Worth the Trouble

by Selena Kitt

  But Tyler wouldn’t budge. He’d refused all interviews, and he wouldn’t let them know the real reason he’d quit. It’ll blow over, was all he’d say, and I knew he was right. Eventually, it would blow over. But would we still be standing when it did?

  “I doubt he’s ‘fine’ with it,” Sabrina said softly.

  “Well…” I shifted Lucy in my lap, seeing Jay balancing a drink holder as she approached. “I guess ‘fine’ isn’t the right word. Resigned, maybe. He’s accepted it. What else can he do?”

  “I guess.” She gave a sad sigh, looking up as Jay slid into the empty chair at the table.

  “White hot chocolate for you.” Jay put a cup in front of Sabrina, turning to put a cup in front of me. “Grande skinny caramel macchiato for you. And another white hot chocolate for me.”

  “Good girl.” I winked at her and she rolled her eyes, but she smiled behind her cup. I think she secretly liked the fact that I sweated the small stuff like caffeine and watching her every minute of the day.

  Lucy squirmed in my lap, trying to crawl across the table to Jay. They hadn’t seen each other since Tyler’s announcement, but clearly Lucy remembered her. Jay laughed and held her arms out. I put Lucy on the floor and she toddled around the table to sit in Jay’s lap.

  “Wish I could find a nanny she liked as much.” Sabrina blew steam off the top of her hot chocolate, watching Lucy and Jay together. “Remember that psycho we had on the road last year?”

  “I remember,” I told her. “I was the one who picked up the slack after you fired her.”

  “I guess I’m spoiled.” Sabrina gave a dirty look to a woman with a laptop at the table next to us. Lucy was laughing and squealing and banging a spoon on the table, and the woman looked like she wanted to wring the little girl’s neck. “With Daisy and Jesse and Celeste—we have such good help.”

  “It’s the main reason I never get around to hiring anyone,” I said with a laugh. “Who could live up to Daisy’s cooking?”

  “Right?” Sabrina reached over to unbuckle Henry’s belt, taking him out of the stroller just as he was starting to fuss.

  “Ohh snap.” I sank lower in my chair, seeing who was coming through the door. “That’s her.”

  “Her who?” Sabrina craned her neck to see past the line of people.

  “Alisha McKenna.” I sank a little lower, as if that could keep her from seeing me.

  “That reporter?” Sabrina had located her, and her eyebrows went up. “The Variety one?”

  “Yup.” She’d seen me—her fingers were waggling in my direction. Ugh.

  “Well look who’s here.” Alisha slipped through the crowd, arriving at our table. I sat up straighter since she’d already spotted me. “Where’s your other half?”

  I shrugged, not saying anything to her, taking a sip of my coffee. It was way too hot, and I burned my tongue, but I pretended I hadn’t.

  “So it’s really true then?” Alisha smoothed her obviously-dyed red hair behind her ears. She was dressed for work, which must have been paying her well, given the Jimmy Choos she was wearing. “Tyler Cook is leaving Trouble?”

  “You should know,” Sabrina snapped. “You were the one who printed it first.”

  “Tell Tyler I missed him this week at the studio.” Alisha ignored Sabrina’s laser-beam look, focusing on me. “Have him call me to reschedule.”

  I glared at her, ignoring the implication. I seriously doubted Tyler had arranged a meeting with Alisha McKenna. He knew how I felt about her—especially after what she’d printed, after he’d asked her not to.

  “Come on,” Alisha wrinkled her freckled nose at me. “You know I’ll treat him right. Why don’t you put in a good word for me?”

  “The only word we’ve got for you, sweetheart, is ‘no’.” Sabrina waved her away, dismissing her presence and turning back to me. “So are you taking Jay shopping?”

  “Yes!” Jay’s face lit up. “New clothes—I can’t wait!”

  “So who’s this, then?” Alisha’s reporter instincts came out like a cat’s claws. I could practically see her sniffing the air, trying to catch the scent of a rumor to start.

  “My cousin.” That was the story we’d be sticking to.

  “Hm.” Alisha cocked her head at Jay, her eyes narrowing slightly. “She’s gorgeous.”

  “Thanks.” Jay laughed, tickling Lucy, making her squeal with laughter, garnering another dirty look from laptop-lady.

  “You don’t look anything alike.” Alisha slung her Gucci bag over her shoulder, sending her offhand barb straight through me. I didn’t even answer her, pretending it didn’t bother me in the least. “Tell Tyler I said ‘hi.’ I’m sure I’ll see him around.”

  “Bitch,” Sabrina said under her breath as Alisha flung her red hair over her shoulder and turned to go. I know Alisha heard her, but she didn’t react, going over to stand in line for coffee. Sabrina looked at Jay and offered her a smile. “She’s right though—you are gorgeous.”

  “Thanks.” Jay wrinkled her nose at the compliment. “Maybe you can tell Katie that. Arnie gave me his card, but she won’t let me call him.”

  “Do you really want to be a model?” Sabrina asked. “Be careful what you wish for.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Jay said with a shrug. “What girl wouldn’t want her face on Glamour?”

  “Girls who like food.” Sabrina laughed.

  “You should see her eat.” I snorted. “Jay eats more than I do.”

  “Must be nice to have that metabolism.” Sabrina sighed. “So where are you taking her shopping? I’m so jealous. I haven’t been shopping in ages. Hard to try anything on with these two.”

  “K-Mart.” I laughed when Sabrina choked on her hot chocolate. “Just kidding. We’ll probably hit Neiman Marcus and Macy’s.”

  “Wish I could come.” Sabrina sighed, shifting Henry to her other side, away from the narrowing gaze of laptop-lady. “But I’ve got to get these two down for a nap.”

  “You really do need a nanny.” I caught the spoon sliding across the table that Lucy tossed my way.

  “If you know any, give them my number.” Sabrina gave Henry his sippy cup, which he happily accepted. His smile was so cute, with just his top and bottom two teeth in.

  “I could do it.” Jay caught Lucy’s spoon before it sailed onto the floor. “I mean—I’m good with kids.”

  “You’ll have school in the fall,” I reminded her, catching Sabrina’s frown. She didn’t like me thinking that far ahead for Jay, especially out loud. I knew we were going to have to do something more permanent at some point. Sooner rather than later. But for now, I just wanted to make sure Jay was safe and had the basics with us, before taking any bigger steps.

  My phone buzzed, and I dug it out of my purse, seeing Tyler’s name on the screen. I held up my finger to Sabrina and Jay, taking the call.

  “Hey sexy.” Tyler’s voice caressed me through the phone and I smiled, turning my face away from the table. “I got a surprise for you.”

  “You do?” I lowered my voice a little, glancing over to see Alisha watching us. “A good surprise?”

  “I think so.” He laughed. “Buy something sexy when you’re out shopping with Jay. I’m taking my wife out to dinner.”

  “You are?” I blinked, watching Jay playing hide-the-spoon with Lucy. “But… uh… what about…”

  “See if Jay can spend the night with Sabrina and Rob,” he suggested, already anticipating my question. “If you don’t want to leave her home alone.”

  “Okay,” I agreed. I didn’t think Sabrina would really mind, given the circumstances. She’d likely be grateful for the break. “Can you give me a hint?”

  “Not even a little one.” He chuckled.

  “But it’s good?”

  “Yeah. Real good.”

  I smiled. “At least tell me where we’re going to dinner.”

  “Spago.”

  “Spago? Really? Beverly Hills? It must be really good news.”

  �
�I want you to wear something super-sexy.” He lowered his voice. “Something I won’t be able to wait to take off you.”

  His words made my whole body flush with heat.

  “You got it. What time tonight?”

  “Reservations at eight. I’ll be home by seven to shower.”

  “How’s the read-through going?”

  “Good,” he said. “In fact, I gotta get back. See you tonight, sexy.”

  “Mmkay.” I slipped my phone back into my purse, seeing both Jay and Sabrina looking at me. “What?”

  “Spago, huh?” Sabrina raised her eyebrows.

  “He says he’s got a surprise.” I shrugged one shoulder, sipping my coffee—it had cooled down enough I could drink it now—but it was hard not to smile. “Good news.”

  “We could use some good news.” Sabrina looked over at Jay. “Hey, sweetie, how would you like to spend the night at our place? A little audition for that nanny position?”

  Jay brightened, looking at me. “Could I?”

  “Sure,” I agreed, smiling my thanks at Sabrina. She’d either read my mind—or she’d overheard at least some of what Tyler had said. “I can drop her off after we go shopping, if that works for you?”

  “Perfect.” Sabrina nodded, watching Jay with Lucy. “I can’t wait to hear the good news.”

  “Me, either.”

  I was both excited and nervous—my imagination was running wild with the possibilities—but the thought of dinner out with my husband, and more importantly, surprising him by wearing something short and low-cut and impossible to resist, took precedence.

  It was definitely time to go shopping.

  ~*~

  “I am going to tear that off you and fuck you right on this table.” Tyler murmured in my ear. I didn’t say anything as the maître d' sat us at an out-of-the-way booth in the corner, but my belly quivered when I saw the dark look of lust in my husband’s eyes as I slid into my seat.

  I rapped my knuckles on the table, glancing over at him. “Seems sturdy enough.”

  “Don’t tempt me.”

  I smirked, opening my menu while Tyler ordered wine.

  Shopping that afternoon had been a resounding success. Jay had a whole new wardrobe. I’d gone a little overboard, but I figured, even if I had to send her home, she wouldn’t go empty-handed. She was fun to shop for, and I’d appreciated having someone besides the salesgirl telling me which dress I should or shouldn’t settle on for my date night with Tyler.

  Jay had helped me get ready—in the guest bathroom, so I could surprise my husband with the big reveal. He came home to shower, calling for me, but I sent Jay out to tell him I was busy getting ready. The dress looked like it was painted on. It was designer—Versace—a dark blue that was almost black, with a sort of silver lace overlay. It was almost entirely backless, and the hemline came to just above my knee.

  For as much as it cost, it wasn’t much material—but it had a very satisfying impact when I came down the stairs wearing silver heels and carrying a little silver clutch to complete the ensemble. If Jay hadn’t been there, I don’t think we would have made it out of the house at all, given the hungry look in Tyler’s eyes.

  “Sufficient?” I’d inquired innocently, smiling when he growled and grabbed me, kissing me hard and long, right in front of Jay.

  Tyler drove the Mustang convertible—Jay’s car request—dropping her off at Sabrina and Rob’s with an overnight bag before we headed to the restaurant. The night was warm, but my dress didn’t cover much. Tyler’s hand on the bare skin of my lower back, guiding me into the restaurant, was a promise of the night to come.

  “So what’s the surprise?” I asked him as we sipped wine and waited for dinner.

  “If I have to wait to get you out of that dress, you can wait for the surprise.” He smirked at me when I stuck out my tongue.

  Dinner was amazing, but Tyler laughed when I told him in hushed tones that Daisy’s food was better.

  “Don’t tell Wolfgang Puck that,” Tyler said, stealing a spoonful of my sorbet. We weren’t exactly eating clean tonight, given the celebratory circumstances.

  “Are you ever going to tell me?” I asked him over coffee. “Or are you just going to leave me hanging all night? The suspense is killing me.”

  “That dress is killing me.” He sighed, leaning back against the booth, his gaze moving down the V that plunged between my breasts. I couldn’t wear a bra, considering how backless it was—and underneath, I just had a pair of black panties and thigh-highs.

  “Then take me home.” I stirred cream into my coffee, watching it turn color. “We’ve got it all to ourselves for the first time in a week… I can be as loud as I want.”

  We’d gone from having to be quiet at my mother’s, to now having to be quiet because Jay was sleeping down the hall. We weren’t used to being quiet.

  “I’m going to make you scream so loud,” he promised, meeting my eyes, giving me a look so hot I thought I was going to melt into a puddle.

  “Prove it,” I challenged, waggling my eyebrows at him.

  Tyler leaned forward—the elbows of his black button-down on the table. He was never the type to wear a suit—the last time I remembered him in one, it was our wedding day—but he’d was dressed up tonight, for Tyler. He was even wearing dress shoes—instead of Keds.

  “What do you think of New Zealand?” he asked, cocking his head at me.

  “Uhhhh.” I blinked, then laughed. “I think it’s where they filmed all the Lord of the Rings movies. It’s very green. Right?”

  “Yeah.” He nodded, a half-smile on his face. “What would you think about living there?”

  I couldn’t breathe. “L…living there?”

  “Well, not permanently or anything. Just for about six months.”

  “You got the part.” My mouth went instantly dry and my hands shook as I tried to get my coffee cup to my mouth. I gulped, looking at Tyler’s grinning face over the rim.

  “It’s perfect, Katie. Album will be on hiatus. We can move to New Zealand for six months, then come back so I can film the series.”

  “Of course, Peter Jackson wants to film it in New Zealand.” I choked. I’d known, if Tyler got the part, that’s where we’d have to go. But it had been so long since he’d auditioned for it, I hadn’t really thought he was going to get it. So many other people had been up for the part.

  “Are you happy?” He cocked his head, looking at me, hopeful.

  “Oh Ty, I’m so happy for you!” I reached across the table and grabbed his hands, squeezing them in mine. They were still calloused from years of guitar-playing, and I rubbed them with my fingertips.

  “For us.” He turned my hands over, palms up, lifting one, then the other, so he could kiss the inside of my wrists. “For us, baby.”

  “I’m with you all the way,” I told him. Then I swallowed, biting my lip to keep from saying anything else. But Tyler must have seen something on my face.

  “What is it?” He held my hands, rubbing his thumbs over the sensitive skin of my inner wrists, making me shiver. “You were so excited about it, when I auditioned…”

  “I was,” I agreed. “I mean… I am. I just…”

  “It’s only six months,” he reminded me.

  “I know.” I sighed. “But six months ago, we didn’t have Jay.”

  “Jay.” He sighed, too, shaking his head. “We really need to talk.”

  “About Jay?”

  He nodded. “I uh… I had a conversation with Trouble’s lawyer this week.”

  I looked at him but didn’t say anything.

  “Katie, we really could get into a lot of trouble, getting in the middle of this thing.”

  “We’re already in the middle of it,” I reminded him.

  “I know you don’t want to hear this… but I think we need to send her home.”

  “Home?” I sat back, pulling my hands out of his and putting them in my lap. “Ty… you don’t know what you’re saying. She can’t go home.” />
  “She’s a minor,” he said softly.

  “But—”

  “And until a judge says differently, she belongs at home with her family.”

  “But—”

  “Katie, we can’t keep her here.” His words actually brought tears to my eyes. “I’m glad she had you to turn to, and I will do whatever I can to help her, but there’s only so much we can do. Legally, I mean.”

  “So you want to send her home?” Something curled up in the pit of my stomach.

  “I don’t want to.” He sighed. “But I think we have to.”

  I shook my head, denying it. I didn’t want it to be true. I’d just bought her a whole wardrobe, in hopes that she’d wear her new clothes to school in the fall. I wanted to keep my head buried firmly in the sand when it came to facing the fact that Jay was a runaway, and I didn’t have a clue how to solve that problem.

  “I can’t send her back to them.” I spoke the words slowly, carefully. I was trying my best not to burst into tears in the middle of Spago. “What if… what if we send her back… and something happens to her?”

  He sighed, hanging his head for a moment. Then he looked up at me. “I don’t know, Katie. I want to help her. But… we’re really walking on thin ice, here.”

  “Can’t we try?” I sniffed, blinking back my tears. “I don’t just want to send her back without… without trying…”

  “What do you want to try, baby?” He leaned forward, frowning across the table at me.

  “Can we at least go talk to a lawyer?” I pleaded. “See what our options are?”

  “Yeah.” He nodded slowly. “Sure. We can do that.”

  “Thank you.” I met his eyes, seeing him through prisms. “It means the world to me. And to Jay.”

  “Anything for you, baby.” He slipped out of the booth to come sit next to me on my side, putting an arm around my shoulders. “Don’t worry. Somehow… we’ll figure this out.”