“The sooner we get that number the sooner we can book a venue.” Houston flipped through her notebook. “Do you think you can get me at least the preliminary number by Monday? Then I can have a list of possibilities to you by Wednesday. Would that work for you?”
It wouldn’t take five minutes for Billie to write up her list but getting Tyler to sit down and do it was a whole other story. She practically had to strap him to the kitchen table when Garrett sent over boxes of photos to be autographed. He was too hyper to stay still for long.
“I can do that,” Billie said, arching a brow at her fiancé. “Tyler?”
“Sure can,” he replied cheerfully. “No problem. Having the venue list before we go would be helpful.”
Houston smiled and folded her hands. “Which leads me to my next question which you’re probably surprised I didn’t ask up front. What date are you looking at?”
This was Tyler’s question to answer. Billie was content to wait and see if they actually needed to get married but he was adamant that they needed to be together for more than just getting this role. There was filming, promotion, and hopefully awards season, and he wanted her by his side for all those, not that she wouldn’t have been anyway. She simply would have been doing it as his best friend.
“Late summer or early fall,” Tyler said firmly. “But if you can’t do it by then we can go as late as the holidays. I want us to have some time for a honeymoon before I start my next film after the first of the year.”
If he snagged the role. Of course if he didn’t get this one, there were always more movies. A stack of scripts showed up to the house every Monday morning by messenger from Josh, Tyler’s agent.
Houston made more notes, not seeming too worried about the aggressive timeline. A timeline that scared the ever-loving crap out of Billie. It was happening too quickly and she couldn’t control it.
It was that runaway train again barreling toward her at the speed of light. She was going to end up road kill at this rate. She either needed to get out of the way or get with the program and the former wasn’t really an option.
Reaching down into her oversized leather bag, Houston pulled out a stack of glossy magazines and slid them across the table. “I always bring these to our get-to-know-you meetings just in case the bride and groom aren’t sure what they want. These are yours to keep, so look through them and see if anything strikes your fancy or anything makes you gag in revulsion. I think it will help you decide what kind of wedding you want. In the meantime, I’m going to be looking at what venues are available during your preferred timeframe. Can we set something up for Wednesday? I’d like to talk about color schemes and dresses in addition to venues. You’ll need to get going on that as your timeline is short.”
The three of them agreed on ten o’clock Wednesday morning and Tyler rose from his chair and escorted Houston to her car. Billie took the opportunity to pick up one of the magazines and page through it. It was all dresses, flowers, cakes, tuxedos, and even honeymoon destinations.
“We should look at those,” Tyler said from behind her. He hadn’t lingered long seeing Houston out. “But I meant what I said. I want you to have whatever it is that you want.”
Twisting in her seat, she faced him, really looking at him for the first time this morning. For a man that had managed to avoid love and commitment for almost thirty-nine years he didn’t look concerned in the least about his upcoming nuptials.
That worried her. It was the same old complaint. He wasn’t taking this seriously, although he’d said he would try. He simply didn’t get that this was marriage. Legal and everything. Frankly she was tired of reminding him.
She flipped open another magazine and the photo showed a cake that had to be at least eight tiers high. “I don’t know what I want but I think this might be overkill. How about I look through these two and mark the pages I like and you do the same with these other two? Then we can compare.”
“Deal.” He picked up the magazines but his gaze was on Billie. “Are you okay? You’ve been acting strangely this morning. Are you coming down with something?”
Holding up her left hand, she ran her fingers over the ring, the diamond cold and hard but glittering brightly in the sunshine. “I’m acting weird because we just met with a wedding planner. You and me, Tyler. I’m freaked out and I’m a little worried that you aren’t the same. Did you take a handful of Valium this morning or are you in deep denial? You’re going to lose your bachelor status and I would think you’d be sweating over that.”
Smiling so that his dimple peeked out of his cheek, he leaned his hip against the table. “I think maybe you’re more freaked out than I am, baby girl. You’re holding onto your single status like it’s a life preserver. I know you think I’m going to be a lousy husband but I told you that I’m going to help you trust me. You won’t be nervous after that.”
She slapped the magazines down on the table with a huff. “You’re not nervous in the least?”
“Nope, and do you know why?”
I sure as hell don’t.
“Why?”
“Because I have faith that marrying my best friend in the whole entire world is going to be fine. We’ve worked every issue we’ve ever had out and we’ll work the future ones out as well. It’s going to be okay and we’re going to be happy. I’ll make sure of it.”
This was so Tyler. “You can’t make another person happy. It isn’t possible no matter how much we want it.”
Leaning down, he planted his hands on either side of her, trapping her with his arms so their faces were inches from one another. She could feel his warm breath against her cheek and she shivered despite the temperature.
“Seems like you’ve decided to be miserable and that this is going to be a disaster,” he replied, his intense blue gaze making her squirm. “No offense, babe, but you’ve been a real downer since accepting my marriage proposal. If you don’t want this, then we’ll call it off. You can keep the money. But if we’re going to do this can you smile every now and then? Jesus, Houston probably thinks I have a gun to your head. You’re not a hostage so stop acting like one. You keep saying everything is changing but from what I’ve seen you’re the one who has changed and not for the better. I miss my best friend.”
Straightening, he turned and strode back into the house leaving Billie rooted to her chair, reeling from his anger.
No, he hadn’t been angry. He’d actually been rather calm, but sort of sad. Honestly, she missed being his best friend. She’d been so intent on being his fiancée she’d forgotten to be his pal and his confidant. He was right about her attitude as well. She’d been a real bitch to be around and she didn’t even like herself at this moment in time.
It all changed now. Picking up the magazines, Billie began looking through them. For real this time. She was going to be the happiest bride in California, maybe the entire West Coast. Tyler deserved better than what she’d been giving him. They were going to be friends again.
Who just happened to be engaged.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Tyler didn’t regret what he’d said to Billie out on the patio after the meeting with the wedding planner. He’d needed to say it and it was long overdue. What he did regret, however, was the timing. She was already feeling raw and overwrought about the wedding plans. She was overwhelmed by it all and she was upset that he wasn’t too. She was nervous and she wanted him to be nervous with her. She was scared and she wanted to know she wasn’t the only one. He understood that but he’d learned in his life that worrying didn’t get him anywhere. It didn’t solve a damn thing; it only festered and made him second guess his actions. It was better to decide the course and stick to it, making corrections along the way. He and Billie would be fine but she needed to get out of this death spiral she was in, constantly looking for the worst case scenario.
If he had it to do all over again he would have picked a better time. Maybe after a good dinner when they were both relaxed in front of the television. Or after a parti
cularly hard workout when she was too exhausted to argue with him. Too late now. He’d gone off on her and she was probably pissed off at him. To make it up to her he’d gone through the wedding magazines and marked all the pages that he liked. Perhaps if she thought that she wasn’t going to have to make all the decisions alone it might put her in a better mood.
Descending the stairs, the aroma of charred beef tickled his nose and his stomach growled in approval. Billie was grilling and it was the most heavenly smell in the universe. He’d missed lunch today because of meetings with his agent and business manager and his mouth watered as he turned into the kitchen where she was slicing a tomato.
“Hamburgers are on the grill,” she said, barely turning around, but her tone was cheerful and friendly. “I also made some fruit salad and some homemade fries with sea salt. It should be ready in a few minutes.”
This was a pleasant surprise. He’d assumed they’d go to a restaurant where they’d make awkward conversation until one or both of them broke down and apologized. They were never able to stay mad at one another long.
“I love your fries,” he replied, placing his hands on her shoulders and dropping a kiss on her cheek to test how far this friendliness went. In the past she wouldn’t have blinked an eye at his behavior. “I’ll go check on the burgers. Do you want cheese on yours?”
“Absolutely.” She waved her knife to the other counter. “I already pulled it from the refrigerator and sliced it up.”
Grabbing the neat stack of cheddar slices, Tyler headed out onto the back patio to the outdoor kitchen. It had been one of the major selling points of the house he’d purchased sight unseen. He’d given his business manager a list of must-haves while off making movie after movie and this home was what had been selected from that criteria. He hadn’t even decorated it himself. His people had hired a designer and he’d come back exhausted and bleary-eyed to a brand-new home that he’d never seen before but was move-in ready.
He liked the house but if he were truly honest he would have moved a long time ago if Billie hadn’t been living in the guest cottage. He’d always wanted to live at the beach and if Billie wasn’t so spooked about everything changing he’d suggest they start looking for a home in Malibu.
Stopping abruptly in the doorway to the patio, Tyler surveyed the scene before him. Something was clearly going on. The outside table where they ate most of their meals had been set by Billie. Nice dishes, not the paper plates they usually ate from. Flowers and candles. Music from the discreet speakers in the wall. She’d even put a few of his favorite beers on ice.
It almost looked romantic which was silly because they didn’t do romance. They were buddies. Pals. He didn’t think about Billie that way.
Except she had looked very pretty in the short sundress that showed off her long and tanned legs. She’d left her hair down tonight and it came down to the middle of her back like a silky dark curtain. He didn’t often think about how Billie looked but it was times like these that reminded him that she was a beautiful woman.
He was going to be her husband and suddenly that took on all sorts of meanings that it didn’t have before. He’d been rather flip about sharing a bed with her but that’s exactly what they were eventually going to do. He hadn’t thought that he cared whether it was sooner or later but he found that he did. Quite a bit. Sooner was much better and it didn’t have anything to do with the fact that he hadn’t slept with anyone in awhile.
It had everything to do with her.
Friendship and sex. It was a powerful combination. So many men only had one or the other.
He checked the burgers and added the cheese and had just placed the platter of cheeseburgers on the table when she joined him, a bowl in each hand.
“Are you ready to eat?” he asked, watching her closely. He’d known this woman for five years and she didn’t set a semi-fancy table for cheeseburgers and fries. There was more going on and he couldn’t wait to find out what it was.
Settling into a chair, she pushed the bowl of fruit salad toward him. “Starving. The burgers look great.”
“You did most of the work. Thanks for making dinner.”
Awkward. This was terribly awkward. They weren’t people who did small talk. Soon they would be discussing the fucking weather.
They ate mostly in silence, the music in the background soothing to his frazzled nervous system. He didn’t want Billie to hate him but it appeared that’s exactly what he’d done. Perhaps this nice dinner was to soften the blow of telling him she was breaking things off.
Billie popped a fry in her mouth. “It’s supposed to rain tomorrow so we might not get to go on a run.”
Weather. Shit. He couldn’t take this anymore.
Swallowing a bite of melon, he placed his fork on his plate with a clatter. “Just for fuck’s sake yell at me, baby girl. If you’re mad, say it so we can get past this. I can’t take the passive-aggressive bullshit.”
Instead of letting loose on him, Billie calmly dabbed at her mouth with a napkin before replying. “I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at me. That’s why I made dinner tonight. I wanted to show you that I’m sorry and that I’m going to try harder.” She sighed, her lips turning down. “I miss you too.”
“I never went away, babe.”
“I was pushing you away.” She dropped her head into her hands for a long moment and then finally looked up. “I’m so freaked out about losing you as a friend if this all goes sideways. I don’t think you realize how important to me you’ve become. You’re practically my whole world.”
She’d choked on the last words, her moss green eyes bright with tears. A pain ripped through Tyler’s heart and it was all he could do not to leap over the table and pull her into his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay. He’d rather cut off his own arm than let Billie be unhappy for even a second.
In fact, what the hell was he waiting for? Why was he just sitting there? This was his best friend and now fiancée. He should comfort and care for her. He started to rise but Billie shook her head and waved him back into his chair.
“Don’t. If you come over here I won’t be able to say what I need to say, and it’s important that I do.”
Fear clawed at his insides and he had to force himself to stay seated and not panic. He’d been right when he came downstairs. Something was definitely up with Billie.
“You’re important to me too,” he said, trying to keep his tone soothing. Her lips were trembling and she’d paled as if in fear. “You’re my best friend, babe. I’d die for you. You know that, right?”
She tried to smile and laugh. “I don’t want to test that theory. I just need to tell you something, okay? And I need you not to react until I’m done. Can you do that for me?”
Probably not. He wasn’t known for his patience but for her he’d try. She hadn’t even told him what it was yet but already he was nervously sweating, his heart pounding against his ribcage.
“I will. What do you need to tell me?”
Straightening her shoulders, Billie took a deep breath. “I have family. Not much of one really but I do have one.”
Honestly he’d always assumed she didn’t have a soul in the world, perhaps an orphan. She’d never once mentioned anyone and only referred to her life before Los Angeles in the vaguest of terms. She hadn’t wanted to talk about it and he’d respected that. His mind couldn’t help but drift back to his office and the file folder he’d shoved in one of the drawers. Out of sight but not out of mind. Was she about to tell him what was contained there?
“Okay,” he said cautiously. “I have to say that I’m kind of surprised.”
Gobsmacked was a better word, but whatever.
“I have a sister,” she confessed, her gaze studiously avoiding him. “A twin sister.”
Freakin’ twins? She had a twin? What in the ever-loving fuck?
“A twin?” he repeated. “You’ve never mentioned her, Billie.”
Her head snapped up when he used her name, which
he didn’t do often. She had to know that although he appeared calm he was becoming increasingly upset. How could she have had a fucking twin sister and not mentioned that to him in the last five years? It made a mockery of how close they were supposed to be.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he pushed his plate away. Food was the last thing on his mind. He wanted to hear Billie’s story.
“Maybe you should start at the beginning.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
This was ten times harder than Billie had thought it would be. Clearly Tyler wasn’t happy with her and she’d barely begun to tell her story. By the time she was finished he was going to be livid.
“We were poor,” Billie began, watching his expression carefully. “Like dirt poor. I never met my father and my mother drank too much. We didn’t have a lot of food and other necessities that people take for granted.”
Like clothes, heat, and medicine.
Scraping his hand down his face, Tyler sighed. “Aww, baby girl. I’m so sorry.”
Billie shrugged awkwardly. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for. It’s not your fault. It’s just the way it was.”
“What about social services? Didn’t they intervene?”
“A couple of times but they’d send our mother to parenting classes and Alcoholics Anonymous. Things would get better for a little while and then she’d start to drink again. She’d get fired from whatever crappy job she’d been able to get and the cycle would start all over again. By the time Sierra and I were about eight years old we were taking care of Sharon, not the other way around.”
Tyler frowned. “Sharon?”
“That was my mother’s name. I didn’t call her Mom. She never encouraged that. She didn’t like men to know she was old enough to have children.”
Suppressing a shudder, Billie thought about all the “uncles” that had drifted in and out of their lives. Thankfully none had abused her or Sierra but they’d been losers, every one of them, and they hadn’t done Sharon a bit of good, pulling her down into the gutter with them.
Wild on the Red Carpet (The Hollywood Showmance Chronicles Book 3) Page 9