“What is he talking about?” Chrissy asked Bill.
A flush painted his face then the lights flashed around them signaling for everyone to have a seat. Bill shrugged impishly then walked quickly to a seat next to James. Chrissy found a seat among some of the lower level managers and assistants.
James stood. “Welcome everyone. We have a lot to discuss today but I’d like to welcome everyone to the final planning session for the movie, Canon Love.” Chrissy winced at the name of the project. It was a terrible name for a movie.
James continued, “We are still waiting for our two stars but in the meantime let’s begin with—”
A crashing of the door followed by a giggle snapped everyone’s gaze to the door. Max and a blonde woman, the giggler, entered. They both looked guilty. Chrissy felt her cheeks flush then she snapped her gaze down to the notebook she held in a white-knuckle grip.
“Sorry, everyone. The elevator got stuck.” Max took a seat directly across the table from her. He was followed by the blonde.
“No problem, Max. I’m glad you and Dee Dee could make it. Now, let’s get back to business. Frank, do you want to take it away?” James motioned to the director.
Chrissy diligently took notes regarding each aspect of the upcoming project. However, she felt her mind continually wandering to the man in front of her. His words the last time they chatted caused her to clamp her legs tighter to ease the ache that built. Just when she thought she couldn’t take it any longer she got a nice dose of ice water. Max tensed then reached under the table. With his jaw clenched his eyes met hers as he lifted his hand from under the table holding Dee Dee’s hand. Forcibly he placed it on the table. She giggled again and leaned into him.
Chrissy forced herself to focus on the Director of Photography who had been speaking for more than half an hour. When she heard the infuriating giggle again, she mumbled, “Another fucking Barbie.”
“Excuse me?” The long-winded director pegged her with a glare.
Pretending she didn’t know who he was talking about she looked around to the people around her. There was no help from them. They scowled at her. Chrissy just shook her head. With a humph, the director went back to his one-man play-by-play of the movie. Bill and James looked at her quizzically. But it was Max’s knowing grin that had her wanting to throw something at his stupidly handsome face.
As the meeting started to wind down, Bill Mathewson began his wrap up of everything that was discussed. Chrissy didn’t need to take notes on that since she’d been the one to compile all of the information for him. But when he went off script at the end he looked straight at her.
“Last but not least I’d like you all to meet Top Dog’s representative for this project. This young lady has proven herself many times over in the last month. Chrissy Benson has been requested to be the representative on set. She will be responsible for sending back daily stat reports to our office and handle any minor decisions that do not require a CEO or COO. Chrissy, please stand.”
All eyes were on her. Except for one pair. Max made sure to look anywhere but her. With an awkward smile, Chrissy stood then gave a small wave. When she looked at the judging faces, she felt like she’d melt into the floor. Plopping back into her chair she went back to staring at her notebook on the table in front of her.
“Alright, everyone, one last thing. Those going down to Costa Rica, Chrissy will be contacting you regarding the flight information. If no one has questions, we can finally end this meeting. Have a great weekend.”
Chrissy had one question. How many different ways could she kill Max? He was playing with her internship like it was a damn game. Her blood boiled thinking about what he’d done. James and Bill were being manipulated by a master manipulator. She exited the room but leaned against the wall and waited for her target.
While she held up the wall waiting for Max, many of the people who heard the unexpected announcement gave her soft congratulations. It was an honor at Top Dog to get chosen to be the representative on site. It was rarely given to an intern. Her temper rose as she saw Max leave with Dee Dee who was content to hang all over him.
“Max! I’d like to speak with you.” Chrissy’s voice rose a little too loudly causing people to turn toward her.
“Dee Dee I need to speak with Chrissy. Go home and do whatever it is you do when you go home.” Max shrugged her off.
The giggler predictably giggled then in a squeaky voice said, “It’s ok, Maxy. I will wait for you so that you can escort me home.”
Chrissy rolled her eyes. It must have been too hard because she instantly got a headache.
“Dee Dee, go!” Max’s tone was very alpha male.
She giggled. “You’re so funny, Maxy. I will leave but I will be waiting for you to come over. K?”
Chrissy grimaced. She’d actually said K as if she were texting it. Dear Lord! She was perfect for his arrogant ass. Nothing upstairs, fake boobs and a non-existent waist.
“Let’s go over here.” Max took Chrissy’s arm and led her over to a smaller conference room and shut the door behind them.
Snatching her arm out of his grasp she spun on him. “You arrogant asshole!”
“What did I do?” he asked.
“You set this whole thing up. Me going to Costa Rica was your idea. Wasn’t it?”
Max shrugged like it was no big deal. Chrissy looked around the room searching for something heavy to throw at his smug face. When she couldn’t find something immediately, she felt frustrated. When a girl needed the spare throwing star or dagger there wasn’t one to be found. Even an overly sharp spork would work.
When she gave up her short search she said, “Why did you do it? Why are you setting me up?”
He furrowed his brow. “I’m not setting you up. Look it’s not like I called James or Bill telling them I wanted you on set. However, when James was praising you while I was in the meeting with the two of them, I just suggested that I thought you’d be a good asset for this project. They ran with it.”
“You knew damn well what you were doing. They took your suggestion as if it were a request not a suggestion.” She shoved him.
“What is your problem? This will elevate your career to new heights. No one else will be able to write this on their resume. Plus, you could come have some fun with me while we’re down there.” He smirked at her.
Her blood boiled. She turned away from him. Her hands flexed with tingles that would only be satisfied if she gave him a good throat punch. With a deep breath, she repeated a mantra in her head. Do not throat punch the movie star. Do not. Throat punch. The movie star. Do. Not. Throat. Punch. The. Movie. Star.
She turned around to his arrogant smile. The mantra completely lost to the red haze that blurred her vision. In just a matter of seconds, Chrissy slapped him then marched out of the conference room.
When the haze cleared, she saw Frank Stone grinning at her. “This is going to be great.”
He walked away whistling.
Chapter 17
Familiar Faces in New Places
The bar was crowded for a Wednesday. It was only her second time at Rory’s bar, Ceili. The crowd seemed more amped than usual. She made her way to the bar. Chrissy was meeting Jeremiah, Talia and Annie for a girl’s night out. Zeke was watching the kids with Terence which seemed awfully suspicious. She’d be asking Annie about that.
“Excuse me,” Chrissy said as she wedged herself into an empty spot at the bar.
The female bartender was running around like crazy. Her talent was illustrated with each twirl of the bottle and flip of the glass. A smile plastered on her face while men attempted to look down her blouse. Chrissy shook her head. She was glad she didn’t work in a job where she had to fend off men on a nightly basis.
“Can I get you something?”
Chrissy had been so lost in her thoughts she hadn’t realized the bartender had made her way down to her.
“Uh, yeah. A Malibu bay breeze please.”
The bartender smiled
and set about making her drink.
Setting a ten on the bar she waited for her drink. When the bartender looked at her again a bolt of recognition hit her. It was the same bartender she’d met in Grandin.
“Alyssa?”
The bartender halted mid twirl and looked at Chrissy as if she’d been caught.
“Yes?”
A smile crossed Chrissy’s face. “We met in Grandin, Georgia a little over a month ago.”
Her blonde head tilted, taking her in, then recognition lit her face. “The girl that got hit on by that married man then got rescued by that really cute guy.”
Chrissy chuckled. “That’s me. How in the world did you get all the way out here?”
Alyssa went back to making drinks for the increasingly grumpy patrons. “I have family out here. They don’t know I’m out here yet, but they will know soon enough. How about you?”
Chrissy told Alyssa her story as she slung drinks like the professional she was. When she was about finished with her tale a large hand gripped her shoulder. Taking her off guard, Chrissy stomped on the stranger’s foot, threw an elbow into his stomach then kneed him in the groin. She didn’t realize the self-defense classes she’d been taking had taken root. When Chrissy looked at Alyssa, she had a look of horror on her face. Spinning around she found a man on the ground who was definitely a stranger but the man behind him who was not a stranger was bent over laughing.
“That was the best thing I’ve ever seen. Thanks for that, Chrissy,” Rory said as he kneeled next to the guy lying prone on the ground.
“Who is this?” Chrissy asked.
The guy on the ground groaned out something that sounded like a name or a curse. She couldn’t tell which it was.
“Well?” Chrissy tapped her foot.
“Chrissy Benson meet my brother, Shannon. He is the one who owns this place.” Rory snorted a laugh again.
“Oh, my God! I am so sorry. I’ve been taking self-defense.”
“Looks like it’s working,” Shannon rasped out.
“I told you, bro. You shouldn’t go up to women like that. Hopefully you will learn now that one handed your ass to you on a silver platter.”
“Shut up, Rory. Don’t make me tell, ma.”
Rory rolled his eyes. “Alright, mama’s boy, go tell her if you must but I will tell her exactly what you did so I don’t think she’ll feel bad. In fact, I bet she’d get out her skillet and bash you over the head with it.” A wicked smile turned up Rory’s lips.
“Fine.” Shannon turned back to Chrissy. “What is your opinion about our new bartender, Chrissy? Is she a keeper?”
Alyssa glared at Shannon as she filled a row of shot glasses.
“I think if you don’t stop ogling your employee then you are gonna have to retrieve your balls from your throat again.”
Shannon backed away with his hands covering his jewels. “Stay away!”
Chrissy and Rory watched Shannon scurry through the crowd. They looked at each other and laughed. That was how Jeremiah and Talia found them.
“What is so funny?” Jeremiah asked as he pulled Chrissy into a hug.
“Oh, I just kicked Rory’s brother’s ass.”
“It was fantastic. I wish I’d have had a picture of it. It would have been a great Christmas card this year.” His phone dinged just as he finished talking. With a laugh he turned the phone for everyone to see a prone Shannon on the ground. He looked at Alyssa. “You made my day, Lyssa.”
Alyssa saluted him with a shot glass then went back to filling orders.
“I need to get back to work. It was good seeing you, Chrissy. Let’s do dinner soon.” Rory kissed her cheek.
“Sounds good.” Chrissy smiled as they all watched him walk away.
Jeremiah sighed. “Are you sure there isn’t anything there?”
“Nope. Sorry to burst your bubble.” Chrissy looked around. “Where is Annie?”
Talia pointed to a high-top table that Annie was waving from. “We had her save the table as we came to get drinks. Why don’t you and Jeremiah go over there, and I will get the first round? Do you want another?”
Chrissy nodded and linked her arms with Jeremiah. They bulldozed their way through the crowd. Annie sat awkwardly at the table. She kept glimpsing over her shoulder at a group of guys not far from them.
“What’s up?” Chrissy asked.
Annie leaned close enough so they could hear her without yelling. “Those guys over there keep coming over here trying to flirt me out of the table. It’s infuriating.”
Jeremiah furrowed his brow. “Are you sure they were after the table and not the sexy thing sitting at the table?”
Annie gave him the “Bitch, please” look then hopped off the stool. She pulled Chrissy into a hug. They hadn’t seen each other much thanks to their work schedules. Once in a while they passed each other dropping the kids off at camp.
“How have you been, sweetie?” Annie asked.
“I’ll tell everyone once Talia gets back.” Just as the last word left her mouth Talia stepped up to the table, drinks in hand.
Everyone thanked Talia then took seats around the table. After the first few sips everyone visibly relaxed and fixed their gazes on Chrissy. With a deep breath, she went into her dilemma. Jeremiah, Talia and Annie all gave appropriate responses as she went into detail about Max’s manipulation. By the end of the whole sordid story, she felt the weight of her indecision pressing down on her shoulders.
Jeremiah furrowed his brow. “So, your dilemma is going to an island, further your career and spend sexy times with a sexy movie star or not?”
Chrissy smacked him. “No, you idiot. My dilemma is that I can’t do any of this and it will destroy what I’ve built in such a short time.”
“You’re worried about Mariah,” Annie pointed out while taking a sip of her fruity drink.
“Thank you.” Chrissy smacked Jeremiah again while pointing to Annie. “She’s a mother. She understands.”
Annie raised her hand to stop her. “Oh, I didn’t say I understood. I just knew what you were worried about.”
“We can take care of Mariah while you are gone,” Talia said matter-of-factly.
“Sure. All of you are going to give up your time to take care of my kid?” Chrissy looked at Annie. “You have Tristan you need to worry about with his treatments.” She turned to Jeremiah. “Your lifestyle barely lets us live with you let alone take care of a child.” Lastly, she turned to Talia. “You and Zeke are too busy with your careers and sex-a-thons to care for my child.”
Talia shrugged. “We need all the practice we can get.”
Chrissy opened her mouth to say something but as her words sunk in the table grew quiet. Talia blinked at everyone as the realization of what she implied hit her. But it was her blush and her avoidance of eye contact that really drew their suspicions.
“What are you drinking?” Jeremiah asked reaching for Talia’s glass.
She pulled it away letting Chrissy snatch it out of her hand. Taking a sip of the cool liquid told her everything she needed to know. However, she’d ask her to let her tell everyone her secret.
“Why aren’t you drinking?” Chrissy asked.
Talia found great interest in her nails at that moment. “Didn’t feel like it.”
“We came to a bar, and you didn’t feel like drinking?” Annie asked.
“Bullshit. You are such a crap liar,” Jeremiah said.
Throwing her hands in the air, Talia said, “Fine, I will tell you, but you can’t say anything. Promise?” She looked everyone in the eye as they each drew fingers over their chests. “Well, we finally figured out why I’d been acting so weird. I’m about two months pregnant.”
A beat of silence then Annie and Chrissy screeched while Jeremiah did a manly version of a screech. Annie’s admirers made uncomfortable faces then walked up to the bar. The three of them surrounded Talia taking her into a group hug.
“I knew something was wrong with her,” Jeremiah said. �
�The way she and Zeke have been going at it they will probably have a litter.”
Talia pulled away from the hug. It was her turn to screech. “A litter? Have I gained that much weight already?”
Chrissy punched Jeremiah in the shoulder. “Idiot.” She looked at Talia. “You look great. You haven’t gained a pound and when you do it will be all baby.”
“That’s right,” Annie added.
“You two bitches are liars.” She sniffled holding back tears. “Thank you though.”
With a wink, Chrissy raised her glass. “To Talia being easy and to Zeke’s strong swimmers.”
“Strong swimmers!” Annie and Jeremiah said together.
Talia put her head in her hands. “I hate all of you.”
Slinging an arm around her, Chrissy said, “We hate you, too.”
While Annie and Jeremiah argued over Talia and Zeke’s not yet born twins or triplets, Talia said, “Now, you understand why it’s ok for you to go to Costa Rica. We are here to help you. We want you to be successful. Plus, if you leave Mariah with us then we can spoil her rotten.”
“She’s right, you know.” Jeremiah said. “You are going to go to Costa Rica. We will all take turns taking care of that angel.”
“I can keep her during the week and take her and Tristan to camp every day.” Annie took another sip of her drink.
“Jeremiah, Zeke and I will alternate weekends with her.”
Chrissy bit her lip to keep it from quivering. It didn’t help. Her eyes began to water. She was so undeserving of the people around her. “Thank you,” she said weakly.
Jeremiah clapped his hands together startling them all. “Alright, now that that is settled let’s get back to naming Talia’s litter of extremely gorgeous children.”
Chrissy let out a snort as she watched Talia swing and miss Jeremiah as he artfully sidestepped her punch.
Chapter 18
Tantrums and the Douches that Have Them
“I will be sure to talk to you every night. We can even FaceChat every night if you want. I know that Annie will let you talk to me whenever you need me. Just ask Annie, Jeremiah, Aunt Talia and Uncle Zeke to talk to me and they will make sure you do.”
Scandal (Dirty Laundry Book 2) Page 10