Limelight (Hollywood Stardust)

by Kim Carmichael

  “I think I’m exactly on time.” Heeding what she learned on set, she blocked the doorway, preventing any escape and focused on Drew. It had been too long since she saw him without the prosthetics and padding they piled on him.

  They stared at each other. At least he finally looked at her. Maybe it was a start. “Drew, may I speak to you please?”

  For a moment he paused, his gaze traveled over her, and he opened his mouth.

  She held her breath.

  In a flash, he turned back to Brian. “Is our business done?”

  Her agent and lover nodded and didn’t bother glancing in her direction.

  With her blocking the exit, Drew approached her and her shaking intensified. She held out her hand. “Please, Drew.”

  “Let me go.” He stared into her eyes. The double meaning of his words was not lost on her.

  She stood her ground.

  Brian joined them, took her by the shoulders, and pried her away from the door. “Come on Erin.”

  The second there was enough room to pass, Drew left. No, he didn’t run, but he wasn’t slow about it either.

  “Damn you.” The tears started, real tears, the same ones she cried every time she saw him since that stupid night.

  “Just leave him be.” Brian pulled her in tighter.

  “Leave me alone!” If nothing else she needed to have her say. She didn’t go to any lengths to find him, he simply appeared, and she had to take her chance. Gathering her strength, she shrugged Brian off and dashed out the back of the office.

  She scanned the small parking lot behind Brian’s building to find him sitting in a blue sedan. “Drew!” Not caring if every photographer in Hollywood showed up out of the woodwork, she ran toward the car and knocked on the window. “Drew!”

  He didn’t look at her, only sat there shaking his head.

  “Drew!” She continued to pound on the window. “Please, let me just say something, then you can leave.”

  Though he didn’t face her, he rolled down the window a crack.

  Breathless, she knew she better get the words out that she promised she’d say if she ever had the chance. “I love you, Drew.” At hearing her confession, she gasped.

  Time stood still. She balled her hand into a fist and waited for his response, a reaction, anything.

  The window slid up, closing her out, and the engine of the car rumbled.

  She simply stood there as he backed out of the parking spot and left.

  Expecting some Hollywood magic she didn’t move, anticipating him returning, opening the car door, saying he loved her as well, and then them driving off into the sunset. She refused to budge until he came back.

  “Erin, you’ve been standing there for an hour. Come inside now.” Brian called to her.

  An hour? She inhaled, spun on her heel and charged back toward the building, where she stopped and turned back one more time. Refusing to cry, she channeled any heroine she knew to remain strong. The energy built up within her and she had punched the wall. The side of her hand had caught a small nail. Instantly, blood had gushed from the wound, dripping down onto the cement.

  Back in the present in their hotel room, she blinked, inhaled and watched a much smaller amount of blood trickle onto the napkin. At least this wound wouldn’t require stitches and a trip to a doctor who wouldn’t talk to the tabloids. Once the bleeding stopped, she finished juicing the oranges and with her glass of liquid health in tow, tiptoed into the bedroom.

  “Erin?” Drew’s voice came out ragged like it had been ridden hard and put away wet.

  Before turning to him, she cleared her throat and took a breath to rid her mind of those old images churning in her head. They were different now. He promised he wouldn’t shut her out and she wasn’t afraid of her feelings. Right?

  At her core, she was still an actress, and she faced him, knowing the smile she wore was convincing. “How’s my patient?”

  “I don’t remember the last time I felt worse.” He draped his arm over his eyes, but held his other hand out to her.

  “I made you some juice.” She sat at the edge of the bed.

  “You made juice?” From beneath his arm he peeked at her. “You mean you made it by ordering room service?”

  “No. Room service brought me a juicer and oranges and I made juice.” Just to make sure he knew she spoke the truth she waved the glass in front of him.

  “Fresh juice from your hands?” With a grunt, he forced himself into a seated position. He took the glass, sampled her beverage and licked his lips. “As delicious as the woman who made it.”

  She swore her cheeks heated with his compliment, and still trying to put her memories on the back burner, she glanced around the room, stopping when it reached her video camera thrown on the chair. Perhaps she should have documented her juice making extravaganza, but her focus on Drew made her forget her other job. There was also still the matter of getting to Logan’s casting.

  “Hey.” He rubbed her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  She turned back. “I just want you to concentrate on getting well. In a little bit I’ll call Las Cruces Agricultural Sciences and reschedule. Then I’ll call Logan to double check the time of the casting, and as a grand finale I’ll make you some toast with the toaster and fresh bread I had room service bring. I thought it would be easy on your stomach.”

  He stared at her, really and truly stared as if he never saw her before.

  “What is it?” Though used to having people look at her, gawk even, when Drew did it, the experience was completely different.

  Rather than answer, he took hold of her hand, his fingers grazing against her wound.

  She gasped and tried to pull away. “Oh.”

  He inspected the damage. “How did this happen?”

  “It’s just a little cut. One of the oranges didn’t want to stay put, nothing important.” She tried to laugh it off. “I just wanted to take care of you.”

  Again, their eyes met. He knew the origin of the original scar.

  Keeping his focus on her, he brought her hand to his lips.

  She held her breath and wondered if he remembered that day, what she said, what he didn’t say.

  Once more, he leaned back on the pillows. “Well, I not only have the most delicious nurse in the world, but the most gorgeous one as well.”

  Her stomach twisted at the compliment, but not the right words. A sudden feeling of exhaustion took over her. “Why don’t you rest? I think I might join you.”

  He lifted the blankets and she curled up in bed next to him, holding back the tears when he spooned her and kissed the back of her head. “If this isn’t healing, nothing is.”

  When he remembered that day, he likely remembered wanting to be done with her, while she remembered chasing after him. In truth, what she remembered most was wishing he would say he loved her too. Something told her they needed more healing than a glass of orange juice.

  HOLLYWOOD STARBURST

  EXT. EFFINGHAM, IL – OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. – NIGHT.

  Charles and Roxy lean against the Lincoln sipping a drink looking out over a field.

  ROXY

  It’s the last stop before home.

  CHARLES

  (Nodding.)

  You ready to face the world?

  ROXY

  Not really. But I’m also not ready to hide anymore either.

  CHARLES takes a gulp of his drink.

  CHARLES

  You know, when I first met Steven I was so terrified of him I’d hide around corners so he would pass me in the hall. Then one day I was running late for class.

  ROXY smiles and turns to Charles.

  ROXY

  You were late?

  CHARLES

  (Frowns.)

  I was in elementary school and had to rely on my mother for transportation.

  ROXY

  Poor baby.

  CHARLES

  Anyway, so I was late and ran down the hall and there he was.

 
; ROXY

  What did you do?

  CHARLES

  I faced him head on. I just figured I was already late and I may as well get it over with.

  ROXY leans in.

  CHARLES

  So, you know what he did?

  ROXY shakes her head

  CHARLES

  He thrust his backpack at me, put his arm around my shoulders and told me how to get a new slab of clay from the teacher so we didn’t have to use the old clay with all the crud stuck in it.

  ROXY bursts out laughing

  CHARLES

  So, after that day, I carried his crap and did his stuff, and he always took care of me in his own special and slightly twisted way.

  ROXY

  Well then, as the smartest person in the group, what advice do you have for the girl who broke everything including my foot?

  CHARLES

  It’s merely a sprain.

  CHARLES holds out his arm and escorts Roxy back around to the passenger side of the car.

  CHARLES

  You really need to decide what you want, and I’m not talking about William and Steven. What do you really want?

  ROXY stares at Charles

  ROXY

  All I know is that I don’t want this to be the last stop. There has to be something more.

  CHARLES

  There’s a lot more, you just have to find it.

  ROXY gives Charles a kiss on the cheek, then gets inside the car.

  ROXY

  I hope so.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  THE TIRES ON DREW’S SUV ground against the gravel as he and Erin made their way down the long driveway leading to LCAS or Las Cruces Agricultural Sciences. Part farm part laboratory, the facility was known for specialty agriculture.

  “Are you feeling all right?” Erin leaned over and grazed her hand against his cheek.

  After parking the car, Drew turned to her and couldn’t help but pull her in for a quick kiss. The woman proved to be an amazing nurse. Hell, she proved to be amazing period. No one could take care of him like Erin, and it wasn’t only fresh squeezed juice. While he rested, she fixed their schedule, fed him, entertained him and just stayed with him. Any residual doubts about her and about them finally faded. “I feel much better.” Thankfully, whatever feverish illness that overtook him only delayed them two days.

  “It must be all the vitamins.” As she spoke, her lips brushed against his.

  “I think I can attribute my miraculous recovery to something else.” He took her hand. For the first time since their bed and breakfast stay they didn’t make love in the morning, or the middle of the night, or…well, they didn’t make love. His need returned with his strength. He kissed her once more, a little deeper. “Actually, I feel incredible.”

  “Is incredible your new word for horny?” Her giggle vibrated through him.

  “Very good deduction, I’ll turn you into a scientist yet.” He forced himself to pull back.

  “Well, right now I’m going to play secretary and tell you we better not be late. We have ingredients to choose for Hollywood Glow and then we can pick a product from your finished ones to start with.” She wiped his bottom lip. “Later, for our last night on our road trip, I’ll play the role of demure damsel and you can have your way with me.”

  The last night of their road trip. His chest tightened. Would they do as well in the real world? Again, he pushed the thoughts away. “Then I’ll play gentleman and open the door for you.” Before he ravaged her in the front seat of his SUV, he gathered his laptop bag, got out of the vehicle and went around to retrieve her.

  “Thank you, kind sir.” She put her hand in his.

  He helped her down and gave her the once over twice. Hell he could do it all day long. Rather than wearing something over the top, she chose a pair of jeans with a tight pink sweater and boots. Gorgeous.

  “What is it?” She slid her sunglasses down over her eyes.

  “It’s our first meeting as…” Realizing what he almost blurted out, and not wanting to sound like some jerk, he led her away. “You’re right, we need to go inside.”

  She pulled her hand away. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what first this is.”

  Instead of answering right away, he took two deliberate steps toward her, stopping less than an inch in front of her. “This is our first meeting where we are a couple, and I’m telling you right now my damsel, unless you want to be in distress, you will be good.” As any good director would say, everything was in the delivery.

  A slow smile overtook her face. “I’ll be good Dr. Fulton.” She reclaimed his hand, stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a long kiss complete with some tongue action.

  In order to ensure she knew the effect she had on him, he pushed his body to hers and ran his hand over her backside. “Hold that thought.” They both turned toward the entrance and standing right there in jeans, cowboy boots and a Stetson, was his colleague, Dr. Costa. Well, he couldn’t blame this on her, only his overactive libido.

  “Well, I guess I’ll get that spanking after all,” she whispered and without warning, charged forward.

  Though he tried to catch her, she proved to be too fast.

  “Dr. Costa. I’m Erin Holland.” She held her hand out. “Thank you for being so flexible with our schedule.”

  She thanked him.

  Not only did Erin thank him, she called him by the proper title and the woman who needed no introduction, introduced herself. Drew slowed down, took a breath and waited for the response. Fine, he said a silent prayer this meeting would turn out well and it all depended on the man’s response. Please let him be a fan of some sort.

  Dr. Costa shook her hand then stood back and crossed his arms.

  Drew held his breath, more like choked.

  “So, you’re that fancy Hollywood actress who Dr. Abrams brought with him. One day he’s a chemist, the next a one hit wonder teen in some dated movie, and I’m supposed to be impressed?”

  Erin opened her mouth.

  A surge of adrenaline caused Drew to rush forward. He grabbed Erin by the shoulders and pulled her to him. “Dr. Costa, no offense, but I will not allow you to speak to Miss Holland this way. There are many other sources for what I need.”

  With her mouth still open, Erin gazed up at him.

  “There may be many other sources for what your lab needs, but I think there’s only one source for what you need.” Dr. Costa burst into a round of laughter and pointed at Erin. “I heard she was a fiery one, and I just wanted to see what she would do, but I must say the look on your face and your actions were priceless.”

  As if she might pass out, Erin leaned against him.

  Once the man’s words processed through his mind, Drew smiled.

  “To tell you the truth, I’m a huge fan of your work. Both of you.” Dr. Costa held his hand out.

  Erin held her finger up. “Drew, for the record, I was going to be nice.”

  Since there was no point in refraining from his actions, he bent down and gave her a light kiss. “I believe you.”

  “But for the record, thank you for defending me.” One of her true, gorgeous smiles lit up not only her face, but the world around them. She finally faced the man who made this moment possible and shook his hand. “Dr. Costa, I believe we would like to see some peppers now.”

  “Call me Adan.” He gave Erin a hearty shake.

  “Call me relieved.” Drew also shook his hand and they all entered the facility. The fact she had to thank him for defending her left a sour taste in his mouth. While she tended to him during his sickness and fought for them every step of the way, he had simply sat back and reacted to her, and he was never on her side.

  The greenhouse almost looked like a movie set with rows and rows of different vegetation in various colors and shapes gracing the massive space.

  “This is like having the best of the outdoors, indoors.” Erin slipped her camera out of her bag and held it up. “Adan, do you mind if I take so
me shots?”

  “Only if you get my good side.” Adan straightened up and began playing tour guide, pointing out different hybrids of vegetables and fruits.

  They stopped in the area devoted to all different types of peppers and chilies.

  “You said this was for a new product?” Adan corralled them around a bright red pepper.

  “We’re doing an entire product line.” Erin panned the area and put the camera down. “Hollywood Glow.”

  “This one is a hybrid of a cayenne pepper, higher levels of capsaicin and once concentrated, it has good levels of vitamin A.” Adan picked the vegetable off the vine and held it out.

  Drew leaned in for a closer look and glanced over at Erin. Her wrinkled nose told him she wasn’t impressed. “Capsaicin…” Before he even finished the sentence, Erin piped in.

  “I know, it has a lot of health benefits, mostly under exploited. It can help blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and some say it’s even an aphrodisiac.” She rested her hand on her hip. “I thought it would be cool to use the pepper in a drink for cleansing. People do it all the time with cayenne.”

  Well, at least she did her research and had a plan. “So why do you hate it?”

  “Because it looks like just a pepper, who cares?” As if she couldn’t stomach the sight of the pepper, she turned away.