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Page 19
Ginger glanced from the designs back up to Julianne. “These are perfect. You’ve captured her to a T.”
The designer took another sip of lemonade. “Mmm. I think those represent her rebel spirit quite nicely.”
The dresses Julianne designed were exquisite. The colors were all jewel-toned, dark enough to suit Cassidy, yet colorful enough for a prom. Elegant lines and subtle embellishments should also appeal to the teenager. Best of all, they would all flatter Cassidy’s body type.
“You must know her well,” Ginger said, not bothering to subdue the awe in her voice.
“Cassidy spent a lot of time at the Second Chances Youth Center last summer. These kids just need someone to believe in them.”
Ginger nodded. “She’s lucky to live in a town where so many people support her. Too bad the same can’t be said for her classmates.”
Julianne scoffed. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that Cassidy can be a bit . . . intimidating. Fitting in has never been on her agenda. Until now.” She smiled brightly at Ginger. “And I think that’s something that’s important to you, too.”
Unsure how to answer her, Ginger remained silent. She was saved by the arrival of Patricia.
“I’m sorry I’m late. Bernice is driving me crazy with Founders’ Day preparations.” Patricia waved down the waitress as she took her seat. “Any word from Marissa, Ginger?”
Ginger chewed her bottom lip. “Diesel has a call into her now,” she said, hating herself for lying.
“You’d think this town had never seen anyone famous the way they are going on about this woman,” Julianne said, winking at Ginger. “I myself prefer big hunky NFL stars, but what do I know?” She sighed. “The mayor is predicting another thousand tourists in town just to see Savannah Rich. Since it translates to increased income for everyone, I guess I’ll get on the bandwagon, too.”
Another wave of queasiness rolled through Ginger. Chances Inlet had an unhealthy obsession with the Savannah Rich character, but was that so bad? What harm would it be if Marissa came to their Founders’ Day celebration? Not that the actress would. Bernice and her friends would be disappointed either way. Unless there is a way to persuade Marissa to actually come. That way, neither Ginger nor Diesel would have to lie. Ginger pondered the possibilities as Patricia and Julianne strategized about which dress Cassidy would wear.
* * *
Gavin roamed through Dresden House, checking the status of the renovations. Not quite five weeks remained until the wrap show and—he knocked on the dark wood molding—everything was proceeding on schedule. Everything except the damn National Historical Landmark paperwork. Bernice and the mayor had been dogging him all week about it.
“Diesel?” he called as he walked into the production trailer parked outside the kitchen area of the house. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dark light inside, but the producer sat alone in the truck staring at the bank of monitors.
“Hey,” he said to Gavin. “Wanna see your first show before it airs?”
Out of the corner of his eye, Gavin caught a glimpse of himself on one of the screens. He raked his fingers through his hair, the idea of appearing on national television still making him feel a bit awkward.
“Nah, I’ll wait until tomorrow and be embarrassed at the premiere party my mother has lined up at the inn.”
Diesel snickered. “You might have to ask your NFL buddy to act as your bodyguard after this airs. The women are going to swarm this town. Who needs Savannah Rich when you have America’s hottest contractor here?”
“What I need,” Gavin interrupted Diesel’s laughter, “is for the paperwork to be finalized for Dresden House to be designated a National Historical Landmark.” He slid into one of the padded chairs next to the producer.
“These things take time.”
Gavin was well aware of that. Unfortunately, Bernice and the mayor kept reminding him that if he’d let Miles handle it rather than Diesel, the task would be complete by now.
“I don’t have much time. We wrap up this project next month. It’s important to the people of Chances Inlet that it get done.”
Diesel threw his head back against the cushioned headrest on the chair. “Jeez, what is it with you and Ginger?”
Gavin’s body tensed at his question. “What about me and Ginger?” he asked tersely. Had Diesel found out about their affair somehow? Not that Gavin cared that much; the producer was already keeping Gavin’s most vital secret. But Diesel was protective of Ginger and he might feel obliged to raise an objection over their relationship.
“You both are obsessed with making the people of this town happy,” Diesel said, eyeing Gavin shrewdly. “Kinda funny since you’ll both be out of here by summer.”
Gavin didn’t give a rat’s ass about whether the people of Chances Inlet were happy or not. Well, most of them anyway. His mother, Bernice, Will, Morgan and a few others mattered, but once this project was complete, he was no longer living his life to suit the whim of his hometown.
Diesel’s voice broke into his thoughts. “You do know that it isn’t going to be easy to just walk away like you want?”
“Oh, it’ll be easy, all right, Diesel. As long as you get that stupid landmark paperwork pushed through, then it’s sayonara, Chances Inlet; hello, New York.”
“What’s so great about New York? Besides being able to grab a slice of pizza on any corner?” Diesel looked at him questioningly.
“Obscurity. Being able to be what and who I want instead of my father’s clone.” Gavin hated to disparage his father for trapping him in Chances Inlet. He knew his old man had done what he had out of love for his wife. A muscle twitched in his jaw as he considered how his father would feel about Gavin’s mother marrying Lamar. His mom hadn’t said anything about the sheriff’s proposal, but Gavin had been making an effort to avoid her. He’d given Lamar his word that he would honor whatever decision his mother made, but Gavin still didn’t know how he felt about her remarrying. It was easier just to avoid the whole subject altogether.
“And when you’re ‘being who you want,’ will you ‘be’ with Ginger?”
Gavin sighed. Diesel did know. He didn’t think Ginger had told her friend anything; more likely he was fishing to confirm his theory. Gavin had no reason to lie to the producer, though. “That depends on whether she wants to ‘be’ with me.”
He thought she did. They’d spent every night together this past week and he hoped like hell whatever it was between them wouldn’t fizzle out before they both escaped this town. The idea of starting over with her in New York was icing on the proverbial cake.
Rising from his seat, Gavin clapped Diesel on the shoulder. “Just make sure that paperwork is processed and I’ll take care of Ginger.”
“Don’t mess with her, McAlister.” Diesel’s tone was steely. “She leads with her heart and I don’t want to see you or anybody else trampling it. I’ll do what I have to in order to protect her.”
He nodded in accord. Diesel had already sacrificed a great deal in the name of protecting Ginger. But Gavin was pretty sure Ginger’s heart wasn’t too involved right now or she wouldn’t be so insistent on keeping their relationship a secret. For now, they were just enjoying a very seductive and satisfying fling. Once they’d left town, and he had his career back on track, they could consider where their relationship was headed. All this talk of Ginger had him fired up, however, and he was anxious to make his way back to his loft where she was meeting him for a secret dinner. He waved as he exited the truck, calling to Midas as he made his way back into town.
An hour and a half later, he lay in his bed staring at the ceiling, his heart beating out of his chest. Ginger’s warm body was stretched out beside him, her own chest heaving.
“Wow,” she said, her breathing still labored. “You really know how to give a girl dessert.”
Gavin laughed as he laced his fingers with hers and brought her hand to his lips. “Mmm, I will admit you taste delicious. Almost as good as the str
awberry tarts I stole from Lori for our actual dessert.”
When she didn’t offer up her usual protest about eating dessert of any kind, Gavin released her hand and rolled over top of her, stretching up on his forearms. “Hey? What’s up? You’ve been distracted all evening.”
Her eyes grew more focused as she shook her head. “Oh, Gavin, I’m sorry.” She wrapped her fingers around his skull and pulled him in for a deep, searching kiss. “It’s not you. I just keep thinking about this whole Founders’ Day thing,” she said when she broke their kiss a few moments later.
Gavin mumbled a few choice words. He was sick of hearing about Founders’ Day. At this moment, he wanted to focus in on a second dessert of strawberries—in particular, the strawberry nipples within striking distance of his lips. Regrettably, he’d opened the floodgates by asking what was bothering her.
“Everyone is so looking forward to having a famous soap opera actress here,” she continued, her fingers tracing figures on his biceps.
“There is a famous soap opera actress here,” he growled as his nerve endings began to come alive again beneath her fingertips.
She smiled at him. It was sweet and sassy at the same time and his chest seized up at the sight. Leaning up, she kissed the tip of his nose. “I’m not famous and I’m not the Savannah Rich character. That’s who they want. I just hate to disappoint everyone.”
Diesel’s words echoed in Gavin’s head: You both are obsessed with making the people of this town happy. Gavin wasn’t too worried about making the residents of Chances Inlet happy, just the sexy woman stroking his back. But apparently, she wasn’t going to be happy until everyone in his hometown was. “They’ll get over it. Besides, by Founders’ Day, this town will have been on TV for a month. People will be crowding in just for the wrap party at Dresden House. They won’t care about a Savannah What’s-
Her-Name. They’ll be too busy mugging for the TV cameras. If you really want a celebrity to come, just ask Diesel’s dad. This town would go ape-shit trying to schmooze with him.”
Ginger’s eyes grew wide. “Of course. The television show. Why didn’t I think of that? That’s the perfect lure.” She gave him another one of her sassy grins before rocking her hips beneath his hips. “No wonder this town worships you. You’re a genius.”
He wasn’t sure what she’d meant by “lure,” but he didn’t have time to unravel her statement right then, not with her tongue darting in his mouth and her fingers kneading his ass. He’d get to that and dessert later. Much later.
EIGHTEEN
The Tide Me Over Inn’s gardens were overflowing with people humming with excitement. The first episode of Historical Restorations had just aired and the residents of Chances Inlet who’d gathered for a viewing party at the inn were now indulging on hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Ginger peered across the wide lawn to watch as Gavin, exuding virility and charm in a navy McAlister C & E golf shirt and khaki pants, reached out quickly to grip an elderly woman’s elbow right before she succumbed to his five-alarm smile.
“He’ll be fighting them off with his cane even when he’s an old man,” Audra said, coming up beside her.
Ginger’s chest grew tight with an emotion she didn’t want to quantify. It was better not to think of Gavin in the future. She needed to keep her thoughts in the here and now where they were enjoying a mutually satisfying, intense fling. One that they both knew had a time limit on it the moment it began. Except Ginger had tuned out the countdown clock in her head the night Gavin had slipped into her bed. Thinking about their relationship ending would only bring her heartache.
Bernice was clapping to get everyone’s attention. Gavin’s office manager was once again impeccably dressed in a cropped floral jacket and robin’s-egg blue pants. Her feathered earrings brushed against her cheeks as she furiously tried to quiet the guests.
Ginger anxiously searched the crowd for Diesel. She hadn’t seen him all day, but she needed to head him off before Bernice questioned him about Savannah—Marissa! Cheese and crackers even she was calling the actress by her character’s name now.
Cassidy sidled up next to Ginger, one of Lori’s mini-cupcakes in her hand. Ginger snapped it away before the girl could stuff it in her mouth.
“Hey!” Cassidy gave her the evil eye.
“That’s the fourth one you’ve had this afternoon and that doesn’t count the ones I haven’t seen you eat. I’m working way too hard to get you in shape for you to blow it,” Ginger hissed quietly at her. She looked around for a place to stash the cupcake, but Cassidy was trying just as hard to grab it back. Everyone turned to watch their tussle. Faced with the girl’s hands grabbing at her and no trash can, Ginger did the unthinkable: She shoved the cupcake in her mouth. The moment the fluffy cake made contact with her tongue, she hummed with pleasure as the burst of tangy lemon flavoring teased her taste buds. Reflexively, she clamped her mouth and eyes shut in order to prolong the delicious flavor a moment longer before she was forced to swallow.
Cassidy agitatedly puffed out a breath beside her, forcing Ginger to open her eyes. Most of the guests had refocused their attention on Bernice, but Ginger’s gaze locked with Gavin’s. His nostrils flared as her tongue slipped out of her mouth to catch the last piece of sugary frosting in the corner of her lips. He started to make his way over to her, but was intercepted by his friend Will, who was carrying his young son on his shoulders. The baby squealed at the sight of Gavin, and Ginger’s chest constricted again.
Bernice was beginning to speak and Ginger finally spied Diesel in the crowd. With the statuesque Yasmine towering beside him, he was smiling as the mayor congratulated him on the show’s premiere. Leaving a still-grumbling Cassidy behind, Ginger snaked her way through the crowd toward Diesel. The mayor was speaking now, thanking the McAlister family for helping to restore a piece of the town’s history. Nodding to Miles McAlister, the mayor alluded to his campaign for Congress. Gavin’s urbane brother acknowledged the crowd with a wave as Ginger slid closer to Diesel. She was three feet from him when the mayor brought up Founders’ Day. Her pulse skyrocketed when Diesel stepped forward signaling to Bernice.
“I have some bad news about that,” he was saying. “Unfortunately, the actress who plays Savannah Rich has other obligations that weekend.”
There was an audible groan from the crowd.
“But she will be able to come for one day,” Ginger shouted over the crowd. The people in front of her parted, allowing her to reach Bernice and the mayor. She didn’t dare look at Diesel, instead addressing the two ladies. “She’ll be arriving the night before the parade. She’ll attend the wrap party following the parade, but I’m afraid she’ll have to leave right afterward.” Ginger took a deep breath, knowing that the next part would sting a great deal. “She’s flying in with Marvin Goldman and he has a dinner meeting in Miami that evening. I’m sorry, Bernice, but the other events you’d planned won’t be possible.”
Bernice was beaming ear to ear. “As long as she’s here for the parade!”
“And she’s bringing a network president with her,” the mayor exclaimed. “Glory me!”
Ginger fought not to roll her eyes. The mayor had it all backward; without that network president’s presence, Marissa Ryder wouldn’t have come within a thousand miles of Chances Inlet. Since the town wasn’t aware that Marvin Goldman was Diesel’s father, Marissa would get all the credit. Refusing to let that annoy her, Ginger smiled as Bernice hugged her.
The crowd buzzed around her, but Ginger was all too aware of the angry presence at her back. She wasn’t surprised when Diesel’s fingers manacled her arm. “Will you excuse us, ladies?” He didn’t bother waiting for an answer, instead leading her up the veranda and into the inn. Ginger walked quickly next to him as he led her to the office next to the kitchen.
“What. Did. You. Do?”
When Ginger finally looked at her friend’s face, she saw the anger she expected, but the pain reflected in Diesel’s eyes nearly brought her to her knees.
“You thought?” Diesel squeezed his skull. “Except my father isn’t coming. At least he wasn’t because I made sure to schedule the wrap party to coincide with his affiliates’ meeting in Miami!”
This was the tricky part. Ginger avoided his eyes; it was too painful. “I might have told his secretary that you wanted him to come.”
The room was silent. Unable to bear it any longer, she peeked up at him. His face was contorted with anger and confusion. “But I don’t want my father here, Ginger.” The words were uttered softly, but they still sounded lethal. “I never want to be anywhere near my father. You know that. He’s cruel and condescending and makes me feel like shit every minute I’m around him.” He shook his head. Ginger wrapped her arms around her body to keep herself from trembling. “But that doesn’t matter because you want to make a town full of strangers happy even if it makes me miserable.”
“No!” she shouted. Except, looking at it through his eyes, he had a point. Nausea rolled through her belly. “I’m sorry. I know it looks like I did that, but that wasn’t my intent.” A tear slipped out of her eye. “If you can’t stand to see him, how are you going to produce the variety show, though? I just thought . . . I thought maybe if he saw how successful you’d been on this show, he’d cut you a little slack on the next show.”
“Oh, I think we can establish here that you didn’t think, Ginger. You just went about making decisions in your crazy Pollyanna way, trying to make everyone happy. It isn’t possible, though. You can’t make everyone happy. When will you learn that?” Diesel choked out a maniacal laugh. “I’m guessing you’ll learn your lesson when Marissa comes here and makes a mash of things, or maybe that’s your intent. But by the looks of it, people here already like you. You’d better hope the wrath of Marissa doesn’t damage that.”