Hollywood Ever After (20 page)

“I thought you’d changed your mind.” His voice was strained.

“Changed my mind?” I peered up at him.

“I hadn’t heard from you. I thought you’d decided not to… I thought you weren’t coming.” He paused, his jaw working briefly. “And then you were there, at the premiere. I could finally breathe again.” His voice grew husky. “I thought maybe I’d imagined this.”

He’d been missing me, thinking of me, too. “No. You didn’t imagine this.” My voice was hoarse.

His eyes were tender as his thumb traced my lips. “And you’re here.” I nodded.

He pulled me closer and I burrowed into him, wrapping an arm around his chest to anchor him tightly in place. I hoped I’d made my preference clear before I asked, “Staying?”

“I’ll take that as an invitation. For a bit.”

I found the light switch, flipped it, and settled against him with a satisfied sigh. “I missed you too,” I whispered against his chest.

“I’m glad.” He sighed, exhaustion edging his words.

I laughed. “Sleepy?”

“I am. Two weeks is a hell of a long time to go without one decent night’s sleep.”

I kissed his chest. “There’s no reason for that tonight.”

“You’re right,” he said. “Sweet dreams, then.”

“Sweet dreams, Josh.” I felt my eyes drooping, exhaustion taking hold now that I had found some peace.

His hands rubbed up and down my back, his heart a soothing rhythm beneath my ear. And I fell into a deep sleep with a very contented smile on my face.

Chapter Ten

I turned on the shower and dropped my running clothes on the floor for the second time this morning.

I’d slipped from the bed and pulled on my running clothes, as was my morning routine. But something about me in my tight running shorts had enticed Josh into removing them all over again.

Five minutes and a good deal of grasping, kneading, and stifled moans later and I was almost too satisfied to force myself out of the warm bed for some serious exercise. While he watched from the tangled sheets and bedclothes, I tugged my running gear back on. He dressed and we walked to the lobby. We parted with a sweet kiss and I set out for more cardio.

Not that I really needed it after last night, but it was a pretty great way to start the day. He said he’d come with me next time. I liked the sound of that.

My shower was super quick, as motherhood required. I picked through my hair, dressed in some jeans and a long-sleeved white t-shirt. I pulled on my tennis shoes and tugged my hair into a ponytail, leaving my curls to bounce on my shoulders. I assessed my reflection with a smile. I looked pretty pleased with life. Because that’s exactly the way I felt.

Arthur was sipping coffee and reading a paper in one of the silk chairs by the window. I smiled at him. “Morning.”

“Run already? And a shower?” he teased. “Do you sleep?”

“Not as much as I should. But it was too nice a morning to stay in bed.”

“You and Josh have a nice evening?”

I nodded, smiling in spite of myself.

Arthur stood and poured me a steaming cup of dark black coffee. He handed me the fine bone china cup, saying, “It’s amazing, isn’t it, how hard it can hit you?”

I shot him a look.

“Did Shannon tell you I was married once? For twenty-two years. I promised myself I’d never enter into another relationship.”

I hadn’t known. “What happened?”

“With the marriage?” I nodded. “Nothing, really. No real drama. We just didn’t like each other anymore. And I thought being alone was a good fit for me.” He shrugged. “But then I met Shannon. She changed everything.”

“I’m happy for you both, Arthur.”

He nodded, his voice soft. “Me too.”

There was a soft thump from the kids’ room, jarring me into action. Then I remembered. “Arthur, are you computer savvy? Can you tell me why I wouldn’t have received some emails?”

“I can take a look if you like.”

I dashed into my bedroom and returned with my laptop.

“Do you have any security settings on your inbox?” He reached for my laptop. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all, thanks, actually.” I handed it to him. “Josh said he’d emailed me. But I didn’t get them.”

Arthur began clicking away. “Let’s see.”

I curled up on the couch, vaguely aware of the sounds coming from the kids’ bedroom. Will squealed with laughter, making Arthur and me grin.

“And that is the sound of Will being tickled mercilessly by his sister, who he undoubtedly woke by doing something mischievous.”

Arthur smiled then turned the computer toward me. “This is probably him. There’s a lot in your junk mail. Here.”

I took the laptop and stared at the junk file. There was a long list of emails, all from the same email address. They dated back to the day I’d left California.

They were from him. He’d written to me every day. Were they poems? No, not poems. Songs. Song after song, and he sent them to me. The last email was from the morning we’d left Texas. His words jumped out at me, filling my heart.

I feel you on my fingers. I hear your breath in my ear. The smell of your skin, soft on the back of your neck, is there when I sleep… I don’t want to wake up.

My hands were shaking a bit and I felt the heat in the pit of my stomach. He was able to convey the raw honesty of his emotions, and his words had a powerful effect on me.

“Is it him?” Arthur asked. He eyed my face then said, “Guess so.”

“Thanks…yes.”

“It’s okay, you know.” He regarded me carefully as he spoke. “For you to be in love with him, I mean.”

My first reaction was to deny what he was saying, but I caught myself. “Why? Explain it to me so that this makes sense.”

“Why not? To be loved and return it, it’s a gift.”

I stared at him for a minute until I realized that he was returning my completely baffled expression.

“It just doesn’t make sense to me. I’m me, suburban single mom. But he’s Josh Wiley, he has…options.” I sounded confused.

“Maybe you’re the option he likes best, Claire. Ever think of that?” He smiled before turning back to his paper.

I was his best option? That didn’t quite click for me, even if it sounded wonderful.

I stared at his emails, moved and astounded that they were to me. From him. I didn’t know much about him, not really. Yet somehow it didn’t matter. We fit, in every way that seemed to matter. We fit well.

Out of pure curiosity I Googled Josh Wiley—and I instantly regretted it. Fan pages, blog spots, news articles from magazines and newspapers, pages and pages of links devoted to him. His birthday, birthplace, favorite color, and favorite song—everything was available online. There were pictures of him at film premieres, at concerts, at fashion shows (with the amazingly stunning Fiona Lukas), in the post office, during his grade school years. There was information here that I didn’t know about him yet. And as fascinating as it was, I didn’t want to learn it this way, impersonally.

It was also a little overwhelming to learn how many people felt like they knew him by reading these pages. I didn’t know if half of this information was true. It just seemed like an invasion of his privacy, an attempt to participate in his life without him inviting it.

I closed the Internet browser and went back to my inbox. He had emailed me every day we were apart. He’d missed me as much as I’d missed him.

There was a knock on the door and I peered at it curiously. Had he had time to go home and clean up already? I felt a smile tugging at my lips as I turned in greeting.

Arthur answered the door. The bellboy stood there, holding a huge basket of bluebells and tulips.

I felt my chest tighten. Why couldn’t he leave me alone? Why did he have to remind me he was still there? Because it was a game to Daniel, a game he was determined to win.

I joined Arthur at the door. “I don’t want them.”

Arthur looked at me, surprised.

“What do you want me to do with them, ma’am?” the young man asked.

“Are you sure they’re not from Josh?” Arthur asked.

I reached forward, taking the small envelope and pulling the card out.
I miss you. I love you. Your husband always, Daniel

I put the card back into the envelope and shoved the card back into the arrangement. “Do you have an incinerator?” I asked.

The bellboy stared at me.

“Just throw it in the trash, please.” Arthur thanked him and closed the door.

Will came bursting into the living area. “Morning, Uncle Arthur. Morning, Mom,” he said as he barreled across the room and into my arms.

“Morning, Will.” I scooped him up, dropping a kiss on his cheek. Arthur watched me but didn’t say anything.

I felt Will press a wet kiss to my cheek and hugged him to me. His exuberant kisses and hugs helped restore my earlier cheer. It was going to be a good day. After all, it could only get better.

***

Josh was clutching his stomach as he laughed. He wasn’t alone. Our entire picnic was in various states of amusement.

“Who knew he was such a ham?” my mother whispered to me.

I had to admit I had no idea Will was capable of
this
. I was watching him in awe as he re-enacted the entire light saber duel between Darth Vader (his favorite Star Wars character) and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Arthur was quite good-natured about the fact that he was being completely upstaged by a five-year-old.

Will fell onto the ground and flopped about in staged agony, signaling the end of their vignette. Helen and Natalie jumped to their feet, applauding loudly. Josh joined in, whistling loudly. Arthur bowed, but Will stayed prone on the ground. He was going to milk it.

As the applause died down I said, “Too bad Darth Vader is dead. I have those chocolate cookies he loves.”

Will hopped up and into my lap, smiling. “I fooled you, didn’t I?”

“You were amazing, Will,” Shannon said. “Arthur, put a little more feeling into it next time.”

Arthur joined us on our blanket. “I’ve never seen this film, dear. I was winging it.”

Will sighed, shaking his head. “Uncle Arthur, that’s just sad.”

“Not everyone is as big a Star Wars fan as you are, Willy.” Natalie rolled her eyes. “I mean, you’ve seen it like three dozen times. It’s kind of overkill, if you ask me.”

Will wrinkled his nose. “You’re a girl. Girls don’t get it.”

My mother giggled.

“Three dozen times?” Arthur looked impressed.

“Without my approval. You are way too young to have watched that movie, you know.” I looked disapprovingly at my son. Will smiled up at me. I couldn’t help it. I smiled back at him.

Josh lay back on his elbows, watching us with a smile. His beat-up baseball cap rested low on his brow. “It’s one of my favorite battle scenes. I admit it. But it was a wee bit gruesome as well. Will, you’re awfully brave. We’ll have to watch it with Arthur, eh Will?” He waited for Will to nod before continuing. “It’s a glorious day. Have plans for tea this afternoon?”

“No.” I took a small bite of the chocolate cookie Will was determined to share with me.

“Excellent.” Josh smiled as I reached for my water. “My father would like you to come round for tea.”

Cookie and water became lodged in my throat. I coughed until tears were streaming down my cheeks.

“Is that a no, then?” He was smiling at me, his eyebrow arched.

My mother spoke up. “It’s not really fair, Claire. I’ve been able to get to know Josh and Helen. Josh’s father should get to meet you and the kids.”

“I didn’t say no,” I wheezed, taking another sip of water.

“I’ll give him a ring and let him know we’ll be round later, then.” He stood, winking down at me as he pulled his phone from his pocket. I nodded, the cookie still choking me.

Will hopped up. “Is that a goose? Can I feed it? Come on, Uncle Arthur. And bring the light saber just in case.” He scowled at the goose, anticipating the worst.

I handed him the bag with three remaining cookies and gave him a stern face. “Will, be kind to the animal, please.”

Natalie stood. “I’m not going to miss this.” Helen and Natalie followed Arthur and Will, talking animatedly.

My view was pretty idyllic, lying on a blanket in Regent’s Park. My children were happy. My mother and my best friend looked relaxed and peaceful. And the man I loved was smiling at me while talking to his father about a tea-time visit.

My smile dampened somewhat. Meeting his father?

“I had no idea what I was asking, did I?” My mother turned warm eyes on me. “When I asked you if you had something to tell me, I mean.”

Shannon shook her head. “It wasn’t planned, Marty. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man more determined in pursuit. As you can see, he’s
really
pretty, and genuinely sweet. Claire didn’t stand a chance.”

I shrugged, feeling my cheeks grow warm. “Josh and I just kind of…clicked. I’m not really sure how it all happened.”

“Do I want to know what ‘all happened’ means?” She didn’t sound horrified; she was smiling. But she was my mother, so I couldn’t help the heat that continued to fill my cheeks. “I knew something was up, but I had no idea what. You came home different, confident in a way I haven’t seen in years.”

Shannon nudged me.

“There was the picture in the papers. And he is who he is, so I learned a bit about him following that picture. But I wasn’t convinced there was any truth to it until I saw you. His televised declaration threw me a little.”

“You’re not the only one,” I murmured.

“The compass you wear every day, I’m assuming that’s from him?” she asked. I nodded.

“He’s totally in love with her,” Shannon added.

“I know.” My mother turned to look at me. “And how do you feel?”

I looked down, trying not to give myself away. Too late.

“Oh. I see.” My mother’s smile grew.

“I’m glad you’re not denying it.” Shannon laughed.

I shook my head. “Nothing is set or committed or anything like that. Not at all! There are a lot of complications…” My voice faded as Josh joined us.

He smiled down at me on our blanket, sliding his phone back into his pocket. “He’s looking forward to meeting you.” He glanced around the blanket curiously. “Where did everyone run off to?”