Hollywood Ever After (3 page)

“It’s still nice to hear,” Michael replied, his tone easygoing. “Shannon says you’re a movie expert and groupie, so I’ll take it as a compliment.”

Shannon burst out laughing. “I didn’t say groupie!”

“Whatever word you used, Shannon, I’m sure you meant it in the best possible sense.” He was very smooth.

“I simply said Claire is a movie-holic.” She was still a little breathless.

I nodded. “Guilty.”

“Ever stalked anyone?” He looked serious.

“Um, no.” I quirked an eyebrow. “Does that lessen my rank as a devotee?”

“Michael…” Shannon tried to stifle another round of laughter.

“I just didn’t know if I should be worried.” He smiled broadly at Shannon.

“I think I terrified him the first time we met,” she explained. “I was a little…”

“Hyperventilating? Red-faced? Speechless?” He was laughing now. “Once I knew you weren’t going to pass out or abduct me, I found it all very charming, Shannon. You, Claire, seem much less overwhelmed.”

Shannon shook her head. “She has loads of self-control
and
she’s very good at hiding her emotions.”

I doubted Shannon’s assessment. A shock of windblown hair on the deck below caught my attention. Josh was watching me. I hesitated a minute before I let my gaze meet his. I wasn’t sure what I expected to find, but the heat was unmistakable. I felt strangely aware of myself—and a little empowered.

“There’s nothing wrong with having self-control,” I heard Michael add, teasing Shannon.

Apparently, I had none this evening. Josh’s gaze upon me was dizzying, almost as if he was touching me. His gaze traveled over my arm, my shoulder, my neck. My breathing accelerated. I looked away, my skin tingling and warm. It had been a long time since real longing had filled me. But I recognized it now.

My phone vibrated in my clutch, snapping me out of my wayward thoughts. It was Natalie. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.”

I took a steadying breath and walked from the railing. It took a minute to find a small path detouring off the deck. “Hold on, Nat,” I said into the phone as I wandered along and finally settled onto a stone bench at the path’s end, hidden beside a small gazebo wrapped in fragrant honeysuckle vines.

I smiled. “Hey, baby girl.”

“Are you at a party, Mom? Wow, it’s loud. Tell me everything.”

“Yes, I’m at a party.” I looked up, staring out across the wide night sky. “I went to a premiere with Shannon.”

“See anyone cool?” She sounded excited.

I thought of hazel-and-gold eyes stirring feelings I was not going to share with my adolescent daughter. Instead, I said, “I did see a few actors. You’ll probably be able to find it online tomorrow. You and Will okay? Not missing me too much?”

Natalie laughed. “Um, it’s been less than twenty-four hours, Mom. But yes, Will told Grams he missed you. And I do too. But I want to hear about California and Hollywood and everything. What do you see right now?”

“I’m kind of hiding in the garden while we talk, so just flowers and stuff. Like you said, it’s really loud. We’re at this fancy hotel, a movie premiere after-party thing on the beach.”

“Is anyone there that I might know? I mean, other than you and Shannon?”

“There are so many people here, sweetie. I don’t think so.” I looked up. Someone was coming down the path.

It was Josh, walking toward me with a slight smile on his lips. He had his phone to his ear, listening.

“What are you wearing?” Natalie asked.

He stopped, looking down at me, his smile slow and lazy. “Mind if I sit?” he whispered, his hand covering his phone.

I moved over, instantly aware of his proximity.

“That’s fine, thanks,” he said into the phone as he sat. “I look forward to it.” He hung up and turned to look at me.

“Mom?” Natalie tried again. I had no doubt he heard her. He was sitting so close. “What are you wearing, Mom?”

“What am I wearing?” I asked, flustered. I looked down at my dress and shrugged. “I’m barefoot…”

He laughed, then instantly snapped his mouth shut to muffle the sound.

“And?” Nat wasn’t giving up.

I tore my eyes from him then murmured, “A red dress. I think Shannon sent you a picture…”

“Hold on.” Her voice increased in volume, making me hold the phone a little away from my ear. “How do you look?”

“Well…” I swallowed.

“Lovely,” he said softly.

I was absolutely frozen. My heart stopped as he gently pushed a strand of hair from my shoulder, his touch a whisper on my skin. His hazel eyes were wide, regarding me intently. I was blushing, I could tell.

“Hold on.” There was more movement, then a sudden squeal. “Mom, you look gorgeous! I’m sending this picture to, like,
everyone
. Wow, Mom! Call me tomorrow?”

“I will. I promise.”

Her words flew out in a rush. “Can’t wait to hear all the details. Gotta download this one! Love you.”

“Love you too, sweetie,” I replied. “And kiss Will for me please.”

“I will, Mom. Night.” The phone went dead.

His eyes held mine and I let myself look. If I sat like this, would he lean in to kiss me?

Me? What the hell is going on?

I snapped my phone shut and turned away from him. My heart slammed against my ribs. I ran a shaky hand over one shoulder and pushed my hair from my face.

How long had it been since I was alone with a man, without anxiety…without fear? And I wasn’t afraid of him, for some inexplicable reason. Well, I was a little. Not of him, but of the feelings he was stirring. Why? Why did this man, this
young
man, affect me differently?

“You do. Look gorgeous, I mean. Don’t you know that?” he asked softly, curiously.

I stood, breaking the hold he had on me. His presence in this intimate space was making it hard to breathe. This wasn’t making any sense to me. I took a deep breath and glanced at him. “You’re very sweet…and young…and an actor.”

“Oh?” His smile grew. “Which bothers you more, the acting or the age? I’m assuming sweet isn’t a bad thing.”

I shrugged, waving my hands awkwardly, totally at a loss. My phone slipped from my hand. He reached for it at the same time I did, catching it before it hit the ground. His hand was warm as it closed over mine. I couldn’t help it; I felt butterflies.

“Claire?” Shannon called down the path. I looked in the direction of her voice and felt his hand fall from mine. By the time she stood before us seconds later, Josh was leaning against a pillar, completely at ease, studying the phone in his hand.

My heart was thudding rapidly in my ears. Was I really the only one that could hear it?

“I’m glad you find my acting
sweet
.” He spoke to both Shannon and me, ending any speculation about our conversation.

“Is that what you said? Sweet?” Shannon made a dismissive sound. “Don’t let her fool you. She was just as hot and bothered as every other red-blooded gal in the audience.”

His eyebrows rose as he regarded me, and I felt my face burn. He smiled.

“Come on, let’s get some food. You’ve got to be starving. I know I am.” Shannon grabbed my hand and led the way down the path. Josh followed.

He steadied me as I stepped onto the deck, his hand a light caress on the bare skin of my back. At my shiver, our eyes met and held. His thumb drew a lazy circle on the base of my spine before his hand was gone and we were walking, side by side. I tried to calm the telltale heat prickling my cheeks.

“I have another surprise for you, Claire.” Shannon spoke over her shoulder, winking at me. “A room here at the hotel for tonight. You’ll have total peace and quiet and spa treatments tomorrow. I’ll come and get you before dinner. I figured you could use some R and R.” Shannon winked at me. “Happy birthday.”

Sounds pretty idyllic.

“When is your birthday?” Josh walked close beside me, his voice so soft that I leaned closer to hear him. His fingers caught mine briefly as our hands brushed, leaving my fingers tingling.

I missed a step and faltered. He caught my elbow and steadied me. “Tomorrow,” I answered, mortified at the obvious effect he was having on me.

Someone called to him.

“You’ll have to excuse me.” But he turned back to me to say, “I’ll find you later—to wish you a proper happy birthday then.” His smile was mischievous. The butterflies went crazy.

Shannon and I made our way to the tables set on the highest deck. Fire pits were inviting centerpieces amongst groupings of suede-covered settees, huge floor pillows, and large rattan chairs. It was a setting that invited more intimate conversations. Shannon found a partially empty table and chair on the far side of the deck, the view on two sides encompassing the breathtaking beach below.

The buffet wasn’t ready yet, so we snagged tiny drinks from a circling waitress and sat back in the large chair Shannon had found for us to share.

“What do you think?” she asked. “Did you ever think you’d be sitting here? Isn’t it the weirdest?”

I nodded. “Wow. It’s a completely inadequate word, but I just can’t stop saying it.” I looked around at the famous faces I’d read about, watched on the big screen and TV. It was bizarre and totally intimidating. After a few minutes of stargazing, I turned toward Shannon. “Do you have any down time coming up? Or do you have something lined up to follow
End
?”

She took more drinks from the server’s tray. “I have a brilliant manuscript for a fantastic character piece.”

“Oh?” I asked. I loved to listen to her talk about her work. She could get so excited.

“Well, it’s kind of…in development.” Her face pinched up and she took a deep breath, as if bracing for something. “It’s the last manuscript you sent to me, actually.”

I stared at her, waiting for the punchline. Silence followed. “
Mine?
”

Shannon sipped her drink, giving me time to recover from her announcement.

I stared at her, whispering, “The last thing I sent to you was
my
story. About me and…”

Chapter Two

I felt my throat constrict, unable to speak the words sitting heavily on my chest. All I could say was, “I wrote that to get it out of my head. Like therapy.” She couldn’t be serious. “Not for publishing.”

“That’s the thing, Claire.” Shannon was looking at me. “You’re not the only woman that’s been used as a doormat, mentally and physically, by her husband. You give a powerful, raw voice to women in your situation. It’s
really
good.”

I shook my head, putting my face in my hands and sighing. “Shannon…” Publishing wasn’t an option. Daniel, my ex-husband, would be furious. He might even try to…
No, I won’t let him. Never again.

I shivered. I couldn’t find the words to explain how completely uncomfortable I felt, how
wrong
this entire conversation was.

She gave up, taking a long sip of her drink. “Not the right time.”

Eager to end the discussion, I agreed. “No, it’s not. But I’m not sure there will ever be a right time for that conversation.” The memory of Daniel’s face, twisted in rage, made me shiver again. My voice was unsteady. “But thanks. I guess it’s flattering that you think it’s worth considering.”

Shannon looked at me for a long moment. I waited, but she just shrugged and looked around with a small smile. Then she laughed softly, nudging me. “He really likes you.”

“What? Who?” I asked, looking around, curious.

“
Mr
. Wiley. He’s been totally checking you out.” She poked me in the side when I went rigid. “Told you you looked hot!”

“Where did that come from?” I blushed fiercely. “He’s so…” I paused as I ran through a mental checklist of all the things Josh Wiley was: handsome, thoughtful, talented, and intense. “Young,” I finished.

“He’s twenty-eight, hardly a kid and totally legal. He’s not a big ladies’ man around town, but he’s been seriously eyeing you.” She arched an eyebrow. “Not that I’m saying insanely gratuitous sex with an energetic and virile young man with no strings attached is what you should do. I’d never say that.”

My entire face and every inch of exposed skin grew hot. “You’re shameless.”

“Maybe.” She smiled, then changed the subject. “Are you cold?”

I shook my head, my mind racing to keep up with her.

“So what have you been thinking?” She regarded me over the rim of her drink. “About life? Your plans?”

“Well…” I considered. “Continuing as I have been for now. The school would like me to teach full time next year.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “But that’s not what you said you wanted. And an elementary teacher’s salary can’t go far with two kids.” She regarded me with slightly narrowed eyes. “You could come to work here. I happen to know people. That helps. There’s also the possibility of getting published or optioning a manuscript. You’d get paid—pretty well, too.”

“Getting paid to do something you really enjoy? Seems almost criminal.”

Victor’s voice interrupted our conversation. “So I’m a criminal?” He was followed by a few others. And Josh.

I tried, without much success, to keep from staring at Josh, who sat gracefully on a chaise across from me and Shannon. Directly in my line of sight.

I smiled, shaking my head. “No, I—”

“She was trying to convince me
not
to pay her to do a job that she’s perfectly suited for.” Shannon shrugged.

“Never say no to money. Unless it’s for something illegal,” Victor added.

Shannon quipped playfully, “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe not illegal, but there are some things that are just so
wrong
.”

“So I shouldn’t take money for illegal activities, or for things that are so wrong they
should
be illegal?” I raised an eyebrow in question, sipping my drink.

“Sounds like a solid foundation for career development,” Josh said, looking slightly horrified by the line of conversation.

Victor handed Shannon a drink. “Have you heard the sequel buzz?”

Shannon winked at me. “Uh, no, I’m working hard right now to pitch this project I’m psyched about.”