by Tonya Kappes
“Yes, I do have all you need.” She bit her bottom lip with her top teeth.
“No, I mean this.” Sam shoved the book in her face. “If I wasn’t a gentleman, I would probably hit you or call you a few names.”
Corin stepped back into the bedroom. “Don did it.”
Sam had to steady himself in the door jam. He suddenly remembered why he never drank. “Liar! You make me sick.” He stumbled with the book secured under his arm.
“Let me explain, Sam.” Corin took the robe and covered herself.
“There is no need for explaining. It’s all here right in front of me.” Sam staggered out the door spilling onto her couch.
“Sam, be rational. You even said she doesn’t belong here.” Corin sat down trying to save herself. “I wanted to see her designs and I accidently took it home with me. I was going to give it back.”
“Liar!” He slurred his words. He was telling his body to leave, but it wouldn’t follow directions. One thing he did know, he had to hold on to the sketch book.
“Sam, relax.” Corin hushed him. “Listen, I had to or she’d steal my business. Sam?” She poked him and he felt her fingernail dig into him. That was the last thing he remembered.
“Experience is a jewel, and it had need be so, for it is often purchased at an infinite rate”
William Shakespeare
28
“Urgh.” Sam slapped his hands over his eyes. The light was blinding. He reached for his remote control to close the blinds. He must’ve forgotten to close them before bed.
He squinted when he couldn’t feel his table. “Great,” he mustered, realizing he was not home.
“I thought you were going to sleep the day away.” Corin held a cup of coffee over his head.
He jumped up and felt around for the book. He didn’t find it.
“Looking for this?” Corin held the sketch book out for him.
“Yes.” Sam took it from her. “Thank you.”
He was back to being the nice guy he has always been. He wanted to be mean, but it wasn’t in him. He would tell Celia everything.
Sam opened the pages and looked at Celia’s dream. Everything she put her blood, sweat and tears into. Everything she held proud. He smiled when he saw his name written in pencil next to a design like she was in high school. He rubbed his finger over it, giving it a little smudge.
“She’s talented.” Corin handed Sam the cup.
Reluctantly he took it from her. Corin was just a typical woman wanting to keep what was hers.
“I’m leaving.” Sam got up. “Your last night on my payroll is when the event is over.”
Sam watched Corin’s face. She knew it was fair. He could’ve fired her, again, then and there.
“I just wanted to keep my life the same,” Corin yelled out.
“L.A. is big enough for the two of you.” Sam didn’t feel the need to explain himself anymore. He wanted to get to Celia as quickly as possible.
The cab ride seemed to take forever. Los Angeles traffic was bad, but when you are in a hurry, it’s extremely bad. Out of the corner of his eye, Sam caught a glimpse of a picture of Celia.
He stopped and picked the paper up. There it was. A picture of Sam and Celia having their public fight at Spago’s. Of course the paparazzi had to use a long lens in order to get a picture. The headlines read: “‘It’ couple already on the outs and with new companions.”
He picked up the next tabloid. There was a picture of Don and Celia in front of Michael’s Craft Store posing just as he and Celia did the week before with him. The headlines read: “Celia Briggs dumps Sam Barber for his PR man.”
The next tabloid was the worst one. It was the reminder of why the first picture was taken. Headline read: “Celia Briggs making out at Spago’s.” Sam inspected the photo a little closer. It didn’t look like she minded. Her eyes were closed. Her lips were pressed against his.
Sam grabbed the tabloids and handed the man a fifty-dollar bill. “Keep the change.”
*
Celia was stunned to see Sam. She noticed he was in the exact same outfit he wore last night.
“Hi.” She opened the conversation.
“I wanted to apologize for my behavior last night.” Sam looked awful to her.
“I see.” She stood her ground. He smelled bad. “Have you taken a shower today?”
“No.” The newspapers cracked in Sam’s hands. “Are you going to ask me in?”
“Sam.” Celia didn’t want to cloud her vision. “I have decided to finish my job. I’m going to continue to work as hard as I can for the next couple days. After the party, I have scheduled a flight back to Grandberry Falls.”
“I thought you were going to see some of the sites and stay the entire two weeks.”
“I think it’s best we go our separate ways.” The door knob clicked as Celia twisted it. She didn’t want to give in and let him in. She wanted to get through the next couple days and get back to her family and shop before Christmas.
“Why?” He pleaded to know.
“There is stress here. I haven’t felt this way since I quit being a lawyer. I don’t like how we treat each other here—in this environment.” Celia waved her hands in the air. “You aren’t Sam Reynolds. As much as you would like to play Sam Reynolds, you aren’t him. You are Sam Barber the movie star.”
Sam was upset with her words. She could see his brows furrowing.
“You’re right.” Sam threw the tabloids at her feet. She looked down to find the top picture haunting her. “That is how you’ll be remembered.”
Celia bent down and picked up the paper with the picture of her and Don kissing.
Embarrassment raced up her face. She was flush. Her skin was on fire. If she would look in the mirror, she wouldn’t be able to see the difference in color between her hair and her face.
“I can explain.” Celia held the magazine out.
“You don’t need to. You’re right. You aren’t the same person here as you were at home.” Sam walked to the elevator.
Celia shut the door when she heard the elevator door ding. She didn’t want him to leave, but she knew it was best for all involved. She pretty much ruined his immaculate image as an actor.
“Who was that?” Don sat at the kitchen table looking at her new sketch book.
“It was Sam.” She refilled her coffee cup and his.
“Oh.” Celia handed him the tabloid of them kissing. “Celia, I am really sorry about this.”
“I know.” Celia looked at Don.
He was a really handsome man and not her type. He had been really nice to her over the past twenty-four hours since he kissed her. He was truly not trying to come onto her and she liked that part of him.
“What are you going to do?” Don put the paper down.
“Save them. My life will never be this crazy again.” Celia laughed.
“No, I mean about Sam?” Don looked at the tabloids.
“I’m going to work the next few days. Alone.” Celia needed to get serious and start putting the rose balls together. She looked at Don whose dimples were sunken in deep. “That means, no dinner, no lunch, no photo opportunities. I’m going to spend my days at the venue. They said I could use their freezers since all the food is being brought in already cooked.”
Once they were set up, all she had to do was put on the table clothes, iron them right on the table and put the centerpiece bases on them.
She had it planned down to the last second before the party started. The flowers had to stay fresh or at least look fresh the entire night. She also decided she’d only stay at the party for one hour and when no one was looking she would dash. Her luggage would already have been taken to the airport by the hotel and all she had to do was walk on the plane.
“Can I take you to the party?” Don asked. “I want everyone to know the hottest floral designer, and I mean literally, in town is my date.”
Celia laughed. She was already biting her nails; the centerpieces were going to
be beautiful to her. But were they up to Los Angeles standards?
“I think I will go alone.” Celia didn’t want to make things more complicated than they already were.
“Okay if you insist.” Don stood up. “I better get going.”
Celia strolled back and picked up the tabloids. She set aside the kiss and picked up the one where Sam was yelling at her. If she looked close enough, she saw Corin in the background with a smug look on her face. Don’s face even looked odd. He had a satisfying grin and his eyes were deep with happiness like he enjoyed what was taking place in front of him.
“A picture says a thousand words,” she whispered and brushed her finger over Sam’s face.
His eyes were sad and it hurt her heart to see him that way. She couldn’t help but remember their time in Grandberry Falls. She closed her eyes and wished she could go back in time when she and Charlie climbed those cold steel stairs with a plate of food. Her mouth watered for some good home cooking.
“Grandfather?” Celia needed to hear a friendly voice. “I’m sorry I didn’t catch you. I really needed to hear your voice. I wanted to tell you about everything happening here and check on Charlie.” Celia paused.
She hated answering machines. She always felt so stupid talking into them.
“Hi, Dad.” Celia was disappointed he wasn’t home either. “Have you checked on the shop and make sure grandfather and Charlie have everything they need?” She tried to leave enough food for the both of them. She was grateful her grandfather stayed at her place.
“Sorry I missed you. I will be home in a couple days. I’m leaving right after the party. Talk to you soon.” Celia hung up the phone. She was ready to get back to normal life.
“I love you, these three words could change our lives forever, but for you, I will take that chance.”
Unknown
29
The flowers turned out exactly the way Celia envisioned them, even without the old sketch book. She couldn’t believe her eyes. All the different shades of red and pink colored roses came together with the greenery. The chandeliers were an immaculate base to the ball of roses tightly woven together. She heard whispers of how creative she was for using a base for flowers.
Everyone wanted to know who the florist was. Being Celia, she only walked around and smiled. Never taking the credit.
The tree branch stands she used had a silent look. Celia added just the right amount of twinkling Christmas lights up the stems and throughout the tight roses she placed on the ends of each limb. Some people examined the trees to see how she got the balls to stay and not cause the branches to fall over from them being too heavy.
Her favorite centerpiece was the one she came up with the night before when Don took her out at midnight. She wished she could blame the inspiration on Don, but in truth the inspiration came from eating in Sam’s garden.
The two-foot glass vases were filled with water. The bottom three inches of the vase was taken up with green marbles. She immersed the heads of ten white roses in the water starting with the tight rose ball at the top of the vase. To accent the vase, she loosely wrapped a pink ribbon spiraling to the top.
All the tables were dressed with a crisp white cloth and the chairs were dressed with pink dresses. The caterers used the most gorgeous china Celia has ever seen. A true French architectural beauty with scrolling and fluting designs went perfect with the romance of the centerpieces.
The night was supposed to be the magical ending of the film. It was being pumped up as the best wrap party of the year and if you received an invitation, you were crème de la crème in the business.
Celia was star struck with all the famous guests. Not only were there actors, there were talk show hosts and political officials.
“What do you think?” Don walked up behind Celia with his hot breath raining down in her ear. “Pretty amazing.”
Celia turned around to find Eli and Marty standing next to him.
“I thought you might want your family here to celebrate in your success.” This was the most thoughtful thing Don has done since she had met him.
Celia grabbed the two of them around the neck.
“Hold on little girl.” Eli choked. “I’m an old man with limited air supply.”
“I missed you, old man, and you too, Dad.” Celia didn’t think her night could get any better. She missed them, but didn’t realize how much until she laid eyes on them.
“You look tired, Cee.” Marty held her out to get a good look.
“Thanks.” Celia said a little sarcastically. “I have been working a little bit.”
“You’ve done a fabulous job. Isn’t that right, Marty and Eli?” Don smiled at them.
Celia noticed her father and grandfather looked strangely at Don. She could tell they weren’t sure about him.
“Let me show you your table.” Don motioned for them to follow him.
Everyone did as he asked. Marty and Eli were just as star struck as Celia. They were shocked with their table being up front and center. Don introduced them to a couple of well known news anchors and legendary screen actress. They all told Celia they loved her designs and would like a business card.
Celia blushed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t bring any.”
Eli pulled out his wallet. “Yes, I am a proud grandfather.” He distributed a couple of The Ladybug Florist business cards Celia had made up herself at the Wal-Mart photo department in Lexington.
A little embarrassed. “Oh, please don’t pay attention to those.” Celia couldn’t believe her grandfather had done that.
“You will get a lot of calls young lady.” The actress put the card in her purse.
Celia thanked her quietly when her eye was caught by Sam and Corin coming in, applause broke out. Everyone took their seat and the room hushed.
After checking her nameplate one more time, Celia took a seat next to her father as soon as Sam started his welcome speech. Celia watched him turn into the actor she only saw on screen.
The crowd was in awe of him. Everyone’s eyes were focused and hanging on every word leaving his lips. Celia tried to look away when he focused on her, but she was unable to break the force between them. She too was star struck. What they shared seemed like a million years ago.
“I would also like to thank Celia Briggs coming all the way from Grandberry Falls, Kentucky. She is the owner of The Ladybug Florist who designed all the centerpieces and flowers here tonight.” He gestured towards Celia’s table as the applause erupted throughout the party. “Celia, can you please stand up? The people in the back can’t see your lovely face.”
She shot him a look of death. He of all people knew how sensitive she was. She stood because it was the proper thing to do. Everyone looking at her, she focused on Marty and Eli. She knew she was safe in their care.
She spent most of the night accepting people’s kind words and giving her name and number out to anyone who asked. By night’s end, she had lost her voice. She wandered into the bathroom. Corin was there applying her lipstick.
“Fine job, Celia.” Corin slowly rolled down the neck of the lipstick tube. “I’m assuming you won’t be staying in Los Angeles.”
“I was going to stay an extra couple days, but I have decided to leave tomorrow.” Celia locked the bathroom door behind her.
Since her father and grandfather had shown up, she decided to change her plane ticket to tomorrow instead of tonight. She had steered clear of Corin all night and of all places to run into her.
“That’s good. You don’t fit here anyways.” Corin’s words sliced through Celia.
She stood quietly in the stall. She heard the door click when Corin left. Celia sat down on the seat trying not to cry. With her head cradled in her hands and tears coming down her face, Celia believed Corin was right. She didn’t fit in here. Her work did, but she didn’t. The quicker she could get out of there the better.
Celia dried her eyes. She looked in the mirror, brushed her long hair behind her shoulders and pinched her cheeks
for color. She would exit the party with the same dignity her flowers gave. It was time for her to leave.
“There you are.” Don found Celia by the coat check. His dimples grew. “I thought we could go out on the town for a while and celebrate.”
*
“No, she will be going home with us.” Eli, Marty and Sam came up behind them.
“I think Celia’s a big girl, she can make her own decisions.” Don was almost chest to chest with Sam.
Sam had been here so many times before. He knew Don had not told Celia the truth.
“So you didn’t tell her.” Sam didn’t back down. It was here and now for him to tell Celia the truth.
“You wouldn’t ruin her big moment.” One side of Don’s smile tilted up. Sam wanted to punch that smug look off his face.
“It won’t ruin her moment. She’ll always have her moment plus many more. Only you won’t be in it.”
Celia looked between the two men. She had no clue what they were arguing about.
“Don’s right.” Celia placed her arm in the crock of Don’s elbow. “I’m a big girl.”
“Cee, you are going back to the hotel with us.” Eli moved near her.
“It’s my job to take care of Celia in this town.” Sam stopped Eli. “I told you I would take care of her, so please with no disrespect, let me finish what I promised you.”
Sam was glad to see Eli and Marty step away from the three of them.
“This is ridiculous.” Don rolled his eyes. “Let’s go, Celia darling.”
Darling? Sam started to blow.
“Celia, wait.” The sight of her next to Don made Sam sick to his stomach. “Don and Corin had your sketch book the entire time.”
Celia stopped dead in her tracks. He could see her emotions started to rise.
“When you saw Corin and I out to dinner, it was planned for you and Don to be there. Don and Corin had planned the exact moment he would kiss you. They knew it would drive me crazy and I would run off and do something stupid, like sleep with Corin.”
Celia listened to every word. She dropped her arms from Don.