Missed

by Tess Thompson

  He’d just poured himself a second cup of coffee when Lisa appeared. She was dressed in the hotel robe, and her hair looked like she’d had a night of wild sex. Which she had, courtesy of their unspoken agreement to utilize every square inch of the oversize bed.

  “Morning.” She presented him a sleepy smile and kissed his temple before plopping into the chair across from him. An imprint of the sheets creased one gorgeous cheek.

  “Good morning, beautiful.” He filled her coffee cup and took the lid off her breakfast plate.

  She reached her arms overhead and arched her back, stretching. He could do nothing but watch her every movement from now until the end of his life and be perfectly content. More than content. Joyful. Ecstatic. Blessed.

  “You get enough sleep?” he asked.

  “I slept like a baby for the first time since the concert.” Her big blue eyes misted over. She reached across the table and gave his hand a squeeze. “Thanks to you.” She picked up her fork and poked her poached egg. “I’m starving. Also, thanks to you.”

  He ate his last sausage and pushed his plate aside. Outside the window, a jet plane made a white streak across the sky. If only they were going home. An open sugar packet was covered in a dollop of spilled syrup. He loved syrup but it got everywhere. There were sugar granules all over the table, too. He tossed the paper packet onto his plate and used his napkin to wipe the table clean. He placed the tiny salt and pepper shakers nearer to Lisa’s plate.

  She looked up from her breakfast. Her forehead wrinkled. “What’s wrong? You’re awfully fidgety for a guy who spent half the night giving me orgasms.”

  He laughed. There was no hiding anything from this woman. To tell her or not to tell her? With those trusting blue eyes peering at him, he had no choice. She deserved to know. After all, she wasn’t a child.

  “It’s nothing to worry about, but I had a weird thing happen this morning.”

  She listened with her head tilted to one side as he told her an abbreviated version of his encounter.

  He finished by telling her that he’d called his former partner. “He’s going to check him out.”

  “What are the odds that he happened to be at the party?” she asked.

  “Slim. But six degrees of separation, as they say.”

  His phone buzzed. It was Ray. “Hang on, this is Ray now.”

  Ray wasted no time getting straight to the point. “Our friend Billy has a record. He was arrested last year for beating the crap out of his girlfriend, but she dropped the charges. Later, she got a restraining order against him. Claims he was stalking her. Classic stuff like calling forty times a day, leaving notes on her car, showing up at her job.”

  “Obsessive. Has trouble letting go,” Rafael said.

  “Yeah. The captain’s sending over a patrol car to keep an eye on the hotel. I’ll have them follow you to the event tonight. Just to be on the safe side.”

  “Thanks, man.” He hung up and looked over at Lisa. “You hear all that?”

  She nodded. Her cheeks had lost their pink flush. “Tell me what he looks like.”

  Rafael described him as best he could. “Middle-aged white guy with a paunch and receding hairline. A face that looks like uncooked dough. He has a tattoo of an eagle on his right forearm.”

  She turned toward the window and tugged on her ear. “Maybe we need a bodyguard for the bodyguard and not the neurotic actress?”

  “Hey now, this is nothing to worry over.” He wrapped his fingers around her wrist. “Ray’s on it.”

  She met his gaze. “If anything happens to you because I brought you here, I’ll never forgive myself.”

  “Don’t worry, Stardust. I’ve survived three tours and a bullet aimed for my heart. I’m like a cat. Nine lives. Which means I have five left.”

  Her bottom lip quivered. “That’s four less than I’d like.”

  They stayed in the rest of the day. Sasha had sent Lisa over a pile of movie scripts to consider. Between sessions in the bedroom, Lisa read through them curled up on one end of the couch. From his room, he called Stone to check in and was assured by his friend that all was well back home. As instructed, Trey was busy decorating Lisa and Pepper’s apartment. It would be done by the time they returned home. Stone was occupied building a fence around his sister’s cottage.

  “Good, that’ll keep you out of trouble until I get back and can find us a new property,” Rafael said.

  “Wait a minute. You serious?” Stone asked.

  “Yeah. I’ve been thinking since we’ve been away. It’s risky, but what the hell? Going into business for ourselves is the only way to make some decent money.”

  “Great. I’ll have Kyle help us with the paperwork and stuff.”

  “We can talk strategy when I get home. In the meantime, keep an eye out for potential properties, not just in Cliffside Bay but within a fifty-mile radius.”

  “Will do.” There was a short pause before Stone asked the next question. “How’s it going with Lisa? You been able to keep your dirty paws off her?”

  Rafael looked out the window. A layer of smog made the sun the color of butternut squash soup. “Yeah, about that. The answer is no.”

  “For real? You slept with her? Already?”

  “There’s this thing between us. Like this heat. I can’t explain it.” He switched the phone from one hand to the other. “I’ve got it bad.”

  “How bad?”

  “Like ‘sick to my stomach, can’t get out of bed’ bad when she comes to her senses and tells me to get lost.”

  “I don’t claim to know crap about women, but from the way she was looking at you the other day, I’m not sure you have anything to worry about.”

  Rafael was quiet for a moment. The curtains fluttered from the air conditioner. “You think guys like us can ever get the girl?”

  “If she’s the right girl, then yeah. Heck yeah.”

  “She’s perfection, man, I swear.”

  “If you want her, give it all you have. Fight for her. Make sure she knows the kind of guy you are. She couldn’t do better. Got it?”

  Taken aback, Rafael’s eyes stung with unexpected emotion. “Yeah, man. Will do.”

  “I’m cheering you on from here. Now go get in your fancy clothes. I got stuff to build.”

  Rafael sat next to Lisa in the limo as they drove across town to the premier of Raven at the Cinerama Dome. Sasha was with them, stuffed into a dress that reminded him of the skin of an eggplant, both in color and texture.

  As they traveled across town, Sasha explained the process. “You’re eighth in the lineup. Once we’re there, we’ll get a cue from my person on the other end that it’s your turn. The minute you enter the red carpet, you’ll hear the photographers shouting your name. Do your best to turn to each of them so they can get a full shot.”

  “You’ve told me all this.” Lisa’s mouth turned up in a tight-lipped smile. “I practiced my pose and everything.”

  “Oh, darling, you’re so innocent it scares me,” Sasha said.

  She’s not that innocent. He swallowed hard, remembering what they’d done in the middle of all those film scripts after he’d hung up with Stone.

  “Once you’re done with that and go inside, there’ll be a few members of the press waiting. They’re going to ask you a few questions. So be prepared for that.” Sasha turned to Rafael. “We’ll do one or two photos of you with her, but then it’s only Lisa. Got it?”

  “Roger that.” This was new information. He hadn’t realized he would be in the photographs. Mama watched all those shows. He’d better text to let her know or he’d never hear the end of it. He typed a quick text into his phone.

  In limo on the way to Lisa’s premiere. I might be in some of the photos on the red carpet. Just FYI.

  An almost immediate response came back.

  Are you wearing a nice suit?

  Yes, Mama. I look good.

  Take a selfie. I want to see Lisa, too.

  He looked over at Lisa, s
urprised to see her watching him.

  Feeling sheepish, he held up his phone. “I’m texting Mama to watch for us on television.”

  “How precious that he texts his mother,” Sasha said to Lisa, as though Rafael wasn’t sitting right there.

  “She loves those entertainment shows,” he said. Mama and Ria watched them every night with their dinner on the ancient television trays. He could hear them now, exclaiming over Lisa’s dress.

  He’d exclaimed over it when she walked out of the bedroom. Winn had chosen a black cocktail dress, with a high neck and fitted at the waist. A full skirt fell just above her knees. Grace Kelly style, Winn had said. She wanted to convey Lisa’s classic beauty. They’d fixed her hair on top of her head, with a few tendrils falling around her face.

  Lisa’s eyes widened. “I hope I don’t trip.”

  “God forbid.” Sasha crossed herself.

  To distract Lisa, Rafael brought up the idea of a selfie. “Mama wants a picture of us.”

  Lisa scooted closer to him and smiled up at the camera as he reached his arm out to take the picture. “I can’t let the guys know I’m now taking selfies,” he said. “They’re already giving me a hard time about my Pinterest board.”

  “Let me see,” Lisa said.

  He showed it to her.

  “That’s a good one. Send it to me. I’ll share it on my social media accounts.”

  He looked at her in surprise. “Shouldn’t you have one of just you?”

  She touched the side of his face. “I want everyone to see my hot boyfriend and seethe with jealousy.”

  He shook his head, absurdly pleased, but pretending to be appalled. “More like half the men in the world will wonder how in the world I’m with you.”

  They grinned at each other for a moment.

  “You two are kind of sickening,” Sasha said.

  That broke the spell between them, but not the warmth in Rafael’s chest. She wanted the world to see them together. He texted the photo to her. A second later, he watched as she pulled up her Instagram account.

  On way to the premier of Raven with my BAE. #Giddy #PinchMe #DreamsComeTrue

  “What’s a BAE?” he whispered in her ear.

  She lifted her face. “You don’t know?”

  “Can’t say I do, Stardust.”

  “Your special someone. Your sweetheart. Some say it stands for ‘before all else,’” she said. “Which I like the best.”

  He hadn’t seen that coming. God, please make it true.

  The limo slowed. “We’re here,” Sasha said.

  Lisa peered out the window. “Oh God. There are a lot of photographers out there.”

  Three tiers of bleachers were filled with press. “Are there any regular people allowed in there?” He pointed at the crowd.

  “No. Only press is allowed in,” Sasha said.

  “And there’s security?” he asked.

  “Look at your guy,” Sasha said. “All butch and protective.”

  “Is there security?” he asked again.

  “There are women here with giant diamonds on their hands and around their necks. You can bet there’s security,” Sasha said.

  Giant diamonds. The women wore giant diamonds. How could he ever compete in this world?

  “I can do this,” Lisa said. “Right?”

  “You can do this. I’ll be there right next to you.”

  He exited first and held out his hand to assist Lisa from the car. When she was next to him, he scanned the crowd. They all wore press badges. Security guards were at the doors and the edge of the red carpet. Several cop cars were parked just outside the bleachers.

  “Anything to be concerned over?” she asked as she slipped her hand in his.

  He smiled down at her. “Not a thing, other than the most beautiful actress in the world just arrived for her first premiere.”

  12

  Lisa

  * * *

  Lisa nodded when Sasha said it was their turn to head out to the den of photographers. She was a lamb to slaughter. Her legs shook so hard she thought she might collapse.

  “I’m right here,” Rafael said.

  They walked out together, hand in hand. Sasha was to the side, directing them where to stand. Members of the press shouted her name. Lisa. Lisa. Lisa. The flashbulbs went off one after the other. They were loud and shattered her focus. Blinded and frozen, she panicked. Where was she supposed to look? Rafael seemed to know what to do. He pressed his hand on the small of her back and nudged her this way and that. She followed his lead.

  “Think of Maggie and Pepper. How proud they are right now,” Rafael said under his breath. “Smile for them.”

  Smile. Just smile.

  Sasha called out to Rafael. “Move out of the way now.”

  “You’re doing great,” he said. “Pretend it’s me taking the picture.”

  When he left her side, the air cooled. She was alone. I can do this. Think of Rafael. He makes me smile.

  Lisa.

  She turned in the direction of the voice and beamed, thinking of Rafael, before they’d left the hotel that afternoon. He’d pretended to stagger as if her beauty overwhelmed him.

  Lisa.

  She turned again and smiled, envisioning Rafael’s kind eyes and the gentle curve of his mouth.

  Finally, it was over. They followed Sasha into the theater. A dozen reporters surged toward them. Sasha gave one a nod, who came forward. Rafael hung back. When she glanced at him, he gave her an encouraging nod. Breathe. Smile.

  The reporter was a woman with shiny teeth and lacquered hair. “Early buzz on this film says you’re a rising star. How does that feel?”

  “Good. Great.” She tried to smile but her mouth convulsed into a sneer. Her knees smacked against each other.

  “Can you answer to rumors of strife on the set?”

  Lisa blinked. “Strife? There was no strife.”

  “Are you saying the reports of fighting between you and Glynnis Newman are false?”

  “Yes. There was no fighting. We were too busy filming.”

  The next one was up. Sasha said something in the reporter’s ear, and he nodded.

  “It must be an exciting night for you. Can you tell us a little about the film?”

  “It’s about a young woman who sells her soul for money and power.”

  “We’re hearing there may be an Oscar nod for you. That must feel amazing.”

  These questions were inane. “I’m just happy to be part of this brilliant piece. The writing and directing made my job easy.” At least he hadn’t asked about strife between actresses. There had been no strife, other than Glynnis being a heinous witch.

  A redhead with a friendly smile came up next. “Congratulations on your first feature film. We hear you’re a triple threat. When can we expect to see you in a musical?”

  “There’s nothing on the horizon, but I’d love to. I’m a song-and-dance girl at heart.”

  “We saw an early screening last night. You were incredible.”

  Lisa found herself smiling. This reporter was different. She seemed real and like she could be one of her friends. “I’m still amazed I’m even here.”

  “This won’t be your first premiere. I’m pretty sure of that.”

  “Thank you.”

  “What can you tell our viewers about yourself?”

  “I’m from Iowa originally, but have spent the last thirteen years in New York. I came out here to work with an old NYU buddy of mine on Indigo Road.”

  “Which led to this moment. Enjoy your night.”

  Overwhelmed, she stumbled over to Rafael where he waited by a potted plant. Her feet already hurt, and the night hadn’t even started.

  She almost burst into tears when he pulled her into his arms. “I did awful,” she whispered. “I sounded like an idiot.”

  “You did fine. The questions were ridiculous.”

  “I hate this. All of it,” she whispered.

  “There are parts of any job that suck.�
�� He gave her an indulgent smile. “That part is over for tonight. We get to have fun now. I’d kiss you if it wouldn’t mess up your lipstick.”

  She was about to say she didn’t care when Sasha swooped in. “It’s time. Let’s go to our seats.”

  Lisa took in a shallow breath as the last moments of the film played across the screen. It was a mirror image of the opening scene when her character, Raven, arrived for her first day as the assistant to a powerful corporate leader named Theodora Maas.

  The scene begins with a wide shot of a posh office. Windows overlook the entire city. Raven sits at the desk with her back to the camera. Only the tip of her blond head hints that it is Raven and not Theodora. Raven slowly turns in the chair. The shot narrows and zooms closer and closer until it is only Raven’s face on the screen. The shabby girl with the bad haircut and poorly applied makeup is no longer. She wears a designer suit, flawless makeup, and a stylish haircut. But it’s not just the outer package that’s changed. She has become like Theodora.

  The camera slides to the desk. The old-fashioned letter opener, the missing murder weapon, is in Raven’s hand. She taps it three times against the palm of her hand.

  The focus returns to Raven’s face. Her mouth lifts in a half smile, conveying both triumph and weariness. Her eyes look directly into the camera. They are the cold eyes of a woman who killed not only her boss but her former self in the name of ambition. The camera angle widens. Raven spreads her arms wide and speaks to whoever is off camera, her voice hard, authoritative, and impatient. “Don’t just stand there like a ninny. We have work to do.”

  The shot goes to black.

  The theater was silent, as if the building held its breath. She stole a glance at Rafael. His gaze was transfixed on the screen as the credits began to roll.

  “Jesus Christ.” Rafael shook his head, then whispered in her ear. “No wonder Glynnis wants to make a voodoo doll out of you.”