Read Hollywood Princess Online
Authors: Dana Aynn Levin
Hollywood Princess (11 page)
I motioned Rachel to stop once we were
inside the entrance. I didn’t want Eli to see us. I wanted to observe what was going on between her and whoever.
“What’s with your roommate?” I finally whispered to Rachel.
“How’s that?” Rachel cocked her brow seemingly confused, which was odd.
“Eli’s c
hanged. She had two dates last week with one guy and now she’s with him. Who is that anyway?”
“Jackson Shaw. Junior. L
ives on your hall.”
“That’s why he looks familiar.”
Rachel smirked, barely hiding her amusement. “What?” I asked.
“Danny, y
ou’re funny. Everyone should recognize you, but you can’t be bothered knowing who they are, even if they live down the hall from you.”
I ignored her. Rachel had hit a sore spot.
Besides I was too busy watching Elizabeth who seemed to be enjoying my neighbor’s company.
As they parted
I turned so I wouldn’t be seen. I’d forgotten that Eli wouldn’t be passing this way and Jackson had no reason to look at me. This was not lost on Rachel who gave me a wicked grin.
“Danny, y
ou’re jealous,” she smirked.
“No I’m not,” I snapped, averting my glance from Rachel.
“Yes, you are,” she answered with certainty.
Rachel’s eyes were laughing. She
was enjoying my discomfort.
“Why would I be jealous? I have no claims on Eli.
She’s a free agent.”
Rachel burst into muffled la
ughter. “Oh come on, Danny. The way you play with her? Elizabeth’s no freer than a prison inmate.”
I grimaced. “Jackson
’s not her type anyway,” I groused. Observing Eli talking and laughing with Jackson had been enough for me.
Rachel laughed again.
“How can you be so certain?”
“Because I know
what her type is,” I scowled. Because I am her type, and Jackson Shaw is not like me.
“Well
, if you don’t do something about it, that will make no difference.” I hated that Rachel saw right through me.
“I can’t date Elizabeth,” I protested, albeit a bit weakly, I admit.
“I am so sick of it! Danny, you are so frustrating! You spend almost all your time with Elizabeth! The only thing you don’t do is date, and if you don’t hurry…”
“
Okay. Enough already. Point made, Rach.”
“I hope so. Danny
, it’s only a matter of time before somebody worthwhile figures out that you’re not a couple and they’ll ask Elizabeth out. And when she says, “yes,” because she’s tired of waiting, you’ll be the sorry one.”
“Thanks for the cheery thoughts,” I said sourly.
Elizabeth had already said, “yes” to someone else, but he hadn’t been Mr. Right. I couldn’t risk the next one being more her type. As Rachel said, I would be the sorry one.
“Danny,” Rachel began more gently “If I didn’t care so much I wouldn’
t be nudging you. I don’t want you to get hurt any more than I want Elizabeth to get hurt. If you keep going this way you’re both going to get hurt.”
“I’ll think about it.”
I hated admitting it, but Rachel might be right.
“I don’t know how Elizab
eth puts up with your bullshit. She must see something I’ve missed because she tolerates it. Elizabeth more than tolerates it.”
“Maybe Eli
’s a masochist?” I said sarcastically. Rachel rolled her eyes. “Joking, Rach.”
“Maybe Elizabeth’s not. Perhaps she realizes what you don’t.
You and Elizabeth are too connected. Danny, you share too much history. It may be that the only way you can get out of each others’ systems is by getting together.”
I
understood why Eli put up with me; for the same reason I spent all my time with her. I had wanted to deny it and so I had. Rachel’s confrontation made me realize I couldn’t continue living in this state of denial any longer. And now I had Jackson Shaw and that other guy to consider.
Rachel was looking at me, trying to read my thoughts.
“I’ve got to make a phone call,” I told her “I’ll be up in five minutes.”
“How’d that happen,” Chloe
called back as Rachel entered the suite.
“Right
place at the right time. They named me Freshman Editor. My job is taking photos of freshmen doing things.”
A knock came on the
suite’s door. Rachel opened it.
“You look nice,” I heard Rachel whisper to Danny.
Danny walked in to find me sitting on the bed
examining an SD card. Rachel was right. Danny did look nice. He had changed from jeans to chinos, added a baby blue cashmere sweater that set off his eyes, and brushed his hair.
“
E, I missed you today,” Danny said before plopping down beside me.
“How’s your project going
?”
“Off to a good start, but it’s going to be crazy busy.
How was your afternoon?”
I snapped the SD card slot closed, carefully placed the camera on the desk, and turned my full attention to Danny.
“Awesome. I’m now Freshmen Editor for the yearbook,” I boasted.
“That’s great,
Eli. It’s perfect for you,” said Danny. “How did that happen?”
Then I gave Danny the run down on my chance encounter with Sasha and Joely.
“Now you’ll be too busy
for me,” he teased.
“Never,” I flirted, “I always have time for you.”
“You’d better.” Our eyes met and Danny kissed my hand. That was different.
“
Let’s celebrate. Ready for dinner?”
“
Dinner?”
“Sure. Do I need an excuse to take my lady out to dinner?
”
His lady? I grinned like a giddy fool. Then
I bounced up from the bed. “Okay. I’m ready.”
“You’re not
changing?” Danny exclaimed.
I considered his clothing. Danny’s chinos and sweater were at least a couple of notches up from my jeans on the formality scale. We must be going to a real restaurant.
“Then Shoo! Go in the other room. I’ll change.”
Five minutes later I emerged
wearing a pale blue silk chiffon shirt over a coordinating camisole. A black skirt, leggings, and boots flat enough to work with my cast replaced my jeans and sneakers. I had applied blush, brushed my hair, and spritzed on perfume.
“Better?”
I asked, and I gave Danny my brightest smile.
“Much.
Let’s go.” Danny grinned, pleased with my appearance.
“
It’s so early?” It was four-thirty.
“It won’t be when we get there.”
And Danny flashed me another wicked grin that left my pulse racing. How mysterious!
Danny guided me out the door to the Berkeley Hall parking lot and his car.
“
Let’s get a move on. The reservation is at seven.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the beach.”
“The beach?
There aren’t any beaches for at least…”
“A couple of hours.
That’s why we have to leave now,” Danny answered.
I was
intrigued and up for the adventure.
Two
hours later we were driving down what would have been a picturesque country road if the sun hadn’t already set. I was aware that we were in the Adirondacks. Unfamiliar with the region, and with Danny not revealing anything, I had no idea where we were.
Danny
turned onto a smaller road that soon dead-ended. Before us was an impressive white clapboard-sided inn trimmed in forest green and lit in a warm welcoming glow. Everything about it was perfect, as though it were the lead article in a travel magazine. A small sign announced, “The Lake House Inn.”
To the right
, a similar, but smaller, building connected to the Inn. Danny followed its separate driveway to the valet stand at the end. A matching sign proclaimed it, “The Beach House.” Danny said we were going to the beach. Now I understood.
The resort
was on the shore of a large lake, surrounded by a stand of majestic trees. I imagined the pine and fir trees soon being decorated with lights for the holiday season. The setting was spectacular.
“Where did you find this place,” I gasped as we walked to the front door.
Danny smiled at my delight.
“
New York Magazine, but I needed the right girl,” Danny explained as he took my hand and we entered the restaurant.
Electricity
shot from his hand through to my heart. So now I was the right girl. I was also a very happy girl.
Inside
the décor was as beautiful as the grounds. French doors overlooked the lake and there was patio dining for the warmer months. Decorated in upscale rustic, fireplaces scattered about created a warm, intimate ambiance.
The hostess
lead us to a table with a banquette facing it’s own fireplace, the ultimate in privacy. It was as though we were the only couple in the restaurant.
“
This is amazing.” I whispered to Danny who squeezed my hand. “Is there an occasion I don’t know about?” I asked cautiously.
“I’ve been wanting to come here
, and I thought you would like it.”
Danny lifted my chin and gazed into my eyes. The effect was immediate and hypnotic. “I thought the Lake House was the perfect place for our first date.”
“Our what! But…” Stunned, the words stuck in my throat.
Danny cupped my face in his hands, leaned in, and kissed me. I was trembling from both the power of his kiss and the unexpected turn the evening had taken.
I smiled at Danny, my head, my body, my soul, floating as though I had ingested a very pleasant and potent narcotic.
“A date? You never asked me,” I stammered.
“Miss Jacobs, would you please go out with me this evening?” he chuckled.
“I’d be honored, Mr. Newman.” A megawatt smile lit my face.
“Your other beaux won’t mind.” Danny teased.
“No. I’m not seeing anyone exclusively.”
“Elizabeth, you are now. I expect my girlfriend to be exclusive.”
“You’re making a lot of assumptions, Daniel.”
“That I am,” he grinned. Then Danny kissed me again.
The wa
iter, a pleasant young man wearing the restaurant’s uniform khaki trousers and denim shirt came to take our drink order.
“Would you like a bottle of wine, sir,” he asked Danny.
After a moment Danny responded, “Let’s make it champagne.”
Champagne! The perfect drink for this now very special evening.
Soon the waiter returned with our champagne and took our dinner order. Danny and I decided to split a Caprese salad, and we each selected filet mignon. With Juliette gone from his life, Danny was back to being a carnivore.
When the waiter left, Danny turned t
his attention to me. My heart beat rapidly. Danny raised his flute, and I followed. I blushed. I melted. Danny was so intense.
“Elizabeth, my best friend and now my girlfriend,” Danny began. “You’re n
ot only beautiful, you’re compassionate, smart, funny, and most important, you tolerate my BS. Thank you for waiting.”
A tear escaped my eye as we gently
tapped our glasses together and Danny delicately brushed it away. Then we took our first sip of the wonderfully dry champagne.
“This is
excellent,” I said softly. I didn’t know how else to respond.
Finally,
I raised my glass, my hand trembling, “Daniel, I would be proud to be yours exclusively. Thank you for this magical evening.”
The food was as wonderful as the atmosphere and that wasn’t because I had
consumed too many dining hall meals. The Beach House rivaled the best of New York and Beverly Hills.
A few sips into his cappuccino Danny
put down his cup and took my hands. He was unexpectedly serious. His deep blue eyes held sadness I couldn’t comprehend.
“Is something the matter?
” I asked tenderly.
My stomach
turned nervous flip-flops as I mentally replayed the evening. It had seemed perfect and Danny quickly confirmed my interpretation.
“No
. It’s been a great evening,” Danny smiled.
I was
even more confused, but Danny continued. “I’ve been sending you a lot of mixed signals lately.” He paused for a breath. “This is hard. I’m not good at discussing my feelings. The truth is, Elizabeth you’ve become the most important person in my life. But the rapidity scares me. Hell, we weren’t even on a date when we left Donnelly. Now you’re my girlfriend.”
I felt
drunk with joy. Danny had meant what he said earlier.
“Elizabeth, y
ou have no idea how much I wish we were staying here tonight.” Danny’s sapphires darkened with intensity. “But I’m not ready. I can’t give you the commitment that would require. I’m afraid of hurting you and I want to be more certain that I won’t.”
I was shaking.
Danny massaged my knuckles to calm me.
“Why do you think you would necessarily hurt me?”
Danny inhaled deeply. “I’ve seen it with my parents,” he quietly admitted.
“But they’re happy, right?”
“Mostly, I think. They are now. But Dad has caused my mother much pain over the years. My parents don’t know that I know, but Dad has cheated on Mom.”
Danny’s voice
quivered as he told me this family secret. I squeezed his hand in support.
“Is that why they once separated?”
I asked in a near whisper.
Danny nodded sadly. “I
overheard my mother crying to yours. I’m sure that’s why they sent me to Bromley. With me at boarding school, Mom could go on location with Dad.” Years later, his parents’ marital problems still affected him.
“I’m so sorry
. I can feel how hurt you are.” I brushed his cheek with my fingertips. Danny took my hand and kissed my palm.
“I’m okay, but I’m
determined not to hurt you like that. Eli, you know I never make any promise that I’m not one hundred percent certain I can keep. I don’t think I can promise to be true to you. I’m asking a lot, but I need to work it out for myself. I don’t want to hurt you. I’ll understand if you tell me to go to hell.”
Holy shit! I wanted Danny so badly, but I didn’t want him being unfaithful.
“I could never say that to you.”
“I’m glad.
Part of me would die if you did.”
“
Maybe you’re being honest in a way that most men never are. Should I do the same? Not promise to be faithful?”
“No. I told you before you are mine exclusively. If there’s a guy you’ve been dating, Eli you’re not anymore. You’re through with him. That’s how it has to be.”
I gazed intently into his eyes. Danny’s sincerity was palpable. I took his face in my hands and kissed him. Danny knew he was the only man for me.
It had taken him over eighteen years to take me on a date. Then he had declared me his girlfriend. Danny was overwhelmed. Settling down with me was in complete contradiction of his carefully crafted self-image. The lift of an eyebrow, a simple smile, those damned sapphire eyes, could land him any girl in the room and often did.
So here we were. What about today had been different? Was it as simple as us spending the afternoon apart? I had no idea. Something had made Danny take himself out of the game for the one girl whose very existence spelled permanency.
Danny was petrified. If it made him feel better to have invented a twisted out-clause we both knew he would never use, I would go along with the fiction. I was in it for the long haul.
“Let’s get the check,” I suggested. “I want to see the beach.”
After Danny paid,
we strolled the resort’s grounds. The night was considerably colder now. Danny wrapped his arm around me, holding me close as we found the shore.
The li
ghts from the inn illuminated the beach enough for us to see how pretty it would be by day. The moon reflected off the lake’s smooth glass-like surface. Of all the places I had been, none compared to this.
Danny pulled me
tighter. The electricity between us was so powerful I was trembling. He thought I was cold and held me even closer. Our eyes met, followed by our lips, and Danny transported me someplace magical.
A teak bench
situated where the patio met the sand provided a private sanctuary. I settled onto Danny’s lap and snuggled in his welcoming arms.
Danny and I were so into each other, content to enjoy the feel of our arms locking us together. Sharing kiss after kiss denied us all year was more potent than any spell.
