With His Love (For His Pleasure, Book 16) (16 page)

At first, Scarlett didn’t really know what he was talking about. “Cool,” she said, still studying the page of the script they were currently tweaking. She took a quick bite of her grilled cheese and chewed as she read.

“Tomorrow night’s the surprise bridal shower for Kallie, right?” he asked.

She looked up. “Yeah,” she said. Then she realized that he meant Hunter had invited him along with Red and Kane for the “guys’ night out” that Nicole had mentioned to her on the phone the other day. “I hope you didn’t say yes,” she added.

Bryson seemed to flinch a little. “Would that have been so bad?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

His lips puckered. “Well, I told him I had to get back to him on it. Truth is, Steven Spielberg wanted to talk to me about a script and we said we would speak tomorrow evening about it.”

“Spielberg? Wow. You really have hit the big-time. And to think, he hasn’t even seen the movie you directed yet.”

Bryson laughed. “I know. Things have kind of gotten crazy on that score.” His laughter faded and he grew quickly serious. “But I would go out with the guys tomorrow. I’d love to, actually—if you wanted me to.”

Scarlett’s heart started to beat faster. The past few days, she’d done a good job of controlling how she felt and even what she thought around Bryson. But now they were sitting across from one another, and he was looking at her with those piercing eyes, and she was struggling to keep it together.

“I don’t think you should go,” she told him. It hurt to say it, but she needed to be strong.

He nodded. “I figured you’d say that.” He smiled perfunctorily. “Well, Spielberg it is, then.”

She went back to reading the script with a lump in her throat. She told herself that it would go away, as would the sick ache of need in her stomach.

Unfortunately for her, the feelings didn’t go away at all.

***

Nicole had a car pick Scarlett up at her apartment the next evening.

Scarlett was excited as she got in the fancy town car with its fancy driver, like she was attending a ball with the royal family or something.

She was wearing a simple black shift dress with a cardigan, and carrying her clutch instead of her regular purse. She’d worn her hair up, which she rarely did nowadays.

Other than that, all she had was her present for Kallie—which was a screenplay of Bridge and Tunnel, signed by the whole cast and crew (even Max Weisman) to commemorate Kallie’s unique role in bringing the film to life. Along with that, Kallie had included a card with a very long and heartfelt thank you for everything Kallie and Hunter had done for her.

On the way to Nicole’s house, she had butterflies in her stomach. It was exciting and scary. She was anxious about seeing Lydia again. Lydia hadn’t been on set since Bryson kicked her off the other day, and Scarlett was really worried about how Lydia might behave now that she’d been spurned.

That old saying about a woman scorned…it made Scarlett squirm just picturing Lydia, and how she might find ways to make Scarlett uncomfortable throughout the evening.

On the other hand, she was really looking forward to seeing Kallie, and Nicole, and perhaps strengthening her friendship with these two powerful women that she looked up to and admired. Scarlett hadn’t allowed herself to really want other people in her life in so long—maybe ever—and it felt good and healthy to be choosing friendship, to be actively seeking out women that could be her friends.

As the scenery passed by outside Scarlett’s window, she thought about how far she’d come since the old days when her life revolved around Terrence and his maniacal jealousy.

Now she was working on a movie set and her work was being respected. Bryson had been kind enough to let the higher-ups know that she was giving him a lot of help with the script, and it appeared as though she might even be given a writing credit. This was the kind of thing that could net her a lot more work in the future.

She was finally believing in her own abilities, and even if Bryson had helped her, he hadn’t handed her anything. She’d taken it because she was good at her job.

The future was looking bright in so many ways.

There was a downside, though. She was still finding it hard to let go of her feelings for Bryson. She’d been dreaming of him almost every night lately, and sometimes at work, it was difficult to be around him. This was a problem, because her job revolved around being near him and working closely with him.

Even today, she’d been hoping to hear him say that he was going to partake in the guys’ night out with Kane, Red and Hunter. This was patently ridiculous, since she was the one who’d told Bryson not to go.

But ever since that conversation, she’d secretly hoped that he would tell her he was going anyway.

The hard, painful truth was that she wanted to see Bryson outside of work. A big part of her hoped that maybe—just maybe—if they saw one another tonight, she’d let herself be vulnerable to him again. And maybe he would open up to her and tell her that he was finally ready…

Scarlett snapped herself out of the fantasy as the town car pulled up to the gate at the entranceway of Nicole and Red’s “driveway.” Of course, the driveway was actually a very long road, but it was still their driveway, technically.

The guards had been expecting her, but they still looked inside and insured it was just her. They even took her ID and checked it. The security had clearly been stepped up around the Jameson estate, and Scarlett was fairly certain she knew why.

Everyone was afraid of the same thing—that Terrence’s son Trevor would finally do something horrible and irrevocable. Of course, nobody wanted to talk about it very much, but behind the scenes, everyone made adjustments.

Security was upgraded, cameras and alarms were installed, precautions were taken when entering and leaving buildings or walking on the street at night.

You could never feel completely safe if Trevor was out in the world and free to get his revenge.

And even though you might try to convince yourself that he had left town for greener pastures, or that he didn’t want to get himself in any further trouble, deep down you knew differently.

So it was nice to see such tight security at Red and Nicole’s house. If anything, it only made Scarlett feel a bit uneasy about getting back to her lonely apartment again late that night. She wouldn’t have all the bells and whistles at her disposal.

But she put those grim thoughts out of her mind as they left the gate and drove up the long road, past the lake and the rolling hills and finally, to the enormous mansion itself.

When she arrived, she saw that Red and Kane were waiting and chatting merrily with Nicole and Danielle and a woman that Scarlett assumed was Kallie’s mother. They all greeted her with open arms and hugs and kisses.

“You look gorgeous,” Nicole told Scarlett.

Danielle glanced her up and down and waved her hand. “Girl, you are smoking.

Haven’t you been snapped up by some lucky guy yet?”

“Not quite yet,” Scarlett said. “Besides, who can compete with these charming men that I keep comparing everyone to?”

“My guy
is
pretty hot,” Danielle said, grabbing Kane’s arm.

He checked his watch. “When’s Kallie due to arrive?”

“Should be any minute,” Red told him. “Hunter texted me and said they’re on their way now. She thinks he’s taking her to some restaurant that she doesn’t even like.

Apparently they argued about it. The guy is skating on thin ice, but I suppose he likes to keep her guessing.”

Kallie’s mother smiled. “He’s actually quite the gentleman, I’ve discovered. I think his tough act is just that—an act. He’s a softy.”

“You know, I think you’re right,” Scarlett said. “He loves Kallie very much. I envy her. And all these ladies, for that matter.”

“Where the heck is Lydia?” Nicole said. “She’s going to miss everything.”

“Maybe we all got lucky and she broke her leg on the way over,” Danielle said.

There was a drawn out silence as everyone struggled to know what to say next.

Then Kallie’s mom shrugged. “If we were really lucky, she might have broken her neck.”

That’s when everyone started laughing.

“We need drinks,” Red said. “Inside, everyone.”

The group headed in doors, where there was an amazing array of decorations in the foyer, a huge banner, balloons, and flowers. Then, further along, were trays of delicious looking finger foods and even some entrees, along with plenty of snacks and drinks.

There was way more food and drink than was required for such a small group, but everyone picked up a drink and started imbibing.

The mood was high and laughter was ringing out.

Scarlett was enjoying herself, and getting tipsy too. Everything was going well for her, until the doorbell rang.

Everyone quieted down, waiting for Hunter and Kallie to enter. But when Red answered the door, it wasn’t either of them who stepped inside.

Scarlett’s breath caught in her chest and she nearly fell.

Bryson was standing there, looking at everyone, shifting on his feet. “I guess this is probably a disappointment. But I’m not Kallie.”

“Hey, glad you made it!” Red told him, shaking his hand.

“Glad to be here. I just had to juggle my schedule a tiny bit.” He glanced over at Scarlett and she felt a thrill rush through her.

He was here, looking completely gorgeous and put together, wearing pleated slacks, nice shoes, and a sports blazer over a polo shirt. His hair was styled, but he still looked rough and casual in his own way. Somehow, she thought, Bryson was always able to just look like he owned whatever he was wearing. There was something just very at ease and confident in how he carried himself, no matter what type of setting.

And Scarlett knew why she was thrilled. She knew that he was making a statement—he’d come here for her.

He’d given up a meeting with Steven Spielberg for her.

Just to see her.

She smiled, as he made his way over to where she was standing. “I bet I took you by surprise, didn’t I?” he said, grinning.

“Maybe a little.” She felt her cheeks redden. “You need a beer.” She turned and grabbed him one from the table and handed it to him.

As their hands touched briefly, she felt that same old excitement leaping through her belly.

“Thanks,” he said, winking. “This place is okay,” he said looking around the gorgeous mansion. “I would have gone bigger, personally.”

“I’m sure you would.”

“Okay everyone!” Red yelled out. “This time it really is her! I just got a text from Hunter, they’re driving up now. Quiet down. Quiet down,” he said, gesturing for everyone to stop talking.

The entire room hushed as they waited for Hunter and Kallie to come inside.

Scarlett was feeling just about as happy as she’d ever felt. She was surrounded by people that she considered friends, and Bryson had shown up for her—really shown up for her. And to top it off, Lydia seemed to have bailed on the party, a minor miracle really.

A moment later, Hunter and Kallie walked through the door and everyone yelled,

“Surprise!” And began clapping.

Kallie put her hands over her mouth, first laughing and then crying.

Hunter hugged her as the other guests approached to tell her how happy they were for the upcoming wedding.

“First I told her we were going to this Thai restaurant she doesn’t like very much—and then I said I needed to swing by Red’s house because he had a script he wanted to hand-deliver to me. She bought it hook, line and sinker,” Hunter said.

“She always was gullible, even as a little girl,” Kallie’s mother said. Then she hugged and kissed Kallie and gave Hunter a big hug too.

“Mom, I can’t believe you came all the way out here for this,” Kallie said.

“It was the least I could do.”

Bryson glanced at Scarlett as she watched the festivities with eyes that were far from dry.

“Pretty romantic, isn’t it?” he said softly.

She looked sideways at him. “Incredibly romantic.”

“It’s giving me an idea or two,” he said, sipping his beer.

“I’ll believe that when I see it.”

He raised an eyebrow at her. “You might see it sooner than you think.”

She just shook her head, secretly pleased, wondering if it was wrong that being this close to him again was almost worth whatever risk she was taking with her heart.

I must be crazy, she decided.

A few minutes later, Bryson, Hunter, Red and Kane took their leave.

“You girls don’t do anything too wild while we’re gone. I’ve got people keeping an eye on this place,” Red told them.

“Do they know about the male strippers?” Danielle called out.

Kane gave her a look, but then the men left. As Bryson walked out the door, he gave one last glance over his shoulder at Scarlett.

Then the door closed and they were gone.

“Thank God, it’s finally just us,” Nicole sighed. “Should we go open gifts?”

“Absolutely,” Kallie said, linking arms with Nicole. “I can’t believe you did all of this for me. It’s enough to make a girl cry.”

“You know I love you,” Nicole said. “I’m not going to let anything get in the way of our friendship.”

“Hey, what about me?” Danielle said, linking arms with Nicole on the other side.

Scarlett watched the three of them walking together, feeling like an outsider for the first time that night. And then Kallie looked at her and held her arm out. “Come on, sister. Join us!”

Scarlett laughed with relief and joined them.

A minute later, they were in the living room, and Kallie was getting ready to open the first gift.

And then it happened.

The front door must have been left unlocked, because Scarlett heard it open, and then there were footsteps coming into the house. It seemed like she was the only one who even noticed, and as she turned to watch the entrance to the living room, she was the first person to see Lydia standing there, with fire and rage in her eyes.

“Everyone enjoying themselves?” Lydia asked. Her voice cut through the room and all talking immediately ceased. She was standing there in an overdone black dress with a poofy bottom that would have put Lady Gaga to shame.