Secret Mistress

by Victoria Arabpour Pinder

  Matt closed his eyes and sat on the floor. He needed to be reasoned with, and listened to. “Luke.”

  “Matt, it’s super late here,” Luke said.

  Miami was three hours ahead of LA—he had a tendency to forget that. He leaned his back against the wall. “Sorry. I just had a question for you.”

  Luke asked, “What?”

  Good. That tone meant he was listening. Luke had always had that skill. Matt swallowed and hoped he didn’t sound bitter when he asked, “When you were in love with Caro and she didn’t know you were alive, you left. Did you ever intend to tell Caro how you felt?”

  Luke cut off his engine. Matt hadn’t even heard that. He must be returning from a night shift but his brother hadn’t complained. “That’s a hard question. My wife and I were young when we met.”

  “College isn’t that young.” Matt had gotten his first real adult roles then. And from what he understood his brother had spent years of his life without Caro noticing him, which was the exact opposite of his own life, it seemed. Matt’s voice was tight as he asked, “Did you intend to find her and tell her?”

  His brother coughed. Neither one of them had ever discussed personal questions like this but Matt needed to know. “No. I intended to stay far away from her. However, we met again at a bar—that was fate. We’d both changed and I made my move then.”

  Right. So his brother had bumped into Caro again on accident. It was hugely different from his situation, where Ashley had come to LA just to meet him. He played with his blond hair that was starting to grow out. “Okay, thanks.”

  “For what?” Luke asked.

  Because despite how his insides jiggled and his heart pounded, he was clear. “For reminding me that love is about two people on the same page.”

  “Oh. Good night, then.” Luke opened a car door. Matt imagined that his brother was home again.

  “Bye, Luke.” They hung up. As he put his phone on a table near his side, he lightly banged the back of his head to the wall. Now he needed his heart to understand what had just happened.

  Ashley couldn’t love him. It wasn’t true.

  Chapter 15

  Ashley was curled up with a book in Jennifer’s house, near her window across from the gas fireplace of the guest bedroom, Cosimo asleep in his nursery.

  The story was better than she’d expected.

  The night sky was fully dark and she couldn’t see many stars. The smog was like Miami in that way, not that she usually stayed up late to notice.

  Despite that Miami and LA were known for late night parties, that wasn’t ever Ashley Romero’s scene.

  She normally preferred flats to heels, jeans to slacks, brown hair to blonde.

  And the book she was reading… this seemed odd. Jennifer was never a sci fi/fantasy reader so why would she have this book about a girl who was out to save humanity from the evil government by forming a rebellion?

  Anyone who knew Jennifer would know she preferred fashion articles to fantasy.

  Ashley only half-skimmed as the baby slept.

  The hospital had said Jennifer had been discharged but Jennifer wasn’t answering her phone and the house seemed dead quiet.

  She got up and checked on the baby one more time.

  Cosimo slept like an angel.

  His expression was so serious, yet softened by swirls of dark hair and plump cheeks.

  Ashley needed to buy him something to remember her by before she left here as Jennifer was sure to finally disown her.

  Finally the front door opened.

  Ashley snuck out of the nursery and rushed down the flight of carpeted red stairs in Jennifer’s homage to Scarlett O’Hara’s Tara, Beverly Hills style.

  On the bottom step, Ashley stopped running and her sneakers squeaked on the marble as she saw her cousin hobble in and take off her Prada sunglasses, despite the late hour. Ashley tapped her hands to her sides and said, “Jennifer, I’m so glad that you’re home.”

  Jennifer put her Versace handbag down, her face white and eyes bloodshot. “I’ve complained for days about these pains that come and go. Finally my doctor figured it out.”

  Clearly Jennifer was sick. Blurting out that Anthony had seen Cosimo would have to wait. Ashley walked over and wrapped her arm around her cousin’s side to help her though she hadn’t been asked. Jennifer let her. “How long do you need to rest for?”

  “I’ll be fine.” Jennifer didn’t argue as they climbed the stairs to Jennifer’s room together. Her cousin allowed Ashley to take some of her weight as they went up each step, slowly. “I called Brandon on my way home. I can’t do action or blocking for a few days, but I can read and voice my thoughts from a chair on what’s being prepared.”

  Seriously? Her contract allowed for hospital and recovery time. Ashley helped her up another stair. “So you’re not taking time off?”

  Jennifer gritted her teeth and said, “I shouldn’t have missed any work at all. How is Cosimo?”

  Now this sounded exactly like Jennifer. Her cousin valued her work. She always had. It was her one constant, so Ashley didn’t argue. They turned at the top stair and shuffled down the hall. “He’s good. Adorable.”

  Jennifer sank carefully to the edge of the mattress and Ashley helped her remove her shoes. In the past, she would have resented this, but not tonight. Her cousin was in pain, and needed rest. “His nanny will be back tomorrow, as I’m on schedule again. I’d given her the day off. Thank you for stepping in.”

  Huh? Yes, Jennifer had staff, but to dismiss her so easily seemed… strange. Ashley put the shoes in the closet and nodded, though now she needed to fess up. Ashley braced for the theatrics but decided honesty was what she wanted in life. “No problem. Look. I was with Matt when I found out you needed me.”

  Jennifer scooted higher on the bed, wincing as she asked, “And?”

  Ashley lifted her chin. “And, he called his brother. Anthony.”

  Jennifer’s lips pursed. Ashley’s adrenaline grew as she prepared to defend herself—though it hadn’t been her fault. “Did he see Cosimo?”

  Right. This was it. Ashley lowered her head. The Morgans had used her to get to Jennifer. “I think he has a bottle.”

  Jennifer shrugged and tugged her sheets down. “Okay. I’ll have my lawyers ready.”

  Wait. What? Ashley came closer. Was her cousin on meds? Her eyes seemed clear, but Ashley sat beside her and took her hands. “I’m sorry, Jennifer. I didn’t know.”

  “You’re dating a Morgan.” Jennifer squeezed her fingers. “They will stop at nothing to get what they want.”

  No. Her heart raced now. Ashley stood and saw the serenity on Jennifer’s face.

  This wasn’t drugs.

  Somehow Ashley had been out-maneuvered again. The calmness from Jennifer was the same as when Ashley had been talked into being pregnant. Ashley’s spine was like steel as she asked, “That’s it?”

  Jennifer batted her eyes. “What do you mean?”

  Fire shot through her veins, igniting her insides. Ashley stepped backwards without taking her eyes off her cousin as she said, “Normally when I screw up your life, you’re… well you’re much more vocal and upset.”

  Jennifer tilted her head like she was innocent, but Ashley… she’d seen that look all her life as Jennifer said, “I just got out of the hospital, Ashley. It’s okay. I need to sleep. You can go home now.”

  None of this made sense. Ashley ran her hands through her hair to stop herself from breaking anything. “Did you… did you want the Morgans to…”

  “Prove the case that I did in fact have a Morgan child and Cosimo is mine?” Jennifer supplied with a sly cat-like smile.

  Her pulse zipped. This was too much. Ashley’s fingers curled into her palms at her side as she said, “So you used me.”

  Jennifer didn’t argue. She didn’t even move the covers back as she said, “You presented an opportunity.”

  Ashley had been played, once again. Her life would be so much better if she just staye
d far away from Jennifer.

  And Matthew. Her heart had brought her here, but now it was time to protect herself. She stormed to the door and said, “I’m out and I quit. Lose my number.”

  “Ashley-” Jennifer said but Ashley didn’t care. She would have slammed the door but didn’t want to wake the baby so she took the steps down two at a time, her sneakers on the red carpet.

  She had to get her life in order and that wouldn’t be with movie people who saw no problems with using her. Outside, she stared at the Bentley for a second before she hopped in.

  Matt’s car smelled of leather, and him.

  Maybe when she got settled somewhere, she’d buy her own Bentley.

  Or not. It was probably better to avoid anything that made her think of any of these people.

  The roads were quiet, except for one house party that reminded her of a movie for college students with cars even parked on the manicured lawn. She was back at Matt’s in minutes. As she drove onto his property, she couldn’t believe that the house was completely dark.

  Had he gone to bed?

  Seriously?

  Her mind wouldn’t quiet down. Should she sleep outside in the Bentley if he didn’t answer her knock?

  She would tap lightly just to see if he was still awake, so they could clear the air. Ashley turned off the car and headed up the porch stairs.

  She gave the light knock and waited.

  The chill in the night air was different than Miami because of the mountains surrounding them. It cooled her temper.

  Maybe Matthew had a way to explain. She’d promised to give him a shot.

  His brother was clearly gone now.

  But as the minutes ticked past, she took a step back.

  Maybe she needed to check into a hotel, and they could meet in the morning.

  But the light came on and she stayed put—Matt opened his door and part of her heart melted. Bare-chested, as he liked to walk around his house without a shirt, and rumpled just-out-bed hair.

  She wanted to run into his arms and hold him tight.

  She did not want to imply that she would ever be okay with being used, so she stood with her hands at her sides. He widened the door and gestured for her to come in. She smiled and passed him.

  No need to have this conversation outside on the front step. She ignored the coldness that crept into her skin at the idea of never seeing him again. “Matt, I’m sorry if I woke you. I didn’t think you’d be sleeping.”

  He shrugged. “I thought you weren’t coming back till tomorrow.”

  Right. She’d said tomorrow, but the realization of her cousin’s duplicity changed things. “I left all my things here and Jennifer’s home now.”

  Matt closed the door. “I’m glad she’s out of the hospital.”

  “Don’t.” She shivered as she stepped back from him.

  He blinked and turned toward her. “Don’t what?”

  Her voice came out higher than she intended as she said, “Don’t act like you care about my family when you put yours over mine.”

  He should wear a shirt in his house. It would be less distracting if he didn’t have those muscles on display as he put his hands in the pockets of his sleep pants. “I should have talked to you. I said I was sorry.”

  She lowered her head. They’d already gone over this, and Matt had promised to make it up to her, if he could. “Well, Jennifer used us both.”

  He joined her by the foyer and their bodies were so close hers got goosebumps. “What?”

  She met his gaze and said a small prayer. “Jennifer knew I was with you. She knew I loved you and she used that in some plan of hers.”

  Matt’s eyes widened. “What plan?”

  Good question. She wasn’t sure, but so much drama was not her life. She was done. Maybe she could be happy living in a small town and fall for a bartender or something. She’d taken her shot here and failed. Matt hadn’t chosen her side either. “I don’t know. I don’t care. But she wanted your brother to take the DNA.”

  Matt’s arms crossed. “But she’s been fighting him?”

  This was no longer her concern. She was done with Jennifer and it seemed Matt only cared about what affected his siblings. Maybe if she had a family that cared about her, she’d understand. But she didn’t. She never had. She pushed her hair behind her ears. “I know when she’s lying to me and when I saw her tonight, I knew she was hiding something.”

  Matt’s voice was deeper when he said, “I’m sorry.”

  She let out a small laugh, determined to protect her heart as she headed to the stairway. “You’re sorry a lot. Look, I’ll just get my things and leave.”

  She made it to the first step when Matt said, “But you said you loved me.”

  Her face was hot. She turned around, her hand on the railing. “I do love you. But you never knew I was alive. And I hate being used, by you and by Jennifer. I’m absolutely not cut out for life where everything is an act, so I’m going.”

  She climbed the stairs again and made it halfway up when he asked, “Where?”

  Her bags were still mostly packed—she’d only need a minute. She continued up till she reached the top and told Matt, who’d followed behind her, “I don’t know yet, but hey I have money enough to go and figure out what to do with the rest of my life. I don’t need a favor from anybody.”

  She hurried to the bedroom. His bed wasn’t made which meant he really had been sleeping. Maybe this could have waited, but she’d hoped to make him convince her to stay. She almost chewed her lip again but then stopped as he broke the silence and said, “Ashley, I want you to stay.”

  Tears formed in her eyes. Now he’d see her cry. Guess it didn’t matter though. He’d never see her again as she asked, hoping she was wrong, “Why? Why do you want me to stay? To use me again?”

  He stepped over to her. Awareness shot through her and she froze. “I can’t say I’m in love with you.”

  Words wounded worse than bullet holes to the chest. She couldn’t cry. She’d known this all along. She turned away and circumvented him to the closet to get her bag as she said, “Okay. That’s good for me to hear.”

  Without looking at him, she ran into the bathroom for her toothbrush, stuffing it in her bag. Ashley balanced her shopping bags on top of her suitcase, then used her phone to call a car for herself.

  Her eyes were dry. Soon, over a bottle of wine she’d buy and drink at her hotel, but not here, not now.

  Matt stood at the bedroom door. “Look, I don’t want to hurt you, Ashley.”

  But he had. Her heart was gone now, broken, shattered worse than a mirror smashed by a baseball bat. She placed his keys on the side dresser.

  She was done. She met his blue eyes for the last time. “That’s the thing. You can’t. I hurt myself by giving you a say. In the end I want a guy who won’t use me for his own selfish reasons. I want to be loved because I’m… well… important.”

  She headed out the door of his bedroom to the hall. Halfway down the steps, Matt caught up with her. “Ashley, this is all too fast.”

  “Then you won’t miss me. Goodbye, Matt.” She let herself out his front door.

  Maybe she never should have taken her shot with Matt. Changing her hair had been a mistake but a call to a salon would fix that. And hopefully time would fix her broken heart as she clearly needed to forget that love existed. It didn’t. And never would. Not for her.

  Chapter 16

  Matt’s morning coffee lacked any flavor. It was just roast with no distinction.

  The motorcycle ride to the studio with the wind hitting against his skin didn’t shake off whatever weighed his shoulders down.

  The morning was bright and sunny but nothing in his heart seemed right.

  Everything was off. He bought a different coffee at the studio, but it didn’t help.

  The taste his lips craved was Ashley and her blend. His body ached for her too.

  But she’d left him.

  And she’d been right to do so. He’
d chosen his family over her and had known it while he’d done it. He strode onto the set and headed out of his dressing room, passing Jennifer’s room on the way to the green room.

  He saw that she was inside, as the door was ajar, but he didn’t stop.

  Maybe he was a hypocrite, not that Ashley had said that. Here he was working with a woman his family hated, and he’d gone out of his way to make his family that he hardly knew like him despite that.

  In the process he’d let Ashley go. He stopped in the hall and returned to Jennifer’s room.

  Maybe she had news. He knocked and pushed the door wider so she could see him. Jennifer was sitting down and her face was white, like she was ready for a zombie movie. He didn’t comment. “Jennifer, we’re about to start blocking. Do you need me to go find you a golf cart to escort you?”

  “I’ll be fine.” She shrugged. “I’m a trooper.”

  So was he. He ignored his life for roles, though he’d tried to make that right to his siblings by what he’d done for Anthony. And Ashley had suffered. He sipped his coffee and saw himself in Jennifer.

  Cold rushed through him. “It doesn’t reflect badly on you if you go home and rest for a few days. Surgery is covered in the contract.”

  She shook her head. “It’s fine, Matt. How’s Ashley?”

  Her words made his head spin. Fine was always his answer, even when it wasn’t true. She’d asked about the one woman who deserved better from him. He pushed his hand in his pocket and leaned against the door frame. “I don’t know.”

  “Oh, did y’all break up?” She barely looked at him, the question a toss-away comment.

  His heart beat faster but he didn’t move as he said, “She’s your cousin.”

  Jennifer settled back in her chair with a small sigh. “She never wanted to see me again.”

  Ashley’d had a busy night last night, clearing her life of those who had hurt her. He straightened and sipped his coffee as adrenaline coursed through him. “Guess that’s two of us then.”

  She picked up her mascara and added it without even glancing in a mirror.