La Costa awoke well before dawn, unable to sleep. As she lay there, next to Henry, she closed her eyes and counted her blessings, about to embrace the second happiest day of her life, next to two days prior, when the nightmare was put behind her. She checked her phone and had a number of texts from her lawyer, Maldonado, but whatever he had to tell her could wait. It was about to be the first day of the rest of their lives.
The day was going to be a breeze compared to the trials that La Costa had weathered over most of her forty-four years. She had long given up the belief that she would ever find a life partner, let alone be giving birth to her own child, although Louis was as much a part of her as her arms and legs. He was her soul.
Among the many congratulatory emails, letters, and reviews that had flooded in on the jubilant days and months preceding the release of her memoir, No Secrets, La Costa had received, above all things—a new love and a new life. She didn’t know who was more excited, she or Henry? Louis? Tess? It was all happening so fast. But one thing was for certain—it was happening today.
Sure, it all mattered. The talk show offer, the signing, the dream job of a lifetime, but only half as much as the pleasure of marrying her soon-to-be loving husband, who was lying there next to her. Rolling over and yawning contentedly, La Costa greeted the dawn, smiling happily at Henry, now peering over at her from beneath the hotel covers.
“Good morning, Ms. Reed,” he said with a smile that promised every tomorrow to come. “Got any big plans for today?”
The ceremony was scheduled at the unholy hour of seven a.m., at a cathedral in downtown Manhattan, side altar, due to the simultaneous near-miss bookings of both the wedding and La Costa’s eminent show signing with Global Network. Immediately following, La Costa would take a car across town to attend the early-morning network signing at Global Studios, and then head for a celebratory reception in honor of her and her new husband, at The Palm with Tess and her family, Henry’s sons, and Louis. Then, it would be off to New England for a quiet, restful honeymoon in an undisclosed location, sans computers, cell phones, and galleys.
Hours later, when she entered the conference room at the offices of Global Network to join the others, in the company of producers, the show director, and television corporate executives, she could scarcely believe the dream that she was living.
Bumpy Friedman greeted her with a wide grin and a handshake. “Welcome to the team, La Costa.”
“It’s a big day, indeed, Mr. Friedman.”
“Call me Bumpy. Here, come meet the other gals.”
Chapter Sixty-six
Two Weeks Later – New York City
The photo shoot was seamless. The new set, flawless. It was a blend of high-tech stage and studio lighting, contrasted with a highly stylistic feminine touches; elegant, creamy soft pastels and sweeping chiffon backdrops swagged throughout the contemporary studio set with plush theater seating designed to bring the live audience close into the action.
The new cast would be showcased in the “chat corner,” a sort of informal living room set featuring several exquisitely upholstered couches and imperial striped chairs, festooned with a generous array of colorful pillows. La Costa thrilled in the moment as she took her place alongside two larger-than-life stunning media celebrities, Hannah Courtland Murphy, of radio talk show fame, as well as fashion maven Kathryn Delacorte, who was taking some preliminary photos in the first chair. A large video screen bordered with a colossal gilded Victorian frame was suspended above them. A myriad of dissolving images of women, children, nature, celebrities, cuisine—all manner of topics and teasers, were displayed in stunning graphics, featuring the show’s eclectic themes, scrolling in complement to the high-energy music pulsing from the speakers. Thin cables held the large fiberglass lighted signboard featuring the show’s signature logo looped across the lighted scrim in gilded script, welcoming viewers to The Gab.
The photographer, Ellie Logan, leaned into the lens to check the framing for the money shot, just as the youngest cast member, Casey Singer, bounded into the room, all buck wild and fired up, “Let’s DO this thing!” she shouted as she joined the others on the set.
The theme music blared as the foursome gathered together beneath the bright lights, for the first time all together, posing and smiling for the camera. It was perfection. Bumpy could see it in one brilliant sweep from the producer’s booth.
The flashes burst in rapid fire as Ellie Logan clicked away. “Beautiful! Ladies—just beautiful! A few more to go. That’s it!” She rallied the group as she captured it all, frame by beautiful frame.
La Costa dazzled from the far right. Her sleek, dark hair and crimson blouse were striking in the studio lights. But not as electrifying as the skyrockets that lit up her eyes; a look placed there by the covert and loving knowledge of the little secret that burned within her that would have to wait just a few weeks more, until when she would share the news with the entire world. For now, she just wanted to keep word of the baby to herself, and a few choice others, a little bit longer. The shocking report about Panther had been horrific, but left La Costa’s resolve unshattered. Her self-redemption, her joy, and her purpose was clear. And the vivacious Queen of Contemporary Romance never looked better!
“Okay, everyone. Give me one last shot,” Ellie prodded. “C’mon, a great big hello from the ladies of The Gab. Let’s give America something to talk about!”
La Costa took a deep breath and delivered a billion-dollar smile, as the flash exploded.
—End—
If you enjoyed what you just read, please take a few moments to leave a short review. It would mean so much to me in helping to get my books into the hands of other wonderful readers like you! Leaving a review for this, or any of the books in the series, is quick and easy – just click over to your favorite retailer to be taken to the review page. Thank you so much for your honest review. It means the world to me! ~ Jamie
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About the Author
Jamie Collins, author of the Secrets and Stilettos women’s fiction series, writes larger than life fiction about the fact-track world of media and entertainment.
As a former model/actress, she infuses her stories with Hollywood grit, sizzle and heat reminiscent of the great women’s fiction writers (Jackie Collins, Sidney Sheldon, and Olivia Goldsmith) of decades past on which she cut her writing chops reading and emulating their iconic styles. Collins brings a fresh, modern-day take on the throwback pocket novel tomes that defined an era of extravagance and excess in exchange for a world where women are more powerful, smart, and driven than ever.
Collins’s stilettos have been everywhere from nightclubs in Japan, to the Playboy mansion, to dinner with a Sinatra. Her aim is to delight and entertain readers of women’s fiction everywhere. Visit Jamie Collins's website where you can join her reader list if you haven’t already and get started with a free copy of the prequel to the series, Sign On!
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