by S. M. West
“My mom came by because she saw pictures of us online.”
Eli pauses in spooning rice onto the plates. “Oh, yeah? And what did she say?”
“You knew about the pictures?”
“Uh-huh. I have assistants and a PR firm that keep an eye on that stuff. They told me about it earlier today.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me?” Tension steels my spine.
“Um, I don’t know. It isn’t a big deal.”
“What? We talked about keeping this thing between us on the down low.” I wrap my arms around my middle, suddenly needing something to ground me. “I didn’t want anyone on set to know, but you figured some photos online weren’t a big deal?”
Arching a brow at my sarcasm, he turns to me, taking my hands in his. “Hey, relax. What am I missing? We’re not doing anything wrong, and if you think no one on set knows, you’re fooling yourself.”
“Who knows?”
“Tristan for one. And he’s most probably said something.”
“Tristan? How does he know?” I haven’t said a word to anyone, and suddenly I have this sinking feeling that Eli’s been talking. Did he blatantly disregard my wishes?
“He put two and two together. He didn’t ask me; he only talked to me like he already knew.” He shrugs like it’s not a problem, and I want to shake him.
“Don’t you get it? I don’t want the media in my business, and I don’t want the crew or anyone on set to think I got this job by sleeping with you.”
“Whoa, wait a sec. No one is going to think I had anything to do with you getting the job.”
“And the media? Can you control them?” I’m doing a poor job at controlling my irritation. Helplessness blooms within me.
“No, but I’m not Brad Pitt. This will all blow over in a few days.”
“This is bad.”
23
Eli
A woman like her
Well, me and my big mouth. It took some reassuring to get Pru to stop worrying about the Page Six article and the other photos of us online, only to be proven wrong the very next day.
Reporters were outside the building this morning when I walked out, and judging by Pru’s text to me, she was treated to the same. On set, she shoots daggers whenever our eyes meet, and while she’s upset, it doesn’t last long.
I figure this out when she sticks her tongue out at me in a moment when no one is watching. Her silly face brings a smile to mine, and it takes everything in me not to laugh.
I get her concern. Even after all these years with the media interested in my business, it’s an aspect of my life that I don’t like.
Apart from the photos, dinner last night was good and Pru relaxed. I tried to get her to talk about her mother, especially since Crystal was shaken by the encounter. But Pru was tight-lipped and changed the subject every time I tried to steer the conversation that way.
We talked some more about Los Angeles, and she expressed concerns with talking to Bryce about the time off for several reasons, but mostly Whitney.
After I got her to see reason—that Bryce doesn’t care what Whitney says or thinks—she agreed to ask him. But given the media interest this morning, I told her I would talk to him and spare her any discomfort.
Even if she’s worried about what people will say, Bryce included, we all know I had nothing to do with her getting this job.
When we break for lunch, I follow the director to his office.
“Hey, so how did the conversation go with Geoffrey?” He sits in the leather chair behind his desk and runs his finger over the mouse pad.
“Really well. Thank you.”
Geoffrey is the indie film producer I talked to yesterday when I learned we were back on.
“For what?” He doesn’t look at me.
“For investing. He told me you stepped in to fill the gap left by the other investor.” I wait for him to make eye contact, but he doesn’t.
Uncomfortable, he waves me off, eyes still on the computer screen. “It’s a good investment. You’ll do a good job. Now is that why you wanted to talk to me? I have to make a phone call.”
I chuckle at how awkward he is with gratitude. “I also wanted to see if you’d be okay with Pru missing the same days as me next week.”
Now he’s staring at me with avid interest. “She is going with you to LA?” He made the leap quickly, which means he most likely saw Page Six.
“Yeah. To the wedding.”
“So, you and Pru?” It’s a question, but he’s nodding.
“Yes.”
“Smart man. My brother risked his marriage and still didn’t get the girl. Hope you’re luckier.”
“That isn’t true.” My upper lip draws back into a snarl. “Your brother’s a liar. He can’t keep his dick in his pants, but Pru has never slept with him.”
“Relax, Eli.” He chuckles, thoroughly enjoying my ire, and it only ticks me off more. “I already figured that out. I had my suspicions after meeting her, and he’s still fucking around. From what I’ve seen of Pru, she isn’t like that.”
“She isn’t. So why’d you make that comment?”
“I wanted to see what you’d do.” He chuckles and I march toward the door, done with Bryce.
Jackass.
“Hey, Eli, watch out.” His tone is still playful, but there’s an edge of warning and I pause, not bothering to look at him. “I’m not sure if you’re ready for a woman like her.”
I tense, shoulders square and jaw tight. “What do you mean a woman like her?”
“She may just break your heart.”
The door slams behind me, but Bryce’s words stay with me far longer than I’d like, wreaking havoc on my head and heart.
Fortunately, within a few days, as predicted, the media tires of my dating life and moves on to the next thing when a Hollywood starlet trashes a Manhattan club.
As we get close to wrapping the movie, the days are long but still seem to fly by. With Pru’s twenty-six birthday coming up, I enlist Harley’s help in pulling off a small surprise party at my place.
I wondered if her mother would be in town, but Harley assured me there wasn’t a chance. The night of the party, I leave the studio as soon as I can, coming home to an excited Crystal and the place decorated.
It’s Harley’s job to get her here, although Pru believes we’re grabbing a bite to eat with her friend. When there’s a knock at the door an hour later, my daughter squeals, and Tristan scoops her into his arms, chuckling.
“Shhh.” I jog to the door. “Hello.” I beam at the two ladies, and Harley steps in without an invitation.
Pru gives me a quick kiss and looks around. “Where’s Crystal?”
“She’s in the kitchen.” I shut the door and usher them into the living room where Crystal and Tristan jump out from the kitchen. Janet hangs back, beaming and sending birthday wishes in a more subdued manner.
“Surprise!” Tristan claps his hands, laughing.
“Happy Birthday!” Crystal holds a small bunch of balloons in one hand.
Pru is surprised. Eyes bright and wide, she laughs and blushes, looking around at the decorations, the table set for six, presents in one corner, and several games on the coffee table.
“Oh my gosh, Crystal, Eli, you did all this for me?” Her voice cracks, and she wipes at the corner of her eye.
“Do you like it?” My daughter grabs her by the hand, dragging her around the room and pointing out the streamers, balloons, and other decorations she’d put up.
From across the room, Pru’s gaze collides with mine and she mouths thank you. Even at this distance, her eyes are glassy, and she glows in a way I haven’t quite seen before.
“She’s going to cry. She loves it,” Harley whispers, squeezing my shoulder before walking farther into the room.
“Hey, old lady. How does it feel to be twenty-six?” Tristan grabs her around the waist and lifts her a few feet off the carpet.
“I’m not old.” She hits him playfully on the sho
ulder, and he puts her down. “And it feels great.”
“Well, you’re older than me,” he boasts.
“Ha! If we’re talking maturity, Crystal’s older than you.” Pru pokes him in the side, and he feigns injury, pouting and clutching at his waist.
My daughter looks on with amusement, laughing at Tristan who really is a kid in a man’s body. Janet, Harley, and I get dinner on the table, and the meal is delicious but simple. One of Pru’s favorites, Italian.
As soon as dinner is done, Crystal bounds from her chair, sweeping around the table to Pru’s side.
“Let’s play a game.” My daughter tugs on her arm, and nodding, Pru follows her, as do the rest of us, into the living room.
First, we play pin the tail on the donkey followed by charades, and then Janet brings out the cake and we sing Happy Birthday.
“Presents!” Crystal once more leads the charge, thrusting her gift in Pru’s arms. No surprise, she got her a new nail polish kit and at least a dozen new colors.
“I love them. All of them. I want to paint my nails right now,” she gushes, holding up bottle after bottle.
“Which should we try first?” My daughter picks up a couple of colors in her small hands like a pirate scooping up gold coins, grinning from ear to ear.
“Not now. Tomorrow or another time. We still have games and cake.” I nab the polishes from my daughter, handing them to Pru. “Also, there’s one more gift.”
In addition to Crystal’s present, Tristan gives her a cookbook by a chef they both love and then there are my gifts. The first is a limited-edition Trojan band T-shirt.
Her breath catches, and Harley shrieks, “You’ve got to be kidding me. Girl, I’m so envious right now.”
Pru laughs, eyes twinkling when she glances at me. “Thank you. I tried to get this…” She clutches the black T-shirt to her chest. “I love it.”
Then she opens several smaller gifts with a common theme. Lavender ankle socks with purple and green hummingbirds on them, three hummingbird fridge magnets, a book on hummingbirds, and finally, rose gold hummingbird earring studs.
“What am I missing? You like hummingbirds?” Harley’s perplexed expression is priceless, and Pru shakes with laughter.
“It’s kind of like an inside joke.” She places her gifts on the table and walks over to me, sliding her arms around me. “Our thing.” Her mouth covers mine, pulling my bottom lip into her mouth for a quick kiss. “Thank you. I love all my gifts.”
“Whose plane is this?” Pru follows me onto the private jet, Crystal ahead of us and already claiming her seat.
“It’s Trojan’s. Well, it belongs to the four of us.” I take her carry-on and hand it to the attendant. “We share it. At first, we thought about selling it but decided not to.”
She sinks into one of the plush leather bucket seats, and I make sure Crystal is buckled in before sitting next to Pru.
“This is really nice.”
“You must fly first class.” I secure the belt and find her watching me. Given the family name and dynasty, luxury isn’t new to her.
“So tell me again, who will be at the wedding?” She appears nervous, and I still can’t believe she agreed to come.
“Daisy wanted it to be small, so it’s only the band and her best friend, Sasha.”
“Okay, and tell me again the names of Silas and Jared’s partners.”
I smile, grabbing her hand and intertwining our fingers. “Don’t stress. It’ll be fine.”
“I’m not.” She’s quick to defend, and I arch a brow, sharpening my gaze on her. Warm blue eyes glitter at me and she smiles. “Okay, maybe a little.” Her hand squeezes mine. “Now tell me.”
“Silas is with Pansy, Daisy’s younger sister. She’s fun and very kind. They are expecting their first child later this year.”
“And they aren’t married?”
“Not yet. Then there’s Jared, and he recently married Eva. They’re kind of like high school sweethearts. She’s quiet and wise, and she’ll love you.”
She nods, satisfied, and we settle in for the cross-country flight. The three of us have dinner and watch a couple of movies, and when we arrive in Los Angeles, with the time difference, it’s almost midnight, Manhattan time.
Crystal dozes on the ride to Gray’s place in Malibu, and when we get in, everyone’s there to greet us.
As much as I love Manhattan, and more and more it’s becoming my home, these people are my family. Gray, Silas, and Jared are my brothers, and their wives and girlfriends have not only become friends but also family.
I’m grounded, more myself, with them. A peace flows through me, loosening the tension and erasing the need to go, go, go.
There’s hugs, hellos, and laughter as I make my way to everyone. Crystal giggles and squeals. She’s already being spoiled by her uncles, and Henry, only three, is delighted to see her.
I step back beside Pru, bringing her in front of me, and wrap an arm around her waist.
“Guys, this is Pru Edwards.” I want to tack on “my girlfriend” and claim her to those I care about the most. But I don’t know what we are.
She feels like mine. I want her to be mine and yet I don’t want to scare her off.
Things are good—no, great—despite our candid conversation about long-term, serious relationships and I don’t want to resurface that, not just yet.
“Pru, that guy over there is Silas.” I point to the cocky blond and then the perky redhead beside him. “And that’s Pansy.”
“Hey, Pru, nice to meet you.” Silas dips his chin, and Pansy approaches with her small baby bump, bringing her in for a hug. “Hi. Welcome.”
“Hi, great to meet you both.” Pru steps back and I turn her to the next couple.
“That’s Jared and his wife, Eva.”
“Pru.” Jared brushes his dark hair behind an ear and smiles, and like Pansy, Eva gracefully glides over to Pru, taking both her hands in hers.
“It’s lovely to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you.” Eva’s warm gaze is inviting, and Pru smiles as some of the tension in her posture vanishes.
“You too.”
“And this is Gray.” With my hands back on her hips, I steer her to the strawberry-blond guy next to me. “And Daisy. Our hosts and soon-to-be newlyweds.”
It’s hugs from both Gray and Daisy and laughter from all. “It’s great to finally meet the woman who has Eli in knots,” Daisy teases, and a flush of heat rolls up my back.
I survey Pru carefully, looking for an adverse reaction, but she laughs and thanks them for having her before we move farther into their beach house.
Henry, Daisy and Gray’s son, toddles over to a table with crayons, paper, and other art supplies, and Crystal tries to push through her fatigue to color with him. It’s late, and as if reading my mind, Pru sidles up beside me, slipping her arm around mine.
“If you tell me which room is hers, I’ll take her to bed. She must be zonked.” She yawns and I chuckle.
“Sounds like she isn’t the only one.” I fight the urge to yawn. “You sure you don’t mind?”
“No. You hang out with your friends. I might go to sleep too. Sounds like tomorrow is going to be busy.”
“Okay. Thanks.” I kiss her forehead.
Pru and Crystal say good night to everyone and leave. My daughter will sleep on a trundle bed in Henry’s room, and Pru and I have our own room.
I hang out, catching up with everyone for about an hour or so, and eventually Silas and Pansy, then Jared and Eva leave. Then Daisy says goodnight and leaves me alone with Gray.
“I’m so glad you’re here. It’s been too long.” He slaps my back and strides to the fridge, taking out another beer and holding it up to me.
“I’m good.” I shake my head. “I’m glad to be here. I forgot how awesome your home is. I love it.”
“We do too. You up for a surf in the morning?” He brings the bottle to his lips for a long pull.
“Absolutely, but I don’t have a
ny gear.” The thought of getting out on the waves sends a rush of adrenaline through me. I missed so much about California.
“I have your board and wet suit, or did you forget? It must be old age.” A wicked smirk crosses his face.
“Shut up.” I push from the chair and raise my arms over my head in a much needed stretch. “That’s right, you’ve got a bunch of my stuff.” While I moved to New York for my role in Breaking Point, I planned to come back eventually. “Anyway, I better get to bed if we’re going to hit the waves early.”
“Yeah, me too. Hey, Eli. You look happy, and while I don’t know her, my guess is it’s Pru.”
A giant smile hijacks my weary features. “Yeah, she has a lot to do with it. I love my job and the movie’s great…and New York, but things are better with her in our lives.”
“Things must be going well. She’s here with you.”
“True, but don’t push her.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s edgy when it comes to commitment.”
“Really? Did she get burned?”
“I don’t think so.” My gaze drifts to the stairs as if I expect to see Pru standing there.
I’m not saying anything I wouldn’t say in front of her, but I’m also conscious of not betraying her trust.
“It’s more rooted in her family or more like, the little family she has. It’s only her and her mother and they aren’t close.”
“What does that mean for you two?”
“I’m not sure.” I shrug, trying to downplay the truth and hoping he doesn’t push. “Her mom is career driven and she was on her own a lot. The idea of family, having people you can lean on, isn’t something she’s used to. The idea of it scares her.”
Gray screws up his face. “You’d think she’d welcome it.”
“Maybe. Sometimes when you’ve never had something, it’s the one thing you don’t want in case you lose it.”
“Kind of like you can’t miss something you’ve never had.”
I nod. “Yeah. Anyway, night.”
“Night,” Gray says, and I leave the kitchen, making my way upstairs.