“A friend’s. I’m returning it.”
“Which friend?”
“Really, Pierre? You want to play the green-eyed monster? What about you standing me up last night? I didn’t appreciate waiting in the restaurant while you did god-knows-what with the blonde in the parking lot.”
“I—”
“Please, don’t embarrass either of us by denying it. Our being together may have its advantages, but at times I do wonder if they are worth it.” She moved to go, but his stance held firm. “Let me pass.”
“You better not be messing around with someone at the studio.”
“I’m not messing around with anyone. What kind of person do you think I am?” She held up her hand. “Don’t even answer that. It’s been a long day, and I want to go home.”
“My driver will take you.”
“I have my own car, thanks.”
“Why do you insist on driving? You could have your own chauffeur.”
“I like driving.”
Pierre shook his head. “Sometimes I don’t understand you.”
“Most of the time I don’t understand you.” She stepped forward and removed his hand. “See you tomorrow, bright and early. Don’t forget to learn those lines!”
Lena hurried away. Her ears rang as Pierre fired off a round of expletives.
Despite it being so late in the day, the Fortitude Studios lot was buzzing. Lights shone through the darkness, making it easy for Lena to get to where Reeves was shooting. She quietly entered the sound stage and stood in the shadows. A few crew members glanced over then returned to their duties. You’ve seen one actress, you’ve seen them all.
Jeanne and Reeves were near where Lena stood. They were at the base of a winding staircase built to look like solid marble. A chandelier sparkled above them, casting a brilliant glow on Jeanne’s creamy skin. She wore a red velvet dress, perfectly suited to the period film they were making. The black morning suit Reeves wore made him deliciously handsome.
Lena rested her hand on her heart.
“Theodore, please, don’t leave.” Jeanne’s southern accent was perfect, showing what a brilliant actress she was. As for a decent human being, that topic remained debatable. “Let the others fight.”
“In all good conscience, I cannot send my men to war and not go myself.” Reeves’s southern accent rolled off his tongue with apparent ease. Huh. Impressive.
“What about me?” Jeanne gripped his arm, her large eyes pleading with his.
Lena held her breath. Would he leave her?
“My duty is to my country, but my heart”—He leaned in close, his lips near the diamonds dangling from her delicate ears—“will always be with you.”
“Oh, Theodore.”
He grabbed her arms tightly and their lips met. Even from this distance Lena’s body picked up on the electricity zapping around the room. Reeves kissed Jeanne for what seemed like an eternity. That horrible, tiny feeling of envy grew within Lena and she averted her eyes. It disturbed her how easily she fell into the useless trap of jealousy.
Lawrence finally yelled cut and called it a day. The set went into a state of ordered chaos as everyone efficiently went about their jobs while Jeanne and Reeves headed to their dressing rooms on the far side of the building. Lost in the flurry of activity, Lena couldn’t get Reeves’s attention.
“Miss Lee, how nice of you to join us.” Lawrence walked up, his smile large. “What brings you here?”
“I, uh.” She really should have thought this through. Lena placed her hands behind her back, obscuring Reeves’s jacket. “I’d heard amazing things about this movie, and I wanted to see for myself.”
“Well, you can tell Henry we are moving along swimmingly.”
“Henry?”
“Didn’t he send you over here to spy?”
“What?” Lena laughed, then stopped when she took in Lawrence’s serious expression. “Sorry. I thought you were…doesn’t matter. No, Henry did not send me over to spy. Why would you think that?”
“If you haven’t noticed, we are in direct competition.”
“We’re the same studio. As long as our movies are making money, Mr. Cooper is happy.”
“That doesn’t stop us from competing for Cooper’s coffers.”
“It will always be you first, Lawrence. After all, you have Jeanne.”
“If you haven’t noticed, Miss Lee, you are proving to be quite the threat.”
Lena looked at her tan shoes. “I’m not threatening anyone.”
“You need to give yourself more credit. Or not. This whole non-diva thing works to your advantage.” He sighed and stared into the distance. “You were always so easy to work with.”
“I don’t think I’ve changed.” How did that defensive tone sneak in?
“I doubt you have. Listen, I’d love to chat all day…” Lawrence signaled to a young man with a clipboard.
“Well, it was nice seeing you.” Lena stepped away, heading for the exit. It was a silly idea to track down Reeves and give him his jacket back. She’d get one of the runners to deliver it tomorrow.
“Lena.” She turned and faced her old director. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”
“Pardon?”
“I thought you were just like every other starry-eyed actress on the lot, but you’ve proven to be quite the force. I hate to admit that I viewed your age as a handicap. I’m glad I was wrong. Keep the competition fierce.” Lawrence winked, and she laughed.
She dodged the crew arranging the set for the next day and made her way outside. The harsh lights from inside illuminated parts of the ground, and she started toward her car but stopped. This was ridiculous. Why should she care what people thought? Lena turned around and headed straight for Reeves’s dressing room. She had every right to return his jacket without questions. Surely a woman could be friends with a man without suppositions and innuendo? To any sane person, yes, but going near Reeves would only provoke Jeanne if she saw. Though why should Lena let Jeanne dictate what she did? Surely those days were well and truly over?
Lena marched to the back of the studio and entered the side door. It was nice and quiet, with the majority of the activity out in the main part of the building. She made her way down the corridor, looking for Reeves’s room. All she had to do was hand over the jacket. Simple.
Glass smashed behind the door Lena was passing. She read the name emblazoned on a huge golden star—Jeanne Harris.
More muffled screams and smashing glass came from behind the door. Lena raised her hand, ready to knock.
Should she?
The door swung open and Jeanne appeared in a slip, a strap hanging off one shoulder. She glowered at Lena, her face inches away.
“What the hell do you want?”
A wall of alcohol pushed Lena back. “I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“Me?” Her hollow laugh echoed down the corridor. “I am absolutely fine! I just don’t appreciate you snooping in my business.”
“Snooping? I heard glass breaking and… What would you have preferred me to do? Walk away?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact. Walk away. Walk far, far away so our paths never cross again.”
“Given we work for the same movie studio, I would say us never seeing each other again is impossible.”
“There are ways.” Jeanne frowned. “What are you doing here, anyway? Who invited you?”
“I’m returning something that isn’t mine.”
“Damn right he isn’t yours.” Jeanne grabbed a bottle of clear liquid and took a long swig.
“Jeanne—”
“Put that down!” Reeves strode up and grabbed the bottle from Jeanne. She pulled back, dazed for a second, then fire flashed in her eyes.
“Give it back!” She reached for the bottle and lost her balance. Lena grabbed Jeanne’s
arm to help steady her, but Jeanne yanked it away.
“If Lawrence sees you boozing on set there’ll be consequences. How many times do we have to go over this?”
“Oh, Reeves.” Jeanne’s laugh tinkled through the air. “You are such a joker.”
“I am far from joking. Get dressed and go home.” The seriousness in his tone had the desired effect, and Jeanne pushed the strap back on her shoulder and patted down her hair. Then she shoved her finger under Lena’s nose. “This is not the end of our conversation.”
The door slammed, and Lena stared at the golden star. “Wow.”
“She’s having a bad day.”
“It seems she has a lot of those.”
“Indeed.” Reeves gestured that they should move away.
He walked with her to the exit while she struggled for something to say. Life would be so much simpler if it wasn’t dictated by contracts and the expectations of adoring fans and bosses, especially about who she should date. Then again, she hadn’t been that keen on starting any romantic relationships since Charlie, so fake-dating Pierre had seemed the perfect plan. In the two years she was with Charlie, he’d caused her three lifetimes of angst. It had knocked her confidence, and if they hadn’t broken up she never would have found the courage to pursue her dream of acting in movies. In a very tiny way, she was almost thankful for the grief Charlie had caused her—although being accused of something she didn’t do still hurt.
When the studio suggested she and Pierre could raise their profile by appearing to date off-screen, she’d been overjoyed at the opportunity to get her name out there. It certainly wasn’t an uncommon charade to raise profiles; it had worked for countless others. Yet now, with more experience behind her, she realized how wrong she’d been to agree.
“I’m sorry she was so mean.” Reeves opened the door and they stepped outside.
“I don’t expect any different from her, I’m afraid. Jeanne and I haven’t been friends for some time.”
“She throws a lot of animosity at you. Surely it’s not just because she thinks she’s better than you?”
“I hope this doesn’t sound conceited, but I think it’s the opposite.”
“Pardon?”
“Jeanne has always been insecure, but the bluster is a new thing. When we first met I helped her through a lot, as she wasn’t coping with the endless rejections from studios and theaters.”
“And this is the way she thanks you?”
Lena shrugged. “I can’t change who she is and, honestly, I don’t have the energy to worry about her attitude anymore.”
“I admire you for that.”
“Thanks,” she said, a little embarrassed.
“So why did she turn against you if you were helping her out?”
“While we were trying out for studios, we were also doing theater work. I was gaining momentum, and I was offered two lead roles—one for a musical theater production and one for a play. I chose the musical, as it was a better boost to my resume.”
“Did Jeanne try out for the same roles?”
“Yes, and when I said no to the play, she was offered the lead.”
“She would have hated being second choice.”
Lena concentrated on a dark corner of the lot. “She’s never forgiven me for making her feel inferior. It really rattled her confidence, and it also brought out a vicious jealous streak I didn’t know she had.”
“But it wasn’t your fault.”
Turning to face him, she said, “I know, but Jeanne has never seen it that way. Ever since then, I’ve been a threat to her.”
“What? She thinks you’re going to waltz in and knock her off her pedestal? She’s the one in the starring roles now, not you.” Reeves stopped, his eyes wide. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“It’s all right, really. Jeanne has done well, and I’m nowhere near the point of passing her star’s trajectory.” Lena grinned. “I’d like to one day, though.”
Reeves’s eyes locked on hers. “I have no doubt you will.”
His intensity made her nervous, and she scrambled for another subject. She held up his jacket. “I thought you might need this.”
“I was hoping you’d hold on to it. Then it would give me an excuse to spend time with you again.”
“Reeves…”
“I know.”
“So…”
“So…” Reeves echoed, his face hidden by the shadows.
“I better go.” She handed him the jacket. His fingers wrapped around hers.
Her breath caught in her throat.
He stepped toward her.
His strong arms pulled her against his masculine body.
She closed her eyes.
Their lips met.
Her body felt light.
Reluctantly, Lena inched away. “We can’t.”
“We just did.”
“We can’t anymore. What if someone saw us?”
“Do you think anyone at the studio actually believes Jeanne and I are together?”
“I don’t know. But it’s not the people at Fortitude who count, it’s the public. You made your name on their belief that you and Jeanne are an item on- and off-screen. They love that, they lap it up like dogs drinking water on a hot summer’s day.”
Reeves stepped back like he’d been slapped in the face. “Is that what you really think? That I don’t have enough talent to make it on my own?”
“That’s not what I meant at all! What I was trying to say is that you got a boost, just like I did by being paired with Pierre. There’s nothing wrong with forming a relationship that will help our careers.”
“Wow.” Reeves let out a low whistle.
“Reeves.” She reached for his hand, but he moved it away. “You are very talented, there’s no denying that. Jeanne just helped things along when she picked you as her new leading man. Pierre’s profile has helped me.”
He shook his head slowly, as if he was trying to process what she’d said. “I think it’s time I went.”
“Reeves…”
“It’s probably best we don’t spend any more time with each other. We don’t want to ruin the relationships we have with other people, because it would destroy our careers. Imagine that.”
As Reeves Garrity turned and walked away, Lena wondered why she’d opened her big mouth. She’d spent hours with Stuart Cooper negotiating her “relationship” with Pierre and how it would play out for their adoring fans. Both she and Pierre had agreed it would benefit them both—Pierre needed to tone down his reputation as a philanderer and she needed him to boost her image by dating a high-profile French actor. In hindsight, though, she doubted the sanity of such a decision.
Chapter Thirteen
1994 – Starlight Creek, Queensland
Claire pulled up in front of Hattie’s cinema, still shaken by Robert Dennis’s threat. She didn’t blame him for being upset about her talking with Annalise. Most dads would be deeply concerned if their daughter dated a star with a playboy reputation like James’s. A broken heart was inevitable. And no parent wants to see their child, no matter what age, shattered by love. Claire wanted to assume Robert’s threat was empty, but the malice in his tone worried her.
She got out of the ute and went up to the door, excitement putting a bounce in her step. Claire knocked. The door opened, but instead of Hattie she was greeted by one Mr. Luke Jackson.
“Oh, hi!” She handed him a bag of muffins she’d picked up at Scarlet’s café. “I’ve brought some sustenance.”
“We might need it.” He cocked his head toward the interior. “Guess we should get started.”
Claire looked around. “Where’s Hattie?”
“She wasn’t sure she could handle the intensity of it all, so she’s staying at my house until you’re done here.”
“Oh.”
<
br /> “You sound disappointed.”
“I am a bit. I really like your great-aunt.”
“She seems to be fond of you as well.” Luke cleared his throat. “So, when do we meet the director?”
“He should be here shortly. There’s a few more things to wrap up in Ashton.”
“Is that business with the actor all sorted?”
“Yes?” She should have sounded more positive.
Luke studied her for a moment, his fingers tapping on the doorframe. “If it isn’t, I need to know. There can’t be any surprises, because my great-aunt won’t cope.”
“I get it, I really do.” She hadn’t spoken to James yet, but he’d been informed about her shadowing him the second they hit Starlight Creek. Apparently he hadn’t objected, which rang alarm bells. “Right, then. Let’s get started.”
For the next four hours Luke worked under Claire’s guidance, preparing the place for the arrival of the crew. The chatter with Luke remained superficial—weather, favorite bands growing up, favorite sport.
“What about your favorite movie?” she asked as they moved unneeded chairs to the shed behind the cinema.
Luke put a chair down next to the shed door. “I’m not really into them.”
“What?” She laughed, then stopped when she took in the seriousness of his expression.
“But your family owns a cinema.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to watch movies. Between the sugarcane farm and my art, I don’t have time for anything else.”
“I guess not.”
“What about you? Do you have a favorite movie?” He seemed to ask because he felt he should, not because he wanted to.
“I love the Hollywood classics. You know, Singin’ in the Rain, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, A Star is Born.” She laughed. “I could go on and on, though I guess that’s lost on you.”
Luke shrugged. “Guess it is.”
“I would love to have been a fly on the cinema wall back in the day. Imagine the dramas that would have gone on.”
“I really need to get this finished so I can get back to my place and check on my aunt.”
“Sure, sure.” She felt uneasy that he shut her down, but they needed to get on with the job.
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