by Scott, Lisa
“Dinner’s ready,” Ellen called from the dining room.
Jane looked up at him, probably waiting for a promise he couldn’t keep.
“Let’s go eat. I’ve gained ten pounds since I’ve been staying with you guys,” he told Jane.
“Mommy’s a good cook,” Jane said, heading for the dining room while wiping away tears. “Another good reason to stay.”
Lorraine came into the family room and stopped Tommy. “You’re running out of time to do the right thing here, Thomas. I heard you talking to Jane. Are you going to break that little girl’s heart?”
Tommy gritted his teeth. “Lorraine, you don’t even like me. Why would you want me with your daughter?”
“The only reason I don’t like you is because you decided you could walk away.”
“I did no such thing. She ended things.”
“You should have fought for her back then. You know what you should do now. The question is, will you do it? Or will you screw things up again?” She stared at him for a moment, then headed for the dining room. He should have been fuming, but his heart hurt too much to let any anger well up inside him. Was there anyone who wasn’t disappointed in him?
***
Tommy had the next morning off because he had to work the night shift. No one would switch shifts with him, so he was forced to endure another evening of “party in the park.” This meant seeing Tonya and Josh on the big screen for week four. They’d probably be in the crowd, too. The only positive part of working nights was the free time he had during the day for building the bathroom, which was coming together, slowly but surely.
When he arrived at the office, Dolly flew out of her seat and threw her arms around him.
“What the devil?” he said, struggling to free himself from her embrace. “Did you raid a tray of pastries that was supposed to be delivered to me?”
“No, you kind, kind man. I heard what you’re doing.” She sniffed, patting under her eyes.
“What am I doing?” Had he given her the day off and forgotten about it?
She looked around and lowered her voice. “Getting back together with Ellen.”
“What?” he bellowed.
She stepped back. “Yes.”
“Where did you hear that?”
She bit her lip. “Folks were talking about it at the Jelly Jar at lunch.”
He pressed his eyes shut. “Then please go there for dinner and tell folks they’re wrong. I’m living there while Jane’s in her cast, and I’ll be moving out when it comes off. And that’s all I’m doing. Oh, and building a bathroom, too. But Ellen and I aren’t getting back together.”
Dolly sighed and sat down. “Now, that’s disappointing. You sure?”
He shook his head and went into his office. He had a very good idea how this rumor had started. He and Lorraine would be having a long talk later.
***
Tommy got to the park an hour before the show started. People were already claiming spots on the lawn. He had to bust a few folks for open containers, but for the most part the crowd was orderly. He walked the perimeter of the park and noted that more than half the willows that had been planted weeks earlier were already dropping their leaves. He was pleased to see the one he’d planted with Jane and Ellen was still alive. So was the one Tonya and Josh put in.
Probably because I dug the damn hole, he thought.
By the time he’d lapped the park twice, the show was ready to start. He stood in back so he could monitor the crowd. Of course that meant he had no choice but to witness another episode of the show right in front of him.
The contestants and their dates were seated up front, sectioned off by the red velvet rope. Teague appeared on screen explaining that this week’s episode would be filled with surprise visits from the contestants’ pasts.
Tommy thought of Tonya. He wondered what her mother had told her.
He watched plenty of exes and estranged relatives give love advice to the contestants. A few people demanded their loved one dump the person they were dating. Plenty of tears were shed. Even people in the crowd were sniffling and passing out tissues.
Mariana Garcia appeared on screen with Kate’s stepfather. “I could get used to a place like this,” she told George.
“I could get used to you being here.” He put an arm around her.
Tommy sucked in a breath. Damn, Tonya’s got to be angry. The scene cut to a shot of Kate telling her stepfather to go after someone his own age for once.
“Kate, I think I could be falling in love with Mariana,” George said. “There was an instant connection.”
Next, Josh’s grandmother appeared, and she sounded like she supported his relationship with Tonya, telling him to follow his heart. Tommy chuckled, remembering Tonya complaining about getting similar advice from him.
Then they showed Tonya and her mother. His heart fell when he saw Tonya’s hurt and confused face. He couldn’t imagine how hard that meeting must’ve been.
“You should marry him,” her mother said.
Tonya smiled. “That’s a great idea.”
The crowd whistled and cheered while Tommy’s throat tightened. No wonder she was mad at him for telling her he wanted another chance. She was thinking wedding bells with this guy already. He’d been so stupid to think their relationship wasn’t something serious. Why wouldn’t Tonya want to be with a rich, handsome movie star?
Tommy avoided Tonya the rest of the evening. Looked like she had made her choice. And he didn’t have it in him to offer his congratulations.
***
Josh gripped Tonya’s arm as they left the screening. “You need to calm down,” he shouted as he hurried to keep up with her.
She’d taken off her shoes, and the grass was wet and dewy as she tore a path out of the park. “Everyone thinks I want to marry you! How can the producers do that?” She was nearly breathless. “That’s not what I said at all! I was being sarcastic. They cut out the part where I said no way.”
“Ego crusher,” he said.
“I didn’t even know they had cameras in the room. They were hidden in the bathroom.” Her chest was heaving. “What are we going to do?”
He shrugged. “We could pretend we’re going to get married. Win that money.”
“That’s so deceitful.” She shivered in the night air.
Josh ran his hand through his hair. “The producers want a happy ending to the show. They won’t care what we do after.”
Tonya crossed her arms, not believing what he was suggesting. “And what about the discussion you and your grandmother had? You’re still willing to hide who you are?”
“For this show, yes. When it’s over, I’ll figure out my next step. But now, I think we give them what they want. They want to see us together. Then we split the money and see where life takes us. There’s not much left for you here, is there?”
Tonya bit her lip thinking. What did she have here? A salon that needed a bunch of repairs she could now afford thanks to the bumper sticker sales. An ex she wasn’t sure she ever wanted to see again. Is this where she wanted to end up?
A bunch of gals from the Residential Center crowded around her, interrupting her thoughts. “You two are adorable,” Edna said.
“We were hoping Marge would find true love, but she’s just looking for a good time,” said Pansy.
“And she’s finding it,” Dot added.
“But this is such good news for you, especially now that the chief is getting back together with Ellen,” Edna said. “I heard that earlier today.”
“They’re going to get married again,” Pansy said. “Imagine that, after all this time.”
Tonya’s heart started pounding like mad, and her stomach felt queasy. She shook her head. “He’s just living there to help with his daughter. She broke her leg.”
“I know, but then somehow it turned into more and he realized he wanted to get back together with her,” Edna explained.
“It’s for the best,” Pansy said.
/> Shit. Maybe once Tonya had told him she didn’t want him back, it cleared the way for him to be with Ellen. She stomped her foot. Her damn pride always got the best of her.
Josh gripped her arm again, and she was grateful for his support. She might’ve slumped to the ground without it.
She forced a smile. “I wish them the best.”
“Maybe you can make it a double wedding,” Edna suggested.
“Let’s go, honey,” Josh said, pulling her out of the crowd.
Kate and Jeanne ran up to her. “Was what we just saw for real?” Kate asked.
“Tommy’s back with Ellen,” Tonya said, voice cracking.
Jeanne’s hand flew to cover her mouth. “Shut up.”
“You guys warned me,” Tonya said.
“Let me talk to him,” Kate said.
“No! Let it be. He’s got to do what he’s got to do. And so do I.”
But what that was, she wasn’t sure.
***
Once she and Josh were back at her place, she flopped on her bed, wishing she could stay there forever.
“Not tonight, honey, I have a headache,” Josh teased.
“I’d kill you right now if I wasn’t feeling so awful.”
Josh sat next to her. “I was right. You do need to get out of this town. Tommy’s back with his ex, and your mother’s setting her sights on George.”
She groaned. “I forgot about that part. She told me she was going to stay a while, but I didn’t know she was going to look for someone to shack up with. Maybe I should tell her he went after me a few weeks ago. Then again, it probably wouldn’t deter her.”
“I wouldn’t want to be here if I were you. I say we take this to the end. Then, when the show’s over, I’ll break up with you and come out.”
She sat up. “So I’m going to be the one who made you realize you didn’t want to be with women? Not humiliating at all.”
“No. The story’s going to be that I care about you so much I can’t keep living this lie. And it gives a good excuse for our breakup. I bet you could land your own reality show—looking for love a second time. Devastated and Dating? We could talk to Vinny about it.”
It wasn’t what she wanted. But she didn’t want to be here, either.
“Do one show, then set yourself up as a celebrity hair stylist. You’d have the cash and the clout to establish a very successful salon.”
That got her interest. The one thing in her life she truly loved was being a hair stylist. She certainly didn’t want to do that here anymore. Yet, she didn’t want to go back to New York, either. “All right. Let’s pitch it to Vinny.”
***
Vinny laced his hands behind his head as he sat in his trailer outside the O’Hara mansion. “I knew this wasn’t the real deal with you two.”
“What do you think? Could you hook Tonya up with a show?” Josh asked.
“Without a doubt. And what about you?” Vinny asked Josh. “You want a show?”
“We’ll see once we gauge reaction to my coming out.”
“Very well, we can set up the next few shows to feature you two. You don’t have a lot of competition. Marisa and that cop are still cozy, and we’ve set it up so the McClacken twins are fighting over that cute blond. Of course, George and your mother are trying to make a fast connection, Tonya. But no one else has as compelling a story as you two. You two have a good shot at being the audience’s pick as winners.”
“Can you run my mama out of town?” Tonya asked. “You must know how I feel about her.”
Vinny pressed his lips together. “No can do. It’s an interesting twist to the show. Social media’s buzzing about it.”
“So, it’s settled,” Josh said. “You and I are going all the way with this.”
Tonya nodded. She’d have to add a line to her “What to do with fifty thousand dollars” list: leave town for good.
Chapter 14
Tommy was up with the sun again, sitting at the kitchen table waiting for Lorraine to come down to breakfast. She was usually up before Jane and Ellen. She wandered into the kitchen in a long, purple velvet robe and looked startled to see him.
“What have you been telling people around town?” he asked.
Her eyes widened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He grunted. “Right. My secretary says she heard a rumor that I’m getting back together with Ellen. And I can think of only one person they’d get that idea from.”
Lorraine shook her head. “Heavens, no. I only said you were considering it. You know how things get blown out of proportion in a town like this. I might have said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if you two got married again?’ And I might have said you should, but I didn’t say you were. However, if you want to do that right thing, you’ll marry my daughter again.” She raised her eyebrows. “Especially now that everyone thinks you will. What would they say if they heard you were dumping poor Ellen again?”
They’d hate him. And they’d pity Ellen. He wanted neither of those things to happen. But it wasn’t reason to marry her again. “Ellen never wanted to settle for someone who didn’t love her. Sure, I could move back in, play house. I imagine we’d get on fine. But she deserves more than that. She might even think it’s a good idea at first, but it would fall apart all over again.”
Lorraine pressed her lips together. “You could learn to love her.”
“I love someone else.” Even though she doesn’t want me.
“And look how well that’s working for you.” Lorraine stood and left the room.
Tommy massaged his temples.
“My mother told people we’re getting back together?” Ellen said from the doorway.
Tommy sat up straight in his chair. “You heard all that?”
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I was coming down the stairs.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean for you to know. She’s been pestering me to get back together with you so we could make the family whole.”
Ellen looked down, kneading her hands. “I’m sorry. This is my fault. I’d mentioned how nice it’d been having you here, building the bathroom, helping with Jane, and that set her off on how you should be back here for good. I didn’t know she’d been talking to you about it. Or other people for that matter.”
“It’s not your fault.”
She looked up at him with wide, sad eyes. “But you should know the truth. If you loved me, I’d take you back in a minute.”
“Ellen….”
She held up a hand. “I know. I know you don’t feel that way about me and never have. It’s tempting to think, ‘wouldn’t it be nice to be a family again for Jane?’ But you’re right, what you said. I do deserve better. I want a man to look at me with the same desire in his eyes you have when you look at Tonya.”
His jaw dropped. “Pardon?”
“Tommy, everyone knows how you feel about her just from looking at the two of you together. I’d say she feels the same. Why the two of you haven’t done something about it is beyond me.”
He snorted. “She certainly doesn’t feel that way, or she wouldn’t have joined that dang show. You saw it last night. She wants to marry that guy.”
“But she’s not married yet. You need to tell her how you feel.”
“I tried that. Just last week I told her I wanted another chance with her. She said I only told her that because she was with another man. If I come after her again now that she’s talking marriage…” He shook his head. “I’m not going to break that up if that’s what she wants.”
“Then you could be a very sorry man,” Ellen said. She gave him a good hard look, then left the room.
I already am, he thought.
***
Tonya and Josh were holed up in his room working on scripts. “Do you think I should propose to you? Seal the deal? Show people anyone really can find love anywhere?”
She frowned. “You need a ring.”
“I’ll get a cubic zirconium.”
She threw a pillo
w at him.
“Hey, you’re going to give it back anyway…aren’t you?”
“Yes, I just don’t think I can go that far with the deception.” It was tempting though, now that she knew Tommy was going to remarry Ellen. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much if people thought she had a proposal on the table, too. But it felt dirty and wrong, like they were taking the deception one step too far. “What if one of the contestants really did find love and they don’t win because we’re real good at faking it?”
“Right, because Marge is in love with Mack or Roy or whoever she’s chasing this week. No one else has found the real thing on this show. People want drama, Tonya. Me proposing to you would be very dramatic, and it would get a lot of people believing in love.”
“Even though we’re not in love.” She blew out a breath, hardly believing she was saying this. “Fine. Propose to me.”
“Excellent! And you don’t even have to worry about what to say. I’ll script it all out.”
“Can’t I just say yes?”
He laughed, scribbling a few notes. “People want to hear more than that. They want the romance and drama. Do you think you could convincingly say ‘Josh, my world went from black and white to hues of Technicolor now that you’re in it?’
”She laughed. “I think we should stick with me looking at you adoringly.”
Josh faked a falsetto voice. “Josh, I love you so much I’m speechless around you. But yes, I’ll marry you.” He grinned. “How about that?”
“It’s an idea.”
“After that what do you want to say?”
She closed her eyes, and imagined what she’d say if it was a few weeks back and she had another chance to be honest with Tommy. “I know in my heart you’re the one for me. I feel beautiful when I’m with you. I feel funnier than I know I am. I feel more cherished than I deserve. I love you. I’ll marry you.” She nearly teared up picturing herself giving such an answer to a proposal from Tommy.
Josh whistled. “That’ll work. You should’ve been writing these scripts all along.” Little did he know she had some serious inspiration for that particular improvisation. “So we’ll hit Lookout Point later this week, I’ll try not to roll my eyes, and I’ll repeat all that nonsense I just spouted.”