Dreaming With A Broken Heart (Hollywood Legends #1)

by Mary J. Williams

  “I didn’t tell you this because I wanted more of your sympathy.”

  Jade wished she had kept her mouth shut. With every story she shared with Callie, she became more and more pathetic.

  “No one should speak to another person that way, Jade. Especially a parent.” Callie practically vibrated with anger. “I’ve never been sure what I believed when it came to eternal damnation. Now I hope Anson Marlow ends up in the deepest bowels of hell.”

  Surprised, Jade blinked once, then twice. Finally, she did the only thing she could do except cry. She burst out laughing.

  “I’ve heard people tell my father to go to hell,” she finally said, wiping the moisture from her eyes. “That is a new one. Thank you, Callie. I needed that. I hate to think about the years I put up with him. I was frozen. It took me forever to get past wanting his love and approval, realizing I would never have either.”

  “You got there, Jade. That’s what matters.”

  It took almost dying. This was her second chance. Jade looked around. In much more luxurious surroundings than she could have imagined when she was planning her new life. Planned was an overstatement. When it came right down to it, Jade grabbed a bag and walked away. She had no work experience, no place to live. Her bank balance was decent. Enough to last if she was careful with her money and found work — fast. Los Angeles was not the best city to live on a budget. At least not the part that she was used to.

  Now, because of Fairy Godmother Callie, Jade was sitting in a downtown penthouse loft. She could stop worrying about money. For now. She would find a job without having to settle for the first thing that came along.

  “You do have skills, you know.”

  “I do?” Jade asked. That was news to her.

  “Do you know how many parties, charity events, and benefits I attend every year?” Callie waved Jade off. “Don’t try to answer that. We both know it’s a lot. Too many. Then there are the ones I’m invited to but either can’t or don’t want to attend. In Hollywood, someone is always hosting an event.”

  “True.”

  “Some of them are first class all the way. Most are middle of the road. Too many stink. Bad decorations, terrible food, inept servers. Not to mention the indifferent hosts. I can say without qualification, you never fail to make organizing an event seem elegant yet somehow effortless.”

  “Callie. I… It’s nothing. Really.”

  Jade wondered if she was blushing. She raised a hand to her cheek. Definitely hot. Praise was not something she was used to. She didn’t know how she was supposed to react.

  “Nothing?” Callie exclaimed. “Take it from someone who has gone through a dozen party planners over the years. What you do takes talent. Coupled with your experience, you’ll be turning clients away.”

  “Do you really think so?”

  “You won’t have to advertise,” Callie assured her. “Once you’re ready, word of mouth will be all it takes. I doubt there’s a person in this city who hasn’t been to something you’ve organized and hosted.”

  “Then there’s the freak factor.”

  “I won’t lie to you, Jade,” Callie sighed. “There will be people who will hire you because of your notoriety. Completely weeding them out will be impossible. Trust me; that will die down. By this time next year, the only reason they will come to you will be for your professional services.”

  “I have always enjoyed organizing those functions,” Jade admitted thoughtfully. “I was in charge. People looked to me to make decisions. My opinion not only counted, it was law. Don’t laugh. I felt like a field general, mustering my troops for battle.”

  “Why would I laugh?” Callie wanted to know. “I’ve seen the way the throngs descend upon a table of food. It’s nothing short of a battle. Especially if you want to get a jumbo shrimp before they are all gone. One time I was close to spearing a man in the hand with my seafood fork.”

  Jade and Callie plotted for another hour. Now she had the beginnings of a business plan, Jade felt herself truly begin to settle. Her nerves were smoothing out. Her stomach was twisted in two or three fewer knots. At this rate, she might adjust to her new life faster than she ever imagined. All thanks to Callie.

  Now, after all the things her new friend had done to help her, there was one more favor Jade needed to ask.

  “I need to learn to protect myself. Can you recommend someone to teach me?”

  THREE DAYS SINCE receiving Jade’s text and Garrett was still fuming.

  I need to move on? Thank you? He couldn’t believe it. Thank you?! What the fuck? You don’t end a relationship with a text. Or a fucking thank you.

  “Excuse me? Did you say something?” a husky voice asked.

  Garrett looked at the woman sitting next to him. Beautiful. Long, dark hair. A hint of cleavage. Nice shape. A smile that said she wouldn’t object to him making a move. Just his type. Garrett sighed. Or she was his type. Before a certain long-legged redhead started monopolizing his thoughts.

  “I’m sorry. I have a lot on my mind. Sometimes I mumble out loud.”

  “I understand,” the brunette’s smile widened. She leaned closer, the hint of cleavage turning into an invitation. “If you need to get something off your chest, I’m a great listener.”

  Not terribly subtle, Garrett thought, his eyes taking in the woman’s obviously enhanced breasts and veneered smile. Fake. He didn’t mind fake. He had lost track of how many of his past bed partners sported some kind of cosmetic surgery. Boobs, ass, nose, chin, cheeks. Hell, he made his living in Hollywood. Ninety percent of the town was plastic in one way or another. It never bothered him before. Now he was judging this stranger for her choices? Why now? Garrett didn’t need to search long for the answer.

  Jade. One hundred percent natural Jade. He couldn’t get enough of her. Dumping him with a text. Think again. If she wanted him out of her life, she had to say it to his face. Which was why he was on a commercial flight to Los Angeles.

  The negotiations with the union lasted into the wee hours of the morning. They could have called a halt at a decent hour. However, they were so close; it didn’t take much persuasion on Garrett’s part to keep everyone at the table. He wanted this done. He had a movie to make and a woman to strangle.

  The moment after the papers were signed and hands were shaken, Garrett headed to the airport. His assistant had a ticket waiting at the counter. Forty-five minutes later, he was headed home.

  Garrett needed a shower, some food, and eight hours of uninterrupted sleep — not necessarily in that order. Three days of living on bitter coffee and stale sandwiches didn’t help his disposition. Right in the middle, he gets Jade’s text. It wasn’t the best timing — not that there was a good time for something like that. The problem was he couldn’t do anything about it. Jade still wasn’t answering his calls. He was stuck in a room with ten stubborn men who seemed to want ten different things. In the end, they all gave a little, walking out satisfied with the deal. He couldn’t deal with Jade until they were in the same area code.

  God, he must look a sight. He hadn’t changed his clothes. Same t-shirt and jeans he put on two days ago. Did he stink? Probably, though his smiling aisle companion didn’t seem to mind. Of course, she didn’t mind, not if she recognized him. By looking at her, his guess would be aspiring actress. If that were the case, it wouldn’t matter what he smelled like. She would smile and claim she loved his unique aroma. No harm in finding out.

  “I didn’t introduce myself. I’m—”

  “Oh, everyone knows who you are, Mr. Landis. I’m Stella.”

  And there it was, Garrett thought. The batting of the eyes, the way she lowered her voice when she said, Mr. Landis. And that name. Stella. Very now. A serious actress name. At least it wasn’t Jennifer. Hollywood had a surplus of those now.

  “Nice to meet you, Stella,” Garrett said, holding out his hand. He could play along. What better way to get his mind off one woman than with another. They would be landing in Los Angeles in less than an h
our. A little harmless flirtation was exactly what he needed.

  “Were you in Vancouver for business or pleasure?” Stella asked.

  She wasn’t a bad actress, Garrett decided. The trade papers, like the one sticking out of her bag, were full of his recent problems in Canada. Apparently, Stella wanted to keep the reason for her interest to herself — for now. That was fine. Garrett didn’t mind playing along.

  “All business, I’m afraid.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad. Vancouver has some lovely places to take in the sun. Have you ever been to Wreck Beach?”

  Wreck Beach was a legendary clothing optional hangout. Counter-culture hippy holdovers mixing with nudists of all ages. The come one, come all attitude was appealing to those who liked to let it all hang out. It wasn’t Garrett’s scene. Still, he admired anyone who could put aside both her modesty and the fear of skin cancer. Unless you liked strangers touching you, bringing along a sunscreen buddy would be essential.

  “I’ve never been,” Garrett told Stella. He waited for her next move.

  “I hate tan lines,” she whispered in a conspiratorial tone. “What do you think?”

  “About tan lines?” Garrett shrugged. “I can’t say I’ve given them much thought.”

  “I’d be happy to show you mine,” Stella offered. “Or rather my lack of them.”

  The captain’s clearance to land announcement made Garrett decide to put an end to this little diversion. In the nicest way he could think of.

  “I’m sure you have very nice non-tan lines, Stella.” Garrett pulled a card out of his wallet, writing a few lines on the back “At the moment, I’m not free to enjoy the experience. Call this number. My assistant will line up an audition. There’s a small part in Exile I think would be perfect for you.”

  Garrett left the airport, Stella’s squeal of excitement still ringing in his ears. He gave the woman points for fairness. She made it clear that her offer was still open. She offered her body, use of her shower, and threw in the temptation of a home cooked meal. Except he wasn’t tempted. Not the least bit. Grabbing his carry-on, he left the slightly bemused actress to wrestle with her own bag.

  The airport was crowded. Nothing unusual there. Garrett was used to weaving his way around masses of bodies. He had done it a thousand times. Today, his patience was at a premium. By the time he finally reached the sliding doors, he was ready to tear the head off the next person who got in his way. Luckily for everyone involved, his wait for a taxi was minimal — no innocent bloodshed.

  He settled back in the cab. He gave the driver the address of the loft. The smartest thing he could do would be to go home and get some rest. Jade wasn’t going anywhere. He was in no condition to have a reasonable conversation. Since he didn’t want to be reasonable, this was the perfect time to have it out with her.

  Garrett was going over in his head what words he would use, most them of the four-letter variety, when his phone rang. Wyatt. What now?

  “If somebody scraped their knee in Vancouver, you can fly out. I’m not setting foot on another plane until shooting starts next month.”

  “Hello to you too,” Wyatt snarked back. “Whose wrong side of the bed did you get up on this morning?”

  “Funny,” Garrett said. “You know damn well I haven’t been to bed, mine or anyone else’s. I hope to remedy that. Soon.”

  “I assume you’re talking about sleep.”

  “Eventually.”

  “Jesus,” Wyatt chuckled. “I don’t know where you get the energy. Well, you are going to have to keep your dick zipped up for a while longer. Mom has called for a mandatory dinner. No excuses. If you can contemplate bedroom games, you aren’t too exhausted for dinner with the family.”

  Garrett cursed his smartass mouth.

  “What’s up?”

  “Nothing special. With our crazy schedules, Mom likes to act quickly when we’re all in town at the same time.”

  “Shit.” Garrett decided to get the salty language out of the way before seeing his mother. “Colt leaves for someplace or other in pretty soon, doesn’t he?”

  “Australia,” Wyatt said. “He’ll be gone for six weeks. So don’t think you can whine your way out of it.”

  “I never whine.” Okay, maybe that sounded a bit whiny. “As long as Mom doesn’t mind me falling asleep halfway through the meal, I’ll be there.”

  “If I see you nodding off, I’ll pelt you with a dinner roll.”

  “You’re a pal, Wyatt.”

  “What are big brothers for?” Wyatt laughed again. “Six sharp.”

  “Great,” Garrett grumbled, putting his phone away. “I’m dead on my feet and no one gives a damn.” Garrett looked up at the cab driver. “Did I just sound like I was whining?”

  “A little bit,” the older man nodded.

  “That’s what I thought.”

  Fucking Wyatt. There… one more cuss word out of the way.

  Garrett slid down in his seat, his eyes closed. Jade would have to wait. With a sigh, he told the driver there was a change in plans.

  “Forget downtown. Take me to Laurel Canyon.”

  “LASAGNA IS COLTON’S favorite. I want him to have a good meal before he leaves town.”

  “He’s twenty-six years old, Callie. A big boy by any standards. He’s going to shoot a movie, not fight a war.”

  Callie stuck her tongue out at her husband. Seeing the twinkle in Caleb’s eyes turn from teasing to interest, she held a pair of salad tongs up in a defensive measure.

  “Back, mister,” warned. “I love that the sight of my tongue can still rev you up after all these years. Unfortunately, that will have to wait. We have a full house.”

  “Family.” Caleb circled around the large, granite island to where Callie washed vegetables. “They won’t mind if we disappear for a few minutes.”

  “Now you’re insulting us both. When did we ever settle for a few minutes?”

  “That Christmas we were visiting your parents. Remember the coat closet?”

  “One time,” Callie laughed. “I can still see the look on Aunt Wanda’s face when we stumbled out, her faux-fur stole wrapped around your neck.”

  “Best four minutes ever.”

  Callie turned into her husband’s arms. This was home. When the rest of the world seemed cold, unforgiving, and judgmental, Caleb grounded her with his love. She sometimes marveled at how a small town girl from Iowa found a rich, happy life so far away from rural wheat fields where she grew up. Glittery movie premieres, star-studded award shows were wonderful. The gold statues that lined her office shelves were gratifying strokes to her ego. Those things meant nothing compared to her husband, their sons, and the life they built together.

  “Hey,” Caleb lifted her chin. Her eyes were purple, full of love. The tears upset him. “What is this about?”

  “I’m so lucky, Caleb.” Callie burrowed closer, fitting her head under his chin. When she felt his strong arms tighten, she sighed with contentment. “My life is full of love. The last few days that I’ve spent with Jade have made realize how few people have what we do.”

  “My love.” Caleb kissed the top of her head, breathing in her unique scent. His Callie. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank heaven for you. What would have happened to me if you hadn’t loved me back?”

  “Am I a smart woman?” Callie asked, bringing his hand up to her lips for a kiss.

  “Brilliant.”

  “Then why would I have been stupid enough not to love you?”

  That was how Garrett found them. He stood in the doorway not wanting to interrupt an obviously intimate moment.

  The love practically radiated off them. Caleb Landis, his big, rock-solid father. Callie Flynn, his beautiful mother who looked like an angel, but blessed with a devilish sense of humor. They raised their children with love, warmth, compassion, and the occasional boot to the britches.

  Garrett felt his churlishness fall away. For hours after he got off the phone with Wyatt, he grumbled
to himself thinking how annoyed he was over this mandatory dinner. Didn’t he visit all the time? When he was out of town, he called one of his parents at least every other day. It was unreasonable to expect him to drop whatever plans he had because his mother insisted.

  Now that he was here, seeing them in each other’s arms, his resentment seemed childish. If his mother wanted her sons together, then that was what she would get. Garrett would gladly sit down with his family. Without the put-upon attitude he carried when he entered the house.

  “I’d say get a room, except when did the two of you ever need one of those?”

  “Garrett.”

  Callie rushed to him, her smile bright and welcoming. Garrett pulled her close. Never take this for granted, he told himself, thinking of Jade. Not everyone had a loving mother. Or a supportive father.

  “Good to see you, Dad.”

  Garrett kissed Callie’s cheek before exchanging hugs with his father.

  “You look tired,” Callie said, looking him up and down. “And skinny.”

  “Good eye.” Garrett winked. “At least about the tired part. You can’t get skinny eating fried food for every meal. I think those union guys were attempting murder by grease.”

  “Where was it written that you had to eat it?” Callie demanded. She raised her children with healthy, nutritious food. She expected them to follow that example whenever possible.

  “I was trying to win them over, Mom.” Garrett winked at his father. “It would have been rude to turn down that last helping of onion rings.”

  “I’m putting extra vegetables in the salad,” Callie declared. “And no garlic bread for you.”

  “Hey.” Garrett protested.

  Callie didn’t listen, pulling a head of broccoli out of the refrigerator.

  “It’s your own fault,” Caleb laughed. He patted his son on the shoulder. “Tease your mother, pay the price. You do look beat. Sit. Do you want a beer?”

  “I better not. Alcohol is likely to knock me on my ass. Sorry, Mom.”

  “Ass is acceptable under the circumstances,” Callie assured him. “Caleb, the kettle is hot. Make him a cup of lemon balm and lavender tea. It helps you sleep.”