Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (53 page)

HOLLYWOOD STARDOM

FADE IN:

EXT. LOS ANGELES – GRIFFITH PARK - NIGHT

CHARLES and ROXY lay on a blanket outside looking up at the stars.

ROXY cuddles up to CHARLES’ side and CHARLES runs his fingers through her hair.

ROXY

What are you thinking about?

CHARLES

What I’ve been thinking about every day since you walked into the observatory and interrupted my tour.

ROXY

(Leans up on her elbow and looks down at CHARLES)

What’s that?

CHARLES

(Pulls her down for a kiss)

You.

ROXY

(Smiles and kisses him again)

So what’s your verdict on me?

CHARLES

(Shakes his head)

It’s still out.

ROXY

(Looks down and plays with CHARLES’ collar)

If it means anything, I know what I want.

CHARLES

Are you sure?

ROXY

(Stares into his eyes)

How can you ask me that?

CHARLES doesn’t answer just moves her hair out of her face.

ROXY (Whispers)

Believe in me.

CHARLES

I want to more than anything.

Chapter Twenty-Six

“HAVE YOU EVER BEEN to a baby shower?” As they drove up to Erin and Drew’s house, Cora wrinkled her nose.

Ryder nodded. “I went to Logan and Ivy’s for Curt.”

“You went to a baby shower?” Cora crossed her legs and turned toward him.

“You’ve never been to a baby shower?” he asked. Of course, he also took his opportunity to watch her skirt ride up her legs.

She tugged her skirt down. “No, and I thought they were just for people who had the potential of having a baby.”

“Are you saying I don’t have the potential to have a baby?” For the first time in his life, he said the word baby when it related to miniature person and didn’t feel like breaking out into hives.

“Do you have a uterus?” The same expression as when she bested someone in business overtook her face, narrowed eyes, slight smile.

“Yes, I do.” At last, he had her, and he pointed to her stomach. “It’s right there where I left it this morning.”

Her eyes widened as the realization that he won hit her.

Since he had the newest and best car, he parked right in the Fultons’ driveway. “We could have a baby.” At his own words, he slammed on his brakes.

Her mouth open and complexion pale, Cora stared at him.

He had to go in for the save. “You know, we could totally have a baby.” Rather than fixing it, he only repeated what he said and added the word totally like some valley dude. In his defense, they could have a baby. It was biologically possible.

Cora’s expression didn’t change.

“You know our baby would hit the genetic lottery.”

By the fact she didn’t move a muscle, he had the distinct feeling he wasn’t making it better. He gave it one last go. “Smart, gorgeous, talented. We would have an actor or a CEO on our hands, maybe both.”

At last she reacted in the form of letting herself out of the car and stomping up to the front door.

Wouldn’t most women be all goo-goo eyed at the mention of creating offspring with him? He dashed after her and managed to put his arm around her right as Drew opened the door. “Welcome.”

Ryder gave him a thumbs-up.

“We’re starting the activities.” Drew raised his eyebrows.

“Activities?” Ryder didn’t think Erin could play drinking games.

“Come on in.” Drew motioned forward. “You have to start by decorating a square for the quilt for the baby. Then you can present it to Erin.”

They followed Drew inside and nodded then shook hands with the other guests, including Ivy, Logan, Madeline, some of the other crew members, and a couple of people he vaguely recognized from Drew’s work the one time he took a tour of Fluent Words Laboratory. The entire place was decorated in old-fashioned pastel streamers and balloons with stork and baby decorations, and everyone huddled around a huge table with all kinds of arts and crafts things and squares of material.

“Well, this blanket will be worth a pretty penny one day.” He picked up a yellow square and signed it with one of the fabric markers. “I will verify to the kiddo I did this myself.”

Everyone around the table laughed, and Logan took a second square and signed it. Even Drew came over and signed one of his own.

Though this didn’t really seem like a game, it was pretty cool, and he leaned over to see Cora’s creation.

Sort of like in the car, she didn’t move, only stood there and watched everyone decorating their square.

Figuring she might need a little help, he found a pastel green piece and a metallic marker and put it in front of her. “Here you go.”

“I’m not a movie star,” she shrugged, “my signature isn’t worth anything.” “At least on the open market.”

Rather than argue the point on what her signature could be worth, he grabbed his pen. “How about we do one together?” He started by drawing the first thing that came to mind, a heart. “Now you add something.”

She glared at him, then pursed out her lips, but finally bent down and began drawing. He held the square tight while she added in another heart and then a smile face. At last she put her name.

He put his name next to hers and lifted the square. Her name had really nice alliteration, but he had the last name to be reckoned with. “Interesting.”

“What’s interesting?” Now she stared at the little art piece with him.

“I was just wondering if we ever got married would you remain a Caine or go with Scott? I’m not sure if I love the hyphen thing, it’s sort of clunky. Ivy went with Logan’s name, as did Erin, even though she had her name. I think that’s sort of cool.” He held the square out to her.

Everyone around the table looked at them, then Logan nodded and let out a laugh.

“Whatever insanity that has entered your mind better stop right now.” She snatched the square away from him, pushed past everyone and with fabric in hand, made her way to Erin sitting in an oversized chair under her lemon tree.

“Here you are, and here is something for the baby from me and Ryder.” Cora dropped material on Erin’s lap and thrust an envelope at her.

“Oh, should I open it now?” As with anytime Erin was presented with a gift, she sat up and smiled.

“Or wait and let the baby open it.”

With Cora’s flat delivery of her joke, it took Erin a moment to laugh.