What A Woman: Book Five (The Woman I Love Series 5)

by G S Binkley

  Just before they were to board the airplane, Lacy received a call on her cellphone. “Hello.” Lacy listened for a moment. “Okay, I will. Yes, okay, I’ve got to board now. Goodbye.”

  Raised eyebrows by Gage inquired about who was on the telephone call.

  However, Lacy just grabbed her partner arm and pulled the blonde on to the plane. It was an uneventful journey to New York. It was obvious to Gage that Lacy was contemplating something. Dani was excited about seeing Lane and chatted on about what they had planned.

  Once settled in the hotel room, Gage called room service. The food on the plane was unappealing. Again, the blonde noticed that Lacy was pre-occupied. “Dani, so what’s the plan?”

  She tossed a few items on the bed in her connecting room before heading back into her parent’s suite. “Lane’s gonna come by this afternoon and we’re just gonna hang out.”

  Lacy’s first interview was early in the morning so they were staying in. Gage hoped to talk with her partner alone after Dani left.

  “Oh, by the way, I’m going out to dinner with Lane’s parents and they invited all of us…” Dani looked at her mother who was focused on unpacking her own clothes. “…mom?” When Dani didn’t get a response, she turned to Gage who just shrugged. “Mom? Can you and Gage make it…to dinner?”

  Lacy never looked up but confirmed. “I believe so.”

  After room service delivered lunch, they relaxed until the knock on the door made Dani jump up off their bed. “He’s here.” Introductions were made in short order and then Lane whisked away their daughter for an afternoon of sightseeing and Lane had procured tickets for one of the plays that night.

  Gage crawled up on the bed next to her partner. “You haven’t said much…since the phone call.”

  Lacy’s hands were clasped together. She was still staring off into space. “Just thinking.”

  The blonde studied her partner for a long moment. “Anything you want to share?”

  Lacy sighed. “David.”

  Ah, now I understand what’s been distracting her. “Anything I can help with?”

  The actor’s full attention was not on her partner. “Yes, as a matter of fact, this involves you as well.”

  Uh oh!

  “David asked to talk with me once we get to LA.” After their New York trip, they would fly straight out to Los Angeles and Dani was going to fly back home to St. Troy.

  “And…”

  “He’s asked to join our show…wants to help.” When Gage didn’t say anything, Lacy speculated about her partner’s silence. “Of course, we’d have to talk with Mark and Ryan before we made any decision.”

  Gage nodded. “I’m sure though that whatever we decided, they would go along with…I can’t see that they wouldn’t.” The blonde took her partner’s hand. “Have you made a decision?”

  Lacy shifted so she could look directly into her partner’s eyes. “We…” She emphasized. “…make that decision…together. We’re a team.”

  “I know.” Gage kissed Lacy’s cheek. “What are your thoughts?”

  “I’m going to wait to talk with him first…he asked to see me alone but I want you there as well. Okay?”

  “Of course.”

  With that settled, Lacy and Gage relaxed so the actor would be well rested for the early morning interview.

  *********

  It was an elegant restaurant and as usual Gage was a little uneasy with all the high end furnishings and clientele. Chandeliers hung throughout the dining area, real cloth on the tables and she could tell by the way the assortment of utensils hovered around the golden plates that she was out of place. “Fancy.” Gage gulped.

  Lacy squeezed her hand and stared lovingly into her partner’s green eyes. “Gage, sweetheart, you fit in perfectly anywhere you are.”

  “Yeah as long as I’m with you.” With that, Gage led the way to their table as she followed the imbecilely dressed waiter.

  After the group greeted each other, Alexis McKenna Grayson was the first to speak. “Lacy, I saw your interview. I thought it went very well. As a matter of fact, I love your show.”

  “Thank you. I enjoyed it.” Thinking of her partner Lacy added. “And thank you for inviting us. The interview was rather early and I’m afraid Gage and I must decline cocktails… we’ve decided to leave tomorrow for LA.”

  “Yes, Dani told us.”

  Gage felt compelled to join in on the conversation. “And thank you, Dani said you invited her to stay with you for the rest of her stay.”

  Alexis smiled. “It was Lane’s idea.”

  Dash Grayson added. “They will be properly chaperoned.”

  “Dad!” Lane rolled his dark green eyes.

  Everyone laughed.

  “Shall we order?” Dash asked.

  Most of the conversation focused on what the youngest members of the group had enjoyed while in the city. Dani and Lane loved the play they had attended as well as the little bar they went to later. For the most part, the evening was a delight until talk of their future came into focus. Dash brought up the subject of college and stated his hopes on what higher education institution he hoped his son would choose. Lane’s father asked Dani what university she had in mind. When it became clear that Lane and Dani’s thoughts about what colleges they might attend were very different, it started a train of thoughts about their future. All in all, it was an enjoyable evening; left with something for Dani and Lane to contemplate.

  *********

  Lacy and Gage were staying at Mark Calico’s home on the beach while in Los Angeles. Before the afternoon interview with Tony Kussler on his talk show, Lacy met with David at his home. Lacy wanted Gage to come with her but Gage thought she might need some privacy and begged off saying that she needed to talk with Mark.

  As Lacy walked through the huge front doors of David’s Malibu home, she passed a moving truck. “David, what’s that all about?”

  “Oh, nothing.” David took his ex-wife’s arm and led her outside overlooking the beach. “Want something to drink?” She shook her head but David made her a drink anyway. “Here.”

  Lacy took the glass but sat it down next to her.

  David’s arm spanned the length of his home as he pointed out to sea. “It’s beautiful…” He turned to her. “…and so are you.” His smiled gleamed.

  “I get it…the view is beautiful. I am beautiful…so what do you really want, David?” Lacy cut through David’s old strategy of trying to butter her up. She had fallen for that tactics many years ago when it came to a movie or television project he wanted her to accept.

  David cocked his head to the side. “You know me too well.” He sat down in the lounge chair beside her. “To tell you the truth, Lacy. I’m tapped.” He chanced a sideways glance. When she didn’t react, he continued. “I’m serious about joining your show… I have a lot to offer.”

  When David started to list off all of his skills and talents, Lacy stopped him. “I’m aware of your resume, David.” She shifted around, now facing him. “What’s really going on here?”

  “The truck out front…” David’s shouldered dropped like that of a fallen man. “Selling a few things.”

  Lacy cocked an eyebrow in question but didn’t say anything. She realized it was hard for him to say those words. It was rare for David to ever admit anything that even remotely sounded like defeat.

  David swallowed his drink. He sat up in his chair, leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees. Looking down at the ground, David admitted. “I’m kinda in a…bind. Hayston, the house… well it’s more than that.”

  “You need money, David?”

  “No!” David stood up quickly. He walked a few steps away then swirled around. “I need to work.”

  “And?” Lacy knew there was more.

  David paced for a long while. “Lacy, if I could go back ten years ago…I would have gone to the lake with you guys…” His gray eyes met the looming sky above. “…my family. But I was stupid.” He turned to face the wo
man he had loved and still did to a degree. “I lost the most important thing…people in my life.”

  “David.”

  “Please wait.” Lacy complied. “I have no intention of trying to get back with you but…” David waggled a lone finger. “…I see what you and Gage have and to tell you the truth, I envy you.”

  Lacy knew that was monumental for him to say. “What about Hayston?”

  He shrugged with resignation on his face. “I don’t know. I still love her.” David sat down next to Lacy again. “I asked to join your show not only for the work but to be close to my children.”

  “Are you sure? St. Troy is far away from the maddening crowd of LA.”

  For the first time, David seemed to relax. “I am.”

  When Lacy left, she had assured David that she would talk with Gage and Mark. Lacy made no promises but smiled at her ex-husband’s realization and hoped he was sincere.

  *********

  Tony Kussler’s introduction for Lacy’s was eloquent and heartfelt. “Please welcome, Lacy Levine.”

  The crowd roared with applause for the very popular actor.

  After Lacy was seated, she said. “Thank you, Tony for your kind words.”

  Tony looked out to the audience and admitted. “Lacy and I have a bit of history.” He winked at her.

  Lacy braced herself for his next words.

  “And I have to say…” He reached for her hand. “I am very sorry.”

  Lacy somewhat stunned.

  Tony looked back at his television audience and explained. “A few years back I made a huge mistake about this wonderful woman. I blamed Lacy for something she had nothing to do with and I…” His sincere eyes fell on his guest again. “…I truly am sorry.”

  The talk show host as well as the audience waited in suspense for Lacy’s response. “That’s water under the bridge, Tony.”

  “See…” Tony spoke to the audience then stood up. “She is amazing, isn’t she?” He clapped right alongside the crowd gathered in the studio.

  Far away there was one individual watching the show that did not share the talk show’s host’s sentiments. As the interview continued, the young man stewed in hatred for the actor and vowed his own revenge. He felt even more betrayed.

  *********

  Before Lacy and Gage left for home, they sat down with their friend and partner in their show. Mark Calico was an executive director as was Gage. He had a vested interest its success. Since the three of them had worked together on many projects before and were friends, Lacy didn’t have any trouble expressing her views on David joining their show.

  “What do you think, Gage?” Mark’s only real concern about having Lacy’s ex-husband on the show was how his best friend felt about working closely together with David.

  “Lacy thinks it’s a good idea.”

  The actor corrected her partner. “I said I was not opposed to it and I can understand that David would like to spend more time with the kids.”

  “He has changed.” Gage said out loud but to no one in particular. “Whatever you guys think is okay with me.”

  Both Mark and Lacy picked up on the blonde’s hesitation.

  Gage shifted her eyes from Lacy to Mark than back to her partner. “Hey, I’m good with it…really.”

  “Okay, but…” Lacy insisted on one condition. “If for some reason there is any kind of problems with David being there…” She looked directly at Mark. “You have to fire him…because Gage never will.”

  “Hey!” The blonde protested.

  That made Mark laugh. “Okay, I have no reservations about that condition.”

  The three talked about when they would begin production and what guest stars Mark had lined up for the show. Gage had sent all of the television scripts she wrote to Mark for not only his opinion but to help him cast the actors. Ryan White, the main director, worked closely with Mark on these issues.

  Before Lacy and Gage left, the blonde had one more request to her old friend. “I’ve already talked with Ryan but wanted to see what you thought about Michael Jessop joining us as director from time to time.”

  “Very good young man…glad to have him.”

  Just prior to loading their bags in the limousine, Art Graham called Lacy. “Hello, Art.”

  “Glad I caught you before you left for the airport. Think you could stop by first?” Her agent hesitated but Lacy deserved to know.

  “Sure.” Baffled by the request, Lacy altered their plans in order to accommodate her agent’s request.

  Lacy and Gage were ushered into Art Graham’s office. “He’ll be back in a second.” The young assistant closed the door before they could reply.

  Gage tapped her fingers on the arm of the chair. Lacy smiled at her partner’s fidgeting. “Be patient.”

  The door slammed open. “There you are.” The balding agent swung around Lacy and plopped down in his chair. “Here.” Direct to the point, he flipped a letter on the desk in front of him.

  “What is it?” Lacy picked up the letter.

  Gage scooted closer so she could see its content.

  “Some jerk probably but I thought I should let you know about it since…” Art tossed another letter on the desk. “…this one came awhile back.”

  After perusing both letters, Lacy noted the first letter’s date. “This one was a couple years ago.” She looked at her agent.

  “And I didn’t take much stock in it… stars get this kind of garbage all the time… but when I received the other one…” Art sighed. “…I saw they had different post marks.”

  Lacy and Gage eyed the front of the envelopes.

  “Since you were in town, thought I should at least make you aware.”

  Lacy nodded. “Yes, glad you did… but as you said it’s been over two years and the second one…” She looked at the post mark. “…a few months ago.”

  “Still…” Gage was concerned. “…should we have them checked out?”

  Lacy flipped the letters back on the desk. “I don’t see the point really.”

  Gage grabbed them. She smiled at Lacy. “Just in case.”

  Art stood up. “Sorry to bother you with this…”

  Lacy got up and hugged her agent. “Thank you.”

  The agent watched Lacy leave with Gage by her side.

  Chapter Seven

  No sooner than Lacy and Gage returned home it was time to ready the children for school. Dani’s started school a few days before the other kid’s did. She was excited to have classes with Katie, Cindy, and Troy and, of course, Lane Grayson. This year I’m going with Lane to the prom. Dani was in love. Their time in the beautiful city of New York revealed their feelings for each other. Both Dani and Lane were eager at the prospect of their senior year being the very best.

  Lacy and Gage packed the three youngest ones in the car for their first day of school. Derek, Sammy and Hayley had a full school backpack and a sack full of food for lunch. Lacy told Stella that they would be eating lunch at school but their grandmother wanted to make sure they had enough.

  Derek and Sammy ran off to their classrooms almost as soon as they flew through the front doors of the school. Hayley grabbed Gage’s hand then looked to her mom. “Where’s my room?” Last year in kindergarten, Hayley’s class room was in a separate building.

  The first grade teacher met Hayley and her parents at the door. She welcomed the young girl and handed Lacy a packet. Mrs. Johnson pointed to the place where Hayley’s desk was located. “Right over there. Find the desk with your name.”

  Gage started to walk with her daughter to her seat but the teacher stopped her. “She needs to find her seat on her own.”

  The teacher’s comment didn’t sit well with Lacy. She took her daughter’s hand and glared at Mrs. Johnson. Lacy let Hayley lead the way. The young girl filed into her seat and smiled at her mother.

  Lacy winked at her daughter and received one in kind. As she passed the teacher, Lacy smiled. “I was the one that needed help.”

&nbs
p; It was a long day as Lacy, Gage and Stella waited for their children to return home. After Dani got out of high school, she drove over to her sibling’s school and picked them up for a ride home.

  **********

  Dinner that night was filled with stories of their first day in school. Derek said he had already joined the debate team and asked for help from Gage with his speeches. Sammy handed his mom the school schedule and pointed out that his grade was going to put on the Thanksgiving play. “I’m going to direct.” Hayley was excited to tell how she got to play on the big playground this year. They all gave their grandmother their school’s schedule of events. Stella accepted them eagerly. Seeing that basically the scheduled shared some of the same events, yet there were some differences. She glanced at the refrigerator to see if there was enough room for to accommodate an already over covered front door. “Looks like I have some homework of my own.”

  Over the next few days, things settled down with the kids since they had the routine down. Stella perused the children’s schedules and noticed that on Monday the third week in September was ‘muffins with mom’ on Hayley’s schedule. On the boy’s schedules, Lacy was slated to go on different days. “Better mark these days in red.”

  *********

  Filming for the television show, Calley Carew, resumed two weeks after school started. As usual, after breakfast Dani took her siblings to school then Lacy and Gage hurried off to film the fourth season of Calley Carew. Lacy and Gage sat down with co-producer Mark Calico and the director, Ryan White. They had already lined out the schedule of shows to be filmed and actors who committed to star in the show. When Mark mentioned that Marva DuLaine called and wanted to act in the ‘stage play’ show, he held his breath before continuing. “Somehow she wrangled a copy of that show’s script.”

  Ryan nodded. “Not me.”

  “Oh, I’m not surprised.” Lacy laughed.

  Gage smiled. “She’d be good…we haven’t cast that part yet so…” The blonde producer and writer of the show looked at Lacy for her thoughts on the matter.