“When I have a crisis, I need you here, pronto. I’ve been here since seven, waiting for you!” His voice rose in intensity with every word.
“Don’t yell at me! I’m not the one who pissed off my fiancée enough to throw water on me. You did that! What the hell did you say to her?” She dumped her purse in a drawer.
“Nothing. I just asked her the same question I asked you. She was bitchy, and so I thought, maybe…”
“Oh no! You didn’t? You asked her if she had her period?”
He shrugged. “Makes sense to me.”
“It’s insulting to think a woman is disagreeing with you because of some hormone instead of the fact that she just plain doesn’t agree with you. Are you that stupid?” She shifted, resting her hand on her hip.
“Don’t call me names! That’s what she did.” He pointed his finger at her.
“She called you stupid?” Erica raised her eyebrows. Gunther Quill is anything but stupid.
“And worse. She said a lot of nasty things. Got me thinking if I wanted to be married to…to…that!”
“And what did you decide?” A little flutter made her pulse kick up.
“Hell no! I’m not stupid, no way am I marrying her. What a bitch!”
Erica put her hand on her chest to still her wildly beating heart. Stop grinning like an idiot. Doesn’t mean he wants you. You’re nobody. Don’t forget that.
He raised his gaze to hers. “You’re pretty quiet all of a sudden. Bet you think that was a dumb thing to do. Break an engagement over one fight.”
“I think it was the right thing to do.” Control yourself. Try to look sympathetic.
“You do?”
“She’s…she’s obvious. You need someone who isn’t so out there…know what I mean?”
“You mean someone with class?”
“Yeah.” She gave a nod.
They stood staring at each other for a moment. Gunther broke first.
“I don’t need anyone. I travel alone. I have a shitload of work to do, and who the hell needs some dumbass broad dragging me down?”
For a second, Erica couldn’t breathe. She hadn’t thought he’d prefer no one to Elsa. “I thought you wanted to get married?” she blurted out.
“Me?” He pointed at his own chest and burst out laughing. “Farthest thing from my mind. Else was all about business.”
A heaviness crept into her heart. Her smile dissolved. What did you think? He’d drop down on one knee, now that Elsa was out of the picture?
“You don’t ever want to get married?” She cocked an eyebrow at him.
“Maybe when I’m fifty. I want kids. But for now, I roll single. Always have, always will.” She sighed. “Now that I have you, I may never get married. You take care of everything a wife would…well, almost everything,” he snickered.
Damn you! Tears pricked at the backs of her eyes again. “I don’t care if you ever want to get married. No skin off my nose. We’re wasting time. What did you want me to do?” she snapped at him, moving to her desk.
He hesitated for a second before speaking. “Damage control. Set up an interview with Celebs ’R Us. Tiffany Cowles, herself. Get her to come here. Find out her favorite food or liquor and get it. I need to charm this woman and get my side of the story in the press.”
Erica’s eyes filled as she struggled to listen to his instructions. She fumbled with her notebook and dropped her pen on the floor. Gunther bent over to pick it up.
When he handed her the pen, their fingers brushed. His gaze searched her face. She looked away, shielding her eyes with her hands. “Damn sun. Hitting me right in the eyes.” She turned her attention back to her notebook. “What else?”
“Write a press release. Send it to all the entertainment editors. I think Amy had a list somewhere on the computer.”
“What do you want it to say?”
“I don’t know. Come up with something. Bring it in, and we’ll work from there. Make it clear that the breakup is my idea. But don’t make me look bad. Save her skin, if you have to. Say it was mutual, due to differing work schedules…or some shit like that.”
“Got it.” She nodded. Gunther strode into his office and closed the door. The phone rang. Already the vultures are circling? She picked it up. “Gunther Quill Productions,” she said.
“Erica? Erica Wheeler? Is that you?”
“Who’s this?”
“Mac. Mac Caldwell. From Kensington State? I can’t believe I recognized your voice. It’s been what, eight years?”
“Oh my God, Mac! How are you?”
“I’m fine. You’re working with Gunther?”
“You know him?”
“He’s one of our biggest contributors. He graduated from Kensington State, too.”
A huge lump formed in the pit of Erica’s stomach. Shit. The truth is about to break.
“Is he in?”
Searching her mind for an excuse, she came up blank. “Sure. Just a sec.” Her hands became cold and clammy, and her heart rate doubled. Dammit!
Before she could buzz him, he buzzed her. “Who is that, some nosy reporter?”
“Mac Caldwell from Kensington State,” she said.
“Mac? No kidding. Put him through.”
Erica did the transfer then put the receiver down. Should I pack up now or do the press release before he fires me. Maybe I should call Tiffany Cowles. That would be the nice thing to do.
She picked up the phone and dialed.
Chapter Four
“Hey, Mac! How’s it hangin’, buddy?”
“Gunther, you rat, good. Good. You?”
“Can’t complain. Just dumped my fiancée, but otherwise, business is good.”
“Yeah, read about it this morning.”
“Is that why you’re calling?”
“Want to invite you to a fundraiser.” Mac gave him all the details.
“If I’m in New York, I’ll definitely come.”
“Great. Hey, you’re a lucky guy.”
“How so?”
“Erica Wheeler works for you.”
“You know Erica?”
“Sure do. She worked here in the dean’s office all four years while she went to school.”
“She went to Kensington State?” Gunther pushed to his feet and started to pace. His breath caught in his throat. She lied to me? First Elsa, now Erica? Say it isn’t so.
“One of our finest graduates. She’s a hard worker. Real businesslike, but she has a good sense of humor, too. Anything going on between you two?”
“Nah. Strictly business.” He closed his free hand into a fist. “It’s all rumors, Mac.” The two men laughed.
“Be sure to let me know if you’re going to be in New York. You’ll be the guest of honor.”
“I’ll try.” He gritted his teeth.
“Great. Take it easy.”
“You, too.” Gunther put the phone down then kicked the wastepaper basket across the room. It crashed into the credenza, sending glasses tumbling to the carpet. Nothing broke, but the commotion brought Erica in. Betrayal! Two-faced little liar!
Erica cracked the door a little.
“Was any of that aimed at in this direction?”
“Come in…my little liar.” His falsely sweet voice masked the rage in his chest.
She entered slowly, seeming to shrink as she backed against the wall.
“Don’t be shy.” His tone was clipped, his manner formal and restrained. I should take her over my knee. Nah, she might like that.
She hesitated then remained near the exit, not moving, as if prepared to run.
“So you went to an Ivy League college, did you? I didn’t know Kensington State qualified as Ivy League.” He paced with his hands joined behind his back, his eyes on her.
“I can explain…”
“Oh, I’m sure you can. It’s still a lie. Got this job under false pretenses.” He spit the words at her.
She was silent.
He turned to face her. “Well? I’m wa
iting. Where’s the explanation? Obviously, you think I’m stupid enough to believe anything you say.”
“I really needed the job.”
“That’s it? You really needed the job? So you lied about your qualifications to get it? That’s grounds for immediate dismissal and no unemployment pay. You understand that, don’t you?” God, she looks so vulnerable, so broken.
She nodded. “I’ve already packed up my stuff.” She chewed her lip, her eyes wide.
“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow. “You think I should fire you?” Those damn doe eyes.
“I didn’t say that.” She looked at him, blinking back tears.
“Any reason I shouldn’t? Who can trust a liar?” She’s adorable when she’s scared silly.
“Maybe you can’t. But you might reconsider, if you think of these reasons…Tiffany Cowles is coming here tomorrow to interview you. She likes Bailey’s Irish Cream and chocolate éclairs. Here’s the press release. Oh, and I booked The Blue Window for the night before Max Webster’s birthday. I made a list of people who should be invited. I’ll give it to you before I leave.”
He stopped walking. “You did all that?”
She tried to smile. “You should keep me because I’m doing a good job.”
“But how will I know if you’re telling me the truth?”
“Maybe you won’t. But you’ll get what you pay for.”
“You think so?” He cocked an eyebrow at her. She’s sexy when she’s right.
“You’re the one who said you couldn’t live without me.”
“That’s not quite what I said…” She’s backpedaling.
“Close enough.” She folded her arms across her chest. The look of defiance on her face made him chuckle. Best defense is a good offense. Look at her, ready to lock horns with me. You’ll lose, little lady. But oh, how I’d love to tangle with you.
“You can stay, but you’re on probation. Any other lies like that lurking?”
Erica threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Gunther. Thank you so much. You have no idea what this job means to me.”
“Don’t make me sorry I gave you another chance.” He put his hands on her waist, holding her in place. A sudden desire to kiss her made it hard for him to let her go.
“You won’t regret it.”
“Better not,” he mumbled, his gaze resting on her cleavage. Her scent mixed with the slightly sweet fragrance of gardenia was heady. With her up against him, he began to get hard. It’s not her. I’m horny. Been a while. It’s definitely not her. But her rack. It’s tempting. The words in his head couldn’t convince his heart. I can’t fall for her. I travel alone. So let go of her!
Gunther dropped his hands and stepped back. Erica reached up and wiped her lipstick off his cheek with her fingers. “There. No trace.”
“Give me that press release.”
She picked it up off his desk and handed it to him. He bent over it, pretending to read, when he could hardly focus. He wanted her. Having her in his arms seemed perfect, but was something he didn’t plan on. No relationships. I just got out from under dragon lady. Stay away from Doe-Eyes.
“Before we begin, I changed your appointments with the three young actresses.”
“How so?” He raised his gaze to hers.
“They’re scheduled twenty minutes apart.”
“What!” I was hoping to get laid. Might keep me away from Erica.
Erica narrowed her eyes. “That’s plenty of time to size them up, have them read, and form an opinion.”
“It’s not nearly enough. I asked you to arrange for…”
“I know what you asked. And I’m not doing it. I’m not a pimp. I’m not going to send those young lambs to slaughter.” She balled her hands into fists and rested them on her hips.
“They know what they’re doing. Half the time they come in and seduce me.”
“Yeah, right! Think I’m stupid?”
He threw down the press release in disgust. “Damn you. Think you own me?”
“I’m doing it for your own good. Time to clean up your rep if you’re going to be taken seriously.”
“Guys don’t care. They don’t care if you’re screwing the chambermaid. As long as you don’t end up on the front page.” His gaze rested on her breasts for the hundredth time.
“What makes you think these girls aren’t going to expose you?”
He stopped for a minute and scratched his chin. “Haven’t so far.”
“Don’t push your luck.”
“It’s my recreation.” But I’d much rather mess around with you.
“Go work out at the gym. Run. Work it off some other way. Trust me, Gunther, one of these days a girl you screw in here is going to come back and bite you in the ass.”
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Erica broke into a fit of giggling. Gunther got it and joined in. They laughed until they cried.
“You know what I mean.”
“Okay. You win.” Maybe you’d like to take their place? Love to get you down on that sofa. Rip your clothes off.
He picked up the press release again and returned to his desk. Erica sat across from him, her notebook open, scribbling as fast as she could. She crossed her legs, drawing his gaze. Damn. Great legs, too.
* * * *
Whitmarsh’s studio was empty when Erica showed up. Sam was the next to arrive.
“I brought a snack.” She put a brown paper bag on the desk and took out the sandwiches she had prepared.
“Brown bagging it. I love it.” Sam sauntered over and sat down.
She offered him one. They ate in silence for a while.
“You’re doing really well in class,” he said.
“Thanks. I’m feeling a little more confident.”
“Are you auditioning anywhere?”
“Don’t think I’m ready.”
“I think you are. And I bet Whit does, too. Do you have a day job?”
She nodded, her mouth full of ham and swiss.
“What do you do?” He took another bite.
“Office work.”
“For who?”
“I can’t say.”
“Why?”
“He doesn’t know I’m an actress and doesn’t want one working for him.”
“Come on. That’s ridiculous. Everyone’s an actor in L.A.”
“Can I trust you?”
He offered his pinky. “I swear.”
“Gunther Quill.”
“Oh, my God! You’re working for Gunther Quill? You should be able to get into movies with no problem. What a connection!”
“I found out about this place through his email. He’d kill me if he knew my plans.”
“What are your plans?”
“To be an actress, a good actress. Films, Broadway, whatever.”
“Me, too. Can you get me in to see him?”
“How could I explain knowing you?”
“Oh, right. I guess. Will you keep me in mind if anything comes up?”
“Of course.” I’m already betraying him enough without bringing you into the picture.
“We should go out sometime.”
Before the conversation could go any further, the rest of the students flooded in. Whit took Erica aside. “Can you stay after class for a moment? I want to talk to you.”
She nodded. Is this good or bad? She focused on doing her speech to keep her nerves at bay. After class, she wandered over to the master coach.
“Erica, you have talent. And looks. I think it’s time for you to shine. There’s a perfect part, a supporting role in a new movie. The woman originally in the part had to bow out due to schedule conflict. They’re frantically looking for a replacement. You’d be perfect.” He jotted down some words on a piece of paper. “Here’s the day, time, and address. Be there.”
“Thank you, Mr. Eddy.”
“You’re welcome. But don’t get too happy until you get the part.”
The next morning, Erica bounced into the
office, full of energy. She was excited about the audition.
Gunther arrived full of orders and looking a little frazzled. “Max invited us to the opening night of Sway.”
“Us?” She said while scribbling down his directives.
“I never go without a beautiful woman. You’re going. Make plane reservations. First class only. We leave on Thursday morning, return Sunday afternoon. Reserve a two-bedroom suite at The Plaza. You’ll be safe from me with your own room.”
I’ll never be safe from you. “I’ve only been to New York City once. When I was at Kensington.”
He stopped in his tracks. “Never been to New York?”
“Not really. One museum trip with school.”
He laughed. “You’re in for a treat. You’re going to see Gunther Quill’s New York. Pack all the fancy clothes you have and a warm coat. It’s chilly there in October.”
Erica got goose bumps. Another princess for a day. She turned her attention to booking their trip while Gunther hunkered down in his office, making deals and working out contracts.
At lunchtime, Dorrie Rodgers picked her up and took her shopping. The choreographer, Gunther’s former fiancée, knew how Erica should dress. They went to several shops on Rodeo Drive, charging everything to Gunther.
That night, Amy was shocked to see Erica return home loaded down with bags and boxes from tony Beverly Hills shops. Erica tried to ignore the snide comments from her roommate, chalking it up to jealousy, but it irked her.
“Why can’t you be happy for me, Amy? You have Garth. I have nothing but work. And I work a lot harder than you ever did. Don’t you think I deserve some reward?”
“I worked just as hard as you do. You have a bad attitude. Go ahead. Go to New York. Sleep with the bastard for all I care. I’m moving out.”
“Fine. Go.”
“How will you afford the rent without me? Move into Gunther’s place? Become his mistress?” Amy screwed up her face into a most unattractive expression.
“No, stupid. Find a smaller, cheaper apartment. Good riddance. You’ve been jealous of me from the beginning. I’m making enough now, I don’t need a roommate.”
“That’s right. Then you can bring Gunther home for your…trysts.”
“Jealous that maybe Gunther might be interested in me and was never interested in you?”
Lovers & Liars Page 6