Read Hollywood Princess Online
Authors: Dana Aynn Levin
Hollywood Princess (35 page)
“That’s
so fair. I would tell you if it were me.”
“
You really think I would want to know?”
Eli’s downcast eyes
showed her hurt.
“I thought you would. What if you don’t like him?
Don’t you care?”
“Of course I care, but I really don’t
think you’ll want me to know. I doubt you’ll call me the next morning. That would be awkward, wouldn’t it?”
“Shut up, Daniel!
You’re just jealous ‘cause it won’t be you!”
I
burst into uncontrollable laughter.
“I hate you!” she squeal
ed. Eli grabbed the pillow and hit me. My hands shielded my face from her assault while I kept laughing.
“Eli, cut it out.
You’re gonna hurt me.”
“Good,” she answered curtly.
I hugged Elizabeth to the bed and smoothed her hair.
“You don’t mean that. Eli, y
ou love me.”
“No, I don’t.”
Elizabeth twisted out of my grasp and turned away, hiding. “Is this going to change our friendship?” she whimpered.
“Of course not.
I’m just growing up sooner than you are because I’m older.”
“Maybe you won’t find it fun being with a girl you can only hang-out with.”
I smiled. So that was her real fear. “Nothing’s going to change. We’re still BFFs. It’s not like I have a steady girlfriend taking up all my time.”
“Why can’t I ever do anything first?”
“You’re only thirteen, Eli. You better not have done this one first.”
“It’s still not fair.”
“Someday, Eli. Someday,” I sighed. I was propped up, Eli lying beside me. “You probably don’t want to hear this, but you’re a very special girl.”
“Danny, y
ou sound like my parents.”
“I’ll try not to,” I laughed.
“But you should wait until you meet the right guy to fall in love with.”
“You still sound like my parents.”
“If you became a slut you’d be unhappy, and I’d be disappointed.” I laid my arm around her. “I expect better from my kid sister.”
“I’m not your kid
anything and you are such a hypocrite, Danny.”
“
You’re acting like my kid sister. And I am not a hypocrite. Overprotective, maybe.”
Elizabeth
stuck out her tongue. “I promise I will never do anything to besmirch the Newman name.”
“Funny, Eli
zabeth,” I said sarcastically.
“I wasn’t being funny,” she pouted “You said I was your sister.”
“Hey, Eli,” I said softly, “You’ll find the right guy. He’ll have to be amazing or he won’t stand a chance, but you’re only thirteen. Eli, you have plenty of time.”
“What if it doesn’t happen?”
she sniffled.
Elizabeth t
urned away, embarrassed again. That’s what was bothering her. Eli might attractive, but socially she was an awkward geek.
“Eli, hey. I have an idea.
I’m certain it won’t come to this, but if you return home after freshman year of college still a virgin, I’ll do it with you.”
“
Seriously?”
“Completely.”
Already I regretted it. If I had to recruit and bribe a guy, I would. I couldn’t imagine anything weirder than sex with Elizabeth. Waking beside Eli the next morning; no, that would be weirder. I had six years to find Elizabeth a boyfriend. It was doable.
Eli smiled.
“Okay, it’s a deal,” she laughed.
“
Time for bed,” I announced, glad that this emotional crisis was over. Discussing sex with a thirteen year-old girl was very uncomfortable even if the girl was, no maybe because she was, Eli.
“Can I have a good-night kiss?
My parents always kiss me before I go to bed.”
I looked at her skeptically.
“Here’s your kiss.”
Grinning,
Eli turned her cheek toward me. Instead I leaned a little further and gave her lips a quick smacker.
“Danny!” she gasped while I laughed.
“Sweet dreams, Elizabeth.” Then I rolled over and fell into a deep sleep.
When I woke,
it was dark, too early to rise. Elizabeth was snuggled against me, an arm across my chest. How she had ended up in such an intimate position? Last night there had been plenty of space separating us in the king-sized bed.
My blurry eyes focused as best
as they could. I felt guilty studying “my sister.” Without her glasses, Elizabeth was stunning. Her thick auburn waves flared like the loveliest halo on a sun-kissed angel. A contented smile played upon her lips. I had never noticed how full they were, or the color that looked like permanent lipstick. Something about Elizabeth’s petite frame felt so right.
I didn’t want these thoughts.
She was Elizabeth, my sister-like friend. Enjoying the feel of her body contradicted what our friendship was about.
Walking toward Park Avenue holding Elizabeth’s hand I laughed at how only six years earlier I thought we might have to settle for each other when we were older. My logic had been sound. If I was thirty, and she was twenty-eight, we could both do a lot worse than agreeing to spend life with our best friend.
I smiled at my naïveté. One part was true.
I was spending life with my best friend, but I never would have believed how. And it sure wasn’t because I was settling.
Eli glanced at me and giggled.
“You have the strangest grin, Danny.”
I stopped and
hugged her. “I was thinking how that night I never imagined that only a few years later we’d be in love; completely, totally, over-the-moon in love.”
I trac
ed Eli’s jawbone with my finger. When it reached her chin I kissed her slowly and deliberately.
“I imagined it.
I knew you’d come around,” she whispered with a sly smile.
What an evening! The excitement of last night had clouded my ability to think rationally and make accurate conclusions. In the quiet of early morning, that no longer applied. I couldn’t risk Danny waking until I conducted a crucial analysis. Decision time, and not necessarily a happy one, was here.
My insides knotted. My heart ached. I replayed the encounter with Danny and Reggie over and over, beginning with the moment I first spied them talking. What I couldn’t identify then, was now so obvious.
Danny seemed to enjoy Reggie’s attentions far too much for her to have merely been a neighbor he’d met at the pool. Words and body language that seemed innocuous last night I now recognized for what they were. Only because I knew Danny so well did I expertly decode them.
Clarity led me to only one conclusion, one that I worked overtime to refute. Danny had an affair with Reggie. I knew that now with certainty. There was no denying it. My stomach churned. I swallowed hard, fighting the bile rising in my throat. Nausea threatened to distract me and I needed mental acuity.
Danny didn’t have to admit it, but the truth was obvious. While we shared the sexiest phone calls and Skype sessions, Danny had been fooling around with Reggie. When? Where? Frequency? Even once was too often.
What kind of woman listened to our conversations, knowing Danny had a serious girlfriend, and yet still pursued him? That didn’t matter. That was her sad life.
What was Reggie doing at the premiere? Whomever admitted her should be put to task. How dare she show up at my debut! This was my night! It was my night.
How could Danny do this to me? Why? Since I’d confronted him over Amelia, Danny had given me no reason to doubt his love. Who would doubt the sincerity of a man as devoted as he seemed to be?
Danny frequently professed his love for me, publically. Last night he declared us ‘spiritually married’ and began calling me Mrs. Newman. He kissed me in front of Steve and everyone. The guests, the press, they all observed us being a couple.
A confrontation would require a decision. There would be no getting around it once my knowledge of the affair was out there. I needed to make my decision now, before Danny woke. This was a game changer.
Tears filled my eyes. I couldn’t wipe them away. The motion would wake Danny.
I hated being in this position. It had been my night. Everyone received me enthusiastically. My dress was one of the loveliest. I looked great. Danny’s eyes lit up when he saw me. Steve was so proud, too. Ruined now.
Absent Reggie’s appearance last night, I would be blissfully ignorant. Blissful ignorance was not a bad place to be.
I was no longer ignorant or blissful. If Danny found this out, it threatened to create an insurmountable chasm between us. Unless there was another fluke like last night, neither of us would see Reggie again. We could easily pretend she never existed. Danny would follow my lead, relieved. Last night, Danny demonstrated how much he loved me. Perhaps Reggie had been that one last fling to solidify his decision.
Could I be selling myself a bill of goods? That was my real dilemma. I hurt, but I loved Danny, and I truly believed he loved me back. Danny would die if he were aware of my pain.
I didn’t want to break-up with Danny, the most significant risk with confrontation. Danny and I would be forced to say good-bye. The thought of us separating was more painful than the idea that he’d been with Reggie.
Reviewing the time line minimized the impact. Whatever had transpired with Reggie during Spring Break must have been early on and of brief duration. Our conversations had escalated in emotional intensity as the break progressed. If I needed further proof of Danny’s devotion, it occurred when he surprised me on my return to Donnelly.
Once or twice Danny had sounded wasted or hung-over when calling from Miami. Perhaps that’s what happened. He was inebriated. Danny couldn’t control himself. When Danny woke the next morning he was probably contrite.
We needed to have a serious discussion. Danny didn’t seem capable of going out with the guys anymore without getting wasted. My patience had been wearing thin for weeks. Now my tolerance had reached its limit.
Danny declared me his wife last night. We even toasted to the new Mrs. Newman with a split of champagne from the minibar. The champagne had mostly been consumed by Mr. Newman. If I was now his wife, I was going to act like one.
When the time came, and it would be soon, I would put my foot down. I wasn’t simply tired of Danny’s partying, it frightened me. As this episode revealed, Danny’s drinking encroached on our lives together. I didn’t want to become Steve and Ellen.
For now I would keep silent. I didn’t want our relationship to end. Danny wouldn’t want that either. Last night was the proof. Danny’s love would hopefully help me forget. I was willing to forgive. This time.
There was an annoying strand of hair on my face that I desperately wanted to brush away. I hadn’t, knowing the slightest movement would have woken Danny. He would want to continue with our honeymoon. Now I knew I wanted it too.
Slowly, I lifted my hand to where the strand had stuck to my earlier tears. As I gently moved it behind my ear, an arm tighten around my hip. Then a hand gathered my hair and swept it to the side off my neck. Tender kisses nibbled my shoulder, and I squirmed.
I turned from my side on to my back. Sparkling sapphire eyes gazed into green with powerful emotion.
“Good morning, Mrs. Newman,” Danny said in a scratchy whisper.
I swelled with pride. Mrs. Newman. I liked that.
“Good morning, dear husband,” I answered in my own whisper.
I reached my hands around Danny’s neck while his circled my back. Our lips met, our bodies pressed against each other, then joined. Fire ran through us until we exploded together.
Our love was a potent drug we were both addicted to. His behavior was inexcusable, but like a hapless junkie, I couldn’t live without my fix. Lying amongst the crumpled sheets, snuggled against Danny holding me tight, I knew I’d made the right decision. In his arms, I belonged. Always. Danny was my life.
“Be downstairs at 6:15,” I ordered Rachel and Chloe.
“We know!” they
snapped.
I supposed I deserved it.
I’d lost count as to how many times I had reminded them, but I was anxious and Chloe was always late.
Tonight we were see
ing Dad’s new film. I had purchased six tickets on Tuesday and I insisted we be early to have the pick of the best seats.
Tonight was a first.
I’d never seen any of Dad’s films in a public theater. I either went to screenings, or we viewed them in the screening room at home. At least this theater had stadium seating and a good digital sound system.
I was anxious, anticipating my friends’ reactions and
those of the audience. I expected a crowded theater. The predicted box office hit for this weekend was Dad’s film.
“We’re so early,” Shane complained.
It pleased me that the spacious theater lobby was mostly empty.
“I don’t
care,” I answered arrogantly. Eli glared.
“Sorry, babe, but I don’t.
We have to grab the best seats. Popcorn can wait.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
In this less than perfect setting, I wanted to control what I had the power to control. Where I sat was about it.
“Why don’t you let Rachel and Chloe save us spots on the line while Cam and Shane help us w
ith refreshments? If the doors open, I’ll finish getting the snacks and you can grab the seats.”
I smiled at Eli’s calm logic. “This is why you’re my wife.”
Eli took my hands and locked eyes with me. “I understand you’re excited, but please chill. Before you ruin the evening for everyone else.”
I smiled.
Eli was right, as always.
My anx
iety proved to be for nothing. I finished buying everyone popcorn and beverages before the doors to the auditorium even opened. Now all I had to do was sit through the next half hour of previews and ads.
“Take a deep breath,” Eli ordered.
I complied.
“Take another one.”
I complied again.
Eli
pressed her hand to my cheek and brought her lips to mine for a warm kiss.
“Everyone’s going to love it,”
Eli assured me. “It’s a great film.”
I took Elizabeth’s soft hand and kissed her palm.
“You’re right. I know you’re right.” Eli kissed me again. Her kiss had the power to make everything good for me.
“Full house,” Shane interrupted.
Eli and I abruptly stopped kissing. Our eyes surveyed the auditorium. The lights were about to go down. The theater appeared sold out.
“Steve will b
e thrilled,” Eli bubbled over. I was more low-key. I squeezed her hand and smiled my agreement.
If only
the film does this well nationwide. My nerves wouldn’t rest until I learned the box office take on Sunday.
“Danny, looks like your trust fund’s safe for another year,” Shane whispered, and he smirked to let me know he was joking.
“Shane! That’s crass!” Eli scolded.
“Maybe, but with this box office, Danny can afford you for another year.”
“Shane’s right. Baby, you’re an expensive habit.”
I quickly kis
sed Eli as the previews began. “Have some popcorn,” I whispered.
I was holding a large bag of popcorn that Eli had drench
ed with butter. She picked up a few kernels with her fingertips. Her smile was devilish as she pressed them into my mouth. I took her hand and slowly licked the butter from her fingers.
I smiled over he
r fingertips and Eli shuddered. There were at least ten more minutes of previews and commercials. I could afford the distraction that was Eli.
Finally, it was time.
The studio logo appeared, then Dad’s, before the film finally began. There was an opening sequence before the credits. I sat on edge, not knowing how my friends would react to seeing Dad’s name.
As
“A Film by Steven Newman,” appeared on the screen, a loud wolf-whistle emanated from deep within the usually restrained, beautiful woman sitting beside me. This was followed by her loud applause. Everyone in the auditorium turned and stared. Whistling was completely out of character for Eli. I didn’t even know that she could whistle.
I buried m
y face behind the popcorn bag. Shane smirked. Eli meant well, but her misplaced exuberance was embarrassing. I didn’t want to be noticed tonight.
Over the bag, Rachel gave Eli a horr
ific stare. Reality check. Embarrassed, Eli sheepishly turned to me.
“I’m so sorry,” Eli whispered.
“I was excited.”
I
understood how badly she felt. “It’s okay,” I assured Eli.
After a while I placed the popcorn bag on the floor though it was still a third full, and I clutched Eli’s hand for the duration of the film.
Occasionally I glanced at my friends and other nearby audience members. I was pleased to find them immersed in the story, apparently enjoying it.
W
hen it ended, I turned to Eli. “Let’s go,” I said with urgency.
“Uh, no.
I’m not leaving until I see
all
the credits.”
I grimaced.
When we’d returned from New York, my small, exclusive fan club informed anyone who would listen about my credit. Now Eli wanted our friends to see it. I hated the attention, but I was touched by her pride.
As my credit crawled down the screen, Eli let out another loud whistl
e. I shook my head, astounded. What else didn’t I know about Eli?
“
Since when can you whistle?” I asked.
Eli grinned.
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Daniel.”
I laughed at Eli’s a
ttempt at sounding mysterious. After all these years, we had no secrets.
By this time
, the auditorium was nearly empty. My friends added their own applause. What the heck? I applauded my name too.
