by A. C. Arthur
Once again, there were toasts all around. Ace put the glass to his lips but didn’t imbibe. Not much of a drinker, he’d passed his one-drink limit three drinks ago in the limo. Reporters clamored near the side of the stage. He’d not planned a press conference but decided to call on a couple raised hands.
“Any plans to expand the line beyond clothing?”
London squeezed Ace’s hand, hard. “As of right now, everything is on the table. We’re always thinking outside the box.”
“Whose idea was it to incorporate stilts into the show? That was fantastic!”
Tyler stepped up to the microphone. “As with the line, the show’s design was a collaborative effort.”
Actually it was Ace’s idea, but given the bully he’d been in the limo, Ace gave him a pass.
“You two look awfully cozy,” a gossip columnist asked as she stepped to the front. “Is there perhaps some designing happening behind the scenes?”
London took the lead on this one. “What fun would it be to kiss and tell? Part of the excitement for you guys is chasing the story.” She added coyly, “If I were you, I’d keep running.”
More questions were shouted out. Mira stepped to the microphone. “That’s all the time we have for questions right now. It’s time to meet and greet all of you who’ve come to help us celebrate. We appreciate you beyond words. Now...let’s party!”
For the next several hours, that’s exactly what they did. At just before 2:00 a.m., the partners and their partners arrived back at the Baccarat. Inside the elevator, Ace tried to stop her, but London pushed the button for her floor.
“You know better than that,” he murmured, using his body to press hers against the wall. “In fact,” he continued, kissing her cheeks, eyes, lips, “if we weren’t leaving in two days, I’d have Frida cancel the reservation altogether. There’s no way I’m going to bed without you in it.”
“You’ll get no argument out of me. But I need to stop at my room and grab a few things.” They reached her floor. The elevator doors opened. “Coming with?”
“Sure, why not.”
London playfully fought Ace off her as they walked down the hall. It was as if he’d channeled an octopus and now had eight hands. When he tried to put a hand under her dress while simultaneously tweaking a breast, London ran to her door.
“No more champagne for you, Mr. Montgomery. You’ve lost all control!”
They were both laughing as she swiped the card and the door opened. Two steps inside the foyer, however, Ace’s smile slid away. There, on the dining room table, was one of the largest bouquets Ace had ever seen, and beside it, gift boxes.
“Oh!” London squealed. “Flowers!” Her eyes beamed as she looked at him.
Ace shook his head. “Not me.”
“Are you sure?”
They walked over to the massive arrangement. London searched for and found the card.
To the star of the runway, and the world. You light up my life. Your one and only...
Ace read the card over her shoulder. “Looks like I pegged it right at the warehouse. You might be over Max, but he’s not over you.”
“This isn’t from Max,” London replied, thoughtfully nibbling on her lip as she picked up two wrapped packages. “There’s nothing he does that doesn’t bear his name.”
She unwrapped the first package. A box of gourmet chocolates. Unwrapped the second. A sheer negligee.
“Are you sure this isn’t from you?” London asked, trying to add levity to a moment getting heavier by the second.
“Positive. Are you sure they aren’t from Max?”
“Ninety-nine percent positive.”
“Call him and make sure.”
“Let me get this straight. The same man you banned from future shows you now want me to contact?”
“Yes, as quickly as possible. It’s the second time this has happened in as many months. Right? Or have there been more?”
“No, just the other time in Temecula.”
“Yes, call him. I don’t like the feel of this.”
“It’s probably nothing more than an overzealous fan.”
“Who knows where you’ve traveled, and where you stay?”
“Papa Dee’s funeral announcement was in several papers. Maybe someone made a lucky guess.”
He made further points that she continued to counter. Partly, he knew, because she wanted these to be random coincidences, not signs of something ominous. She’d tried to make light of the situation, but he knew the truth. Could see it in her eyes. She didn’t like the feel of it, either.
Chapter 19
“I didn’t send anything.”
London walked out of the bedroom of her suite and into the kitchen. Her voice was light but low. “That’s not the answer I wanted to hear, Max, but it’s what I figured.”
“Why’s that, my love? When we were together I sent you tons of flowers.”
“Yes, and you always signed your name.”
It was the following morning. London was in her suite at the Baccarat, along with Carly, the woman OTB had paid to be her personal assistant for the next four weeks. They were packing up for London, England, the next leg of the tour. Their flight left later today.
“It shouldn’t surprise you to have a secret admirer or two...or twelve.”
“It’s weird, though. A couple weeks ago, a gift was delivered to where I was in Temecula. A personal event that was announced, but that I hadn’t publicized anywhere.”
“It’s very easy to get information these days. You know that.”
“I guess. It still feels uncomfortable to have someone know your whereabouts when you don’t know who they are.”
“Our business attracts weird people, baby. It’s probably harmless, some shy geek millionaire garnering the courage to approach you. Sounds like some nice gifts, though. I’d enjoy them.”
“You’re probably right. Thanks. I feel better.”
“When you’re around me, you always do. Speaking of which, I’ll be in Europe in a week or so and plan to catch your show. But my contact couldn’t get a ticket. Says there aren’t any left.”
None left for you. “That’s probably true, Max. We were all over the trade mags and websites. Everyone’s talking about OTB.”
“No, princess. They’re talking about you. That star quality I saw the first time we met.” His tone changed, softened. London’s discomfort increased.
“I miss you, London. Your breaking things off was a huge mistake. I was so angry back then, had put so much into your being in the next movie, the next Tata temptation. I said things that I shouldn’t have, things I didn’t mean. When I saw you at the show Friday night, it became clearer than ever that you’re meant for the spotlight, and you’re meant to be with me.”
“Max... I don’t know what to say to all of this. We broke up months ago, and we only dated a year. I’ve moved on.”
“With Ace Montgomery?”
“With life, Max.”
“I take that nonanswer to mean you are seeing him.”
“Ace and I are very good friends, but no, we’re not officially a couple.”
“And unofficially?”
“Right now I’m taking a break from everything, taking the time to get to know my family again, to know me again. I told you that before. It’s still true.”
“Yet you’re headed to London for the next show.”
“Max, there are dozens, no, hundreds of beautiful women who’d kill to be your next temptation. The timing is just not right for that girl to be me. I have to go finish packing. Take care of yourself, okay?”
“Get me a ticket for your show in Paris.”
“I don’t have anything to do with that, Max.”
“I saw the look in Ace’s eyes. He’ll do anythi
ng for you. One ticket. That’s all I’m asking.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
London ended the call, shaking her head. Men. Who could ever understand them? After breaking up with him, Max had understandably tossed her from his Hollywood mansion. A message that she’d never get anywhere in the town without him was his parting gift, along with the fact it had been in the middle of the night. He’d apologized later, and they’d agreed to be friends. Platonic. Cordial. And now he was chasing her across the pond and declaring his love? What was that about?
Several hours later London joined Ace, Tyler and Phillip, Mira and her husband, along with Lucien and his top two assistants on a private plane to London. She hadn’t seen Ace since they parted that morning, but no sooner had they buckled up than it became clear what was on his mind.
“You talk to him?”
“Yes.”
“Did he send them?”
“No.”
“Temecula, either?”
“Nope.”
“Do you believe him?”
London looked over. “Why would he lie?”
“I don’t know.”
“He didn’t send them, Ace. If he had, trust me, I would know.”
Mira leaned over. “What are you guys over there conspiring about?”
Ace stretched his long legs out in front of him. “Just casual conversation, Mira. No story to feed to the press.”
“Are you sure about that? You two definitely look good together. Don’t they, Phillip?”
Phillip readily agreed. “They make a striking couple.”
“No couple,” London offered.
Mira continued to study them. “We need to shoot you guys together. What do you think, Ty? Coordinating the two lines for the spring show?”
Tyler yawned. “I think we need to relax, maybe sleep and not think about work on this flight. There’ll be plenty of time to plan the spring rollout after we get through the fall.”
“I agree, Dent,” Ace said. “One step at time.”
Mira huffed. “You two are no fun at all.”
“Says the workaholic,” her husband offered.
“You’d best behave,” Mira warned. “Or there will be a one-way coach ticket on a cheap airline with your name on it.”
The plane leveled off. Shortly afterward, dinner orders were taken and drinks were served.
London took a sip of her cranberry juice and nudged Ace. He lifted his head from the headrest and opened his eyes.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
“What?”
“Do you remember getting a request to put on a fashion show for charity?”
Ace thought for a minute. “Not that I can recall. Why?”
“My mom belongs to a few social organizations, one of which raises money for various causes. She said someone reached out to several designers in hopes of putting on a show to raise money for this year’s recipients.”
“When did they send it?”
“A month ago, maybe? Probably when you were in the throes of fashion week prep.”
“For sure, anything that came across my desk in the last two months, other than what pertained to the line, was placed in a file to be looked at later. I’m always down for a good cause, though. Tell me more.”
“I don’t know much, really, other than that all of the recipients are in Paradise Cove and one of them is the Drake Community Center. They have a variety of programs for kids, especially those who are at risk of falling through the cracks.” When he remained silent, she turned to find him staring. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“The more I learn about you and your family, the more you intrigue me. Let me make sure I understand. Your enormously wealthy family runs a multimillion-dollar real estate company, operates a luxury resort and vineyard, and at the same time built a community center for at-risk kids.”
“Basically, although if you’ll remember the spa is owned by my first cousins, not us. We do have a vineyard in Paradise Cove, but it’s a small one that my rancher brother runs.”
“Wait, wait, wait. There’s a rancher, too? I can’t keep up.”
“Ha! It’s my normal, so I never think about it. I come from a big family. We have a lot going on.”
The flight attendant delivered the first course. Ace had opted for the beet and goat cheese salad, while London tasted a spoonful of her chilled asparagus soup.
“Tell me about your siblings. Are they as wild as you?”
“I’m not wild. Much. Though if asked, they’d agree with you. My sister, Teresa, is the good girl. I’ve always been the rebel.”
“No question whether or not you’re the youngest. Wreaking havoc because you got here last.”
“Ha!”
“Tell me about the others.”
“The oldest is named after our father, Ike. He heads up Drake Realty Plus and is married to Quinn, the one who met me in San Francisco and who you would have met if you weren’t so busy. The next oldest is Niko. He’s the mayor of Paradise Cove.”
Ace snickered.
“What?”
“Go on, I’m listening.”
“Don’t laugh at my family. Drakes don’t play that.”
“I’m not laughing at you, babe. It’s just that you’re mentioning all of these serious corporate and government positions. And then there’s you.”
She nudged him in the side. “Watch it.”
“Then there’s Reginald, who’s the real rebel. He married his soul mate, moved to New Orleans and became the son her father never had. He’s the only brother who doesn’t work in the family business. Warren is the rancher, who started this whole conversation. He also works at Drake Realty. Everybody does something at the company in one way or another. Well, almost everybody.”
“Except you, right.”
“Dang, hearing it out loud makes me feel bad about it. You’ve got to do the show for my mom. I’ll help. It’ll be my contribution to the good Drake name.”
They both laughed at that and took a break from the conversation to accept plates of wild Alaskan salmon and Chateaubriand.
“So now, the rancher. Is he married?”
London nodded. “Everyone is except me and Julian. He’s the youngest son and just graduated with his doctorate in psychology. Let’s see, who else. Oh, the twins, Terrell and Teresa. Terrell handles sales at the company and helps run the community center. His wife is a doctor, too. I forget which kind. Teresa worked for the company but took a leave, became a journalist, went to Alaska and met her husband. She’s back in the family biz, but from home and part-time.”
“Wow, babe. You’re really lucky. Everyone in your family is highly educated, and very successful. They sound amazing. Whatever made you leave them to attend school in another country?”
“That’s another story for another time. I’d rather talk about what type of fashion show we can put on for charity, and how much money we can make.”
“Hell, sounds like we can just invite your family, have you walk the runway and make a mint!”
By the time the plane landed in London, one situation—the charity fashion show—had been all but worked out. Another situation was brewing, however, that might not turn out, as well.
Chapter 20
Once they landed at Heathrow Airport, London turned on her phone and was surprised to see several missed calls from her mother. They’d just spoken before the plane took off in New York. Her stomach flip-flopped. What could Jennifer want that she’d called so many times? London didn’t bother to check messages, just tapped her mom’s icon on the cell phone screen.
“Mom! Sorry to wake you. We just landed and I saw that I missed several calls. Is everything okay?”
“Absolutely, dea
r” was the groggy reply.
“Thank goodness.” London breathed a sigh of relief. “Seeing so many calls almost stopped my heart. Especially since we’d talked earlier.”
“I’m sorry to have frightened you, Clarisse. I was just so excited about my mini miracle that I wanted to contact you right away.”
“What happened?”
“I got your father to not only take off from work but to do something that wasn’t written on his calendar. He’s agreed to come to Europe with me, sweetheart, to see one of your shows!”
London’s squeal got the whole plane’s attention. “Mommy, that’s fabulous news! Are you coming to London? Milan? Where?”
“Well, honey, that’s why I called you. I was hoping you could send me your schedule so that I can make plane reservations as soon as possible, before he changes his mind. I didn’t know if we could make it in time for the London show, and then there’s the matter of tickets and all of that. I just wanted to talk to you before I did anything further.”
“Hold on, Mom. Ace is right here. Let me ask about tickets.” She turned and quickly shared what Jennifer had told her.
“It’s your parents. Of course we’ll get them in.”
“Which city should I tell them?”
“I’d say either here or Milan. You know how Paris is—always another level of crazy.”
“You’re right.” She unmuted the call. “Mom, the show here is the day after tomorrow, so you might want to shoot for Milan next week. That way I could free up my schedule a little bit and actually hang out with you guys. It’s been forever since you’ve seen me in a runway show. I’m really excited you’re coming. Plus, you’ll get to meet Ace. He’s agreed to do the charity fashion show, so you two can start to get acquainted.”
“Excellent! I look forward to all and will contact our travel agent as soon as you send the dates.”
Landing at Heathrow’s private-jet hangar considerably shortened the time it took to leave the airport. Everyone sailed through customs with ease. Assistants were on hand to deal with the baggage. Ace and company were free to get right down to business. With the show happening in two days, they didn’t have a moment to lose.