by Anita Hughes
“Ridley spends a lot of time in London,” Angelica smoothed her skintight skirt. “He saw some rushes from The Philadelphia Story and invited Dirk and me to meet him. It was the most exciting thing in the world. We stayed at Claridge’s and dined at The Connaught.”
“I love Ridley Scott, I’m so jealous. Give us all the details,” Rosie said, her voice filled with awe. “What did he want to talk about?”
“He’s shooting a movie in Vienna about a doctor and the monster he creates. It’s sort of a modern-day Frankenstein,” Angelica gushed. “He wants me to play the doctor’s love interest, except I fall in love with the monster: like Fay Wray in King Kong.”
“You’re going to be in a Ridley Scott movie.” Rosie smiled, genuinely pleased for her friend.
“I’m channeling the part,” Angelica stood up and did a slow turn. “Ridley sees her as a redhead with tight skirts and lots of cleavage. Dirk thought I should have implants, but I might just wear a padded bra.”
“That is wonderful news, darling.” Estelle beamed. “I’m tremendously proud.”
“The best part is shooting starts a few weeks after To Catch a Thief wraps. We’ll be in Europe for almost a year.”
“You’re going to love Vienna.” Estelle smiled. “The opera house is spectacular and the symphony is world class. I may have to come and visit.”
“You and Daddy should come, and you too, Rosie.” Angelica turned to Rosie. “We can see the fashion shows in Milan and go skiing in St. Moritz.”
“I’d love to come. Ridley Scott is the only director I know who understands the importance of location, casting, and a great script.” Rosie nodded.
“Owen Wilson is going to be in the new movie too,” Angelica squealed. “Dirk is just going to hang out in Vienna; you can eat schnitzel with him.”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to leave the fish taco shop.” Rosie shook her head.
“Have you heard about Rosie’s amazing success?” Estelle asked.
“Of course I have. ‘Rosie’ is at the top of the charts, I even heard it on the radio in London. That’s my other exciting news.” Angelica smiled. “We ran into Colby and Ryan in Beverly Hills. Colby said he wants to talk to Rosie about something. He wouldn’t tell me what it was. He just kept throwing secret glances at Ryan.”
“He hasn’t called me.” Rosie frowned.
“Are you having an affair with him?” Angelica asked. “He’s cute, but he’s barely twenty.”
“Of course I’m not having an affair,” Rosie protested.
“Then I don’t know what all the hush-hush was about.” Angelica smoothed her hair. “But I invited Colby and Ryan to stay here this weekend.”
“How lovely,” Estelle chimed in. “I’ll tell Peg and we’ll have a proper dinner party. I’ll ask her to make Cornish hens and scalloped potatoes. And we’ll dress up; I haven’t dressed properly since Rosie’s opening.”
“I’ll leave you two to catch up. I’m so happy for you, Angelica.” Rosie gave her a hug and walked to the door. “I’m going to soak in a hot bath.”
Rosie strolled back to the cottage picturing Angelica on the set of a Ridley Scott movie in Vienna. Ben and Mary Beth were going to film To Catch a Thief in the South of France. For a moment there was a twinge like a deep muscle pain. She remembered the nights with Ben in the edit suite, the thrill of seeing the day’s rushes on the screen.
But she passed Estelle’s rose garden: pink and yellow and orange in its summer splendor. Morris carried a tray of cold drinks and Oscar barked into his cell phone. The lawn was emerald green and swans glided on the lake. No harbor in Monaco or square in Vienna could be as beautiful as the Pullman estate in Montecito.
* * *
Rosie stood in the Pullmans’ living room, waiting for Josh to bring her a cocktail. She wore a midnight-blue dress with a shirred bodice. Her hair was piled in a bun and she wore bright red lipstick.
She had been nervous telling Josh about the dinner. He grimaced whenever she mentioned Angelica, and he thought Dirk was pretentious and a bore. But he had been happy to accompany her. He even wore a blazer and twill slacks and he smelled of mint aftershave.
“Rosie! It’s great to see you,” Colby greeted her. He wore a sports jacket over a black t-shirt and held a bottle of wine wrapped in cellophane.
“I haven’t thanked you for everything you’ve done for the taco shop.” Rosie blushed and nibbled sausage in puff pastry.
“I get tweets all the time saying how much people love your fish tacos.” Colby grinned. “One woman offered me twenty thousand dollars if I told her your secret recipe.”
“Twenty thousand dollars!” Rosie gasped. “I could never share my recipe.”
“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t sell you out even if I knew it,” Colby assured her. “I want to talk to you about something. Are you free tomorrow afternoon?”
“Sure.” Rosie nodded, wondering what Colby could possibly want to talk about.
“We’ll pick you up.” Colby smiled and held up the wine bottle. “Where is Estelle? I brought her a little gift to thank her for having us this weekend.”
Colby moved away and Angelica entered on Dirk’s arm. Her eyes were painted like a cat’s, and she wore a silver gown with a plunging neckline. An oval diamond sparkled at her neck and large diamonds dangled from her ears.
“Rosie!” Dirk kissed Rosie on the cheek. “Angelica keeps me up to date; what an inspiring story. Whoever thought you could do so well selling tacos.”
Rosie imagined Angelica and Dirk talking about Rosie’s Fish Tacos and flinched. She suddenly felt naked standing next to Angelica in her couture gown and glittering jewelry. She put down her plate and searched the room for Josh.
“Rosie, I need you in the kitchen,” Morris interrupted, standing in the hallway. “Culinary emergency.”
“What’s wrong?” Rosie asked when she followed Morris into the kitchen.
“I was trying to save you,” Morris said. “You looked like Cinderella when the clock strikes midnight and she’s afraid her carriage will turn into a pumpkin.”
“Was it that obvious?” Rosie sank into a chair.
“I know how you feel. When I first became Mr. Pullman’s butler, Neil and the band would come for the weekend. They lolled around the pool while I served them oysters and caviar.” Morris arranged canapés on a tray. “Angelica and Dirk aren’t better than you because they prance around a movie set.”
“Angelica is a wonderful actress,” Rosie defended her. “I’m happy for her and Dirk.”
“You have everything: a successful store, a great relationship.” Morris looked at Rosie. “Unless you want your old life back?”
“Of course I don’t,” Rosie said nervously. “I’m grateful to the Pullmans for having me and everything that they’ve done. It’s just that Dirk makes me feel like Alice in Wonderland when she became very, very small. And Angelica is more breathtakingly beautiful every time I see her.”
“Take your hair down; a bun doesn’t suit you.” Morris waved at her hair. “And get rid of some of that lipstick. Just be yourself, you have a lot to be proud of.”
“Okay.” Rosie took the bobby pins out of her hair and rubbed her mouth.
“That’s much better.” He propelled her towards the door. “Now go stand next to Josh and you’ll feel six feet tall.”
* * *
Josh was standing at the bar talking to Ryan. Josh’s eyes lit up when he saw Rosie, and he draped an arm around her shoulder. “Ryan and I have been talking about cars. He has a 1976 E-Type Jag. I’m envious, that’s one of my favorite cars on the road.”
“I bought it after Colby’s first album went platinum,” Ryan explained. “I was still living in a studio apartment, but the purr of her engine made me melt.”
“I’d love to see her,” Josh said enthusiastically. “You’ll have to drive up the coast to Montecito.”
“Colby won’t drive in it with me, he says it doesn’t go fast enough.” Ryan chuckled
and fiddled with the olive in his martini. “Driving isn’t only about speed, it’s also about enjoying the ride.”
“That’s what I tell customers at the showroom.” Josh nodded. “Buyers should purchase cars that match their personalities. Some people were made to drive Maseratis, and others are suited to Rolls-Royces or Peugeots. Personally I love British cars: Jaguars and Rovers and MGs.”
“Rosie!” Angelica approached the group. She held a cocktail plate and smelled of French perfume. “You didn’t tell me that you and Josh were an item. How could you keep it a secret?”
“I didn’t want to tell you over the phone,” Rosie explained and felt Josh tense beside her.
“I know now,” Angelica said brightly. “Morris told me. Are you still living in your grandmother’s house?” She turned to Josh.
“It’s been my house for five years,” Josh said tightly.
“Such a cute house, and so close to the beach.” Angelica nibbled puff pastry. “I remember the summer I went away to college. You’d always show up to work in board shorts and flip-flops.”
“That was more than ten years ago.” Josh glared at Angelica. “I’ve learned how to put on a pair of slacks and a shirt.”
“You and Rosie look wonderful together,” Angelica gushed. “Who would have guessed I’d send Rosie here for the summer and she’d put down roots: her own store and a cute surfer boyfriend. I’m quite jealous. I’m going to spend the next year living out of a suitcase.”
“Angelica got a part in a Ridley Scott movie.” Rosie turned to Josh. She was desperate to ease the tension in the air. “It shoots in Vienna.”
“I’m going to have to pick Rosie’s brain; she knows more about film than anyone,” Angelica purred. “She has seen every Ridley Scott movie.”
“I always forget Rosie was in the movie business.” Ryan turned to Rosie. “Which is your favorite Ridley Scott film? I’m a sucker for The Martian with Matt Damon.”
“Thelma & Louise is a classic; Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis practically defined the female buddy movie.” Rosie reflected. “But A Good Year is a personal favorite. The setting was Provence, and Russell Crowe and Abbie Cornish were amazing.”
“See? Rosie is an encyclopedia,” Angelica said proudly. “Don’t you miss the movies just a teensy bit? I’d die if I had to live in the real world all the time. A movie set is so much fun.”
“Josh and I watch tons of movies.” Rosie squeezed Josh’s hand. “Last night we saw La La Land on Netflix. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone were brilliant.”
“I’m so happy to see my loved ones together.” Estelle beamed, walking over to the group. She wore a gold hostess gown and an opal pendant.
“Mother.” Angelica kissed her on the cheek. “You look beautiful. What are you wearing around your neck?”
“A gift from your father.” Estelle touched the opal. “He just signed a new Swedish band. He shouldn’t have bought me such expensive jewelry, but it’s very pretty.”
“It’s lovely,” Rosie offered.
“What’s lovely is having my favorite people under one roof.” Estelle looked around the group. “Peg made a scrumptious dinner. Shall we go into the dining room?”
Rosie hung back, wanting to talk to Josh alone. But Josh was already striding towards the table. Rosie trailed behind him. Maybe he wasn’t put off by Angelica. Maybe he was enjoying himself and couldn’t wait to try Peg’s Cornish hen.
* * *
Estelle sat at the head of the table, flanked by Angelica and Dirk. Rosie never realized how much Estelle and Angelica resembled each other. In their silver and gold gowns they looked like royalty. Angelica regaled the table with stories of the set, giving a perfect Katharine Hepburn impression.
“I would like to make a toast.” Estelle stood up. “To all you marvelous young people for filling up this house. It gets a little quiet around here during the week; I haven’t taught my roses to talk. And I’m so excited for everyone’s success: Colby’s album, Rosie’s store, Josh close to buying the dealership, and Dirk and Angelica’s new movie roles. I can’t think of anything that would make this night more perfect.” She touched her neck. “And to my darling husband for spoiling me with pretty trinkets and so many years of love.”
“I’d like to make a toast too,” Angelica announced. “I’d like to thank my parents for creating a safe harbor and letting me venture out on my own. I’ve found my own harbor now. I’m excited about my career, but I’m even more excited to announce Dirk and I are getting married.”
The room went completely silent. Dirk smiled like the Cheshire cat. Estelle froze and Oscar reached for his wineglass.
“Dirk presented me with this beautiful ring when we were in London.” Angelica opened her evening bag and took out an emerald-cut diamond ring. “It was so romantic; it was pouring rain and we were sitting in the drawing room at Claridge’s. Dirk got down on one knee and said his grandfather proposed to his grandmother in the same spot sixty years ago. The ring belonged to his great-grandfather. He won it from the Duke of Marlborough in a duel.”
Rosie glanced at Morris, who was standing at the kitchen door and holding a plate of rolls. Morris rolled his eyes and Rosie stifled a laugh.
Dirk stood up and smoothed his hair. “The day I met Angelica is the day my life began. She is my greatest treasure and I will devote my life to making her happy.”
Morris clutched his sides and Rosie shot him a stern look.
“This is a surprise.” Oscar rose from his chair. “But everyone was surprised when Estelle married me and things have worked out very well. Estelle, shall we toast our new son-in-law?”
Rosie’s eyes filled with tears. Suddenly Dirk didn’t seem like an imposter; he looked like a man in love. Angelica wasn’t playing a part; she was a young woman ready to walk down the aisle. Rosie glanced at her own naked ring finger and tucked her hands in her lap.
“We’re going to have the wedding in Monte Carlo, when shooting wraps on To Catch a Thief. I found a tiny stone church overlooking the harbor. And we’ll hold the reception on the studio’s yacht. Of course, you’ll all come. And Rosie.” Angelica looked at Rosie. “I’d like you to be my maid of honor.”
Everyone was looking at Rosie, expecting her to jump up and hug Angelica. She pictured Angelica wearing a satin gown and carrying a bouquet of roses. The first dance would be on the deck of a yacht, the lights of Monte Carlo twinkling on the water.
“Rosie?” Angelica prompted her.
“Congratulations, I’m so happy for you,” Rosie said effusively. “The store just opened and I’m not sure I can leave it for that long—”
“Of course we’ll come,” Josh cut in. “Rosie would never miss her best friend’s wedding.”
“We’ll make it a big party,” Colby enthused. “We’ll rent hot-air balloons and go parasailing.”
“It does sound divine, darling,” Estelle agreed, her face finally breaking into a smile. “I’ll come over in the fall and we can shop for gowns in Paris. Rosie, you can make a quick trip too so we find you the perfect dress.”
Rosie stared at her soup and mechanically moved the spoon to her mouth. Everyone else was animatedly making plans. Ryan told Josh about a classic car dealership in Nice. Colby and Oscar discussed the size of yachts, and Angelica and Dirk held hands across the table. Rosie didn’t dare look at Josh. She didn’t want him to see her fighting back tears.
“Rosie, are you all right?” Estelle asked. “You’re quite pale.”
“It’s nothing, the soup is a little spicy. I just need some air.” Rosie stood up and ran out of the room. She kept running until she reached the lawn and stepped right in the path of the sprinklers. The spray drenched her dress and her hair and she slid and landed on the grass.
Rosie sat on the lawn and hugged her chest. She was too embarrassed to return to the dinner party and too chilled to walk to the cottage. She took deep breaths and tried to stop her teeth from chattering.
She was appalled by her own behavior.
Over the years, Rosie bought dozens of espresso machines and waffle irons as gifts from the bridal registry at Williams-Sonoma. She played silly party games at friends’ bridal showers. She and Ben sat in stuffy churches watching the bride and groom exchange their vows.
They would drive home from a wedding reception and critique the band and the cake and sometimes the choice of bride or groom. They would murmur things like, “We should have a cupcake tree at our wedding” or “We should take salsa classes for our first dance.” Then Ben would go back to editing the day’s rushes and Rosie would tackle her to-do list, and their wedding plans would simmer on the back burner.
But tonight Angelica’s emerald-cut diamond glinted in the candlelight and Rosie felt a physical pain. She imagined the church—light streaming in through stained-glass windows, stone floor strewn with rose petals—and she was swept up with longing.
Suddenly she knew why she was so upset. It wasn’t that Angelica was having a wedding in Monaco and would sail around the Mediterranean on her honeymoon. It was that Rosie knew that she had found the man she wanted to marry, but what if he didn’t feel the same?
She sat up and stared into the mist. She pictured walking down the aisle towards Josh. He’d be wearing a black tux and she’d be dressed in a simple ivory sheath. She imagined Josh saying his vows, repeating each word in a loud, clear voice. Then his mouth would find hers in a kiss that seemed to last forever, and the minister would pronounce them husband and wife.
Rosie sighed and picked wet grass from her legs. She could tell Josh she didn’t want to move in with him, but she couldn’t ask him to marry her. He would have to get down on one knee, or take her hand at dinner and propose.
She watched plenty of talk shows where the woman said she proposed and now the couple was celebrating their tenth anniversary with two children and a rescue Labradoodle mix. But if she asked Josh and he said he needed more time, she couldn’t handle the rejection. Ben had broken her heart and she wasn’t ready for more pain.
“What went on in there?” Josh demanded, striding towards her.