Back to December (Ward Sisters Book 1) (31 page)

“Not always. He was here with me a lot right after the Lola stuff because we had double security for a little while. Usually, unless I'm out at night, my guard gets a break in the evenings, but then we had someone on 24/7. That's when he met Jenna. They've had an on/off thing since then.”

Em sighed again. “It's all going to take some getting used to...”

“I know,” Rob said, kissing her. “You still in this?”

“Full speed ahead, Captain.”

He smiled. “Good. Let me show you the house. Our bedroom is the biggest and it has a sitting room and the bath that separates it from the rest of the house.”

“So what you're saying is that I can still be loud and it won't bother Rick and Liam?” she teased.

“Loud as you want.” Rob winked. Em smiled, and he gave her the tour before they set out to make lunch, which they ate down on the deck.

Later that night, Rick and Liam drank beer and played cards upstairs while she and Rob sat on the beach and listened to the waves in the dark. Rob had his arms and legs around her and Em leaned into him, her eyes closed.

“If I sit here in your arms, I can pretend that the rest of it doesn't exist.”

“Sometimes, that's the only way I can feel normal. It's too easy to get wrapped up in the drama of it all. I hold on to the little things that anyone can do, that make me like everyone else. This? Us? That feels more real than anything else ever has.”

Em turned to look at him. In the moonlight, she could see tears pooled in his eyes. She kissed him. “Let's try to hold on to that, then. Whenever it gets to be too much, we can hold on to each other.”

Rob smiled, a tear rolling down his cheek. “Yeah. That sounds like a plan.” They sat on the beach for a while, holding tight to one another.

The next several days were spent in L.A. for fittings, interviews and meetings, for both her and Rob. He had show rehearsals and a million production meetings for various projects. So much for time alone on an L.A. vacation. Now she knew what he meant when he said that if he had flown her out for the show that he'd have hardly seen her. At least she could see him and sleep next to him every night.

On Thursday morning, Tommy sang about Jenny at the crack of dawn. Jenna hadn't been calling as early and waking them because they were in the same time zone and she knew it was unlikely that Rob would be out and about before anyone else in California. As such, this was a very unusual call. Em woke first, and she nudged Rob.

“Rob, it's Jenna.”

Rob grumbled, “This better be important.” He fumbled for his phone and sighed, “What is it, Jen?”

After a few seconds, Em felt Rob trying to extract himself from her so he could sit up, so she moved. He got out of bed and was pacing. “You're kidding? Yes, I know you wouldn't have called at this hour if you were just teasing me. No, it's completely unexpected. Okay, I'll call Amy and we'll send you an official statement. Yes, I'll call her right now. Well, if you don't get off the phone, I can't call. Yes. As soon as humanly possible, I promise. Bye.”

Em looked at Rob like he had two heads. It must be big. She went to ask him and he held up his finger for her to wait. “Amy? Can you get Raoul to take the kids to school? Because I just got nominated for an Oscar for
Shattered Glass
.”

Em's eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped. Rob smiled at her.

“No, if I had the slightest inkling I'd have warned you and Jenna. Because Jenna watched the nominations and she just called. Yes. Right, so you need to send her something to post online. I have no idea. Well, then make it more generic. Do you want me to call her back and ask? Honestly, it's probably better to just stick to my own reaction. Shock. Of course I'm honored! Who isn't honored? No, there were just so many good supporting performances out there this year that I didn't expect it. Yes, I'm very proud of the performance and of the movie. Sure, um, thanks to the studio and to Sam. Ellis. Right. Okay. Thanks, Amy. No, I'll call them. Love you too. Bye.”

Emily just stared at Rob. “Holy crap!” She laughed.

“No kidding. Wow. I'm still a little in shock.”

“Why didn't you expect it?”

“Because the last time I was nominated in the same category, I was nominated for a Globe, too. It's not always the case, but the Globes are usually a good predictor of Oscar nominations and even wins. If the a Globe winner doesn't take the Oscar, it's usually the SAG winner and often the same person wins all three. With so many great performances this year, when I didn't get a Globe or a SAG nod I just assumed the Oscars were out. Otherwise, I'd have been up watching the nomination ceremony. Damn. It's not unprecedented but it's unusual.”

“I'm so proud of you.” Em got up from the bed and hugged him. She pulled back and said, “Holy crap!” again.

Rob laughed. “It's a pretty big deal. Especially in light of the fact that I didn't get nominated for the other awards. I might have extra interviews to do at the Globes.” He made a face that said he was sorry.

“I'm sure I'll be fine. Call your parents!”

“Yeah, I've got a bunch of calls to make, actually.”

“I'll get in the shower and then start breakfast. See you down there?” He kissed her and nodded, heading out of the room and presumably to the office to make calls.

Malibu, California, two weeks after New Year's...

When the day finally arrived for the Globes, Emily was a ball of nerves. “Stop fidgeting. You're going to make me nervous.” She was on the sitting room chaise, unable to sit still.

“I'm sorry, Rob. I don't mean to be such a freak about it.” He pulled her to a stand.

He kissed her lips gently, then firmer. “Do I need to take you to bed?”

“I'll never object to you taking me to bed. Especially since we didn't have much time for that this past week. Sorry.”

“It has to happen sometime, right? Otherwise, if it doesn't, that means...”

“Yes. Let's not jinx things by talking about that right now. It might ruin the mood and I really need you to take off my clothes and make love to me.”

“I don't know, it's always really great when you're distracted a little...”

“Not
that
kind of distracted. You don't want to be thinking about what you could be accidentally doing when you're having sex. Jenna calling incessantly I can handle. Thinking about...okay, I'm going to stop talking about it. Just kiss me, please.”

“You're the boss.” He kissed her, tongues sparred and danced. He slowly removed her clothes, which wasn't a great feat given that she wore one of the barely-there bikinis he bought her – this one aqua – under a coverup. “God, you're sexy in that thing. I don't know if I want you to wear it on the beach where other guys can admire your body.”

“Too late. I did see a couple of guys watching me...”

He pulled the strings on her teeny-tiny suit as he kissed her neck. “Who? Was it the guys in the yellow house with the porch? They have girls over all the time. You don't want them.”

“I don't want them anyway,” she said, sighing as Rob pulled his shirt over his head. Ah, her private exotic dance show. “I've got you. Why would I need or want anyone else. Ever?”

He groaned. She was naked and he was quite obviously ready for her. “You don't want anyone but me?”

“You've ruined me for other men. You're stuck with me.”

“I prefer to think of it as fortunate you let me still keep your company.”

“However you want to label it, just take me to bed and show me how much you missed me this week.”

“What makes you think I missed you?” he teased, taking off his pants.

She pushed him against the wall, pressing her naked body into his and he gasped. “That,” she said, smiling, and he scooped her into his arms, carrying her to the bedroom.

A couple hours later, Christopher arrived at the house with his L.A. minions to dress them for the ceremony. Unlike in Minneapolis, this time a makeup artist and a hair stylist also came. Em had to laugh when the makeup artist had Rob sit in her chair first. Her name was Reggie and she was an odd contradiction if Em ever saw one. Her clothes said thrift store, her blue hair said circus, but her makeup said red carpet. Apparently, she wore her trade on her face every day.

When Rob sat down, Em chuckled and he said, “What's so funny?”

“I wouldn't have guessed you wear makeup, sexy man.”

“Everyone on camera wears makeup, Em. The lights wash you out and make you look ill if you don't. Even if I was just walking the carpet, I'd have to wear some. But since I'm going to be on stage, I need more. I'll probably be wearing more makeup than you will.”

Reggie spoke up. “No doubt. She's got flawless skin. You, on the other hand, stopped using the cleanser I gave you.”

Rob looked sheepish. “I ran out.”

“Call me next time, dunce. Or tell Christopher. He can get one of the minions to pick some up at the supply store on their regular run. In fact, you hold on.” She gestured to one of the minions. “You! Go find Christopher and get a list of all Rob's products, then get him a month's supply.” She looked at Rob then. “No more excuses. I want to see a better complexion by Sundance, you hear me?”

Emily laughed as the manicurist repainted her nails. “I like her. She doesn't take crap from you and she treats you like a regular person. I think we'll be fast friends, Reggie.”

“You make my job easy. You must have a regular routine, right?” Reggie noted as she cleaned Rob's face and began applying foundation.

Rob laughed. “I thought she was low maintenance until I watched her with her daily face routine.”

Em scowled at him. “Obviously it pays off. I won't need as much makeup as my boyfriend does.”

“Don't let him fool you. His routine is supposed to be pretty extensive, too. He's just not doing it lately because he's out of product. No more excuses, Deacon. You're just lucky you didn't have to wear much makeup the last few weeks or your pores would be screaming.”

Em laughed. “I love it. This is going to be fun. So, does this mean I get to give
you
crap about how long you're taking in the bathroom tonight?”

“Watch it,” he teased, “or you won't get any more later.”

“Oh, don't pretend you'd cut me off. You aren't the type to cut off your nose to spite your face. You're too pretty for that,” she teased.

He pretended to be sad. “I thought I was hot?”

Em gave him the smile that said she loved him. “You are, honey. You're the most beautiful man I know. Inside and out.”

He smiled back, the smile that had made her fall for him. Reggie scolded, “Stop smiling. I'm glad to see you're happy, Rob, but you're making my job harder and you're already on my shit list for skipping your routine. Save the googly eyes for later. Close your eyes and stop talking.”

Em chuckled and stared at him, thinking how lucky she was that he was hers. Even if he
was
going to be wearing more makeup than her.

When Rob's turn was done, it was Emily's time in the chair. Reggie sighed in relief. “Your skin is amazing. This is going to be a cake walk. Christopher said we're going bold except the lips.”

“That's what he told me. He wants attention focused on my eyes.”

“Can't say I blame him, those eyes are stunners. And your dress is about the same shade, right?” Reggie asked as she swiped cleanser on Em's face.

“It is. Wait til you see it. I thought the last two dresses he put me in were amazing, but this is gorgeous.”

“So, you're walking the carpet with him?”

“Yes. I'm nervous about it, but I need to get used to it, I guess. I can't hide forever.”

“Expecting to be around a while?” Reggie asked. It was asked in a friendly way, not as if she thought Emily was nuts to think she'd be around after tonight.

“That's the plan at this point. It's what we both want. As long as that's true, then I'll be around.”

“Got any long-term plans?”

“Like what? Getting my fifteen minutes?”

Reggie was surprised. “No. I didn't mean it like that. You don't seem to care much about that stuff. I was thinking more along the lines of a white dress and a church.”

Emily blushed. “Oh. Sorry. No, um, we're not really at that point yet. We've only been together for a few weeks. We haven't made too many plans beyond going to Sundance. I've got a lot of work commitments for my new job.”

“Well, I'll see you there, then.”

“Do you usually travel with Christopher?”

“Not always. I've got other jobs around here. But Rob asked for me to be at the premiere. I'm quicker and better at making him look like he's not wearing makeup than the other guy Christopher uses. When he's going to be in the spotlight, he needs more makeup and doesn't want to look like he's wearing it. Can I tell you a secret?” Em nodded. “Over Christmas, I got set up to work in New York. I've worked with Michael Haddington before and he wants me to come work on this play he's starring in off-Broadway. I'm pretty sure it's a go. I won't know for another week or so. Sundance might be my last job for Christopher and for Rob.”

“Working on Broadway a big dream of yours?” Reggie nodded. “Well, I hope you get it, then. Even though I love how you don't bow to Rob. He hates it when people kiss his ass.”

“He does. I'd say you know him pretty well already. There. You're done. Mick will do your hair. I'll be at the show to touch up his makeup before he goes on stage, so if you need anything, let me know. Here's the lipstick you're wearing,” she handed a tube of the pale pink lipstick. “You should be all set, but if you need a touch up after eating, use this. Just don't be too liberal. Good luck. And if I don't see you before, I'll see you at Sundance.”

“Thanks. You will.”

Next up was Mick, a tall, slender, botoxed man with jet black hair who drooled over Emily's curls. He sculpted her hair into an elegant pile near the nape of her neck with a straightened piece swept across her forehead, somehow pinned so that it wasn't noticeable.

It was finally time for putting on her dress, which meant that the event was drawing near. Emily got nervous again, so she played a game in her head to change her focus. She named all the Masters in the Italian Renaissance from Giotto to Caravaggio. It calmed her enough that she felt like she could get ready.

This time she was wearing flesh-toned lace panties and nothing else under the dress. Her dress was a pale blue, nearly the color of her eyes, with a rhinestone-encrusted halter neckline that emphasized and lifted her cleavage. It was backless and fitted to her hips, where the organza skirt flowed outward. There was a slit up the left thigh again and the skirt went to the floor. On her feet this time were silver shoes that looked similar to the black ones she'd worn at the gala. She knew she was getting some serious bling – no diamond studs and tennis bracelets this time – Christopher had said it was diamond and sapphire chandelier earrings and a diamond and sapphire wrist cuff. Her 'purse' was a tiny silver thing that was barely big enough to hold her lipstick.

As she took off her robe to put on her dress, Rob walked into the room. He looked for a second like he might pass out. He shook his head to clear it.

“I guess I'll tell them to wait for a few minutes to bring the jewelry back.”

“Unless you want them seeing Emily's boobies, I'd say that's a good idea. You know you're supposed to wait until she's done. Get out of here. I'll call you when she's ready,” Christopher instructed without looking at him. She gave Rob a half-smile. Rob's look said he wanted to stay, but he listened.

“Usually, he's pretty good at listening. Though, to be fair to him, I suppose he's more excited to see your lady bits than he would be his mother or sister's, so it's no wonder he came into the room before he was called.”

Christopher lifted her boobs into her dress and positioned them perfectly. He had placed some pasties on her nipples and then used double-sided tape to hold the sides of her dress in place. “Shoes,” he barked and a minion appeared with the silver stilettos. Christopher placed them on her feet and her legs felt miles long. He adjusted here and there, and a minute later, he said, “Okay, you can come back in, now.”

Rob walked into the living room and stopped short. “Wow,” he breathed. He looked pretty wow himself, wearing a single-button Versace tux with a bow tie. He turned his head just enough to call back over his shoulder, but his eyes didn't leave Emily. “Come on back,” he said.

The jeweler brought over the cases and Christopher put the earrings and bracelet on her. “Perfect,” he said. “I expect you to be on a best-dressed list. You look even more fabulous than I expected. Give us a twirl.”