Laguna Nights (18 page)

Madison’s heart pumped.

“A Peaches and Herb reference, isn’t that the best?” Annie said, referring to the music group.

“Oh, yes, that’s exactly Josh and me, Peaches and Herb,” Madison said, smiling as day turned into night during her drive home. “Look, I just helped them out. That’s all. People will try to make it much more.”

“Hayden, give that back to your sister right this minute,” Annie said. “Sorry. The kids become unruly before dinner. I’ve got to go but I had to call and check on you. Where are you shooting tomorrow? In town, right? Maybe I’ll wander by and watch.”

“Alana. And that would be great,” Madison said.

“I’ll see you there,” Annie said, hanging up while Madison listened to the sound of a toddler screaming. Someday I could do that, she thought. Not now, but maybe someday. For now, she had to take care of her mother and survive this week without getting anymore attached to the past, or a future that wasn’t realistic.

She pulled into the garage and hurried inside, hoping she’d arrived in time to sit with Francine before her mom went to bed. “Mom,” she said, pushing open the cottage door and flipping on the lights, flooding the white washed room with warmth. “I’m home.”

Francine must be in her cottage, Madison decided, and walked through the courtyard. Her mom’s newest watercolor was propped on the easel, a woman’s face taking shape.

“Hi honey, you look gorgeous in that blue dress,” Francine said from her usual chair. Madison kissed her on the cheek and her mom said, “How’d it go? I’m so proud of you for putting yourself out there again.”

Madison sat down on the ottoman, a wave of exhaustion spreading through her entire body. She realized she probably should have changed back into her own clothes but assumed she’d find the wardrobe woman on set tomorrow. She was too tired to care.

“It went great, actually,” Madison said. “I enjoyed it. You’re right, I like being on camera. But I don’t like all the other stuff that comes with it. My privacy is too important to me. Once every fifteen years is just fine.”

“We’ll see about that. Keep an open mind, dear. Those Hollywood people adore you,” Francine said, her eyes sparkling.

“How would you know, Mom?” Madison said. She felt a chill down her spine, as if a cold breeze had blown through the window. But the windows were closed. “Have you been contacted by the producers? Have Marty or Roger been here, to the house?”

“No,” Francine said, but she broke eye contact. Madison was certain she was lying.

“Mom, what did they say? What did you do?” Madison said, a feeling of panic was spreading now, overcoming the exhaustion. She stood up, looking down at her mom who seemed to shrivel in the chair. “Did you let them come here, to our house?”

Madison stared at her mom and finally, Francine met her eyes. “Madison, what I choose to do in my final days here on this earth are not your concern. I’m proud of you for being part of the travel show and anything else is a blessing, it truly is.”

What did that mean, Madison wondered. “Have you eaten dinner?” she said, turning her back on Francine and walking to her small white kitchen. “We have some pasta salad left over and a ripe avocado.” Madison was starting to feel like there was more to the story of
Josh’s Journeys
, or whatever the show was called, but she wasn’t sure what was going on. Her mother was hiding something and Josh wanted to tell her something.

In the limo, on the way back to the resort from Fisherman’s Cove Marty had said, “Your mom is such a lovely person” and invited her on set. Madison had been too tired to register the comment, but she had noticed when Roger shot him a look.

“That sounds good, honey,” her mom said, referring to Madison’s cobbled together dinner.

“Mom, are you sure there isn’t anything you need to tell me?” Madison said, scooping pasta salad onto two plates and then halving the avocado. She sprinkled pink sea salt over both plates and carried the dinner to her mom, sitting down on the ottoman again.

“The hospice woman was right on time today, for once,” Francine said and Madison realized whatever it was her mom knew, she wouldn’t be privy to it.

“Great, good to know,” Madison said, pushing the pasta around her plate.

“Everything happens for a reason, as I always said. And now, I’m certain you’re going to be fine, honey. Now I’m sure of it,” Francine said.

“Because I did a guest spot on a stupid reality travel show?” Madison said, frustrated.

“It was just the closure we all needed,” Francine said. “Could you bring me a hot tea, honey?”

M
arty had agreed to meet Josh for breakfast, and the hostess had seated Josh at the same table he and Madison had shared the last two times they’d been to this restaurant. He was beginning to wonder if the table had his name on it, or something. Josh was wearing his favorite jeans, a black T-shirt, sunglasses and a baseball hat. There hadn’t been any fans, so far. He sort of hoped one would show up during breakfast.

“Marty, what’s going on?” Josh said as his manager slid into the chair across from him. Marty was dressed in a dark black suit, black tie and crisp white shirt. Totally out of step with Laguna Beach, totally Marty nonetheless. Josh hadn’t slept well, again, but he was making sure to eat a big breakfast.

“What do you mean kid?” Marty said, pouring himself a coffee from the thermos on the table. “Everything’s going great. The first day is in the can, everything is on schedule. Two more days and you’re on your way to a comeback.”

“What’s the name of the pilot we’re shooting?” Josh said, and he watched Marty’s green eyes shift up as if trying to retrieve an answer stored in his brain, memorized for just this question.

“That’s a work in progress, it seems,” Marty said. “We should order, right?”

“How can it be a work in progress when I’m attached to a pilot called Josh’s Journeys?” Josh said, taking a sip of coffee. The ocean was unusually calm today and several paddle boarders were out enjoying the relatively flat surface.

“Actually, you’re attached to an unnamed reality TV pilot. That’s what the contract says. It’s pretty broad, kid, but it’s what we had to do,” Marty said. “Waiter!”

Josh felt a knot in his stomach, and his palms began to sweat. “What does that mean?”

“Well, you’d have to ask an entertainment attorney. You remember we didn’t use one this go around because we just jumped on the opportunity. And it was the right call,” Marty said. The server approached, giving Josh the shiny eyed look of recognition. Marty said, “Oh, there you are. I’ll have the Laguna scramble, dry wheat toast. Josh?”

“You
are
Josh,” the twenty something woman said. “I knew it. The bad boy. What can I bring you?”

Josh couldn’t help it and flashed her the signature dimple grin, before adding, “I’ll have the oatmeal, please.”

“My pleasure. Could I have an autograph? I’m not supposed to ask, but I am a huge fan,” the server said, sliding a slip of paper and a pen in front of Josh.

Josh signed his name, an illegible scribble he’d perfected back in the harried days of
Laguna Nights
. He pushed the paper back towards her and she scooped it up, grinning.

“Come back for nachos later, they’re the best in town. And they’ll be on me,” she said, walking off with what could only be described as a swing in her step.

Josh laughed.

“This is what I’m talking about. Your star already is rising and you’ve only been back one day. Enjoy the ride, no matter what happens. Remember the old adage ‘any publicity is good publicity’? Same thing here. Any reality TV show is good reality TV. Doesn’t matter what it’s called, what it’s about. Just that it’s on the air,” Marty said. “And I feel really good about a network pickup with this one.”

Josh was confused. How could Marty feel good about a show without a title, without any clear direction? He said, “What’s the deal with Madison, I mean Holly? Is she the real travel host and I’m the last to know?”

Marty laughed, and then drank deeply from his orange juice glass. “Don’t be paranoid kid. You’re lucky to have her by your side at this point. She didn’t want anything to do with the show when we first got here, and now she’s all in. We should all be thankful,” he said. “She’s gorgeous and a natural. I’m surprised you let her go. She’s still single, right?”

The waitress appeared with their meals, making a point to bend low in front of Josh as she placed the oatmeal in front of him. “Anything at all I can get you?” she said, clearly meant for Josh only.

“We’re good,” Marty said, flicking his hand at her as if he was swatting a fly. “Well, what about Holly? You two together, now that would be some good TV.”

Josh took a bite of the oatmeal and chewed slowly, enjoying the chunk of brown sugar he’d scooped up. He pictured Madison’s blue eyes, her wave from across the beach yesterday, and he realized she’d been trying to help him all along. Maybe he had been more stage struck than he’d realized. Maybe she had saved the show, so to speak. He had been an angry idiot. He wondered if she’d forgive him. Again.

“She is really special to me. I can’t believe how I treated her on camera back on
Laguna Nights
. I mean, Laura is hot and all, but Holly, she is my first love,” Josh said, pushing his sunglasses up on his head. He crossed the pointer and middle fingers of his left hand and put them behind his back.

“What was that? What you just did?” Marty asked. “You know the whole crossing your fingers thing?”