Catch a Rising Star (19 page)

“How are Shelly and the baby?” he asks.

“They’re both fine.”

He nods. “Thank God,” he says and meets my gaze head-on. “Is Brian driving you home?”

I shake my head. “He’s staying with Shelly for a while.”

His brow shoots upward. “And you’re okay with that?”

I nod. “Brian was more my mom’s dream guy for me than mine. I don’t think she’ll care which of her daughters ends up with
him.”

“Then I’m glad I stuck around.”

“You left the twins with Rachel?” I hate the vision of him driving to Rachel’s home, the twins asleep, and Rachel finagling
him into staying at her house longer than is decent. But I didn’t need to worry. David pushes the down button on the elevator.
“They’re with Nessie. She got off work right after we got here.”

“Oh yeah. Nessie.” His sister.

He nods. “They’ll stay with her overnight.”

I remain silent as we ride down the elevator together. I’m trying not to read more into this moment than the situation warrants.
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, David. But you know I’m an independent woman. I can get myself home.”

The elevator jolts into place and the doors open. David presses his fingers to the small of my back and guides me into the
lobby.

“Humor me. I like playing protector.”

“I’m not acting very grateful, am I?”

“Nope. And after I waited around all this time, inhaling disinfectant and diseases just to see you safely home.”

How cute is he? “I apologize, my knight. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for protecting me from the big bad cabbies
who are just waiting to learn all of our secrets and report back to their superiors.”

“What are you talking about?” He says it with a laugh, but sort of a bewildered laughter, if you know what I mean.

“Oh, forget it. Just a conspiracy theory of my mom’s.”

David opens the door to his Camry and waits while I slide into the soft (and cold, I might add) leather seat.

I lean my head against the headrest once I’m securely fastened into my seat belt. I feel a migraine coming on and my eyes
close almost instantly.

I must have dozed off during the drive because the next thing I know, David is touching my shoulder. My eyes pop open. “Hey,
are we there?” I ask.

“Yeah.”

He exits the car and walks around to my side. On top of everything else, he’s a gentleman. Only. Wait a sec. David obviously
made a mistake. He didn’t drive me to the studio to pick up Dancy’s car. Instead we’re parked alongside the curb in front
of my apartment building.

I slide out of the car, frowning. “Uh, David. What about Dancy’s car?”

“You were sleeping. I figured I could pick you up on the way to the studio. The kids have scenes tomorrow.”

“But I have to be there at five in the morning. I know the twins don’t.”

“Let me worry about it. I’ll get you there on time. I promise.”

“Look. I can just take a cab. It’s no problem.”

He smiles at me and my stomach does a major cartwheel. “A promise is a promise, Tabby. Trust me. I’d feel terrible if you
took a cab all that way.”

“I’d feel terrible if you drove so far out of the way that early in the morning. You’ve really gone above and beyond the call
of duty tonight. I can’t thank you enough for driving me to the hospital.”

Oh, he’s giving me that look again. Like he wants to take me in his arms. And honestly? There’s nothing I’d like better. But
how complicated would things be if David and I started dating all of a sudden? And remember how awful I am with kids? He’s
got those twins who really don’t like me very well. It just wouldn’t work.

“Listen, David. I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to, you know…” I clear my throat because I’m not sure how to end
the sentence.

“It’s a ride to work, Tabby. Not a proposal. Not an affair.” He steps closer and lowers his voice. “Not even a kiss.”

“Right, I know that.” My stomach is knotted into a ball of nerves. “I know it’s not a-a you know…”

“Kiss?”

I swallow hard. I have to stop looking at his lips like I want to be kissed. Which I do. But that’s beside the point. “Right.
We’re not animals. We can resist temptation.”

His mouth curves into a wry smile, and I immediately know I’ve made a terrible mistake. “Sure. I’ll do my best to resist the
temptation.”

Now I just feel stupid and full of myself. Obviously I’ve completely misunderstood David’s actions. I have two choices. Hold
my head up and walk off, saving myself from further embarrassment. Or do what he deserves and apologize. “I guess that did
sound a little presumptuous. You’ve been very kind to me. Thank you. I’ll definitely take a cab in the morning. I don’t want
to impose upon your generosity any more than I already have.”

“Listen, Tabby—”

“No, you listen. It’s okay. You don’t have anything to explain. I’m the one who… well, never mind. Let’s just leave it,
okay?”

I just want to run up the stairs and hide my head under the covers and never ever see David Gray again.

As if he is reading my thoughts, he gives me a sympathetic smile.

“Okay, we’ll leave it.” He places a hand to the small of my back and walks me to the door like he can’t wait to get rid of
me. I don’t blame him. Poor guy. I’ve put him through a lot tonight. And as much as I’d like to linger on the step and delve
into conversation, I decide to let him off the hook.

He opens the door for me and steps inside to the foyer, waiting while I unlock the inside door. I turn to him and shoot out
my hand. “Well, good night. Thanks again.”

He presses his lips into a grin and wraps his wonderful, warm hands—both of them—around mine, and I swear it feels almost
like a hug. “Good night, Tabby.”

I gulp past the sudden pinch in my throat. “Night,” I croak out, rushing inside the door and up the stairs to my apartment.
I can’t help but turn and look back down the stairs. He’s still standing there. Waiting to make sure I get in safe. He lifts
his hand when he sees me looking, and regret hits me full in the gut. How come he didn’t try to kiss me?

T
he phone chirps as I walk inside. The clock is ticking toward one a.m., so it’s strange to be getting a call. What if Shelly’s
taken a turn for the worse? I make a dash for the phone before either of my friends wakes up.

“Hello?” I whisper.

“Tabby?”

“Brian. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” He pauses. “I just left Shelly. She’s sleeping.”

“I’m glad you were there. It seemed to mean a lot to her.”

“I think so. It actually meant a lot to me too.”

I smile into the dark living room. Brian is definitely trying to drum up the courage to break the news to me.

“So, you seem pretty fond of Shelly,” I say. Might as well help him out. After all, I’m about to get rid of him. And that
can only be a good thing.

“You, uh, seem pretty fond of that David guy too.” He sounds defensive, which raises my own ire.

“Well, it’s not like it’s anything big. I just went ice skating with David and his twins tonight. For research.”

He gives a snort. “Research, huh? Does he know it was only research? Because he seemed pretty possessive.”

“He did not seem possessive.” Did he?

“Whatever. Anyway. I wanted to ask if you’d mind… I mean… well, Shelly and I have done a lot of talking lately.”

Okay, time to let him off the hook and hang up the phone. “Hey, Brian. I have a great idea. How about if you and I stop seeing
each other and you date my sister instead?”

“Are you, uh, sure you don’t mind?”

Is he serious? Come on. How many times have I tried to break up with him?

“I’m positive. Like I told you at the hospital, it’s pretty obvious there’s great chemistry between the two of you.”

“I think so too.” His voice sounds excited and tender and filled with awe. Methinks the boy is smitten. And thank God it’s
not with me.

“Good night, Brian. And good luck to you both.”

Relief nearly overwhelms me as I hang up. A smile tugs at my lips.

“Bravo!” Dancy’s voice in the dark scares me half to death. I jump and press my palm to my chest to make sure my heart is
still beating. “Good grief, Dance, warn a girl, will you?”

“Sorry.” She steps into the kitchen. “So how’s Shelly?”

“Okay. They’re keeping her overnight.” I yawn in a big way and kick off my shoes. I open the fridge and pull out a gallon
of one percent milk. I’m going to need warm milk tonight to kick in the body’s natural relaxation mechanism. My body is tired,
but my mind is buzzing. I smile, remembering the sight of Shelly’s tiny little baby on the screen.

“What’s that dreamy look about? David?” Dancy’s got a one-track mind. I swear. She hates romance for herself, but is obsessed
with my love life.

“No. Another young man.”

She gives me a bored glance and takes the milk from me as I start to put it back in the fridge. “Brian? I thought you just
turned him over to your sister. Did I hear wrong, or are you having second thoughts?”

“Neither.” The microwave beeps, alerting me that my milk should be sufficiently warmed but not too hot.

“Well, then, did you meet a doctor?”

“I did, as a matter of fact. A sixty-year-old ob-gyn who introduced me to the new love of my life.”

“You’re driving me crazy. It’s not like you to be so ambiguous.”

“My nephew. My adorable, perfect little nephew.”

Dancy practically drops the milk. “Shelly had the baby? Is it okay? How can it be okay? She’s not quite five months, is she?”

“Relax. She didn’t give birth. The doctor did an ultrasound, and we found out Shelly’s having a boy.”

“Well, for crying out loud. Why didn’t you just say so in the first place? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

Other people might get defensive over Dancy’s bossiness. But you know, I get her. She never had a smidge of control over her
own life until she moved in with Laini five years ago, so she tends to want to run the roost, if you know what I mean.

“So you turned Brian over to Shelly. Does this mean you’re going to go after David?”

I shrug as I notice a triple-layer chocolate cake and become completely sidetracked. It’s been ages since I’ve given in to
chocolate. “Did Laini make this?”

“Yeah. We’re going to gain a ton if she doesn’t get into school soon.”

“No sense letting it go to waste.” I grin and cut a thick slice of the dessert. That’s the thing about Laini. She’s going
all domestic. Cooking, cleaning, and decorating. “Want one?” I ask.

“Of course.”

We sit at the table.

“Has Laini told her mom about the design school yet?”

Dancy shakes her head. “I think she has a new strategy.”

As if on cue, Laini shows up, yawning and raking her long fingers through her tangled mass of red curls. She frowns at us.
“What are you guys doing? I heard my name.”

I sip my milk to wash down the rich, buttery chocolate frosting. “Don’t sound so paranoid. We’re saying only the nicest things.
Especially about this wonderful cake. Get a slice.”

She wrinkles her nose. “I can’t eat my own baking.”

I swallow a huge bite. “Your loss.”

“I was just telling Tabby that you have a new strategy for telling your family about switching careers. Want to let her in
on it since you’re up?”

Laini grabs an orange from the basket on the counter and pads over. She sits across from me and starts peeling. “I was thinking
maybe you could come with me and let me introduce you to my grandma.”

I don’t see what one thing has to do with the other, but she’s my friend so— “Sure, Laini. I’d be happy to meet your grandmother.
I’ll bring along some stuff from the studio. Mugs and T-shirts and stuff. I think we even have a duffle bag with the show’s
name and logo.”

Laini sends me a sleepy smile. “Sounds good. She’ll love that.”

I nod, feeling pretty satisfied. I mean, what’s the good of being a celebrity if you can’t be there for your friends and their
families in these situations? Making her grandmother’s day will make my day. “Just pick a time.”

“How about Sunday for dinner? Grandma invited us.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Relief washes over her face, and she reaches onto the cake plate and fingers a bit of extra frosting. “Thank you, Tabby. How
are you going to bring it up?” She pops her finger into her mouth.

“Bring what up?” Mmm. This cake is so good—I think Laini might seriously need to consider opening a bakery instead of going
into interior design.

“I thought you said you filled her in?” Laini’s accusing tone is directed at Dancy.

“Nope, I said I was about to.” Dancy smiles and slides a bite of the delectable cake into her mouth. “Mmm.”

“What’s going on, you two?” I demand around a delicious bite of my own. I think I’m truly becoming a compulsive overeater.
Freddie’s going to kill me if I put on so much as a single solitary pound.

Laini glares at Dancy for a second, then turns to me. “My mother was just telling me yesterday that she’s going to have to
sell the summer cabin on the lake because she’s having some financial difficulties. So I can’t hit her up for the loan I planned
on to help get me back into college.”

I set down my fork and focus my attention on my friend. If anyone knows about the end of a dream, I do. “Do you need to borrow
some money from me?”

She’s shaking her head before I even get the words out of my mouth. Just as well. I’m not one of those rich movie actresses
who make millions after all. But I’d give my last dime for my friends. I really would. “Are you sure?”

“My grandma has a lot of money. But she wants me following in Daddy’s footsteps. He was her only son, after all. And I don’t
know if she’ll loan me the money for design school.”

“Okay. But I don’t understand what you’re asking me to do.”

“Remember how I told you my grandma is a fan of yours?”

Hmm. A sense of dread is clutching my stomach, and I’m almost unable to enjoy the last bite of my cake. Almost. I swallow
and gulp down the rest of my milk. “Okay, Lane. Let’s cut to the chase. What exactly am I going to do that will help your
grandma pay for your classes?”