Movie Lovers (18 page)

Once inside the building, Grace
lugged her suitcase up the stairs, excitement flowing through her veins.
Just in time for bed!
Chuckling at the
idea, she kept trudging upward, stair after stair, flight after flight. She’d
forgotten how long it took to arrive on the third floor of this walk-up. She
fitted the key in the lock and turned.

Opening the door, her gaze fell on a
sight she never expected—a slinky brunette with her arms around Jake’s neck.

* * * *

“What the hell?” Grace dropped her
bag.

“Grace! What are you doing here?”

“Visiting you. But I can see you’re
busy.” She turned to go but Jake broke free from the woman, grabbed her arm,
and spun her around. He drew her into his embrace and hugged her tight. She pushed
against his arms, but he wouldn’t let go.

“Gracie, honey, I’m so glad to see
you.”

She stiffened. “Who’s this?”

“I’m Traci. We go way back.”

“Who?” When Jake loosened his grip, Grace
finally stepped away and cast a jaundiced eye at the girl.

“Traci is my former girlfriend.”

“The one who broke your heart? Who
dumped you?”

Jake blushed and nodded.

“Oops. Sorry. Guess I wasn’t
supposed to tell the truth.”

“I can explain,” Jake started.

Grace scowled at Traci. “What are
you doing here, and how long have you been here?”

“I just got here. Honestly…”

“Show didn’t finish until ten thirty,
Gracie…”

“I know. Go on,” she snapped.

“I came to see Jake because…well,
maybe I was hasty. I mean, maybe I made a mistake.” Traci fidgeted with the hem
of her shirt.

“Trying to get back together?”

“Yeah.” She cast her gaze to the
floor and shifted her weight.

“And what did he say?”

“I…”

“
Shhhh
…let
her tell me!” Grace put her finger on his lips.

“He told me he had you, and he
wasn’t interested. Then he said a few unpleasant things…accused me of…well,
returning because he’s famous now and stuff…and Jared is out of work. But it’s
not true.”

“Not true?” She cocked an eyebrow at
the interloper.

“Honestly, Gracie, that’s what I
said…”

“It’s okay, Jake. I believe you.
What I mean is, I don’t believe the part about her saying she didn’t come back
because you’re famous. That’s exactly why she came back.”

A sullen, hostile look swept over
Traci’s face. “Who the hell are you to talk to me like that?”

“The woman who loves Jake.”

“Oh?” She raised her eyebrows at
Grace. “Then why was he alone when I came?” She shifted her weight and rested
her hand on her hip.

“Because I was in California. I
trust Jake.”
Dear God, I do still trust
him, don’t I?

“Big mistake.”

“We have a pact.”

“Honey, don’t be naïve. He’s a man
and men cheat. You’re a fool.” Her lips curled into a snarl.

“Who’s Jake’s love now, you or me?”

“And who else did he screw while you
were away?”

“No one,” Jake piped up. “Grace and
I talk every night. She knows I wouldn’t cheat.”

“You had him and tossed him out. Too
bad. I think you should leave now,” Grace said, holding the door open. Traci
shot an imploring look at Jake, but all she received was a cold stare.

“Go, Traci,” he said.

“Goodbye, Jake. It was fun.”

“Goodbye. Good luck.”

She stopped to kiss Jake on her way
out.

“That’s not a woman, that’s a
tiger.” Traci turned and walked down the hall, her high heels tapping out a
saucy rhythm on the marble floor.

“You do believe me, don’t you,
Grace?” His brow furrowed.

“Tell me all about it…don’t leave
anything out,” she said, sinking down onto the sofa. Jake poured a glass of wine
for them both then joined her and related the tale of the unexpected visitor
from his past.

“You do believe me, don’t you?”

“I do.” She looked at him. With his hair
hanging over his forehead and a concerned expression clouding his
caramel-colored eyes, he looked more handsome than ever. He took her in his
arms and kissed her long and deep.

“Are you here to stay?” He kept his
arm around her.

“Nope. More meetings, casting stuff.
Busy, busy.” Grace snuggled into him.

“How long will you be here?”

“Through the wedding…two weeks.”
God it feels good to touch him.

“I’ll take what I can get. You’re
staying with me, right?”

“If you want me.”

“You have to ask?” He stroked her
hair.

Another kiss heated up the lovers,
who began to undress each other, slowly at first then frantically as their
passion burned out of control. Jake barely got the bed pulled out before their
bouncing made the springs squeak.

After they made love, Grace reached
for her phone. “Must call Cara.” Jake circled her wrist, stopping her before
her fingers closed around the cell.

“Not tonight. Tomorrow. Tonight you’re
all mine.” He kissed her neck.

“If you insist.”

“I do. Come here.” He pulled the
covers down and slipped in first before bidding her to join him. Grace crawled
up next to him and rested her head and hand on his chest.
Heaven.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered.

“Me, too. I’m sorry about Traci.”

“Already forgotten.”

“Just us.”

“Just us.” A contented sigh sprang
from her lips.

Jake turned out the light, and they
drifted off to sleep woven together.

Chapter Thirteen

On her wedding day, Cara was a
nervous wreck. She paced in the apartment. Grant had moved to a hotel the night
before. Grace tried to calm her down.

“I’ve got a list, Carol Anne.
Everything is checked off. Now you can relax.”

“Relax? Relax, you say? I don’t
think so.” Cara continued to pace.

“Everything is done. The sun is
shining. The food will be great. The musicians are the best. Let’s get you
dressed.”

“Now?”

“That’s all that’s left. Dressing
you and me. And Jake’s arrival.” Grace took her sister by the hand and led her
into the bedroom.

She took the pure white dress from
the closet and lifted the lightweight plastic bag. A straight, knee-length sheath
in white silk taffeta with an over layer of white silk chiffon looked beautiful
even on the hanger. The neckline was a wide scoop with a row of two-inch
ruffles all the way around. Sleeveless was the most flattering style. Grace held
the gown while Cara shed her robe and stepped into it.

“Just let me zip this up.” Grace
pulled the zipper all the way from her sister’s behind to mid-back. She closed
the little hook and eye. “Grant’s
gonna
have a
helluva
time getting this off you.”

“Hooks and zippers never stopped him
before,” Cara snickered.

Grace placed the small headband
covered with fresh gardenias and tiny pearls in her sister’s hair and pulled
down the short veil. “
Omg
, Cara!”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“You look breathtaking!” Gracie’s
eyes watered. “If only mom could be here for this.” They sank down on the bed.
Try as they might, they couldn’t contain all their tears and a few slipped out.
Gracie handed her sister a tissue and took one for herself.

“
Pookie
,
you look gorgeous, too.” Cara remarked, eyeing the light turquoise silk empire-
waisted
dress that fell to Grace’s knees. Hers was also
sleeveless and had a square neckline with lace edging.

Grace fastened her mother’s pearl
choker around Cara’s neck. The bride pulled a blue garter up her thigh. “I
think I’m ready.” The buzzer sounded. “That must be Jake and Bobby.”

Jake gasped when he saw the Brewster
sisters. “Wow, you two look…awesome. Unbelievable.”

They grinned at him. Jake extended
an arm to each lady, and they left the apartment. Grant had picked up Sarah,
the flower girl dressed in a dress identical to Grace’s, earlier in the day.
Jake wore his tux as he was giving the bride away.

Bobby drove them as close as he
could to Limoges, parked the car, and joined them, since he and Peg were
invited guests. Grace leaned over and whispered to Cara, “We’ll finally get to
meet Bobby’s wife!”

Jean Marc greeted them at the door. “All
the guests are here, sipping champagne. There are seventy-five, non?”

“
Oui
, seventy-five.
Thank you,” Cara said, flashing him the blindingly brilliant smile that lit up
movie screens across the country.

He escorted them to the room that Limoges
reserved for private parties. The space had three walls of small panes of glass
that looked out onto the gardens in Central Park. Pots of colorful geraniums
had been placed outside and many arrangements of tulips, roses, and baby’s
breath were set up inside. It looked gorgeous and smelled divine.

Jean Marc delivered a flute of the
bubbly to Cara, Grace, and Jake. Bobby had joined his wife and the other
guests. Cara’s hand shook as she tossed down her drink.

“You can’t be nervous marrying
Grant!” Grace was surprised at her sister’s reaction.

“It’s not about marrying Grant. It’s
about the performance. A wedding is like a show. What if something goes wrong?
There’s no director or stage manager here to handle it.”

“I’m the director and stage manager
rolled into one. If anything goes wrong, I’ll fix it. I promise.”

“What would I do without you,
Pookie
?”

“You
gotta
stop calling me that. I’m a professional screenwriter now.”

A few lights flashed. Cara had
agreed to let Tiffany Cowles and one of her photographers attend the wedding.
But the photographer had to leave before the reception. Jean Marc interrupted
their conversation. He handed bouquets to each lady—pink flowers for Cara,
white for Grace.

“Everyone is here. We’re ready to
start.”

Strains of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”
reached their ears as Sarah and Jane Hollings, Grant’s sister and the other
bridesmaid, joined them.

“Come on,” the young girl said. Jean
Marc took Sarah and Grace to the aisle. Jake offered his arm to Cara.

“Nervous?” he asked her.

“Terrified!” she whispered, slipping
her hand through his arm.

“But it’s just another performance.”
He placed his hand over hers.

“It’s the rest of my life.”

“Do you doubt Grant’s the one?
‘Cause I’ll hold everyone back while you flee, if that’s what you want.”

“You’re sweet.” She cupped his face.
“No, Grant’s the one.”

“So don’t be nervous. Be happy.”

She smiled broadly. “You’re right.”
She took a deep breath, closed her fingers around his arm, and stood up
straight.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Ready,” she breathed.

Jake nodded to Jean Marc and the
piano player began Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.” Cara and Jake proceeded down
the aisle slowly. Grace watched her sister’s gaze connect with Grant’s. He was
grinning, his eyes wide. Gary Lawrence, Jane Hollings’ live-in love, was the
best man. Grace was barely able to blink back tears of joy at the look of
happiness on Cara’s face.
Maybe someday
I’ll have this, too.

The ceremony and the receiving line
passed in a blur for Grace. Jean Marc kept refilling her champagne glass, and
she lost track of time. The string quartet was playing, and Cara and Grant were
on the dance floor. Jake danced with Sarah and Gary with Jane.

Grace leaned against the wall.
Suddenly a woman was beside her.

“It’s nice to finally meet the Movie
Maven,” Tiffany Cowles purred.

Grace turned abruptly. “Tiffany?”
The woman gave a nod. “Nice to meet you, too. Thank you for running the review
of Jake’s movie and for trying to stop Gunther Quill.”

“No thanks necessary. Didn’t mean to
ruin your life, just wanted an exciting cover story.”

When the dance was over, Tiffany
rejoined her husband. Jake wandered over. “Been looking all over for you.” He
took her hand.

“We can dance the next one.”

“Max Webster is here.”

“Of course. Love Max.”

“He gave me the news. Thank you so
much. You’re amazing,” Jake said.

Grace blushed. “I don’t know what
you’re talking about.” She gazed at the floor.

“Total truth, remember?” He lifted
her chin with his finger until their eyes met.

“Okay, okay, I know. Are you happy
about it?” She chewed her lip.

“To have a part in your movie… Are
you kidding?”

“You’re perfect for it. Will Max
give you the time off Broadway?”

“We’re negotiating that now. He’s
joking that he has to negotiate with himself!”

She laughed. “He told me he was
relieved to have one part cast already.”

“Then we can be together,” Jake
said. “Come on.” He led her around the corner, through a side door to a
secluded alcove in the garden. He sat her down on a white, wrought iron bench. The
metal was cold on the back of her legs, but the look on Jake’s face was warm. He
reached into his pocket and brought out a small, black velvet box.

Her hand flew to cover her mouth.
This can’t be what I think it is, can it?

Jake knelt down on one knee and
opened it, revealing a three carat round cut diamond ring. “Gracie, I love you
with all my heart. Will you marry me?”

Tears gushed forth, spilling down
her cheeks. In a quick movement, Jake whipped out his handkerchief and shoved
it into Grace’s hands. She mopped up her cheeks before the wetness stained her
dress.

“Geez, didn’t think proposing would
bring waterworks.” Jake was crestfallen.

“Yes.”

“What?” He looked up at her.

“I said
yes.
Isn’t that what you wanted to hear?”

“You mean you
will
marry me?”

“Yes. How many times do I have to
say it?”

Jake jumped up and pulled Gracie
into his arms. A passionate kiss followed.

* * * *

Inside, Cara was looking for her
sister.

“G, have you seen Gracie?”

He touched his finger to his lips
and took her hand. Leading her around to the side of the room, he pointed at
the young couple in the garden, locked in a loving embrace. The newlyweds paused,
champagne glasses in hand, to watch the young lovers.

“I’d better eat carefully,” Cara
muttered, grinning.

“Why?” Grant asked.

“Looks like this dress is going to
be needed again very soon.”