by Trisha Grace
Her mother repeated her lecture on how playboys would never change. A lecture Sarah could almost recite back to her mother.
After all, that was all her mother talked about when she visited her in Florida. Her mother had never nagged or pressured her into doing anything. Their conversations always revolved around how things were in their lives.
But her mother was really against her seeing Keith.
Right from the start, her mother hadn’t been supportive and didn’t think their relationship would last longer than a week. But it did. And now, after six months, her mother wouldn’t stop nagging about how nothing good would come of her relationship with Keith.
Sarah hadn’t bothered to fight her mother over it. She understood where her mom was coming from. Having suffered as a single mom, her mother just didn’t want the same situation to happen to Sarah. Because in her eyes, playboys left once responsibility set in—just as Sarah’s biological father had.
“I will. I’ll call you if I need anything. Okay, bye.” Sarah sighed and shook her head. “Sorry about that,” she said to Gina.
“Is everything all right?”
“Yeah. My mom’s just worried.”
“About you being in L.A.?”
“About me seeing Keith.”
Gina shrugged. “I’m sure any rational mother would worry. Keith’s reputation is …”
“Yeah.” Sarah glanced out of the window.
“I’m sorry. I’m not saying that he’d cheat on you or anything.”
“I know,” she said. “I never thought I’d date an actor. But then again, to me, I haven’t been dating an actor. He’s just Keith to me.” Sometimes, the thought that he was Hollywood’s most eligible actor would pop into her mind—usually when people gawked at them or when young women screamed and burst into tears at the mere sight of him.
But that thought always passed as quickly as it came.
Sarah shook her head. “So besides working for Elena, who else have you worked for?” she asked Gina as they got into Gina’s car to go get coffee. “Keith says he changes assistants from film to film or from location to location.”
“I’ve worked with a couple of other stars, but I’ve been Elena’s full-time assistant for years. I travel around with her, and I’m with her even when she isn’t on the film set.”
“Oh? What do you do for her when she isn’t filming?” From the movies she’d seen, Sarah always imagined Elena to be a nice, down-to-earth person. She never would’ve thought Elena was someone who needed an assistant to be at her beck and call at all hours of the day.
“I’m in charge of her properties and some of the other stuff she does besides filming.”
“Oh. That sounds like a lot of things to juggle.”
Gina nodded. “Her schedule can get rather crazy, but since she’s usually a lead in movies, I have a lot of time to deal with the other stuff while she’s filming. She’s pretty low-maintenance, too. Coffee. Healthy meals. And keep her on schedule.”
Sarah smiled. “Are most stars high-maintenance? I saw Miriam throwing a fit because her espresso wasn’t the way she wanted it.”
Gina shook her head. “Poor Cindy. Miriam’s always taking her frustrations out on her. But that isn’t the worst. Miriam calls her names and demands whatever food she happens to have a craving for to be served to her as soon as it pops into her head.”
“How’s that possible?”
“Exactly.” Gina rolled her eyes. “She was really nice in the beginning. This current role is the biggest one she’s ever gotten. Then the first film became a mega success, and she became a mega diva. That’s the thing about Hollywood: it changes people.”
Sarah looked over at Gina. “Has Elena ever been a diva to you?”
Gina grinned. “You don’t read many magazines, do you?”
“Not really.”
“She gets grumpy when she’s hungry, especially grumpy when she’s hungry and tired and when she isn’t feeling well. She doesn’t get sick often, so as long as I make sure she’s fed, she’s fine.”
“What about the magazines?”
“There was an article about the best stars to work for. She was among the top few on the list.”
“Then you’re very blessed.”
Sarah nodded.
“And Keith? Is he high-maintenance?”
“You should know that better than me.”
“As I said, when he’s with me, he isn’t the actor-Keith.” Sarah glanced over at Gina. “Sorry if I sound like a fan-girl.”
Gina waved it off. “You’re in love. You’re supposed to be crazy about each other. Anyway, he seems pretty nice to his assistants. And from what I see, he’s rather low-maintenance as well. Coffee, food, and scheduling.”
“They’re pretty alike, aren’t they?”
“Don’t worry. They’re not seeing each other behind your back. Elena doesn’t do things like that.”
“I’m not saying she is.” She pursed her lips. “I don’t know if it’s rude to say this, but they’re like two ten-year-olds when they’re talking to each other.”
“Ten?” Gina made a sound between a snort and laugh. “Five would be generous.” She grinned and shrugged. “But Keith has changed a lot. At first, Elena refused to help him. But he was so determined.”
“He must’ve been a good minion.”
Gina nodded. “I haven’t had to go out and get Elena her coffee all last month.”
Sarah laughed. “Is Elena really all right with me staying at her place?”
“Yeah. We’ve already set up a room for you.”
“Do you stay at her place as well?”
“Not in L.A. I have an apartment here. I would’ve offered, but I don’t have much security at my place, and I think that’s why Keith wants you at Elena’s.”
“Security? You don’t think his ex-girlfriends are that much of a threat, do you?”
Gina shook her head. “Not the ex-girlfriends. The paparazzi. Once they know you’re here, and I’m sure they already do, they will probably swarm wherever you’re staying. Elena’s place has a security system, and she has a fence around her house to keep the paparazzi away.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, Elena isn’t letting you stay at her place because of Keith. It was just fun to boss him around over the last month because he’d always been kind of over-the-top confident.”
Sarah pursed her lips. She’d met that Keith before.
“Elena says she likes the fact that you insisted on coming here as his assistant instead of simply taking money from him. She thinks she’ll get along pretty well with you.”
“That’s a nice thing to say.” Not only because Elena hadn’t met her before, but because she was someone so popular yet seemingly so grounded. “Is there anything I should or shouldn’t do at her place?”
“She doesn’t have concrete house rules. Just don’t mess up the place, I guess. She’d never given me any rules. She has maids who come in every morning to clean the house, so there isn’t much to worry about.”
“I bought her a gift—for letting me stay at her place—but I’m not sure if I should give it to her.” It had felt kind of silly buying the light pink shawl she saw in a small road-side store, but it was beautiful and she wanted to get something for Elena. “It was from a road-side store. Will she think I’m insulting her?”
“I’m sure she’ll love it.”
“Do you buy her anything for her birthday or Christmas? Keith’s birthday is coming up, and I just have no idea what I can get for someone with so much money.”
“I don’t know about Keith, but Elena’s a pretty simple person. I’ve given her thermoses, tops … usual stuff you’d get for your friends. I think the most expensive thing I’ve gotten for her is a polaroid camera.”
“Oh, that’s a great idea.”
“How did the face-off with Miriam go?”
Sarah shrugged. “Okay, I guess. She didn’t say much.”
“Sarah,” Gina pulled
the car into a parking lot. “I’m not trying to create undue concern, but you need to know this: the scariest thing about anyone is the true intention behind their smile—especially an actress’s smile.”
True intention. “She was trying to make me think that Elena and Keith had something on.”
“Because he’s been using Elena as a shield over the last month.”
“Shield?”
“Elena’s pretty well-liked in the industry. Directors, producers, even the superstars in Hollywood are quite protective of her because of what she’s gone through. So most people don’t cross her. If she says she doesn’t want to do something, no one makes her do it.”
“I don’t understand.”
Gina pulled the key out of the ignition. “Let’s just say Hollywood can be crazy. If you’re not grounded enough, you’ll be swept away very easily.”
“And Elena is grounded.”
“And Keith sometimes uses her as a lifeline to prevent himself from getting swept away.”
Sarah frowned. “I still don’t really get it. Are you saying he wants to—”
“No. I don’t think he wants to anything, but he knows how easy it is to be swept away if he isn’t paying attention. Especially with the people he’d been hanging out with.”
People he’d been hanging out with? That was when Sarah realized she didn’t know much about Keith’s friends. He’d told her he partied a lot, and she supposed he would’ve done so with his friends.
“I’m sorry,” Gina said after she grabbed her bag. “I wasn’t trying to badmouth Keith or anything.”
“I know.” She gave Gina a small smile.
“Partying never satisfies anything. I think he realized that when he found you, so don’t worry.”
But what would happen when he got tired of her? As much in love as they were with each other, there was bound to be a time when the lovey-dovey season would end. What would happen then?
Sarah shook her mother’s voice out of her head and opened the car door.
Keith smiled when the door to his dressing room opened right after the hair and makeup artist left, but his smile melted when Miriam entered. “What are you doing here?”
“I just thought we could have a little chat while your adoring girlfriend isn’t sticking to you.”
“I asked her to join me here.” He leaned forward, looking into the mirror.
“Is that what you’re looking for?” Miriam moved toward him. “Someone to look at you with adoring eyes, to see you as their knight in shining armor?” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and bent her head over his neck.
Keith stood and pulled her arms off him. “Stop. You knew what you were signing up for when we spent the night together.”
Miriam pouted. “Because you weren’t the kind of guy looking for a relationship. But it’s clearly different now, and I can be whatever you want me to be.”
“You’re not that good of an actress.”
Miriam’s lips twisted into a scowl. “You think that little puppy you found is the answer to everything?”
“Yes.” Sarah wasn’t a puppy, but he wasn’t interested in debating that now. Sarah was the only reason he wanted a relationship, and he wanted Miriam to know that.
Miriam blinked, seemingly caught off-guard by his answer.
“She looks at you right now like you’re her god. That will change when she sees the real you.”
“She already knows the real me.” Keith walked over and opened the door. “I never have to pretend to be someone else when I’m with her.”
“You don’t have to do that with me either.” She ran her hand down his arm and took a step closer.
Keith grabbed her wrist. “I’m not interested in being anything with you. I’ve been telling you that over the last month. I’m not interested. Period.”
She yanked her hand from his. “We’ll see.”
Chapter Four
Sarah stood with her own cup of coffee in hand, watching Keith and Elena act out a scene. Everyone in the studio was quiet. Death stares from production crew members were shot toward anyone making any noise.
“Stop! What’s that idiot behind doing?”
Sarah wasn’t sure who the director was referring to. Her eyes were only on Keith and Elena.
Gina placed a hand on Sarah’s back and led her back to the director chairs where Elena’s and Keith’s scripts were. “I need to make a call. I’ll be right back.”
Sarah nodded and sat in Keith’s chair while the director moved forward to talk to Elena and Keith.
“So you must be Sarah.”
Sarah looked up at the dark blue eyes gazing into hers. “Yes.” She knew the guy was one of the actors, but she didn’t know his real name.
The guy lifted Elena’s script, then sat on the chair. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
She wasn’t sure if she should ask for his name.
“Spencer Rowe.” He extended his hand.
She took his hand. “Hi.”
“So, you’re the one who tamed Keith.”
“Tamed?”
Spencer smirked. “You’ll be glad to know he has indeed been a good boy over the last month.”
She cleared her throat. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to say.”
Spencer’s smirk grew wider as he shrugged one shoulder. “Just saying. There’s only so long you can keep that boy on a leash.”
“I’m not keeping Keith on a leash.”
“That’s good to hear,” Spencer said. “So Keith will be able to join us tonight, then?”
“What gave you the idea that I’m the one keeping him away from you guys?” She had never told Keith that he couldn’t go out partying. She knew about his lifestyle, but Keith had also made it clear to her that he was done with his old ways.
Not once while they were together had Keith suggested going out to party. Not once did he say he missed that.
“Maybe he’s just lost interest in getting drunk and waking up with a hangover,” Sarah added.
“Leave her alone.”
Sarah looked up at Elena who was standing behind Spencer.
“We’re just having a chat,” Spencer said as he turned to look at Elena with a dazzling smile.
“And get out of my seat.” Elena took the script from Spencer when he stood and handed it to her.
“Sorry about that. I just wanted to have a chat with Sarah.”
Elena turned to her. “And are you interested in continuing your chat with Spencer?”
“Not really.” Sarah didn’t want to offend Keith’s friend, but as her students often put it—he’d started it. She would’ve thrown in the sticking-out-her-tongue act if she hadn’t had more self-control.
Elena shot a glare at Spencer. For a moment, Sarah thought Spencer would get back at Elena with a snide remark. But at the last moment, Spencer’s lips curled into a polite smile.
“Okay. I’ll leave you ladies alone.”
Elena sat and thumbed through the script. “I don’t like him either.”
Sarah smiled, then pursed her lips.
“Take whatever he said with a pinch of salt. He’s just jealous.”
“Jealous?”
“He lost his wingman to you.” Elena put the script down on her lap and turned to her. “You do know who Keith was before he met you.”
She nodded.
“With Keith by his side, they could get almost anyone they wanted into bed.”
“He could still do that alone.”
Elena shrugged. “I have a theory,” she said. “You know how misery loves company? I think Spencer realizes the party scene isn’t as much fun without another shallow human being to do all those shallow things with.”
Sarah laughed softly, but still, that turned several heads.
“Don’t be afraid to stand up to anyone here,” Elena whispered.
“But he’s Keith’s friend,” she whispered back.
“Doesn’t mean you can’t stand up for yourself.” Elena sto
od as a production crew member came to her side while Keith strode back to Sarah.
“Is everything all right?”
Sarah nodded. “Don’t worry about me.”
“So, about the next scene …”
“Yeah?”
“It’s a kiss scene.”
“Oh, finally.”
Keith arched his brow.
“I’ve been waiting for Ian and Jane to kiss from the very first movie.”
He grinned and shook his head before leaning forward to give her a peck on the hair. “Then you should not watch us film it. It’ll ruin the kiss for you.”
“Really?”
He tapped his finger against her nose. “Where’s Gina?”
“Answering a phone call, not babysitting me.”
He raised his hands in peace. “I was just asking.” Then he turned and headed back toward the set, where Elena was already standing.
A makeup artist with her long curly hair tied back in a low ponytail with a denim blue headband over it arranged Elena’s soft curls over her shoulder. She stepped back as Keith took up his position, gave a small nod, then moved away from the set while a man in a black T-shirt and loose-fitting jeans moved forward.
The man positioned Elena facing away from Keith, and they seemed to enter into a discussion on what she had to do.
“Are you sure you want to watch this?”
Sarah turned and smiled at Gina. “What are they doing?”
“Filming the perfect kiss.” Gina jerked her chin forward. “They’re basically working out how to make the kiss look beautiful.”
Keith took Elena’s hand and tugged her around, and the director immediately stepped forward to adjust Elena’s position again. The director then placed his hand on Keith’s back, pressing him toward Elena. But they stopped before actually kissing, and then they tried different things like tipping Elena’s chin and weaving Keith’s fingers into Elena’s hair.
“Does it always take this long?”
Gina laughed. “Yes.”