk,”
“Leelee, I’m right in the middle of making dinner for Chance. Can this wait?”
“No, please. I need...” Leah’s voice falters, trembling at the edge.
Trynitie snaps off the stove and rushes to the sitting room. “Leelee, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Yes, well… no.” Leah hesitates, her words tangled. “I’m fine, but I need a favor.”
“Of course, what is it?”
“I want out of this movie.”
“What? Leah, are you serious?” Trynitie’s disbelief crackles through the line.
“Yes, I don’t want to do it!”
“Why do you want to pull out of the movie?”
Leah presses her back to the wall, staring at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, Walker’s words echoing in her mind. “I don’t want to burn out, Tryn. I already feel it creeping in. I j-just need a break. I need time for myself for once.”
“I get it, Leelee. I’ll make some calls and let them know.”
Leah exhales, relief flooding her. “Thanks, Tryn, you’re the best.”
“You’re ten times better. So, are you coming back to LA right away?”
Leah bites her bottom lip, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. She hasn’t really planned her next move. Walker’s words echo in her mind, drawing out a smile. Who else could teach her to live in the moment, to stop recording every second, if not Walker? They had both caught their big breaks together, but Walker always seemed to float through life with an ease she envied.
“You know what? I think I’m going to stay here for a while.”
Tryn’s eyebrows knit together in surprise. “Do you want me to come meet you? We could swing by Mom and Dad’s before you head back to LA.”
“No, Tryn, really, stay in LA. Besides, Flo’s here with me.”
“Alright, just promise you’ll be safe. If you need anything, call me. And keep me posted, Leelee, or I’ll come find you myself.”
Leah rolls her eyes; Trynitie never missed a chance to play the overprotective mom. "I will, love you, Tryn," she promises, and after a flurry of goodbyes, they hang up.
Leah leaves the bathroom and slips back into the booth. Walker snaps his notebook shut, just as he had been scribbling in it when she first noticed him at the bar.
“Everything alright?” Walker shoots her a sweet smile.
Leah flashes him a smile, grabs her mojito, and downs it in one swift gulp. "Yeah, everything’s fine."
She pauses, eyes lingering on him. "I have a job for you."
Walker ’s eyebrows knit together as he looks at her, “That’s sweet of you, Leah, but I’m not really looking for work right now.”
Leah rolls her eyes. "Not a real job, dork."
“Okay,” Walker says, still looking at her with a confused expression.
“I quit the movie.”
Shock washes over Walker ’s face, “You did what? Fuck, Leah, I didn’t mean that you should quit the movie immediately. I just-“
"Walker, I know. I quit because I wanted to. You were right. I’m burning myself out. I don’t want every minute of my life mapped out anymore." Leah leans back, folding her arms across her chest.
"I just want to have fun again." Walker’s lips twitch at the corners. "Show me how to have fun."
“That’s the job?” Walker asks, trying hard to suppress the grin. “Help you have fun?”
“Help me have fun,” she echoes.
Walker tilts his head, a slow grin spreading across his face. He grabs his backpack , stands, and extends a hand to her.
Leah narrows her eyes at Walker. After a beat, she takes his hand, letting him pull her up. She snatches her purse and jacket as Walker heads to pay for their drinks.
Leah catches up with him, and Walker holds his elbow out to her so she can wrap her arm around it.
"Ready for fucking adventure, pretty girl?" Walker wiggles his eyebrows.
Leah freezes at the old nickname, staring at him. Blue eyes meet brown, and Leah swears she catches a sparkle. She swallows, then shakes her head.
"Abso-fucking-lutely, Handsome." Leah grins, links her arm with his, and follows him out into the electric Vancouver night.
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To be continued xx