by Scott, Lisa
“I’m sorry. I’m not an actor.”
“Well, I am. Follow my lead.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, then gently cupped her chin and bent down to gently kiss her. His lips were soft, his fingers were warm, he was gorgeous…but she felt nothing.
“Kiss me back,” he whispered.
“Oh, sorry.” She pressed her lips against his.
“Am I going to have to give you kissing lessons?” he asked..
“Hey! Usually I’m a real good kisser—when I’m interested.”
“Then pretend I’m someone you are interested in. Say, the police chief?”
She poked him in his rock hard abs. “No talking about the chief. That’s a long story. Give me another shot here.” She closed her eyes and laced her hands around his neck. And pictured Tommy.
Josh eventually pulled away from the kiss. “I guess you found your motivation.” He smirked. “Anything else on your call sheet today?”
“Nope, I’m done shooting. How about you?”
“Me, too. So that’s why I think we should go out to dinner tonight. It’ll add to the believability of us as a couple and hopefully give reason for the producers to follow our storyline. Hey, maybe someone will even tip them off that we’re on a date and get us on camera.”
“All right then. Take your pick—Scalia’s or the Jelly Jar.”
“Let’s hit Scalia’s.”
***
Tommy drove back to Ellen’s place, his grubby fingers gripping the wheel. Tonya had told him that guy wasn’t her boyfriend, yet she walked out of the park with him hand in hand and kissed him. Tommy knew he had no right to be jealous, but he was. Which was ridiculous. She was on a dating show. Of course she’d be dating.
“Daddy, do you think our tree will live?” Jane asked.
“Sure do, Pumpkin.”
“Who was that lady you were helping?” she asked.
Tommy squirmed in his seat. “That was Tonya. We were…good friends when you were little.”
“And she’s on the dating show? How fun.” Jane bounced in her seat.
Yeah, real fun. Tommy pulled into Ellen’s driveway and noticed a powder puff blue Cadillac. His ex-mother-in-law, Lorraine, was sitting in the front seat.
“Grandma’s here!” Jane cried.
Ellen patted Tommy’s knee. “Try to get along with her.”
He frowned. “Make sure you tell her the same thing.”
Jane hobbled over on her crutches to meet her grandma, who was holding a stack of wrapped presents.
What was worse—the prospect of spending six weeks watching Tonya look for a date, or spending six weeks living with the woman who despised him for breaking her daughter’s heart?
“Good thing you’re working so many extra hours,” Ellen said. “You won’t be around much.” She slipped out of the car and went over to hug her mother.
Tommy sighed and slammed the car door behind him.
A soft blue coat that matched the color of her car hung off Lorraine’s shoulders. Her honey-blond hair was perfectly coiffed into a tight bun on top of her head. She hugged Ellen and Jane, but her smile fell when she looked at Tommy. “So, Ellen wasn’t playing a joke on me when she said you’d be staying here, too.”
“That’s right. I’m the only one who can carry Jane up and down the stairs these days, so you’re stuck with me.”
“Indeed.” The corners of her mouth turned down into a frown. “Although I suppose it’s nice to see you supporting your family like you should be.”
He clamped his mouth shut before he said something mean.
“Would you make yourself useful and bring in my luggage?” she asked, pressing a button on her key fob to open her trunk.
“Of course.”
They walked into the house while he grumbled to himself. Would he rather endure an extra month of filming or a month with his mother-in-law? He wasn’t sure.
It took him two trips to carry in Lorraine’s luggage. He put her things in the guest room and moved his things down to the living room. He’d be sleeping on the pullout couch. It’s not forever, he reminded himself. It’ll only feel that way.
He joined everyone in the family room where Ellen was explaining Tommy’s plans to add a bathroom.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Lorraine said. “It’s ridiculous to only have the one bathroom in this house. It’s about time you took proper care of your family.”
Tommy bit his tongue.
“Mother, Tommy holds up his end of the bargain,” Ellen said.
Lorraine rolled her eyes and was about to say something else when Ellen hissed, “Mother, please.”
Tommy stood. “I’ve got to draw up a supply list for the bathroom. If you’ll excuse me…” He headed for the dining room.
Lorraine called behind him, “I’m taking you all to Scalia’s for dinner at six.”
He’d rather buy Scalia’s takeout and go on a picnic, like he did with Tonya on their first date. He’d probably never have the chance to do that again.
***
Tommy walked behind Jane as she navigated her way through the restaurant on her crutches. Lorraine had made reservations, so they were seated right away. The smell of garlic and tomato sauce filled his nose, and he resolved to have an enjoyable evening despite the company.
Tommy was pulling out a chair for Jane when she pointed and said, “Look, Daddy, it’s your friend, Tonya, and that guy she planted a tree with.”
Tommy froze and followed Jane’s finger to Tonya and Josh, who were cozied up together in a booth.
“Tommy’s friend?” Lorraine asked.
Ellen was silent for a moment. “They used to date.”
Jane’s eyes bulged. “You did?”
“A couple years back.” He sat next to Jane and squeezed her shoulder.
“Do you still like her?” Jane asked, her smile falling.
Lorraine smoothed her napkin over her beige pantsuit. “Yes, that’s a good question, especially given the look on your face right now, Thomas.”
“The look on my face is due to people poking into my private life when they have no right to,” Tommy said.
Ellen gritted her teeth. “Mother, you promised you wouldn’t cause trouble.”
“I’m not causing trouble. I just like to know what my ex-son-in-law is up to, especially since he’s moved back in with you.”
“He didn’t move back in with me. He’s helping Jane. I told you that.”
“Let’s try to have a pleasant evening,” Tommy said. Although that was impossible. Not only because he was sharing a table with a person who hated him, but because now he knew for sure that Tonya didn’t love him. When he’d seen her and Josh leave the tree planting event earlier that day hand-in-hand, he’d hoped it was just an act for the cameras. The kiss, too. But there were no cameras here tonight. She may not have been thrilled about being on the show at first, but it sure seemed like she was warming up to the idea now.
Tonya looked over and her smile fell when she saw Tommy. He snapped open his menu so he didn’t have to look at her. Normally, he loved eating at this place, but nothing would taste good tonight.
Chapter 9
After dinner, Josh walked Tonya home. She shivered in the cool night air and he put his arm around her. “I noticed the police chief there tonight. Is he married?” Josh asked.
“No. That was his ex-wife and their daughter. I’m guessing that was her mother with them, because his mother passed away.”
“What’s the deal with you two?” he asked.
“We dated. Then he called out his ex-girlfriend’s name in bed—my best friend, Kate.”
“Teague’s wife?”
“Yep. Then a few years later he proposed to her when he thought Teague had dumped her. Hard to believe we’re all still friends, but that’s small town life for you. Recently, we’d been hooking up for fun, no strings. We both agreed anything more wouldn’t work. But…”
“Sounds like a big but.”
“Bigger than mine,” Tonya joked.
“You have an amazing bum. People will be getting implants to look like you,” he told her. “You could be famous for that rear.”
She bumped him with her hip. “Shut it. I didn’t join the show to be famous.”
“Why did you join?” he asked, laughing.
She threw up her hands. She wasn’t going to tell him about the coin flip. “Vinny said being on the show would help me sell my bumper stickers.”
“Bumper stickers?” Josh asked.
“Yeah, come take a look.” Tonya brought Josh to her shop and showed him her collection.
Josh took his time walking around her shop, reading her different creations. “These are great! ‘Love ‘em, then Heave ‘em.’” Josh laughed.
“Take a few,” Tonya said.
He looked over her selection, chuckling and grinning. “Is this really how you feel about love?”
“It’s easier than falling for the idea of love, especially when you can’t find it.” She scooped up the call sheet that had been slipped under her door and sat in her cutting chair. She stared past the mirror and out the window. “Love of all shapes and sizes has got some sort of beef with me. My mama got pregnant when she was a teenager—and so did her sister, right around the same time. When me and my cousin, Inez, were born, they left us with my nonna, who raised us. They moved to Vegas, I guess. The family shunned her after that. I’ve never met my mother. I have no idea who my father is. Somehow, that me made into a magnet for losers. Except Tommy. But, that relationship wasn’t meant to be.”
A full moon hung in the sky, and crickets sounded outside her window. Their lonely chirps always made her sad.
He walked over and stood next to her. “That’s tough. I’m so sorry.”
“What about you? Any true loves in your life?” she asked.
“No, I’ve never let anyone get too close. Why bother when I couldn’t be open about it? Besides, I’ve been busy building my career.”
“Why did your grandparents raise you?” she asked.
“My parents died in a car crash when I was seven.”
Her voice softened. “That’s awful.”
He shrugged. “Yeah, but you know, everybody’s got something.”
“It’s true. But it’s easier to get through that something when you have someone.” She twisted her lips. “There’s a bumper sticker in there somewhere.” She jumped out of the chair, grabbed a pad and pen from the counter, and jotted down the idea.
“Why not let Tommy know how you feel?” he asked.
“He’s staying with his daughter while her broken leg heals. I have a hunch he might end up getting back together with his ex-wife.”
“All the more reason to tell him before he does.”
Tonya shook her head. “As a kid who grew up with neither of her parents, I will not stand in the way of a family reuniting. And if that happens, so be it. If true love’s meant to be between the two of us, it’ll happen.”
“I don’t know if I believe that. Sometimes you have to grab what you want.”
“I’m not chasing a man who may or may not want me. That’s not my idea of love.”
He grabbed one of her hands. “Love doesn’t always blossom the same way, Tonya. You have to either accept the love you find, or accept love that finds you. It’s rare and wonderful and not to be wasted.”
She sucked in a breath. “Wow, that was nice.”
He shrugged. “It was from some show I was on.”
She playfully slugged his arm.
“You can’t tell him you love him right now, though.”
“Why not?” she asked.
“We’ve got a good fake thing going on here. We don’t want to mess it up. When it’s all over, he’ll understand.”
If he’s not back with Ellen, she thought. “I know, you’re right.”
“What’s on your call sheet?” he asked.
She read it over. “They’re not shooting at my salon tomorrow, so that’s a nice break. They want me at lunch with the date of my choice at the Jelly Jar at noon.”
“I’ll be there.”
***
Heads turned when the two of them walked in together. Whispers buzzed in the air like a swarm of bees had descended. Pansy Parker stood up from her booth to get a better look, while Edna came right over. “You two are a couple?”
“We’re on a date,” Tonya said.
Then GiGi walked in with Roy, who gave Tonya a thumbs-up and a wink. Tara O’Hara waltzed in with a guy Tonya didn’t recognize. Marge followed with the fire chief on her arm.
“Looks like we’re not the only ones hooking up early,” Tonya whispered to Josh.
“A hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money to split,” Josh said. “Everyone’s gaming to win it.” He grabbed Tonya’s hand.
Tara seemed to take note of the hand holding and sat on her guy’s lap. Marge narrowed her eyes and pressed the fire chief into the back of the booth and kissed him. Muffled sounds came from him.
“Think he’s all right?” Josh asked.
“He’s getting enough air to make noise, so I think he’s going to make it,” Tonya said.
“Looks like the game is on,” Josh said.
Tonya squared her shoulders. “I could use that money. Think we can be convincing enough?”
“Since you cringe every time I kiss you, I think we’ll need to lay the romance on thick. I can come up with loads of pretty words. Can you flutter your eyelashes and blush a lot?”
“Without puking?” She twisted her lips. “We’ll have to see.”
“It’s going to be a long week, isn’t it?” Josh asked.
Tonya took a long sip of her sweet tea. “Most definitely”
***
The production company sent a limo to pick up Tonya to take her to the park so she could watch the show premiere. A giant screen had been set up for a mass town viewing of the first episode. At least she could wear what she wanted, which was jeans and a v-neck t-shirt. Nice and casual, since they’d be sitting on blankets spread across the grass.
When the limo pulled up, she saw Jeanne and Kate on the sidewalk and they hurried over. “Are you nervous?” Kate asked.
“I brought a bag with me in case I throw up, so yeah, a little,” Tonya said. She’d tried to recall all the embarrassing things she’d said or done that would be broadcast on the screen that night. At one point hadn’t she said something about wanting to date many, many men?
Jeanne rubbed her arm. “It’ll be fine. You want to sit with us?”
Tonya bit her lip. “I’m watching it with Josh. They want the cast to watch it together or with their…dates.”
Jeanne and Kate looked at each other.
“He’s good looking,” Jeanne said.
“Teague says he’s a real nice guy,” Kate told her.
Tonya wanted to tell them it was all a farce, but Josh said they couldn’t let it get out that they were just faking—not even to their closest friends. Something like that made it to the tabloids real fast. Tonya smiled. “Yeah, he is.”
Kate nudged her with an elbow. “Told you this was a good idea.”
“Yes, you did,” Tonya said, holding her smile in place. She spotted Josh. “There he is. I’ll see you guys at the after party.”
Her friends didn’t move. “We want to meet him,” Jeanne demanded.
Tonya waved him over. Josh arrived, snaking an arm around her waist and kissing her cheek. Tonya felt herself stiffen.
“Relax,” he whispered in her ear. “We’re crazy about each other, remember?”
She smiled and nodded. “Josh, I want you to meet my best friends, Jeanne and Kate.”
Josh shook their hands. “Kate, you’re married to Teague, right?”
Kate nodded.
“And Jeanne, you’re the one responsible for the five pounds I’ve gained since I’ve been here. Anyway to make a lo-cal pecan pie?”
She giggled. “Not one that’ll taste good.”
Everyone laughed, then Jeanne and Kate stood there staring at him. Josh set his hand on Tonya’s shoulder.
She scooted away from his embrace, still not used to all this PDA. “We’re going to sit down,” Tonya said. “We’re supposed to watch this with the other contestants. See you later at The Hideaway.”
“Okay,” Jeanne and Kate said at the same time, like they were smitten teens.
Josh tucked his arm through hers and they strolled off. “You make it seem like I’ve got a gun against your back,” he said.
“Sorry,” she said. “They’re my best friends, and it’s really hard to pull off this lie in front of them.”
They walked along the sidewalk and Tonya froze when she saw Tommy.
“Now what?” Josh asked. He followed her gaze. “Oh. Remember, you can tell him the truth in a few weeks. But for now, we’re falling in love.” Josh squeezed her arm and she forced a smile as they approached Tommy.
“Hey,” Tonya said, unlocking her arm from Josh’s.
“Evening,” Tommy said with a nod. “Big turnout tonight. I’m clocking eighty-hours this week because of this show.”
It was hard to look in his soft blue eyes, so Tonya gazed off toward the movie screen. “Hopefully it hasn’t been too bad for you.”
He said nothing for a moment. “If you mean the increased work load, no. Just a lot of traffic details, more patrols, some trespassing arrests.”
They stared at each other until Josh said, “We’ve got to find our seats.”
“Of course,” Tommy said. “Enjoy.”
“You too,” Tonya said. She swore she heard him grunt.
Josh grabbed Tonya’s hand and led her to the area sectioned off with red velvet ropes near the front of the screen. Blankets were spread on the grass, and they sat down on one , while a waiter brought them plastic flutes of champagne.
The bottom fell off hers. “This is red carpet Willowdale style,” Tonya joked.
The sun was slipping from the sky in a watercolor scene of pink and orange, like someone arranged for the evening to be as romantic as possible. The mayor stood and welcomed the crowd. Tonya’s heart rate kicked up. This show was being broadcast across the country. Would it bring her ex, Marcus, back to town? He’d shown up once before in an attempt to convince her to return to New York City. Or would Cousin Inez come here looking for a few minutes of fame? Panic coursed through her as she realized how cavalier she’d been in deciding to put her life on display for the world to see.