“I’m getting better every day,” Callie responded, trying to sound upbeat.
“I just want you to know that the role has been recast for the Anthony Dane movie.” Amy paused before lowering her voice. “I’m so sorry, Callie. I didn’t want this to happen, but there was nothing we could do. They start shooting next month.”
Callie swallowed the burn in her throat and bit her lips to keep from crying. “Um…it’s okay. I mean, it’s not, but like you said, there’s nothing that can be done.”
Callie watched as a couple pushed their baby stroller down the street and as a little boy rode by on his bike. Life went on for everyone else while her world had crumbled. She didn’t know if she had the strength to build it back up again.
“I’m here,” Amy went on. “As long as it takes to get you back to your old self, I’ll be here, Callie. I have faith in you.”
Callie blinked back the tears. “Thanks. Listen, I need to go. We’ll talk later.”
Callie ended the call before her emotions exploded. She hated crying on the phone. Who wanted to listen to a blubbering mess on the other end? After sliding the phone into the pocket of her capris, she put her left hand over her eyes and willed the inevitable crying jag away. But it was a moot point because the second she felt Noah’s strong hand on her shoulder, she fell back against that hard, sturdy chest and lost it.
He didn’t say a word, but he did turn her so she was facing him. She leaned against him, her face against his chest. She was probably going to soak his shirt, but she couldn’t stop the tears any more than she could change her fate.
His warm hand roamed up and down her back as he rested his chin on top of her head. Callie knew as soon as she looked up at him she’d see pity, and that was the last thing she wanted. Right now she just needed to get this cry out of her way. Of course, she’d been saying that a lot lately. But she just couldn’t help it.
“I knew the part wasn’t mine anymore,” she whispered against his chest. “But it still hurts to know I’ve officially lost it.”
“There will be others, Callie,” he told her softly. “If Anthony Price wanted you once, he’ll look at you again.”
She eased back and shook her head. “He wanted the flawless Callie. I doubt he’ll have use for a scarred Callie. Men can pull off imperfections and Hollywood thinks it’s rugged and sexy. A woman has to be regal and flawless at all times to be considered.”
Noah nodded. “I won’t lie, that’s pretty accurate. But I also know you’re a fighter and I know I’m a damn good surgeon. Together we won’t let this dream of yours disappear.”
She studied his face. “I still don’t understand why you’re so hell-bent on helping me. Yes, I worked for you and I know we shared some…moments, but you’re putting your life on hold. Why?”
He reached up and stroked her good cheek. “Because I can’t sit back and watch someone I care about suffer. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t try to make your life better.”
Callie jerked back. “You care for me?”
Noah stepped forward. “It would be impossible not to feel something more than friendship toward you, Callie. I’ve tried to ignore the sexual pull, but after tasting you last night, I’ve been unable to think of little else.”
“But just a moment ago you were so adamant about this thing between us being nothing.”
Holding her with his mesmerizing gaze, he said, “That’s because I wanted to ignore this pull, but when I hold you, I can’t lie. My actions betray me.”
Shivers raced over Callie’s body. “This timing isn’t the best, Noah. Especially since you’re struggling with…whatever.”
“As much as I wish we could explore this, I’m afraid I just can’t go into something with you when I don’t even know what demons you battle or what my future holds.”
He picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Then we’ll take this slow. I never back away from what I want, Callie, and I want you. In my bed.”
“Well, that was blunt.”
“And honest,” he told her. “I’m done lying to you, to myself. I guess I’m learning you need to take what you want when you want it because it could be gone in an instant.”
She listened to his tone grow almost angry, yet nostalgic.
“Noah, I can’t be a replacement for whatever happened to you. You act as if I’m plan B in whatever went wrong in your past. That’s not how I want to live. I’ll never play second to anything or anyone.”
“And you shouldn’t have to,” he told her, stroking her cheek. “But I want you to know where I stand and why I’m so adamant about being with you again.”
Callie leaned into his touch. “I’d be a fool to lie and tell you I haven’t thought about you, fantasized about you. But right now the last thing I feel is sexy.”
He stepped back and nodded. “You can’t help how you feel, but know this. I find you damn sexy, Callie. No matter what you look like on the outside. To me, you’re a sexy woman because of your kick-ass attitude and your personality. I know that’s unusual for a man to say, but it’s true. Sexy doesn’t have to mean flawless.”
Callie laughed. “I hope you’re not going to use that for your new ad slogan.”
The corners of Noah’s mouth kicked up. “No, that’s for your ears only.”
“Then I won’t tell anyone,” she replied, but her smile faded. “Noah, I know this probably doesn’t need to be said, but—”
“No, it doesn’t.” He cut her off. “I don’t want to hear it.”
She looked down at her feet, then back up beneath her lashes, afraid to fully look him in the eyes. “I’m sorry I let you down for the new ads.”
Noah closed that final sliver of space between them and took hold of her face with both hands, careful of where he touched her right side. “Listen to me and look me straight in the eye. I don’t care about the ads. They will go on and something else will work out. Those ads are the last thing I’m worried about right now.”
“I realize you’re not worried, but your new office is supposed to open in a couple months and you didn’t have anything else planned.”
“No, I didn’t,” he agreed, smoothing her hair off her forehead and away from the bandage. “But I also know that something will come to me, and the ad agency I hired is on it. We’re looking at a few options, but nothing is final. We may not use a model now. We’re looking at something simple with a catchy slogan.”
“You’re so good to me,” she whispered. “Even though I’ve done nothing but bring you misery, you’re amazing. Don’t think I’m not grateful. Even when I yell at you and cry, I’m still thankful to have you in my life.”
Callie wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him, because she’d just seen another flash of fear, of angst, spear through his eyes, and she didn’t want to get into another argument on whether or not he should open up to her. One day soon, she vowed, she’d get those demons from his closet and then she could help him bury them where they belonged.
Ten
She’d hidden long enough.
Callie hadn’t lied when she told Noah that he didn’t need to worry about her and to have his normal life with his friends over. This was his house and she was his guest.
But Noah’s best friend was the hottest actor in Hollywood and here she looked like Frankenstein’s project gone awry.
Callie took a deep breath and smoothed down the simple backless sundress she’d snaked up over her body. But she’d be lying if she tried to pretend she didn’t love wearing Noah’s soft cotton shirts, because even though they’d been laundered, they still had the very sexy masculine scent of his cologne. And once when he hadn’t been looking, she totally turned her nose straight into the collar and took a long, deep inhale.
Just because she was battered and vulnerable didn’t mean she didn’t still have needs, emotions and a craving for the man.
Callie moved down the wide hallway leading to the patio doors off the kitchen. Before she stepped outside, she st
opped to admire the fine scenery the two men on the patio made. They were opposite in so many ways, yet both of them were so sexy that a woman couldn’t help but notice them.
Noah had that dark hair, sultry smile and bedroom eyes. Clichéd as it sounded, the description fit him perfectly. The man always had those heavy lids that screamed Do me, baby.
Max, on the other hand, had that messy dark blond hair that never quite seemed fixed but worked for him and his carefree ways. He was quick to smile and always flashed those dimples. He’d starred in so many films recently, Callie would be fooling herself if she didn’t admit she was jealous of his string of luck.
No. She was not going to let her thoughts ruin Noah’s company or his day. She was a guest. She didn’t have to stay out and socialize the whole time, but she did owe it to Noah not to sit inside and pout like a child.
She pushed the door open and stepped out onto the warm stone patio. She hadn’t bothered with shoes since she was just going to be by the pool.
“I hope you like your steak still mooing on your plate,” Max said with that signature smile. “Noah here likes to barely get them warm before he pulls them off.”
“You’re just cranky because Abby had to cancel at the last minute and you’re dateless.” Noah flipped the large hunks of meat and closed the grill lid. “I’ll have you know I have had those on there for ten minutes.”
Callie smiled. “I’d prefer mine to be dead and not still bleeding.”
Max laughed. “Take yours off and leave mine and hers on. I’ll man the grill.”
Noah turned to his friend, using his tongs as a pointer. “No one mans my grill but this man.”
Laughing, Callie moved to the steps of the pool and eased down onto the top one to put her feet into the refreshing, cool water.
“I’m sorry about the movie, Callie.”
She jerked her attention to Max, who was also coming to sit on the top step with her.
“Thank you. It’s been…hard to digest.”
Max nodded. “I imagine. I can’t compare my experience to yours, but I was turned down for a role I wanted once. It was the one role I knew would really launch my career.”
Intrigued, Callie shifted to face him better. “Really?”
“I was overlooked because of my height.”
Callie knew Noah was taller, but she’d never thought of Max as short by any means.
“Your height?”
“The producer wanted someone well over six foot and I’m just at six even. I didn’t figure a few inches would make a difference. Apparently, I was wrong.”
Callie extended her legs and swirled them around the water. She hadn’t known how Max got started in the industry. He seemed to have just exploded onto the screen.
“Looking back, I’m thrilled I didn’t get that role,” he went on. “That movie ended up tanking in the box office and the part I would’ve played was cut out except for a few scenes.”
Callie rested her feet back on the smooth step and leaned back onto her good hand. “Wow. I had no idea.”
His eyes met hers and Callie could easily see why all the ladies swooned over him.
“Every actor has a story, Callie,” he told her with a soft smile. “We don’t always jump straight into stardom, and we fight to get where we are. And if Anthony Price wanted you in this film, I can guarantee you he will look at you again.”
Callie shook her head. “I’m not so sure.”
“I am,” he told her with confidence. “I know Anthony and he’s a great guy. They have so many makeup artists and tricks they can pull to make that scar disappear.”
If only it were that easy….
“But I’d have to go into a casting call looking like this,” she told him. “That’s a strike against me.”
“Perhaps,” he agreed, resting his muscular arms on his legs and leaning forward. “But your acting skills will override any scar. They’ll see your talent and know any good makeup artist can fix that.”
More hope bloomed within her and she so wanted to believe every word he was saying.
“If you two are done, these steaks are officially dead,” Noah called from the other side of the patio.
Max came to his feet, extending his hand to help her up, and smiled. “He gets grouchy when I tell him how to cook.”
Callie laughed. “If you hadn’t, I would’ve.”
“Fine, then,” Noah mocked as he set the platter of meat on the patio table. “Next time you two know-it-alls can make me dinner while I sit by the pool.”
Callie shrugged. “Fine with me, but I’m not a good cook, so you’re just punishing yourself.”
Max laughed. “Yeah, well, I’m an excellent cook. That’s how I was raised. My parents own a large chain of restaurants on the East Coast.”
“And how are you still single?” she joked, taking a seat.
Max threw her a smile. “I’m having too much fun.”
Noah served the steaks and brought out some potato salad and drinks. Callie was thankful for this break in her new daily life of worrying and wondering about her future. Not only was this a great distraction, the uplifting words from Max really made her feel as if something in the future could open up for her. It might not be for a while, not until after Noah performed surgery or whatever he had in mind, but at least there was that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel and it was calling her name.
* * *
The following week brought Callie even more happiness. The stitches were out and her first microdermabrasion treatment was over. Callie hoped to God she was on the road to recovery.
She’d stayed at the office because Noah had a few patients to see and Marie had needed to leave early to get her granddaughter to a doctor’s appointment. So here she sat in the receptionist’s chair like she had so many times before. Only, all those other times she hadn’t been so self-conscious.
Marie had simply hugged her and with tear-filled eyes declared how happy she was that Callie was back and looking beautiful. Callie knew the woman was just being kind and Callie didn’t correct her about being “back.”
Noah was finishing up with the final patient and Callie couldn’t wait to get back home, or to Noah’s home, where she felt safe, all tucked away from Hollywood’s critical eye.
When the phone rang, Callie swiveled around in her cushy chair and picked up the receiver.
“Dr. Foster’s office.”
“Hello, my name is Mary Harper and my son, Blake, has an appointment next week. I was just calling to see if there were any cancellations before then.”
Callie pulled up the screen with the appointments and scanned through. She knew Noah’s schedule was pretty tight considering he’d taken off so much and had cut back on his workdays to be home with her, but she looked, anyway.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Harper, but I don’t see any. Is there any way I can take your name and number and we can call you if something opens earlier?”
The lady on the other end sighed. “That would be wonderful. Blake is so anxious to see the doctor. He’s afraid to go back to school until his face and arm are better.”
Callie knew this must be the ten-year-old boy Noah spoke of a couple weeks ago. The little boy who’d been burned. Noah was doing this appointment as a favor to a client. She knew he didn’t usually take on children or burn victims, though not because he wasn’t capable. Noah was one of the top surgeons in the country, but he tended to specialize in breast augmentations, face-lifts and other enhancement procedures on women.
Callie glanced at the screen again, feeling even guiltier for keeping Noah from helping this boy who had such high hopes. Callie understood those hopes.
“Mrs. Harper,” Callie said, “could you bring Blake in tomorrow at five?”
“But I thought—”
“I think one more patient at the end of the day won’t overwork Dr. Foster too much, and since this is the consultation, it won’t be a long appointment.”
Mrs. Harper burst into tears and instan
tly Callie teared up. “You don’t know what this means to us,” the woman said. “Truly. You don’t know how thankful I am you can fit him in sooner. I just want my son to have a little hope. We’ll be there.”
Once Callie hung up, she added the last appointment. If she had to come to the office herself and stay by Noah’s side then she would. There was no way she could sit in Noah’s lavish home being babysat by the doctor when he was needed here so much more. There was a boy afraid to go to school, afraid to see his friends, all because he was imperfect.
The irony was not lost on her and she prayed the young boy would find the courage to go back to school, even if his scars couldn’t be healed.
When the last patient came out, Callie was all ready to take her chart and file it. Thankfully, the woman didn’t have a co-pay, so she breezed right on out the door. When the busty blonde had checked in, Callie had had her head down looking at another chart, so she’d bypassed the whole awkward situation of seeing beauty staring her in the face.
God, she didn’t know how long she could continue to work here. There was no way she could dodge all the beauty that came in and out the door.
Once the client was gone, Callie locked the front door and set the alarm for the front of the building. After turning off the lights for the waiting room and shutting down the computer, she went to Noah’s office.
“You ready to go?” he asked her as he shut down his own computer.
Callie nodded. “Yeah.”
He glanced up at her, his brows drawn. “Something wrong?”
“I just got off the phone with Mrs. Harper. Blake will be here tomorrow at five.”
Noah shook his head. “His appointment is next week. I’ll be home with you tomorrow afternoon.”
Callie crossed her arms over her chest. “No. Tomorrow at five you and I will both be here. If you can’t leave me at home to take care of myself, I will come with you. He needs to be seen. Needs to know that there’s hope for him.”
Noah crossed the room and stood within inches of her, making her tilt her head to meet his eyes.
“Of course there’s hope,” Noah told her, cupping her cheek. “I plan to do everything I can for him. I can’t imagine how he must feel. He’s been away from school for so long, first because he needed to stay away in case of infection and now because he feels he would get made fun of. His feelings must be all over the place.”
Hollywood House Call Page 10