Counting Stars

by Renee Porter

  “You’re right, I don’t. In fact when you were coming over, I thought you were going to ask me for an autograph. But when you sat down and didn’t recognize me I took the chance to just be normal for the evening. I hope you aren’t mad that I didn’t tell you exactly who I was?”

  “Not at all. To tell you the truth, if you did tell me I wouldn’t quite know who you were really.” Ryan blushed, thankful for the dark.

  “You really don’t watch any type of movies or TV, do you?” Ryan shook her head, finally opening her water bottle and taking a long sip.

  “I mean, please don’t think I’m a total hermit. I have watched movies before, a lot actually. But there are reasons why I choose not to anymore. I find reading is good enough for me to escape the world.” Ryan waited for the woman to ask her about what some of those reason s might be but instead she just said, “It’s okay, Ryan. I won’t judge you on your willingness to not be party to the craziness that is the entertainment business.” Ryan laughed with Charlie at the tease.

  They stood silent for a moment as they watched the party goers below them laughing and schmoozing. The silence was comfortable but Ryan had wanted to talk more with Charlie and now that she had her all to herself she didn’t want the moment to pass by. “You know, I always remember Jonathon talking about his cousin Charlotte, and although he told me you were an actress he never told me how well known you are.”

  “And he would constantly talk about his best friend Ryan, but I always thought you were a man.” Ryan laughed and shook her head.

  “It wouldn’t be the first time that particular assumption has been made.”

  Charlie took a moment to rake Ryan’s body up and down and shook her head. “Somehow I think that’s a lie.” Ryan could see the blue eyes glittering in the dark. Charlie was teasing her and she was surprised to find that she liked the easy banter. A few more moments of silence passed as both women looked out toward the thinning party in the backyard.

  “So, I would like to ask why the Charlotte Baker is up here hiding, but I have a feeling that I already know that answer.”

  “Please, feel free to enlighten me.” Charlie said in humor. Ryan nodded as she continued.

  “My guess is that you’re probably exhausted acting like the big Hollywood starlet and hoped to get a second to yourself so you could just be…you?”

  Charlie took in a breath as she eyed the brunette. She took in the soft features of Ryan’s face and the sincere emerald green eyes. How was it that this woman pegged her in such a short amount of time?

  “Sorry, was that too off the mark?” Ryan bit her bottom lip in hesitation but Charlie shook her head.

  “No, you hit the nail on the head.” Charlie released a breath. “It’s hard being ‘on’ all the time. Sometimes I just want to relax and be myself.” Ryan nodded at the explanation.

  “I’m sorry if I barged in and ruined your time. I tend not to like these things and I usually come up here at the end of Jonathan’s party and wait until they’re all gone so we can discuss the evenings fashion mishaps.”

  Charlie chuckled and watched as Ryan turned. She knew that the woman was going to leave and although Charlie did like her time alone, for some reason she was enjoying her time with Ryan even more.

  “Like the gentleman with the toupee that looked like it was talking to you?” Ryan turned back, the conversation stalling her exit. She laughed as she nodded in agreement.

  “Do people even realize how that looks? I mean why not shave it all off? It can’t look half as bad.” The women started to laugh harder as footsteps sounded in the room. Ryan wiped her eyes as she caught Jonathan staring at them suspiciously in the doorway.

  “And what might I ask, would two beautiful women be doing in a guest room in the dark?” Jonathan raised his eyebrow as Ryan looked quickly to gage Charlie’s reactions. She hadn’t even realized how it might look for people at the party to see Ryan engaged in a private conversation with the brunette.

  “Oh, Jonathan. Do you really want to know?” Charlie chuckled as Jonathan narrowed his eyes at his cousin. He then looked over to Ryan and smiled.

  “Well, the party has finally dwindled but there are some people that would like to say goodbye to you Charlotte. Would you mind plastering on that smile and working for a little bit more? Or I could tell them that you took an awfully hot brunette up to the room and decided to retire for the night?”

  Charlie cleared her throat as her laughter died instantaneously. Ryan felt the awkwardness thicken the air and Charlie plastered a fake smile on her face.

  “Is this the one you were talking about, Jon?” Jonathan looked at his cousin with empathetic eyes and nodded. She shook her head and looked toward Ryan, the fake smile now replaced with one more genuine.

  “It was great seeing you again, Ryan. Thanks for keeping me company.” Ryan nodded as she watched the two exit the room. Ryan decided that she wouldn’t stay too much longer but still waited to see the pair exit out into the backyard. She watched as Charlie worked the remaining patrons, a forced laugh bubbling up every so often that made her heart break for the brunette.

  Ryan was all too familiar with the façade of Hollywood life and she somehow wished that Charlie could do what she loved while still having the ability to stay who she really was. Ryan waved shyly as the brunette’s eyes looked up and caught Ryan’s. She smiled and Jonathan looked up as well, eyes narrowing and then looking back down to his cousin. Ryan swallowed thickly, knowing Jonathan’s disapproving look. The question was though, why?

  ***

  “Don’t even think about it,” Jonathan said as he placed the remaining champagne glasses flutes in the dishwasher. Charlie looked up, raising her eyebrows and crossing her arms.

  “Don’t think about what, exactly?”

  “Ryan.” He said it as if it explained everything and Charlie shrugged her shoulders.

  “I can’t have a nice conversation with your best friend, Jonathan?” She landed on the couch and tucked her knees underneath her. Jonathan mirrored her movements and looked at her seriously.

  “I know exactly what you’re doing. And I have to say that Ryan is like a sister to me, and she doesn’t want anything to do with all of this.” Jonathan waved his hand in the air and Charlie was now fully invested in the conversation.

  “Yes, she told me her reverence toward the business.”

  “She did?” His eyes perked open and Charlie nodded her head. “Did she tell you why, exactly?”

  Charlie shook her head. “I didn’t press. I knew that there was something that she didn’t want to say based on how she spoke about it.” Jonathan nodded his head and Charlie knew that he wouldn’t explain either.

  “But you like her, don’t you?”

  “Yes, Jonathan. I do. Very much. She’s a sweet girl and I know why she’s your best friend.”

  “You know what I’m asking, Charlotte.”

  Charlie looked over at her cousin and rolled her eyes. “I think she’s attractive, yes. But you know I’m not in any way looking for a relationship.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about,” Jonathan said.

  Charlie scoffed. “Really? You think I would seduce Ryan into something and then just drop her? You know I’m not like that, Jon.” Jonathan winced at the face his cousin was giving her and expelled a breath.

  “I know. It’s just that, Ryan is a very sweet girl. The kind of girl that people fall in love with easily. But she’s been through a lot in her life and I just don’t want to see her get hurt.” Charlie bit her bottom lip, intrigued with what Jonathan was saying. She wanted to know more about Ryan, if just to understand the kind woman better, but out of everyone, she knew exactly how much a private life meant.

  “I won’t do that to her, Jon. You have my word. But I wouldn’t mind being her friend. She really did treat me just like a normal person.”

  “Yes. But she wouldn’t have recognized you even if you were the Queen of England.”

  “I gathered.” C
harlie chuckled as she remembered their first meeting. It had been so easy to talk to Ryan then and it was just as easy tonight. “We happened to run into each other the day you picked me up from the café.” Jonathan raised his eyebrows and then he gasped.

  “You’re the one she thought was her blind date?” Charlie nodded and Jonathan couldn’t help but sputter out a laugh. Then his face grew serious and he shook his head.

  “What?” She asked , her own laughter dying down. Jonathan looked up to her but waved off her question.

  “Nothing. It’s nothing.” Jonathan smiled as they continued to talk, his worry hidden under the conversation he was having with his cousin. He knew how Ryan had talked about the crashed date and how she had met a woman that she thought was stunningly beautiful and charming. He had been so proud of her and had actually wished that Ryan would find that woman again. But now, he was torn in two. Ryan was obviously attracted to his cousin and Charlotte was obviously attracted to Ryan. He found himself in a predicament with wanting Charlie to be happy, and Ryan as well but knowing the two of them together was probably not the best thing for either of the women in his life. He mentally sighed as he ran through the possibilities in his head. But then again, with Ryan knowing now just how into the business Charlie was, he didn’t have to worry. There was no way in hell that Ryan would ever allow herself to get buried in that again.

  Chapter 3

  “Hey neighbor!”

  Ryan startled at the voice, successfully bumping her head on the inside of the hood of the car. She winced as she placed her hand automatically on her head, rubbing the bump that was slowly growing.

  “Shoot, sorry Ryan, are you okay?” Ryan looked up finding Charlie with a sincere apologetic look on her face. The woman had even been concerned enough to wrap her hand against Ryan’s shoulder which seemed to work just as well as if downing two pain relievers.

  “Yeah, sorry. I’m just jumpy.” She smiled to wane Charlie’s concern. It worked.

  “You can say that, again.” Charlie said as she nodded her head to the engine. “So are you just admiring the engine or do you actually know how to fix these things?” Charlie looked down into the engine block as well and Ryan laughed.

  “Don’t all lesbians know how to fix cars? That is one of the requirements to being in the club, right?” Ryan cocked an eyebrow up in challenge but Charlie just shook her head in jest.

  “She’s a beauty. What year is she? ’65?” Ryan widened her eyes in surprise. She wouldn’t have been surprised if Charlie had noticed the make of her car, but the year? That was something that intrigued her.

  “Yes, how did you guess?”

  “I didn’t guess, not really.” Charlie slid a sexy smile on her lips and continued. “Dad was a big car enthusiast. We had a couple of fixer uppers on our property. Before I got into acting I would work on them with him.” Charlie eyed the engine, her brows furrowing. “Looks like the fuel line is clogged.” Ryan looked down and chuckled into the engine block. “What?” Charlie asked as her own smile widening at Ryan’s laugh.

  “Nothing. It’s just not every day that you see a beautiful woman know her classic cars, or how to fix them.” Ryan flustered a bit when she realized that she had called Charlie beautiful but the woman didn’t seem to mind. Ryan was sure that by now the comment probably didn’t impact her any more. Charlie probably heard that she was beautiful every day of her life.

  “I could say the same thing about you, you know.” Charlie didn’t look up as she backed up from under the hood and ran her hand along the side of the mustang. Ryan swallowed against a suddenly dry throat as Charlie’s eyes finally peeled away from the car and looked up.

  “Do you run by chance?” The change of subject was immediate and hit Ryan like a ton of bricks. She had to blink a few times to catch up to the meaning of what Charlie was asking. Finally, she was able to take in Charlie’s attire and realized that the woman was dressed to go on a jog. A tight gray tank and black Nike running shorts encased long limbs that ended with a pair of white Nike running shoes. Figuring that she was probably taking too long to answer and way too long admiring Charlie’s toned legs, Ryan finally cleared her throat.

  “You mean for fun?”

  Charlie laughed at shook her head. “Yes. For fun, and for health, I guess.” Ryan smiled at the sound of Charlie’s humor filled tone but shook her head. She was really wishing right now that she was a runner, but unfortunately her body didn’t like to be forced to run when nothing was chasing her.

  “Unfortunately, no. I tried to train my body to enjoy it but it rebels when I hit the third minute marker.” Ryan chewed on her bottom lip as Charlie tilted her head. She had only known Charlie for a few weeks now, and mainly spoke to her at her weekly dinner nights with Jonathan. The woman was not home often, working on certain projects here and there but the time that they were able to spend together allowed for them to start becoming friends. And because she was becoming friends with Charlie, she started to pick up on her mannerisms. Like when she was thinking of something she tilted her head to the left, adorably so, and Ryan was beginning to really hate that head tilt. Why did it have to be so adorable?

  “I need a running partner,” Charlie finally said.

  “Jonathan runs,” Ryan responded, trying not to squeak out the response. She knew that Charlie was inviting her into something that was probably a morning ritual and although Ryan wanted to jump on the invitation, she would just make a fool of herself.

  “Jonathan runs like a girl, it’s embarrassing to be seen with him.”

  “Well, I happen to run like I’m wearing cement shoes,” Ryan countered. She didn’t know why she was trying so hard to deny the request. Was it really just her not wanting to look like a fool in front of Charlie?

  “Perfect. I’m a slow jogger.” Charlie smiled, daring Ryan to argue back. She rolled her head back as she thought for a moment.

  “I really suck at running, Charlie.”

  Charlie kept her smile on her face as she regarded Ryan’s comment. “Well, lucky for you I’m an excellent teacher. And plus, if you come running with me, I’ll help you with that.” She pointed to the car which made all of Ryan’s resolve fade. She had been working on this damn thing for a long time and she wasn’t nearly close to being finished as she hoped. Working on the car alone was painstaking and many times she had wished to have another person to help her with it.

  “Fine. You win.” Ryan threw down the oil filled rag she was holding on the engine block and surrendered her hands.

  “Excellent. Go get changed and I’ll close up shop here.” She motioned for Ryan to head inside but Ryan barked a laugh.

  “You want to start now?” Charlie nodded excitedly as she removed the rag from the engine block and carefully shut the hood.

  “Oh yes, definitely. No time like the present,” she gave Ryan a stunning smile and the woman melted right there. Ryan felt that the particular smile probably got Charlie a lot of things and Ryan hated herself for giving in.

  “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Charlie chuckled as she watched Ryan’s form jog into the house and disappear. She gripped the hood of the car and shook her head. “What are you doing, Charlie?” She whispered to herself. She closed her eyes tight and blew out a deep breath. When she had finished locking up the car and placing the keys in the garage, Ryan finally returned in her jogging gear. Charlie forced herself not to admire the way that Ryan’s clothes clung to her body in all the right places or how brilliant her eyes shone with her hair held tightly in a high pony tail.

  “Ready?” Ryan asked as she took a moment to stretch. Charlie swallowed as Ryan easily bended at the waist and touched the ground. Ryan may not have been a runner but she was definitely flexible like one.

  “Ready,” Charlie finally squeaked out. Charlie diverted Ryan’s gaze as she stood and motioned for them to start.

  “Nice and slow, right?” Ryan asked as she started to jog in place. Charlie nodded, answering the question that held
so much meaning.

  ***

  “Can you pass me the wrench?” Ryan went to the tool box and grabbed the wrench that Charlie was asking for. Carefully she stood as her thigh and lower back muscles protested. The run with Charlie had been anything but easy and even though Charlie had said that she wouldn’t mind starting slow and going every other day, Ryan hadn’t wanted to seem like she was out of shape. So, for the last five days, Ryan and Charlie went on an early morning run and then in the evenings Charlie had started coming over to complete her side of the deal.

  Currently, she was doing something with one of the valves and Ryan was more than happy to let her take over. Her mechanical experience wasn’t as proficient as Charlie’s and she liked knowing she didn’t have to look up online how to do something.

  Charlie glanced to her left at Ryan who was obviously wincing. When she handed her the wrench Charlie took a breath and wiped her oiled hands on the rag in front of her.

  “On a scale from one to ten exactly how sore are you?” Charlie asked. When Ryan shifted her back, a spasm sent an unpleasant current to her legs that nearly made them buckle beneath her. Charlie quickly placed the wrench down and offered a helping hand.

  “Um, a three?” Ryan’s back spasm aggravated again and she hissed out in complaint.

  “Only a three, huh?” Charlie cocked an eyebrow up and motioned for Ryan to take a seat on the steps leading down to her driveway. Ryan carefully sat, trying to balance her weight into a position that didn’t make her unbearably uncomfortable.

  “Maybe a four,” Ryan tried to chuckle but the concern was evident on Charlie’s face.

  “We should take a break from running. I don’t want you to get even more hurt.”

  Ryan shook her head as she tried to wane off the concern. “I’m fine, really. Once I start running the soreness goes away. It’s just afterwards where my body likes to seize up. I feel like I’m in the body of a seventy year old.” Ryan started to rub her lower back, trying to ease the muscle to loosen up.