Accidental Texting: Finding Love despite the Spotlight

by Kimberly Montague

  "Lorraine, you remember my sister, Mel? Sorry, please excuse us for just a moment." He looked pointedly at Mel for a moment and pushed me upstairs.

  In his room, I sat down on the bed and buried my face in my hands. I just needed a minute to get hold of myself.

  Sean closed and locked the door before walking over to the bed and lying down beside me. "Morgan, come here."

  I didn't need to be asked twice. I crawled over to him and curled up as he wrapped his arms around me. "Everything's gonna be fine," he whispered.

  "Your mom hates me," I said, trying not to sound as worried about it as I was.

  "No she doesn't. She doesn't know you, and that scares her. She'll get over it."

  "I don't know if I can handle all of this—the money and—"

  "I'm not asking you to, love. I'm asking you to handle me—just me."

  I held onto him tightly for several minutes before I was able to convince myself to push the worrying from my mind. "Who's Lorraine?"

  "She's Michelle's version of Stewie. She's here to finalize plans for tonight. Michelle is bringing her model boyfriend, Floyd. She wanted to make sure I wasn't going to overdo the whole 'dating' thing. She doesn't want to be part of it either."

  "Sean," I started, feeling uneasy again.

  "You don't have to come tonight, Morgan. I don't want to put you through anything more. I didn't plan for this mess. Stay here tonight. Stewie already has us booked to fly back to Vermont tomorrow, and we'll be alone for four weeks."

  It was so tempting to agree to it. But I couldn't live with myself for chickening out. If I wanted him to bring me into his life then I had to accept the good and bad that came with that. If I wanted him to be honest and tell me everything then I had to accept that there were things I didn't want to hear or experience. I just had to suck it up and put on my big girl pants—or dress as it was.

  "No. I'll go. I want to be in your world. I want to be by your side. I just—it all feels so rushed. I'm not sure how to handle it all."

  He hugged me tightly to him. "This is it, sweetheart. Get through tonight, and we'll spend the next four weeks going through every detail slowly."

  "Okay, but tell me what's going to happen."

  He rubbed my back. "You'll get dressed. I'll go nuts over what you're wearing and want to rip it off you. You'll think I'm incredibly handsome and want to rip my suit off me, and then we'll get in a car. When we get there, Stewie will walk with you to a small viewing area where you'll watch me walk down the red carpet, answering questions and smiling like I'm enjoying myself. When I reach you, we'll walk into the theater together and sit next to each other. I'm not opposed to making out during the movie, but we'll likely be watched, so we'll probably have to stick to holding hands. When it's over, we'll leave quickly and go to the after-party the director is throwing. We'll make an appearance and come back here where I'll spend the whole night making you moan over and over again."

  "I like the ending."

  He groaned. "Me too. I'll be thinking of that all night long."

  "Sean?" The intercom spoke to us. It was Stewie's voice. "Sorry. But Andy is here, and Lorraine needs to leave. If you have anything else to say to her, I'll let her know you're on your way back down."

  He reached to the nightstand button. "Please let her know I understand, and tell Andy we'll be a few more minutes. Mel can keep him entertained."

  "Got it."

  At Stewie's response, he pulled me back into his arms and ran his fingers through my hair. "You have the softest hair. Women here in Hollywood would pay a fortune for your hair, and I bet you just use some cheap shampoo, too."

  "No, I use expensive shampoo and conditioner. It's like twenty bucks a bottle. Sometimes I use cheap shampoo though, and just buy the expensive conditioner."

  "I love the way your mind works."

  "What do you mean?" I put my leg over his hip and snuggled closer to him.

  "Women here spend triple that."

  I leaned up and rested my head on my elbow. "Well clearly money doesn't buy everything then because I think my hair is pretty healthy and soft with what the common folk can buy."

  His eyes twinkled at mine. "Morgan, you're nowhere near common."

  "Was that a line from one of your movies? I think I've heard that one before. But you delivered it pretty smoothly."

  He laughed, and I bounced a little on his chest with the movement. "Stop giving me shit, and kiss me."

  Being there in his arms made everything around us melt away. When it was like this, I never wanted it to end.

  I didn't want to face the rest of it, but Stewie's voice broke through our slow, sweet kisses. "Sean, it's getting late."

  "We can stay right here, sweetie. I can send Andy back and stay with you for a few hours before I have to get ready. I won't think badly of you if this is too much to take on."

  He was so patient and sweet. He didn't want to pressure me. Maybe that's why I felt like I had to go. I just knew that I had to see it all for myself if I was going to keep him in my future.

  "No. I'll go. I want to be who you need me to be."

  "Hey, look at me." I leaned up on my elbow again, and he tangled his hand in my hair. "You are exactly who I need you to be. I don't want you to change at all. I'd like it if you could adjust to this part of my life, but don't ever think you're not exactly what I want—fears, nervousness, worries and all. I love all of you, Morgan."

  I kissed him lightly. "Guess I have a premiere to get ready for." I put on my best smile and climbed off the bed.

  Sean sat on the edge of the bed and pulled me to stand between his legs. He pulled off my boots and socks. When he grabbed the hem of my tank top and pulled it up over my head, running his hands down my body to my hips, I shook my head at him. "I don't think we have time for this."

  He unbuttoned my jeans and pulled them down my legs. "I'm helping here. You need to put on a robe so you don't mess up your hair. The least I can do in this situation is help you get undressed." I stepped out of my jeans, and he ran his hands up from my ankles, splaying them widely across my thighs, up to cup my breasts.

  "Sean," I warned.

  "I was just checking the support of this bra. Really, I'm trying to help."

  "You're trying to drive me insane, and it's working."

  "It is?" He winked at me.

  "Yes, now stop."

  He sighed dramatically, took one last long look at my body, making me blush all over and took my hand to pull me toward his closet. I was so not ready for his closet. I expected a regular closet or even a normal walk-in closet, but it was crazy.

  "Oh my God, Sean."

  "What?" He looked over at me innocently.

  "This closet is the size of the bedroom I grew up in."

  He rushed over to me and swept me into his arms, spinning around with me. "Mine too." He laughed long and full. "It's really weird, huh?" I nodded, and he set me down. "But I have a lot of events and crap I go to where I have to look all stylish and sexy. It's not hard because I am very sexy, right?"

  I rolled my eyes at him as he pulled a gray robe off a hanger. I was mesmerized by the shelves of shoes, the neat drawers and ties and belts—it was like a clothing store.

  "A shame to cover it up," he mumbled as he held the robe open for me to put my arms in. He wrapped it around my waist and tied the tie securely, pausing to kiss my neck. "Have a seat up here, I'll send Andy up and Mel with some drinks. What do you want?"

  "Water's fine." I walked back to the chair and tried to relax.

  In a matter of minutes, my feet were soaking in a small whirlpool, my nails were being sculpted and buffed, and I had some weird goop all over my face. I'd never been pampered before, so it was pretty weird. Mel kept up a steady conversation with Andy, which made me really relax since my input was not needed. Before I knew it, my toes and fingers were bright red and Andy was putting his hands out to help me up. I didn't like the way he placed his hand on the small of my back as he pushed me in the direc
tion of the bathroom, but I just took bigger steps to move away from him.

  I washed the goop off my face and Andy handed me a jar of something else and instructed me to get all my eye makeup off. My face was sparkling clean when I was done.

  "Hmm. We need to work on your eyes. Didn't get much sleep last night now did we?" The way he raised his thin blonde eyebrow at me made me want to glare at him. What did he mean by that? "Not that I can blame him."

  "Are we done in here?" I practically spat out the question. When he nodded and winked at me, I walked out of the bathroom quickly. When Mel looked at me, I widened my eyes at her. As I sat down in the chair, Andy placed warm green tea bags on my eyes and went to work on my hair.

  "So, Morgan, I'm dying to know how old you are. Your skin is so fresh and wrinkle-free, I'd guess you were barely 21."

  "Andy." Mel's voice was light, but there was a firmness to it I couldn't quite figure out. "It's not polite to ask a lady her age."

  "Surely you've noticed how young your brother's uh—guest looks. I was just wondering what her secret is—unless she is 21 or younger perhaps."

  He thought I was underage. Well, I supposed that was flattering, but I had to correct him. "I'm 25, and I don't pile a lot of makeup on. I stay out of the sun since I burn easily, and I drink a lot of water."

  Andy smirked. "Excellent advice—I'd love to share that with my other clients, with your permission of course."

  I was going to tell him that was fine, but Mel said "No" very firmly then her voice came from the doorway as she said, "Stewie, I think you should come up here."

  A moment later, I heard her speaking softly to someone before Stewie's voice drifted over. "Andy, you've signed a very strict non-disclosure agreement that only Mr. Wilder can release you from, not Morgan. Do you understand this?'

  "Oh, of course, of course. I was simply making conversation and complimenting Morgan on her skin care regime."

  I was completely ready for this "pampering" to be over. The ulterior motives of Andy were disturbing. He lifted the tea bag over each eye.

  "Much better." He smiled. "Now no one will wonder what kept you up late last night." I wanted to glare at him, but he was putting some sort of cream around my eyes, so I kept them closed. "Your skin really does glow beautifully, Morgan."

  "Thank You," I tried to say politely, but it came out a little strained. I opened my eyes and found Sean in front of me, glaring at me. I had no idea why he was glaring at me, and I must have looked confused because he gestured to my chest. Looking down, I realized the robe had separated a bit, exposing my upper chest. It wasn't a big deal. I'd worn tank tops that showed more, but Sean's arms folded across his chest and narrowed eyes told me he thought this was a big deal.

  The doorbell rang, making me jump a little. Over the intercom, Rudy explained, "Morgan's dress is here."

  "Excellent," Andy chirped. He was so phony that I found him really annoying. "I'd like to see it before I make a decision on your hairstyle for the evening."

  Mel got up from the chair beside me, "I'll go get it."

  I wanted to get this attitude I was getting from Sean resolved, so I said as sweetly as I could. "Andy, why don't you go with her? I want a moment with Sean."

  Andy winked at me, making it difficult not to wrinkle my nose in disgust at him. But then he followed Mel out of the room. I stood up and turned to Stewie, who was leaning in the doorway. "Stewie?"

  "No problem," he said quickly as he left the room and closed the door behind him.

  I pulled in a deep breath and tried not to be annoyed. "What's the problem?" I asked in a mostly calm voice.

  He shook his head and turned back to the window. "You just need to be more careful here. Watch what you say and what you show."

  "What the hell is wrong with showing the same amount of skin I did when I met your parents earlier? It wasn't inappropriate, and it wasn't on purpose. Are you accusing me of something, Sean?" I was tired and annoyed with Andy and stressed out about everything.

  He turned back to me and let his shoulders slump. "No. I'm sorry, Morgan." His voice wasn't exactly tender and heartfelt, but it wasn't angry and accusatory either.

  I let out a long sigh. "Stay up here with me."

  He finally looked up into my eyes, and seemed regretful. "I'm changing you again. I don't like guys looking at you, but I trust you, Morgan. I didn't mean to make you think I didn't." He kissed my cheek and walked toward the door.

  I felt better that he'd said that, but I still wanted him to stay. "Sean?" He looked back at my almost pleading tone. "Please? Stay."

  "You really want me to stay with you?" He seemed surprised.

  My body felt heavy, and I kneeled on the chair, so I was still facing him. "I just—he's a flirt. And I'm just so tired, Sean. I don't feel like fending off his—"

  "I'll stay." The way he clenched his jaw when I said "flirt" made me wonder just how possessive he was. Possessiveness wasn't always a bad thing as long as it didn't become controlling. Regardless, I was happy he was staying. I relaxed into the chair.

  Sean went to the door, opening it and said something softly to Stewie before coming back to sit in the chair next to me, reading some papers.

  "What's that?" I asked, trying not to be nosy, but Andy came back in, and I didn't want to talk to him.

  He leaned closer to me. "It's a contract for my next movie. I'm not sure if I want to do it yet, though. But I try to read through the contract myself so they don't commit me to something I don't want to do. I have to look at things a little differently now." I thought he would go on, but he stared out at the ocean instead.

  "What do you mean?"

  He looked back at me as Andy wound my hair in curlers. Sean placed his elbow on the armrest and put his thumb and forefinger to his mouth thoughtfully. "There's more to think about. How long I'll be away from you, how far I'll be, clauses about guests on set, security measures—there's just more involved now."

  "Because of me?" It didn't seem right that I was the cause of this. I felt badly for adding more complications to his life.

  "Yes, because I don't want to be without you." Andy dropped something behind me. Sean looked angry all of a sudden. He looked over at the desk to my right where Stewie had taken up residence. "Stewie."

  "I'm on it." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Stewie jump up and come in my direction. "Andy, let's step outside for just a moment." Andy didn't say anything, but I heard the door close behind them.

  "What is his problem?" I asked angrily.

  Sean shrugged vaguely and looked back to his papers. "I don't know, but Stewie's putting him in his place. I'm afraid he thinks he can gossip about us. Stewie is explaining the fine art of the contract he signed when he walked in the door. The idiot didn't even read it. If he breathes a word about anything he saw, said, did, or heard here, my lawyers will sue him for everything he's worth."

  "Do people—is everyone like this here?"

  He looked over at me with that regretful expression again. My heart lifted a little as he moved to kneel in front of me, laying his head in my lap. "People are like this everywhere, love. Just be careful what you say to anyone. Don't trust anyone except our little circle. Keep our private life private."

  "I—I'm not used to not answering people. I'm not used to—to—"

  "Being suspicious? I know." He looked up at me. "I'm sorry I forgot that earlier. I love that you don't think about everyone's ulterior motives. It's so—I haven't met someone like you since—there's no one like you, love. Just try not to say too much until you get the hang of it. Let me do the talking." I nodded as the door opened.

  "Your dress is here, Morgan," Mel chirped excitedly.

  "Damn," Sean said loudly. "I was hoping you'd be naked again."

  "Oh, please," Mel rolled her eyes. "There's no way in hell you'd let her walk out of here naked."

  Sean looked at me for a moment and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. And this dress better be Victorian style. I don't want any guys seeing
more than they should." He winked at me, and I was relieved to see the soft smile on his lips. Maybe it wasn't possessiveness after all. Maybe he was just trying to protect me from the vultures looking for info about the stars.

  Still, I had to make sure he knew I wasn't a pushover. I cupped his chin in my fingers and smiled at him. "You will never tell me what I can and cannot wear."

  "There's that feisty side I love so much." He stood up as Stewie and Andy came back in. I couldn't see their faces, but by the smirk on Stewie's face I figured the conversation went well.

  Andy didn't try to pull me into a conversation the rest of the afternoon. He talked to Mel and joked about stupid things, but he left me to sit there in peace. After seeing my dress, Andy decided to put my hair up, allowing curls to hang down in the back just sweeping the back of my neck. He swept strands across the side of my face, allowing a few to remain loose. It was very pretty, actually. When he moved on to my makeup, I just did as I was told: close your eyes, open your eyes, look up, look down, pucker your lips, and on and on. When he was done though, it got really quiet in the room. I looked over at Sean and Stewie, who were staring at me. Sean's eyes were huge, and he just sat at the desk, staring at me.

  "Your lipstick will last all evening. You can—uh, kiss, if you—uh, it won't rub off. But you probably want to put some lip gloss on." He handed me a small tube.

  "Can she use her own?" Sean walked over to us. I was so surprised at his question.

  "Yes, that's fine."

  Sean winked at me. "I like the peach."

  I grinned in response before turning back to Andy. "Thank you, Andy."

  "It was my pleasure." He packed up his things and Stewie helped him carry it all downstairs. Sean disappeared into his closet, and Mel pushed me toward the bathroom.

  "Let's get you into this dress."

  When I stepped into the bathroom, I stopped short. I barely recognized myself. My eyes were so dramatic and huge. I just couldn't believe it was me. I looked like I actually belonged in Hollywood.

  "You look incredible. Did you see the look on loverboy's face? That was priceless. Even Stewie was stunned. I can't wait to hear what Michelle thinks of you."