by Lee Winter
“This seems to be going well,” Elizabeth murmured.
Summer rolled to her other side. Elizabeth had changed into a stunning royal blue one-piece, with a white, long-sleeved shirt to protect her arms. Her smooth, long legs gleamed from sunscreen. In the face of all that skin, Summer could only say, “Yeah.” Glancing back at the pool, she added, “My parents aren’t really the issue though.”
“Who is?” Elizabeth sipped the fruity yellow drink she was holding. Combined with her killer sunglasses—large and fashionable, with white frames—and a designer wide-brimmed hat, she looked like she’d just strolled onto the Lido deck of a cruise liner. “This is an excellent punch, by the way.”
“Autumn made it. She did a cocktail-making course once, so it should be good. And Chloe is our potential Death Star.”
“Death Star?”
That made Summer sit up. “Tell me you did not just admit to ignorance of Star Wars?”
Elizabeth slid her sunglasses an inch down her nose. “I was joking.” She smiled. “Are you a nerd, then, darling? Is the Force strong in you?”
Every damned time Elizabeth said that word, even with that faintly mocking tone, it gave Summer’s heart a delighted little quiver. Not just her heart, either. Fake-dating Elizabeth was ruining her ability to relax.
The side gate opened, sparing Summer from having to think of some witty comeback. “Here comes Sith Lord Chloe Martin, right now.”
“Chloe’s the roommate, correct?” Elizabeth asked, sliding her sunglasses back up. “What does she know about any of this?”
“I didn’t have a chance to tell her we were supposedly dating. I left a note about the pool party on the fridge. Last time we talked, she thinks I’m interested in you but I’ve been strenuously denying it.”
Elizabeth frowned. Then frowned some more. “Why would she think that?”
Oh hell! Summer’s brain caught up to her words. Shit!
“Because of the photos?” Elizabeth asked.
Oh thank God. “Yes, exactly.”
“But, still, it’s a big leap. She suddenly thinks her straight roommate is gay? For me? Because of a few photos? What am I missing?”
That I’m not straight? Doubt streaked through her. Summer had been debating this for a while now. To tell Elizabeth or not to tell. Would outing herself make this uncomfortable? And what of the sex scene? Did straight actresses want to know if they’re kissing a woman who’s into women? Is that a fear they have? Or is it all just business? Wasn’t it all business when it was a straight sex scene, too, though? Why did anyone have to know anything? Still, the doubts tumbled through her.
Chloe sauntered over, looking her usual magazine-shoot-perfect self. She sat on the edge of Summer’s deck chair, near her ankles, and reached into her bag.
“Hey. Sorry I wasn’t here earlier. An appointment ran late.” She slid a glance between them. “Well, this is a surprise, eh? Look at you two.” Her eyebrows lifted.
“Chloe, meet Elizabeth…uh, Bess. Bess, this is Chloe.”
“Bess now is it?” Chloe regarded Summer as she began to slather her arms in the lotion she’d pulled out. “So were the rumors true all along?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth said, voice dry. “I have been bullying Summer for her green-fingered abnormality. And what’s more, I like it.”
“Ha!” Chloe laughed. “Yeah, that was a corker, that one.”
“You’re a New Zealander? Which island?”
“North. Wanganui.”
“Really? I’ve been there. It has the most beautiful lake I’ve ever seen.”
Chloe beamed at her. “You know Lake Virginia? I cycled all around it, every chance I could, after school. I think half my childhood photos are mapping my height next to the Peter Pan statue.”
“I saw him, too. When I was eighteen I hiked all over New Zealand for my gap year. It’s gorgeous.”
“Awesome.” Chloe grinned.
“Yes. I saw Australia, too. But New Zealand suited my genetics a little better.” She waved at her pale skin. “I react badly to sunlight.”
“Ooh, a vampire, eh?”
“Something like that.” Elizabeth looked amused.
“And now you’ve latched your teeth onto Summer?” Her eyebrows gave a suggestive wiggle.
“Ugh,” Summer groaned. “No. That’s the worst joke.”
“So it’s not true about you two?” Chloe sagged.
“Oh, it is,” Elizabeth said. “But we’re keeping it quiet, okay?”
“Oh!” Chloe darted a look around the pool area. “Does Skye know? Is she planning a party in your honor?”
“Probably.” Summer snickered. “I’m sure it’s on the drawing board.”
“Hey Smiley, shove over.” Chloe elbowed her. “Room for two on these things.”
Summer slid to one side and Chloe made herself at home beside her on the wide deck chair.
“Okay,” Chloe said earnestly. “I want dibs on being a bridesmaid.”
“Good one,” Summer said. “You hate weddings.”
“Yeah straight ones. Lesbian ones are choice. So many extra wardrobe options. You should see me rock a tux. So Dietrich.”
“How many lesbian weddings have you been to?” Elizabeth asked curiously.
“Plenty around this town.” Chloe crossed her legs at the ankles and straightened her mid-thigh shorts. “Models are so queer in LA. It’s all about the ‘body beautiful’ and exploring your options. Sexual fluidity and all that. There’s way fewer barriers in modelling than elsewhere, if you’re into that, which I’m not. But, hey, more power to those who are. Since I jumped over into acting, I can see there’s a huge difference.”
“There is?” Elizabeth asked, looking fascinated.
“Of course. It’s the fantasy aspect. Acting’s about selling the idea you might be available to the audience as someone they could potentially hook up with. Models don’t have that baggage. We’re just coat hangers. People don’t even see us at all. Actors are super visible but.”
“But what?” Elizabeth asked curiously.
Chloe frowned. “Huh?” Then shook her head. “So wedding jokes aside, are you two serious or is this just a bit of fun?”
“Serious,” Summer said.
“Fun.” Elizabeth said at the same time.
They eyed each other sheepishly. Damn it.
“Uh-oh.” Chloe winced. “Shit. You two should probably talk.”
“Yeah. We’ve been hearing that a lot,” Summer grumbled.
“You know, you are an unusual pair.” Chloe squinted at them. “I mean, Elizabeth, didn’t you go all nuclear winter on Summer? Ghost her and shit?”
“I…” Elizabeth hesitated. “Yes, I did.” She sighed. “I regret it.”
“Why did you then?”
“I received some bad advice, which I took without thinking about the consequences.”
“Hmm.” Chloe’s brows knitted together. “SSS, huh?”
“What?”
“Self-absorbed Star Syndrome. Your people made you do it.” She lifted an eyebrow. “Right?”
The edge and disappointment lacing Chloe’s tone came as a shock. How much must Summer’s emotional state have been leaking for Chloe to be so fierce in defending her? “Chloe, it’s fine; it’s in the past,” she broke in. “And Bess did apologize.”
“No, she’s right.” Elizabeth sat up and slid her glasses off. “I exercised bad judgment. It was self-serving, self-absorbed, and an awful thing to do to someone. I often wished I could turn back time. I missed Summer a great deal.”
“You missed her,” Chloe said. “Which bothered you. But do you get how much you hurt Summer? That it wasn’t your feelings that mattered here?”
“Chloe.” Summer felt her cheeks flame in embarrassment.
Elizabeth pressed her lips toget
her. “Yes. I know. And I don’t plan on repeating that mistake. In future, I will weigh up any suggestions first before blindly following recommendations.”
“Okay.” Chloe’s grin returned. “Oh, and last question. Very important one. Are you prepared to stand by Summer despite her awful affliction?”
“Her what?” Elizabeth turned to Summer, who lifted her hands in bafflement.
“Her two left feet. It’s a miracle Smiley can walk and talk. I’ve seen her trip over a light breeze.”
“Ah. Yes. It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make,” Elizabeth replied.
“Hey, I’m right here!” Summer protested.
“Yes, you are.” Elizabeth reached for her hand, eyes warm and soft.
Swallowing, Summer gave her a not-entirely-fake fond look as their fingers entwined.
“Ugh.” Chloe rolled her eyes. “All right, you pass, Thornton. Just ax the mush. You’re driving me to drink.” Her eyes brightened. “Actually that’s a great idea. I’ll get some booze and get this party kicking on. You two right for a top-up?”
“I’m good.” Summer pointed at her Diet Coke.
Elizabeth tilted her nearly full punch at Chloe in answer.
“Choice. And when I get back I’ll be dishing the dirt on embarrassing Summer stories. Watch this space.”
“Can’t wait,” Elizabeth purred.
“You’d better not,” Summer warned, “or I’ll hold your worldly goods hostage.”
“But it’s good to know all I can about you, darling.” Elizabeth looked at her pointedly.
Damn it. She had a point. “Fine,” Summer ground out. As Chloe headed for the drinks area, Summer called out: “But I’m gonna track down the Men in Black, and insist they mind-wipe you both afterwards.”
“Seems fair,” Elizabeth said. “Besides, how bad could the dirt actually be?”
Summer didn’t answer. She was too busy registering the fact Elizabeth hadn’t let go of her hand. And how much she liked it.
Chloe was still dishing dirt to Elizabeth an hour later, despite Summer intervening often to make sure she didn’t stray into territory involving Summer’s exes or anything too revealing or even slightly gay. Now that her roomie had moved on to discussing the thrill of hot mud geysers around Rotorua, Summer decided it was safe enough to leave them and head for the drinks tub. A squat, wide shadow fell over her as she yanked the Diet Coke bottle out of the ice. Floral perfume hit her nostrils.
“Thanks for inviting me,” Delvine said. “It’s been valuable. I’m impressed with your sister. I can’t say that’s a common reaction after dealing with relatives managing family members. Most are terrible at it.” She shuddered. “Business should be all business.”
“Well, we sorted out most of our sibling issues really young,” Summer said. “Now we’re pretty good at separating business from family.”
“I suppose that’s why it works. She is dedicated to you to a fault, by the way. My God, loyalty. Such a rare thing in LA. It’s almost shocking. People are usually out for something. Not you two, though. Maybe because you’re sisters?”
“Oh, I don’t know. What about Elizabeth’s friend, Grace Christie-Oberon?”
Delvine stiffened. “What about her?”
Was her tone suddenly ten degrees cooler? “Don’t you manage Grace?”
“Not anymore.”
“So you did, once?”
“Yes, when she first came to LA. She was considered quite the prize.”
Okay, there was definitely something off about the tone. “Why don’t you do it now?”
“That’s confidential. But it was a mutual parting of the ways.”
“Didn’t you take on Elizabeth at Grace’s request?”
“No. It’s true Grace introduced Bess to me at a party. But even if she hadn’t, I’d have noticed her. I keep an eye out for new talent. Her CV carried its own weight. It’s not just me who thought that. Same goes for Rachel. We’re good friends, even if she drives me crazy at times. And I know for a fact that she was impressed as hell by Bess’s talent.”
Whoa. What? “So, wait, Rachel didn’t sign Elizabeth only because it was a condition of getting Grace as a client?”
“Of course not.” Delvine frowned. “Where’d you get that idea?”
Summer gave her a long look.
“Ah. I see.” Delvine’s lips flattened into a thin line. “Well, consider who we’re talking about here. It’s Rachel Cho. She has a reputation for excellence. Can you imagine what a shortcut to mediocrity it would be if she allowed friends of the famous on her books? Yes, Grace mentioned Bess to her as someone to consider. Rachel said no, she didn’t work like that. But when Rachel was in London a little while later, she happened to catch a play Bess was doing. It obviously made an impression, because when Rachel returned home, she told Grace that if Bess ever came to Hollywood, she’d be happy to sign her.”
“That’s quite a different story from what I’ve heard. Bess thinks Grace is the sole reason Rachel Cho represents her.”
“She has been misinformed.”
“Delvine…” Summer hesitated. “I don’t know what to do with this information. Grace is Bess’s mentor. Bess respects her. Actually, she thinks Grace is the queen of perfection.”
“Do nothing. Don’t kick over anthills, Summer. We all find out the truth in our own time. It’s hard, but unless we’re ready to hear it, it’s useless. Closed ears never listen.”
“But Bess doesn’t think any of her success is her own doing. Don’t you think she deserves to know?”
“Of course.” Delvine regarded her. “But, darling, you seem to think she doesn’t suspect the truth already.”
“What?”
“Elizabeth’s smart. Very smart. She may come to that conclusion when she’s ready on her own. And if not, well, secrets and lies have a way of coming out.”
“Oh.” It didn’t seem right, though.
“I know it’s hard. I know you care. But try. Back off for now. You have more than enough on your plate now without telling someone their hero is a controlling narcissist.”
Holy…
“Shit.” Delvine muttered. “Can we just pretend I never said that? It was very unprofessional. I normally don’t slip like that.”
Summer nodded. “If it helps, I don’t like her much. Grace deliberately hurts people.”
Delvine smiled. “I knew I liked you for a reason.” She glanced over at the deck chairs, where Elizabeth was listening to Chloe holding forth with a story that involved a lot of arm waving. “So tell me, darling, how goes the grand romance?”
With a shrug, Summer popped some ice cubes into the bottom of a glass and topped up her drink. “It goes. Elizabeth’s somehow survived Mom being her usual random self. And as for me, well, I don’t think she’ll ever entirely see me as a friend. I mean, I’ve met her friends. Sophisticated doesn’t even touch the sides of how different they are from me.” She sagged at the thought. “But I think she’s been doing a great job of tolerating me so far.”
“Ah,” Delvine offered a mysterious smile and poured herself a wine. “You may be surprised. And as for your parents? I love Skye to bits.”
“You do?”
“Oh yes. I wish your mom did interior decorating. I love what she’s done with the place.”
Four hours ago, it had been stressful even thinking about Elizabeth meeting her family, Summer mused as they stood ready to part ways at the front door.
Elizabeth curled an arm around her waist, as though expecting to be burst in on any second. Good plan. The Hayes clan did a lot of that.
“Thanks for inviting me,” Elizabeth said. “I learned a lot from Chloe.”
“I’ll bet.” Summer gave her a dark look, earning a throaty laugh that caused a tingle to shoot all the way down her spine.
Footsteps approached, a
nd Summer wasn’t sure who moved first but suddenly they were kissing. It was meant as a showy farewell kiss, but all Summer could feel was Elizabeth’s questing lips.
“Give it a rest, you two,” a bored voice drawled. “It’s only me.”
They broke up and were met with Autumn’s inscrutable look.
“Should probably save it for the screen, hmm? I don’t think the burbs deserve such an Oscar-worthy performance.”
“Is that your way of saying we were believable?” Summer joked.
“I guess.” Autumn juggled her car keys and sweater. “I’m heading off. I’ll call you later, Summer. Ms. Thornton, nice meeting you. And thanks for connecting me with Delvine. She’s terrific.”
“She is.” Elizabeth nodded. “Goodbye, Autumn.”
“Seeya,” Summer said.
They watched her go.
“Well, I should get home too,” Elizabeth said. “I have some lines to learn. Hunt has more wicked schemes to enact.”
“Uh-oh, poor Joey.”
“I think Dr. Carter will be fine. It’s Mendez who’ll find his tires slashed, I’m sure.”
“Hunt’s such a bunny boiler,” Summer said. “Controlling, hard-assed, and occasionally super charming. Quite a piece of work.”
“She is. No wonder people hate me.”
“If only they knew how little you’re like her in real life.”
“Are you saying I’m not super charming?”
“Oh, you’re plenty charming when you want to be.” With a grin, Summer leaned forward to peck Elizabeth’s cheek. Their exits were improving, she thought, as Elizabeth swayed in, appearing to expect it. “See you at work tomorrow. Darling.”
“Of course.” Elizabeth’s smile was pure amusement.
Summer’s heart squeezed. That woman wore adorable far too well.
Chapter 13
Kings Canyon National Park, the backdrop for Eight Little Pieces, was beautiful. Serene and soul-rejuvenating, Elizabeth decided, staring at the horizon. Majestic pines and the mist-covered, purple mountain behind them bookended her day. Even after two weeks she still wasn’t used to it.
After so long unconsciously shutting out all the sounds of the city, the stillness here was almost unnerving.