Catch a Rising Star (16 page)

“A family reunited.”

“This is a soap, for crying out loud. Why do people have to have kids on a soap? This isn’t
7th Heaven
, for the love of Pete.”

She chuckles. “You have two demographics that represent our viewers. College students who want to see young, hot bodies .
. .” She waves toward the bikini set—the fresh-faced group who have all the nightclub and beach scenes. Okay, I see her point.

“What’s the other?”

“Moms who sit in front of the soaps and fold their laundry. Or take a few minutes to rest and put up their feet while the
babies are down for a nap. Whatever they’re doing… they’re watching you while they do it.”

“Don’t they watch to escape?”

“They want to escape their own lives for an hour. But soap moms don’t look dowdy or fat or frazzled. Their kids don’t get
too dirty or bite the other kids at day care. It’s the ideal family life. And you have to make these moms believe that you
love your kids as much as they love theirs.”

Now that sinks into my PMSing brain.

“Places!” Blythe returns with her coffee and megaphone.

“Wait. Blythe, can I speak with you?” I turn to Sharon. “Thank you. You’ve helped a lot. Will you excuse me?”

Sharon sends me a self-satisfied smile. “Of course.”

Blythe’s face is twisted in irritation. “What can I do for you, Tabby?”

“Listen. I know I’m having trouble getting into the scene with the kids.”

“Yeah, you’re going to have to get your head in the game,” she says. “We need to film this.”

“I know. I understand, really. But I need you to give me an extra day to do some research.”

Her face mottles and I think she might burst a blood vessel in her brain. I’m truly concerned for her. “What do you mean?
Mess up the schedule? Do you know what Jerry will do to me if I mess up the shooting schedule?”

I’m guessing not a thing. Blythe is his golden girl. She’s won more daytime Emmys for directing than any daytime director
in the last decade. I think he’ll forgive her.

“Can you please film another scene today and let me take the twins on a sort of field trip?”

“You want to… ?” I think she’s about to tell me to get my fanny back to the set when her expression shifts from ticked
off to reflective. “You know. That might not be a bad idea.” She looks across the room. “Mr. Gray. Can you come here a sec?”

My heart thrums in my chest as David strides confidently toward us. He gives me only a cursory glance and looks away. My stomach
dips with disappointment. He left immediately after midnight on New Year’s Eve, without even saying good-bye, and I haven’t
seen him in the week since. I want so much to tell him that his was the kiss I was looking forward to. But I’m pretty sure
he wouldn’t be too receptive to my explanation so I figure it’s best to leave it alone.

“Tabby here wants to take your kids out for a play day. Is that okay with you?”

His gaze flickers to me with a puzzled frown. “Why do you want to do that?”

I’m about to open my mouth, but Blythe answers for me. “Research. She needs to wrap her head around the idea of being part
of these kids’ lives. She’s the worst mother I’ve ever seen.”

And she’s seen every mother in the world? I couldn’t possibly be the worst. Still, my cheeks go hot beneath David’s scrutiny.
“Yeah, I, um, need to wrap my head around being a mom. Do you mind?”

His eyes cloud over, and I think I see disappointment there. He doesn’t want me to hang out with his kids? Doesn’t he think
I can handle it? “We’re going ice skating today,” he says with a nonchalant shrug. “I guess she can come with us if she wants.”

I’m about to say, “Hey, don’t do me any favors, bud. I’ll go find another set of twins to conduct my experimental research.”
But Blythe pipes up like I have no say in the matter.

“Okay, great.” Blythe moves her attention back to me. “Here’s what we’re going to do. We’ll shoot the scene today. And if
we need to reshoot some of your dialogue, we can do that and plug it in.”

“Fine.”

I spend the next two hours listening to Blythe yell at me and watching a couple of kids look at me like I’m a total moron.
I’m not in the best mood—and neither are they—by the time Blythe calls a wrap.

“Sorry, everyone,” I say and head to makeup to get the scars taken off my face. Tonya’s eyes are filled with compassion.

I slump into the makeup chair, afraid I’ll be fired any second. “You saw that, huh?”

“Yeah. You’ll get it. You’re a fabulous actress.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” As a matter of fact, my confidence has completely fled. “The kids are more convincing than I
am.”

“Well, they’ve had a mom. You’ve never had kids. And you’re not crazy about them, are you?”

It’s not that I don’t like kids. Honestly. I like kids. I just don’t “get” them. I don’t know how to talk baby talk. I’m pretty
much a total failure when it comes to trying to relate to them. I don’t know why I have such a hard time. I just do.

“All done,” Tonya announces.

Freddie breezes into the room just as I’m about to beg for help for my splotchy face.

“Guess what I just heard,” he says, flopping into the chair next to mine. “Good grief, Tonya—do something about her face.
It looks horrible.”

“Gee thanks, Freddie.” I give Tonya my best pout in the mirror. “I’ve got plans with David and the twins. Do you think you
could…”

She grins. “Say no more. We’ll have you fixed up in a jiff.”

“Okay, Freddie. What did you hear this time?” I’m amazed that I’m too weary and disheartened to be turned on by the latest
juicy gossip.

“Rachel Savage caught her husband, Seth, with another woman and that’s why she didn’t renew her contract with
As the World Turns
. She refuses to work with him.”

Ever since he missed the memo about Lucy being recast, I’m not completely convinced of Freddie’s ability to head up the rumor
mill with integrity and reliability anymore. But I’m willing to give him a grudging benefit of the doubt. For now.

I find it difficult to drum up enthusiasm for anyone catching a cheating husband. Seriously. The only emotion the news evokes
is compassion.

Obviously, my lack of response offends Freddie to the core. “Don’t tell me you’re going soft on me, girlfriend. After I walked
all the way over here to cheer you up.”

“Sorry, Freddie. I just don’t think it’s ever happy news when a marriage breaks up.”

He rolls his eyes and pushes to his feet with dramatic flair. “I forgot you have a new set of
morals
.” The air quotes do not make him look manlier. But of course that’s not what he’s going for. He winks, though, and I know
he forgives me. “Make sure you don’t miss our workout session tomorrow.” His eyes pan me. “A little too much Christmas candy?”

I stick out my tongue.

“Oh, one more thing,” he says, pausing at the door. “Julie’s the one who talked Jerry into recasting Rachel in the role of
Lucy instead of killing her off.”

“Why would she do that?”

“Why do you think?” he asks caustically. “This rivalry between you and Rachel isn’t exactly a secret.”

“Rivalry?” I say in an airy, and completely unbelievable, lilting tone. “That was a hundred years ago.”

“That long?” He snickers. “Well, not everyone is as forgiving as you are. Julie wants to see you squirm.”

“Don’t be silly.” But given the writing she’s been doing for me, I’m not convinced of my own words. Freddie might be right.

“I think that’s really nice of you not to laugh about Rachel’s husband cheating on her.” Tonya’s voice is so quiet, I almost
don’t hear her.

I look up, but she’s keeping her gaze firmly on my makeup. “Thank you,” I say, for lack of anything better.

She goes on like I didn’t speak anyway. “You know, when a woman isn’t very nice, there’s usually a reason. And beneath it
all, she usually has a good heart.”

I have a feeling she’s talking about her mother. The woman’s been through five marriages and has definitely not been known
as the sweetest of women during her decades-long career. “I agree with you,” I say softly.

“The only real friend Rachel has around here is David Gray, you know?”

“What about Julie?”

Tonya shrugs. “I don’t know. Something’s not right, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I used to see Rachel and her husband
meet Trey and Julie on set and the four of them would go off for an evening together. But it’s kind of… different. Julie
never seemed real happy about the arrangement.”

“Well, Julie’s never happy with anything. Is she?” I say cattily. I know I’m being a jerk, but Julie’s so mean to me I feel
slightly justified.

“Maybe not. But I think she might have a good reason.”

Suddenly, Tonya’s generosity breaks through my cynicism. Shame nudges me. “Do you go to church, Tonya?” I ask out of the blue.

She smiles and nods. “Don’t tell my mom, though. She’s a die-hard agnostic. She’d kill me if she found out I’m a Christian.
Mr. Gray and the twins go to my church.”

“You belong to Eighth Avenue Community?”

She shakes her head. “New Wine Fellowship. Just down the road.”

“I’ve seen it on the way to work. David goes there? But I saw him at my church a few months ago.”

She nods. “They haven’t gone long. He was church hunting for a while I think.”

“Hmm.” I guess that’s all there is to say about that. But sheesh. What’s wrong with my church?

“All done.” Tonya’s voice takes on a chipper tone, so I figure she’s not in the mood to delve into her mom’s issues. Which
is probably just as well since I have issues of my own right now. I look at my reflection and breathe a sigh of relief. “You’re
a miracle worker.”

A flush of pleasure creeps across her face, and she gives me a tentative smile. “Thank you.”

“Well, I suppose I’d better face the children.” Is it my imagination, or do I sound shaky? I’m such a coward. I walk out of
the makeup room feeling a little more confident. Until I see the three of them huddled together, waiting with obvious impatience.

“Finally!” Jeffy says crossly. “Can we go now?”

My cheeks burn, and I look at the floor.

“All set?” David’s soft voice commands my gaze, and my eyes meet his.

“Sure. Sorry it took so long.”

He smiles. “They’re kids. They haven’t learned the fine art of patience. All right, then,” David says. “Let’s go.”

“Okay. Looking forward to it.” I smile my best Felicia Fontaine, and he smiles back. Ha, don’t tell me I’m not an actress.

“You’re dreading every second of this.” He laughs, the mirth rising all the way to his incredible eyes.

“What? Don’t be ridiculous.”

He pats my shoulder like I’m one of his kids. “You’ll be fine. I’ll make sure they take it easy on you.”

“That sort of defeats the purpose of trying to get the full effect.”

A smirk twists his lips. “Trust me. You can’t handle the full effect.” He leans in closer and whispers, “Not yet, anyway.”

Now what was that supposed to mean?

The kids beeline to the door and wait for David to get there. See, they’re well behaved. But I’m looking forward to my solo
car ride over to the skating rink. Fifteen blissful minutes all to myself to regroup and organize my thoughts. In the parking
lot, I smile at David. “Okay, I’ll see you over there.”

In a flash, he takes my arm and steers me in the opposite direction.

“What are you doing? I have my friend’s car today.” I thumb point over my shoulder.

“I can’t let you drive separately.”

“Look, seriously. Dancy’s car…”

He stops and takes my shoulders in his hands, meeting me eye to eye. “There’s nothing more real about parenting than sharing
a car ride with two hungry, tired five-year-olds.”

Ominous premonition slithers through me. I think this is going to be one long night.

I
almost feel sorry for anyone who isn’t from New York. Rockefeller Center is the most magnificent place on earth. Well, except
maybe Paris, or Rome. And then there’s the Taj Mahal. Oh, well, you know what I mean. It’s amazing and I love it.

David and the twins carry their own skates inside. “Where are yours?” Jenn asks with a haughty tone that sets my teeth on
edge.

This is a test. I can tell by the way she’s staring and waiting for an answer. If I say I don’t have a pair of my own, she’ll
have no respect for me. So I say what comes to the tip of my tongue. “I, um, didn’t have time to go home and get them. I’ll
have to rent a pair, I suppose.”

“That’s yucky.” She wrinkles her deceptively adorable nose. And I can’t really fault her, can I? Because renting skates other
feet have sweat in really isn’t all that appealing to me either.

Oh, here’s my out. “I think you’re right, Jenn. That isn’t very sanitary. I suppose I’d better sit out and watch the rest
of you this time.” I glance at David and feign a look of regret. Now, that expression I have down pat. But why is he giving
me that skeptical raised brow like he doesn’t believe I’m on the level?

“What?” I say.

“Nothing.” Okay, how come his look of innocence looks so real? Has he been taking acting lessons?

“I mean it. I’d skate if I’d brought my own skates.” And I do have some, buried away in Mom’s garage somewhere. “But I’m not
going to wear rentals. Do you know how much bacteria collects in those things?”

His eyes go big. “No. How much?”

I smack him lightly on the arm. “Jerk.”

He tosses back his head and laughs. It’s the first time I’ve heard full-blown laughter from this man, and I must say, I’m
charmed to my bones. “Come on,” he says, motioning toward an empty bench. “The kids and I will get our skates on, and you
can watch our shoes.”

I make a face. “I knew I’d come in handy for something.”

It takes a full fifteen minutes for David to lace up Jenn’s skates, then Jeffy’s, and then get his own skates on. I’m amazed
at his patience while faced with the children’s impatience. I watch his gentle hands as he lifts their feet and pats their
thighs to let his children know when one skate is secure and he’s ready for the next. I’m mesmerized by this display of tender
loving care. It’s so natural, as though he’s acting on instinct and doesn’t even have to try.