These guys were the true animal wranglers, fellow union members who actually moved animals from one location to another, even though all of the animal support personnel was commonly referred to by that general term—probably because it was a little more colorful. As she watched, another few vans pulled up, and Chandler jumped out, ineffectively supervising his own beefy crew. It didn’t take very long to have the ferry stuffed with cages of all sizes, neatly battened down by very competent workers who really knew their way around.
Chandler basically ignored Haley, and when his charges were all loaded he descended the gangway. She was about to ask where in the hell he was going, but she was honestly glad to be rid of him. A tall guy in a baseball cap got on, gave her a friendly wave, then went into the pilot house. The engines started to rumble, and after a few minutes they cast off.
It wasn’t the most luxurious way to leave Oahu, but with the sun shining on the turquoise sea, and a mild chop to rock the boat, she was pretty happy. Then the wind changed. Now she was overwhelmed by diesel exhaust, the unmistakable scent of reptiles, and cages of squawking birds, including one who began to chant, “Treat for Bo-bee!” at full volume. Who said movies weren’t glamorous?
***
A half hour before landing, Piper and Charlie squeezed into the tiny bathroom to freshen up her look. If it had been her on view, Piper would have sat like a statue through the whole flight, worried about messing up her hair and makeup. But Charlie wasn’t the type. She’d rolled around in her seat like a baby, with her head finally coming to rest on Piper’s shoulder. Her sky blue blouse still bore a drool stain.
“You’ve got a big red line down the side of your face,” Piper chided, touching it lightly with foundation. “Did you have to sleep for hours?”
“Planes make me sleepy.” She stuck her hands up in the air and stretched, the cramped quarters nearly making her punch Piper in the eye. “Think many reporters will be at the airport? It’s been hard to tell how much interest this picture’s gonna generate. Everybody says an action movie with a female lead’s never gonna fly.”
“Everybody doesn’t say that,” Piper said, focusing on fluffing up the side of Charlie’s hair that had been mashed up against her shoulder for the last five hours. “Besides, it doesn’t matter what other movies have done. Yours will be a big, big success.” She tilted her chin and placed a kiss to the top of Charlie’s head. “Now let’s get out of here before people think we’re joining the mile-high club.” She made a face at the thought. “Incest division.”
“No one on this plane knows you’re my sister,” Charlie reminded her, eyes dancing. “It might spice up my image to be caught in the john with a hot lesbian.”
Piper grasped her by the hips and maneuvered her so Charlie was by the door. “You first. Anyone who wants to snap a picture will focus on you, letting me sneak out unseen.”
“You’re ten times better looking than I am,” Charlie said, turning an inch to kiss Piper’s cheek. “You just don’t know it.” With that, she opened the door and slipped out, leaving Piper to mull that comment over for a second. Knowing Charlie, she meant it. The kid was delusional, but awfully sweet.
***
Given they were in row 1, seats A and B, Charlie was the first person off the plane. The second they left the secure area, gorgeous women in grass skirts placed leis on their necks while strobe lights started to pop, blinding Piper until she lowered her eyes and followed Charlie’s print dress. Then someone appeared at her side, grasped her by the arm and pulled her away. “Don’t ruin the photos,” the woman said as she pressed her up against a wall.
“Who…?” Piper’s vision cleared and she recognized the woman. She was one of the publicity flacks from the studio, someone she’d met the week before when she and Charlie went to the lot for a meeting. “Right. I’ll stay out of the way.”
“Look,” the woman said, her dark eyes boring into Piper like lasers. “I’ve never heard of you, so you clearly haven’t been doing this long. I have no idea why she hired a rookie, but if you’re fucking her—stay miles away from her in public. She doesn’t need that shit right now.”
“I’m not fucking her!”
“Shh! Not so loud. Jesus!” She looked at Piper like she wanted to strangle her. “I don’t care if you’re fucking her. I’m just telling you to keep your distance in public.”
“Thanks for your concern,” Piper said, peering around the woman to keep an eye on Charlie, who was posing her ass off, responding to every shouted request from the photographers. Nearly every person who’d been on their plane was now pressing against the barrier security had set up, with dozens of phones held above the crowd, snapping photos and video. “I’m going to do what’s best for Charlie, whether or not the studio approves.” She focused on the woman again. “I’ve forgotten your name.”
“Ilsa London,” she said, still scowling. “A good manager keeps track of names, by the way.” Then she scurried over to direct Charlie to stand by a wall with a bright pink splash of color across it. She really did look better over there. A good manager probably would have known that, too.
***
Piper was learning all sorts of things today. When you were with a VIP, you didn’t have to check into a hotel. Your bags were whisked out of your limo, then one of the hotel managers met you on the front steps and took you directly to your suite. Your astoundingly fantastic suite, with two bedrooms, two baths, a whirlpool tub, a big dining area, and floor-to-ceiling French doors filled with the most gorgeous view of Diamond Head and the glittering ocean below.
The manager was as smooth as glass, obviously used to doing this kind of thing all day long. Charlie was giving him her full attention, letting him yammer on about all of the amenities.
Piper peeled off to take a look around on her own. A huge arrangement of Hawaiian flowers sat on the dining room table, with a card snuggled into a stalk of red ginger. She plucked it out and opened it.
Charlie-
Welcome to Hawaii!
We won’t have the chance for a cast dinner, so how about you and Piper joining Meredith and me tonight? We’re in the Legacy Suite. Around eight? Shoot me a text.
Really excited about getting to work!
Tim
Piper let her mind wander to Tim for a moment. He was arguably not only the most famous, but also one of the most respected actors of his generation. He’d done light comedies, epics, historical dramas, and a few suspense movies, winning two Oscars in the process. Piper could still tear up when she thought of his portrayal of a prisoner of war who’d led a small group of his fellow soldiers to freedom during World War II. He’d been so close to safety, but he’d hung back to get the last of his men out—getting shot in the back for his troubles. The look on his face had been a work of art. You truly believed he was perfectly fine dying at that moment, just so long as his guys made it.
Tim could obviously play any role, but he’d never taken the usual plunge into action movies, where the plot mostly involved killing scads of people and driving off cliffs. Instead of cashing in on massive paydays as he’d approached the end of his leading-man days, he’d spent more time directing. Somehow he’d managed to produce three hits in a row, something unheard of for a novice director. He obviously had the intuitive sense of what audiences wanted to see, no matter which side of the camera he was on.
The hotel manager was winding down, probably out of things to say given how long he’d been going on. He clearly wanted to spend more time with Charlie, who was giving him her usual “you’re the only person in the world” treatment. A lot of people took that seriously. Little did the hotel manager know, the limo driver had gotten it a mere ten minutes earlier. And the maid would get it when she came by to place mints on their pillows. Charlie truly was interested in people, but she was also always working on her image. There wasn’t ever going to be a person who’d be able to honestly say she was a bitch. That might not stop them, but they’d be lying if they tried.
***
Piper was finishing putting her clothes away when Charlie entered the bedroom. She flopped down on the bed, clad in just her underwear. “You know what we need to do?”
“Yep. Unpack.”
“Besides that.” She rolled over and braced her head on her fists, a pose she’d been striking since she was in nursery school. “We need to go shopping.”
“For what?”
Charlie’s deep blue eyes traveled from Piper’s head to her feet, making her feel strangely exposed. “You need some dressier clothes, Pip. Casual dressy. Like the sundress I had on today.”
“I don’t wear dresses, Charlie. Never have, and I’m not going to start. I’m perfectly happy looking like your unfashionable manager.”
“But what will you wear when you’re going out with me? You’re not my manager tonight. You’re my sister. And now that I’ve been announced, we’re gonna be photographed everywhere we go.”
“So? I’ll look like a crew member. No big deal.”
Charlie rolled off the bed and came to stand in front of Piper. “It is a big deal. I don’t care if you throw everything away when we’re done with it, but here, when we go out together, you need to look sharp. Come on,” she said, taking Piper by the hand and dragging her to her room. She chose a new outfit for herself, slipping into a pink sleeveless linen shirt and sky blue Capri pants with pink hibiscus embroidered onto them, clothing that made her look like a wealthy, middle-aged tourist. The things she’d packed, all sent by the studio, were nothing like her usual yoga pants and tank tops. Whoever was in charge of crafting her image wanted her to look more like Audrey Hepburn in the fifties than a young actress working now, a choice that puzzled Piper a little. But she was the last person to give style advice, so she’d kept her mouth shut. “You need a couple of things to wear when you have to go out,” Charlie continued. “Shorts won’t cut it.”
Piper took her by the shoulders and turned her toward the living area. “I’ve got phone calls to make. Go buy whatever you want me to wear. Just go up four or five sizes from your own. That’ll be close enough.”
“Such a lesbian,” Charlie said, chuckling to herself as she slipped into a pair of sandals and grabbed her purse. “Don’t complain if I make you look like a super femme.”
Piper watched her walk down the short hallway, relieved she hadn’t been pressed into tagging along. “If you want everyone to wonder why you hired a manager who looks like an idiot, be my guest.”
***
Piper stood in front of the mirror, adjusting form-fitting white Capri pants and a bright blue Indian-style tunic with darker blue embroidery decorating it. Everything fit amazingly well, which puzzled the hell out of her. How did you know what would look good on your sister, much less yourself?
She walked into Charlie’s room, watching her cast a critical eye at herself, starting at the top and working her way down, searching for imperfections. She wasn’t going to find any. Although she was far too skinny for Piper’s tastes, she was young enough to handle a massive weight loss without looking ill.
Tonight, she’d chosen a knit top with black and white horizontal stripes, a choice made to make her look less skinny. Shiny black slacks, generously cut, helped disguise her weight loss, too, making her look pretty normal—and pretty gorgeous. Business as usual.
They walked across the sumptuously planted grounds of the hotel, meandering along a path until they reached a free-standing cottage set on a small rise, poised at a spot where the land began to fall off toward the beach. A small movement caught Piper’s eye, and she strained to see three guys spaced well apart on the rise. Security. Something Tim and Meredith had to deal with every damn moment of their lives.
When they knocked, a white-jacketed man answered, tilting his head slightly. “Ms. Summers. Ms. Campbell. Please, come in.”
They entered, and Piper got a peek at one of the perks of being the director of a big-budget movie. The place was enormous, but understated in an old-money Hawaiian style, with lots of dark wood and off white linen. The living area could have seated twenty, but only Tim walked down the hallway, smiling that Oscar-winning grin.
“We’re finally at my favorite day,” he said. “We start work tomorrow, and every single scene we’re going to create is already in my head, each one better than the last.”
“I like the way you think,” Charlie said, already seeming very comfortable with him. Piper’s hands were shaking, but Charlie treated him just like any other co-worker.
“Piper,” he said, smiling warmly before giving her a lingering hug. “I hope everything went well with your dog?”
“We’ve been getting updates all day long. His babysitter is top-notch.”
“Great to hear it. Come on in, ladies,” he said, turning to lead the way down the corridor. “I bet Oscar can quench our thirst, right, Oscar?”
“Yes, sir.” The white jacketed guy reappeared, giving them a quizzical look. “What would you like? We have an extensive bar.”
Piper went first, letting Charlie make up her mind. “I’d like something tropical.”
“Perhaps a balsamic martini? Vodka, strawberry puree, dry vermouth and a touch of balsamic vinegar. A nice blend of sweet, dry and tart.”
A sexy voice sounded from behind Piper, then a very light touch settled on her shoulder. “Make it two, Oscar.”
Piper turned to face Meredith Legrand, realizing those dark, stormy eyes were the locus of her anxiety.
Meredith’s melodic voice purred, “So nice to see you both again,” as cool fingers slid down Piper’s arm. Meredith managed to tear her focus from Piper to swivel her head and smile at Charlie, then it was right back to Piper, leaving her feeling like they were Tinder hook-ups. This was some weird shit, with Piper completely unable to convince herself it was all in her head. Meredith Legrand was into her, which was possibly the strangest scenario her fertile imagination could conjure up.
They moved to the living room, where Oscar delivered remarkably delicious drinks. Then Piper occupied herself by nervously jamming chocolate-covered macadamia nuts into her mouth. At this rate, she’d have to unzip her snug Capris, but she couldn’t help herself. Nervous eating was a lifelong problem, one she wasn’t going to conquer tonight.
***
They ate under a tent on the beach, a beautifully lit white canvas one dotted with globe-covered candles. Piper had seen weddings set up this way in decorating magazines, but this was the closest she’d ever come to such casual elegance.
Their meal was perfectly prepared, although barely enough to fill Delta, much less a human. No wonder Tim and Meredith were as skinny as sticks! Piper was glad she’d eaten so many macadamia nuts, since their Japanese-inspired dinner couldn’t have totaled more than four hundred calories.
As they were eating their sugar free/dairy free lychee nut sorbet, the kids arrived, running and yelling as their bare feet pounded across the sand. “The monsters have returned,” Meredith said, gazing at them with an indulgent smile.
A babysitter ran along behind them, catching them at the edge of the tent. “Ask for permission,” she hissed.
The eldest, Piper thought his name might be Beck…held the others back. “Can we come in?” he asked, his longish blond hair having fallen into his eyes.
“Of course,” Tim said, waving them in. “You guys met Charlie and her sister Piper a few weeks ago in Malibu, remember?”
“Yes,” the oldest kid said. He stuck his hand out and shook, his grip sure and businesslike.
“Hi, Beckett,” Charlie said, getting the name right, as usual. “Are you guys having fun in Hawaii?”
“We are,” he said, enunciating each word like a speech teacher. But he offered nothing more, giving her a bland gaze.
“Are you Eve?” the littlest girl, adorably shy, managed to ask. She was giving Charlie a suspicious look, but you could tell the answer to her question was a very important one.
Charlie leaned over until they were on the same plane, then nodded her hea
d slowly. “I am,” she said. “Have you read the books about me?”
“Papa readed them,” she said, pointing at her father. “Every night.”
“We got through all three, didn’t we, Greer?” Tim asked, grinning with pride.
“Uh-huh,” she said, still staring curiously at Charlie. “You don’t look right,” she finally said, leaning against her father.
“I don’t look right?” Charlie asked.
Aspen, the older girl, took over, saying, “You don’t look like Eve.” She shook her head, clearly disappointed.
Tim jumped in. “We’re doing a movie, girls. Charlie’s only acting like Eve. Remember when I talked like Jerry the astronaut? We all know I wasn’t a little plastic doll that came to life, right?”
Greer nodded slowly, still giving Charlie the stink eye.
“Your daddy’s right,” Charlie said, gazing at the little girl with the same level of sobriety the kid was showing. “I’m going to act like Eve, but I’ll never really be her. Eve will always be just who she is. Just how you see her.”
“Can you sail a boat across the ocean? All by yourself?” Aspen asked, getting down to the important details.
“Um…” Charlie shot a look at Tim.
“The real Charlie doesn’t do the same things the real Eve did, but she doesn’t have to. Movies are make believe, right girls? Just like when you two put on plays.”
“If you’re lucky, they’ll invite you two over some night when they’re ready to mount a new production,” Meredith said, her tinkling laughter so melodic it made the hairs on the back of Piper’s neck stand up. Then Meredith leaned over to take one of the very few macadamia nuts Piper had left unmolested. Her right arm extended over Piper’s body, blocking her left hand from everyone else’s view. But Piper watched it dip to land on her thigh and slide all the way up. Her mouth dropped open in shock as Meredith sat up tall again, with no one the wiser. But Piper’s leg was on fire, and she was sure the color of her cheeks matched the burning sensation where that remarkably bold hand had just been. What. In. The. Holy. Fuck!
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