by Unknown
“I was excited, true.” A little pang hit my heart and doubt set in. I shook it off quickly, feeling like a traitor to myself for having felt it in the first place. “But I’ve fallen in love.”
Megan gave me a gentle smile. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Me, too.” I stepped into the dressing room and quickly tried on the dress. Then I opened the door so my friend could give me her feedback.
Megan took one look and started to giggle. “No.”
I grimaced. “I know, right? I look like a stick of asparagus in this thing.”
Megan passed me a black cocktail dress with a sweet bodice and no sleeves. I ducked back into the dressing room and skinned out of the first, tossing it over the door to her. “I wish my sister was as accepting of my decision as you are.”
“Claire’s not okay with it?” Megan asked, her voice floating through the door.
I stared at myself in the mirror. The dress had a side zipper and I raised it up then shook my head. It was a pretty dress but I just didn’t think it was me.
“Claire’s really mad at me for turning it down to stay near Luke. She claims I’m doing it all over again, making the same mistakes I did with Rex. Choosing a guy over my career and all that.” I opened the door. “What do you think?”
Megan’s face wore a concerned look and I realized she wasn’t that worried about a dress. She wasn’t answering me because she thought I was asking her opinion on what Claire had said, and she didn’t seem to want to answer.
“I’m asking your thoughts on the dress,” I clarified.
Megan tapped a finger to her teeth. “It’s nice.”
“Okay, just say it. Do you think I made a mistake turning down that part?”
Megan lifted her shoulders so high her ears nearly vanished from sight. “I think you know what you want and as long as you’re happy . . .” Her voice trailed off. “You have to make your own decisions, Charlie. None of us are going to be living your life, only you are.”
“I did make the decision. Claire thinks that Luke somehow made me make that decision but he didn’t. Luke would never have asked me to give up that part. He doesn’t even know about it because I didn’t tell him.”
“And you’re okay with keeping that secret from him?”
I nodded, but my heart wasn’t so eager to agree. Was I okay with that? Really? Didn’t matter now. I’d turned down the part and was happy with my decision. Mostly happy, anyway.
She handed me another dress and I went back into the dressing room. “I received a new script from Just One Love. I’m still in the scenes so maybe I can make enough income with this part on the soap that I can keep the house.”
“Keep the house?” Real worry came through in Megan’s tone.
Why had I said that?
I cleared my throat. “It’s okay if I can’t keep the house. I’m actually okay if I have to sell it.” Oh, but I didn’t want to sell my house. I loved my Blue Moon Bay oasis. I looked in the mirror. “This sheer yellow thing makes me look like a demented buttercup. It’s horrid on me. Just throw me another one, will you? I’m not showing my face in this one to anyone, not even you.”
Megan opened the door. “Yikes!”
“I told you.”
She snorted. “I didn’t think it could be that bad. Here, quick, change before you blind yourself in the mirror.”
The next dress met my outstretched arms. Megan closed the door. I stared at my reflection. None of these dresses felt right. None of them were exactly what I wanted, not even the one I hadn’t tried on yet. I closed my eyes, trying to think.
It all felt intertwined. The dresses, the career choices I was making. I wanted something so extraordinary and life kept handing me things I should have been happy to have, but part of me wanted something more extraordinary. Like that leading role in Cherries Jubilee. . . .
“Are you okay in there?” Megan chirped.
I cleared my throat. “Yeah. Thanks.”
“For what?” her feet appeared at the bottom of the door.
“For not trying to talk me out of my decision, or into it. You know, for just accepting me.”
Megan chuckled. “No worries. That’s what friends are for.”
I shimmied out of the yellow monstrosity and into the next dress.
Megan spoke again. “I have to admit it. I’m a little jealous. You get to do what you love, and me? I’m still stuck here working in the dress shop.”
I paused. “Are you talking about wanting to do websites full-time? Or are you missing painting still?”
Her feet shifted beneath the door. “Painting. You have no idea how much I’d give to be able to paint full-time, to just go for it and never look back. Designing websites satisfies a little bit of the desperate artist within me, I guess, but it’s not enough. I don’t think it ever can be.”
I did have an idea what she meant, a very good idea. I wanted to go for it, too, with that role in L.A. I didn’t know if being on the soap opera, if I could stay on it, would ever be enough. What would happen if I figured out later that it wasn’t enough but it was too late?
My phone rang. I fumbled it out of my bag, saw my lawyer’s number on the screen, and answered the call. “Hello? Hi, Harper. Thanks for calling me back. I just wanted to let you know I’ve decided not to take part in Cherries Jubilee. Please thank the producers for their generous offer.” I paused as Harper rattled off in my ear. “Yes, I do realize what a big break this would be for my career. No, I already have thought it over. Just tell them no, Harper. Bye.”
I hung up the phone, and dread filled every pore inside me. What had I just done?
Chapter Twenty-five
I had scenes to film the next morning and was working through my lines again, while I sat in the makeup artist’s chair. The lighted mirror showed my face and body as well as the people behind me moving scenery and taping down the marks.
A small cluster of people stood to one side, minor characters that were doing a big scene that day. They were all laughing and joking and I saw Anna, wearing a skin-tight bandage dress and high heels. She shot me a dirty look before whispering something to the others.
I groaned inwardly, remembering how irritated Rex was that she’d eaten his pancakes. I wanted to be the best I could that day, and I couldn’t afford distractions. I kept thinking about what Luke said yesterday about going to bat for me. I knew he’d do what he said. The question then became, what if they fired the both of us?
Dread kept rolling up and blocking my ability to memorize the lines. I focused hard and read through them again, determined to do my job and do it well. No, better than well. Perfectly.
The scene definitely had zero room for ad libs—or the writers threatened to quit—and there were no room for mistakes. It was very tightly written around Adele’s character and mine, both who had been released on bail. There was still no clue who this witness was who claimed to see Sebastian killed though. I didn’t want to wind up as the killer because that would mean a hasty exit from the show. Plus, as a fan, there was no way Piper would kill anyone.
“Charlie!” Claire’s voice rang out across the set as she ducked past two men moving a settee.
My eyes widened. No, I couldn’t deal with Claire right now. But here she was in full-on glory. She wore a stunning black and white polka dot frock fashioned in a nineteen-fifties style, red pumps and a matching wide-brimmed hat, and she wore a determined look.
“Is anyone dying, Claire? If not, I’m working right now and it will have to wait.”
The makeup artist said, “Close your lids please. I need to apply the eyelash extensions in spots where they’ve come off.”
I closed my eyes obediently.
Claire gasped. “I can’t let you do it!”
My eyes flew open. The makeup artist let out an audible and exasperated breath. “They’re just eyelash extensions, Claire.”
“You should try them,” the makeup artist added.
Claire gave her a quelling lo
ok.
I sighed. “Is this really important?”
“I think so.” Her chin jutted out.
The makeup artist huffed, “This is important. I have to get these on right now. She can’t go on camera looking like a spider died on her eyelids.”
I closed my eyes. “Go ahead please. Claire, can I talk to you about this later?”
“I can’t let you just throw your dreams away again, Charlie.”
Oh, no. Not now. I managed to slit one eye open and give her my brightest smile. “Oh. I see. We can talk about that later but not right now. Okay?”
Glue met my eyelid. I closed it obediently, keeping the other eye open long enough to see Claire shaking her head. “No way. I have to talk to you about this right now before it’s too late!”
Great. Now people were staring at us. The makeup artist stuck an eyelash among the others already in place. I managed to keep my smile frozen. I should’ve known Claire wouldn’t wait, and that she’d want to talk about my turning down that part.
I had to get her out of there, and fast, before she let everyone know what happened. “Claire, I swear I’ll talk to you about that just as soon as I get done here. Drinks later? Please?”
Claire dug her heels in. “No. We need to talk about it now before you say no to that part. I can’t do it again. I can’t just sit around and watch you throw away your dreams like you did when you were with Rex. I should have said something then but I didn’t because I figured as long as you seemed happy then you must be. I know you would never be happy about saying no to that part, though. I’m going to stop you before you do it.”
The makeup artist gave me a satisfied look. “There. All done. I’ll leave you two alone.”
I slunk further down in my chair as Claire crossed her arms and tapped one foot. “You have to take that part, Charlie. Or you will regret it for the rest of your life.”
“No, I don’t have to take that part,” I whispered, harshly. I spotted Luke standing across the room, watching us. He probably couldn’t hear what we were saying because the set was still being erected in some sections and it was noisy. I had to get Claire out of there before he could hear her super loud and annoying voice.
“Charlie!” Maggie yelled.
I stood. Claire blocked my path. Her voice was insistent. “Come on, Charlie. Take the part. Do the right thing this time. You know you want to. It’s probably the most important thing in the world to you right now.”
“No, it’s not the important thing to me.” I sighed, but it was important—and I knew it. I started walking again. I gave Claire a cursory glance. “I already called Harper and turned it down.”
Her face paled. “Is it too late to take it back? Has she called the producers yet?”
Was it too late? I didn’t know.
Luke came over, stopping in front of me. “Everything okay?” His eyes went from me to Claire. “Why are you both so upset?”
I couldn’t tell Luke the truth but I was terrified that Claire would tell him. I also couldn’t lie to him. But if I told him the truth then he might urge me to take the part and break up with me. Or he’d feel guilty I’d turned the part down since I knew he’d never do long distance. Either way, my heart would be broken. So I just stood there, not knowing what to do.
Chapter Twenty-six
My heart was doing what felt like backflips. My sister had arrived at my job to save me but instead she was ruining everything. She didn’t seem to get the disaster she was causing, either. She just stood there, oozing righteous indignation, and tapping a foot against my pretty maple floor.
“I can’t believe you turned down—”
“Please, go home.” My voice was firm.
Claire’s gaze traveled from me to Luke. “No, I’m not leaving. I mean, we have to talk about this now, before it’s too late. You can’t just make the same mistakes all over again.”
“What mistakes?” Luke asked.
My face heated. “It’s not important. She was just leaving.”
“What? You mean, you didn’t even tell—”
“Go home!” I snapped, knowing it was time for drastic measures. Like picking her up and hauling her right out of the house before she could mess up my relationship.
Claire’s mouth snapped shut. “You had better call me the moment you’re done here.”
“Fine,” I said, watching her storm off.
Luke stared at me, a frown creasing the skin right between his eyebrows. He opened his mouth—
“Luke! Charlie!” Maggie shouted.
He gave me one last long look before we hurried to the set. My pulse raced and I tried to calm myself by running my lines in my head again, while Luke and Adele took their marks.
“Action!” Roger shouted.
The scene began. Luke walked into the room. “Catrina, you needed to see me?”
Adele stood at the bar, pouring drinks, and she gave him a slow sultry smile. “Yes, Derek. I wanted to talk to you.”
“What is it?”
She held out a glass and he took it. Her hand lingered on his and I knew the camera was zooming in. “You remember how good it used to be, don’t you? Back when it was just the two of us against the world. Somehow things got so off-track, and I want to make it right again.”
Luke’s expression hardened. “How can you say that to me? How can you think we have a chance when the video clearly shows you killing your husband.”
She sipped her drink. “But I didn’t kill Sebastian, and you’ll find out once your investigation is over. I believe in you, Derek. I know you’ll find the truth . . . but that’s not what came between us. She did. The maid.”
A lump formed in my throat as I watched their exchange. It was that good. Although technically I wanted Derek to be with Piper. Catrina never appreciated Derek when she had him.
Adele tripped closer to Luke. “We were happy before and we could be again.”
Derek knocked back the drink, and set the glass aside. He neatly stepped away from her attempted embrace, deflecting her with a gesture. “We can never go back to what we were.”
Her expression charged with sheer hurt and pain. “Tell me why we can’t be together!”
“A lot’s happened since then, Catrina. I didn’t expect these feelings with her, things I’ve never felt before. . . Wait, is that why you asked me to come over tonight? You said it was life or death.”
Her hands went to his chest. She gazed up into his eyes. “It is life or death, Derek. It’s our life. Our future. I want you back. I want us back.”
Oh, man. This was so good!
Luke stepped toward Catrina. His hand brushed her face. “There’s no us any longer. You’re on trial for murder and I’m the lead investigator.”
Adele tugged at his sleeve. “I didn’t kill Sebastian! Please believe me . . .”
That was my cue. I walked in, knowing they were going to add in the slow swell of organ music during editing. I surveyed the two of them, and gave a shocked expression. “Derek? What are you doing here? Why are you with her?”
Adele pushed herself between Luke and me. “What are you doing here is the question! Can’t you see he’s better off with me than you?”
I drew myself up to my full height. “He’s better off with you? What could you ever give him but false promises and hope? You never gave him the love he deserved.” I paused for effect, then added, “Besides, you’re a killer.”
Adele rushed at me, but Luke held her back. He kept her pinned against his body, which made me a smidge jealous. “Now that’s enough, Catrina.”
Adele clutched his shirt. “You don’t even know the real her, Derek! She has secrets and you know it!”
The blood drained from my face. I did have a secret. One big secret between us.
Luke looked at me. “That’s true. I don’t like it either. How can you keep secrets from me, Piper? Why are you keeping secrets from me?”
I wrung my hands together. Tears flooded my eyes and went rolling down my chee
ks. The makeup artist was going to kill me if those eyelashes had to be replaced again. The tears weren’t in the script. They were real. “I didn’t mean to keep anything from you. I was trying to protect you.”
He spoke slowly. “To protect me? Or to protect yourself? That’s the real question here.” He let go of Adele and came closer, his gaze right on me. The tension was palpable. My misery was a real thing, twisting my features and body as he spoke again. “How do I know you’re not keeping from me that you killed Sebastian? I’m a detective on this case and need to go with the evidence. I have an appointment to talk to Travis’s witness tomorrow morning.”
I gasped.
“Cut!” Roger yelled.
Applause erupted around us and when I looked around I saw some of the crew crying, too. That scene had been the best I’d ever done, and it was all because I applied my real life to my acting. I took a breath but it didn’t fill my lungs. It was all too close, too real.
I looked back at Luke. His eyes met mine. There was a giant question written in those blue-gray eyes of his. I swallowed hard. I owed him an explanation but I could never tell him what I had done. Never. How could I tell him I’d given up something that important, and that I’d chosen him over that role, without upsetting him?
Before I could think of what to say to him, he turned and walked away.
Chapter Twenty-seven
After that gigantic scene wiped me out, I staggered back to the makeup chair. One look in the mirror showed me my face was just as wrecked as my nerves. I sat quietly while the worst of the damage was mopped up and fresh makeup applied to the spots where I’d cried it off.
Someone called lunch and the makeup artist warned me, “Now don’t go messing that up, okay? You’re first up after lunch and I have a lot of other people to sit.”
I nodded mutely and stood. The tables for lunch were being set up outside on the lawn and I headed for them. I wasn’t hungry, but I was hoping to find Luke out there. No such luck. Where had he gone? Was he upset with me? Lunch ended with me no closer to a solution.