Movie Lovers

by Joachim Jean

  Tears pricked her eyes. He thought I’d be too ugly for flowers? She was wounded, as if he had shot an arrow through her. The pain was short-lived, but intense. She couldn’t speak and turned away from him to hide the hurt.

  He put his hand on her bare shoulder. His touch made her tingle. “Hey. What’s going on?” He bent down and peered at her.

  “Nothing,” she whispered.

  “I meant I didn’t think I could get you a corsage and be on time… What did you think I meant?”

  “Oh.” She sighed, dropping her gaze to her hands.

  He stopped and closed his fingers around her upper arm. Pulling on her, he forced Grace to face him. “What’s going on?” He looked at her, but she averted her gaze so he couldn’t see the truth.

  “Nothing. I thought…I thought you meant something else. I was mistaken. Let’s go.”

  “You didn’t think I didn’t buy flowers because I thought you were…unattractive…did you?”

  “Do you…I mean, did you? You did. Of course you did. Never mind. Let’s go.”

  “I want to straighten this out now…”

  Her temper flared, and she raised angry eyes to his. “You do, do you? Don’t tell me you didn’t think I was ugly and didn’t try to get out of this date. Because you did exactly that…because I was cleaning the house, you thought I was the maid. Then you simply decided I couldn’t be Cara’s sister because I wasn’t pretty like her. Don’t deny it. I saw it all over your face.”

  Jake stood silent, stunned. He colored.

  “That’s right, blush. You should. You should be damned embarrassed to treat any woman the way you treated me, and you didn’t even know me. Shame on you.”

  He hung his head. “Would you rather cancel tonight?”

  “Not on your life. I’m going to rub your nose in just how attractive I can be.”

  “You already have…have proven me wrong. I realize now it’s never a good idea to judge so…quickly.”

  “Good. Let’s go. I didn’t get all dressed up to stay at home. You promised me a movie premiere, stars, a party…time to deliver.”

  He put his hand on her shoulder to stop her. She turned to him, trying to ignore the zing created by his fingertips on her skin. “I’m sorry if I offended you. I shouldn’t have behaved that way. It’s just that I was expecting…”

  “You were expecting a Cara clone. And there was this grubby person, and you couldn’t see beneath the dust and dirt to the woman underneath. I get it. I’m not dense, and I’m not stupid. But the way you behaved…like I was one of the ugly stepsisters, and Cara was Cinderella. Like I was the last person you’d want to spend an evening with…well, it pissed me off.” As she recounted the encounter, the sting of tears pressed against the back of her eyes.

  What the hell is the matter with me? He’s nobody to me. What do I care what he thinks of me? If he thinks I’m pretty or not, so what? Gracie, where’s your moxie? Don’t let Gunther Quill rob you of your backbone, girl.

  “What can I do to make it up to you?”

  “Take me to the premiere and don’t talk about it anymore.” She turned toward the elevator with Jake following behind. They rode down in silence.

  “You are going to talk to me tonight, aren’t you?” She saw a bit of a hurt look on his face.

  “Of course. I’m not an idiot or a game player who freezes you out in public.”

  “I don’t know you at all, don’t know what to expect.”

  “I guess you’ll find out. There’s Bobby.” She waved at him.

  “Looking mighty fine tonight, Miss Gracie.”

  “Thank you, Rex,” she beamed at him.

  Bobby got out of the car and opened the door for her. She stopped to give him a hug, and he laughed. “You’re not supposed to hug the chauffeur,” he whispered. “You’re supposed to hug your date.”

  “I’ll hug whoever I want,” she chuckled.

  Grace slid over, making room for Jake. He moved his fingers over, resting them on top of hers, but she slipped hers away and looked out the window.

  “The silent treatment?”

  She peered at his sad expression from under her blackened lashes. Still incredibly handsome, even when he’s pouting. And in that tuxedo. Wow.

  “Tell me about the movie. What’s the story?” She turned to face him.

  When they arrived at the theater, it was obvious she needed help getting up in the snug dress. Jake offered her his hand then raised hers to his lips for a quick kiss before they hit the red carpet. There was a loud cheer from a group of teenagers on the sidelines behind ropes.

  Gracie smiled and stepped to the side so she wouldn’t block him from his fans. Jake waved at the girls and then laced his fingers with hers. When they were inside, he stopped to mop the sweat off his forehead.

  “You’re afraid of those teenyboppers?”

  “The movie. My first major role. Damn, I hope it’s good.”

  I almost feel sorry for him.

  “I’m sure you’re fine.” She refused to let him get under her skin. Don’t start falling for this creep.

  “Thanks a lot. Very comforting. It’s no wonder you don’t have a job as a nurse.”

  Her mouth hung open. “He’s alive. He can shoot back. How do you know I’m not a nurse?” She narrowed her eyes.

  “Your sister told me. Said you were a talented screenwriter. She said you’d done a great film. Can I read it sometime?” The reference to her script made her chest hurt.

  “No. It’s crap.” Before he could respond, the ushers were showing them to their seats and offering to get popcorn and soda for them.

  “I’m too nervous to eat, but if you’d like some?” Jake asked. She shook her head. “Can I hold your hand?”

  “Like in the doctor’s office?”

  “Never mind. I shouldn’t have asked. Sorry,” he mumbled.

  Lighten up, Gracie. She put her hand on top of his and gave him a little smile. He wrapped his fingers around hers and rested them on his thigh. She snuggled down into a comfortable position. It wasn’t long before the lights dimmed and the movie came on.

  * * * *

  Damn! That was bad. Jake was awful! Crap, how am I going to pretend? She glanced over at him, and he wasn’t smiling.

  “Well done. Good job,” she said, patting his arm, trying to appear sincere.

  “I was terrible.” He cast his gaze to his lap.

  “I wouldn’t say that…” She softened her tone.

  “Oh, wouldn’t you? Why not? Your perfect chance to gloat,” he shot back.

  Grace bit her lip to hold back the snotty reply itching to escape. As he stood up, she tried to paste a wan grin on her face. “Let’s get out of here before the producers have my hide.” Grace pushed to her feet.

  “Too late,” Jake muttered under his breath as three men in perfectly cut business suits strode up the aisle. They stopped to shake his hand. Murmurs of “nice job” and “great” greeted her ears. He didn’t introduce her, and she was glad.

  As they moved on, she spied a familiar figure coming their way and her heart stopped. Gunther Quill! He nodded to Jake, mumbling something Grace didn’t hear because her ears weren’t working. Everything in her body had ceased to move except for her heart, which was beating twice as fast as before. Gunther glanced to Jake’s right and spotted her.

  She felt color rush to her cheeks as he stared briefly at her with glittering eyes and a sly smile on his lips. Mesmerized at first, Grace eventually broke the spell and turned away. When she found the courage to look again, Gunther was gone. She breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Hey, I’m sorry, that was Gunther Quill. I should have introduced you. You could give him your script.”

  “No, really…it’s okay. Tonight is about you.” Let’s get out of here before he comes back.

  “Come on. There’s a private party in Westchester.”

  Bobby was there to pick them up, and before they could blink, he had maneuvered the car onto the West Side H
ighway, heading north. Grace’s mind was reeling. So that awful picture was Gunther’s. Huh. Thought he was so smart.

  “The producers didn’t think it was so bad.”

  “You were fine, really,” she said, her mind elsewhere.

  “Thanks. Damning with faint praise…”

  “You don’t want me to gush, do you? That’s really not me.”

  “I gathered,” he said, dryly. “The producers seemed to like it. They said I was good. I guess as long as they like me, I’ll get more work.”

  “That’s right. As long as the producers like it,” she repeated, thankful not to have to invent any more lies. Sympathy crept into her heart, and she inched closer to him. A bump in the road jostled them so that their fingers came in contact. He looked over at her and moved his hand to cover hers.

  “You are even more beautiful in the light from the street lamps.”

  “That’s me. Dim lighting’s always best.”

  “Don’t put yourself down. That was a compliment.”

  His words sobered her. Her heart hurt. After being used and discarded by Gunther, her ego was in pieces. She considered herself to be the lowest type of woman, to do what she did. Trying to rid the images of their tryst on his sofa from her brain hadn’t worked. I deserve to be put down, way down.

  He drew her to him. Gazing up at his eyes that had been staring at her mouth, she knew he’d try to kiss her soon. Her hand on his shoulder felt his muscles work as he eased himself into her space. His touch on her waist almost burned her skin. No, no, no! I’m not attracted to this idiot. Back off. She glanced at his lips, noting how perfect they were.

  She tried pushing away, but his chest was like a wall of iron. His mouth descended on hers and sparks flew. Panic set in, and she shoved harder. Obviously, he picked up on her signal because he backed off.

  “Sorry. Never was good at reading girls. I thought you wanted me to kiss you. Wrong, again.” He sat back on his side of the car.

  She blew out a breath and retreated to her corner. You weren’t wrong, I was stupid. They remained still, the only sound the hum of the tires on the road, until arriving at their destination. Bobby opened the door, letting in cold air. Grace shivered, drawing her cape closer around her .

  “We’ll probably be here for two hours, Bobby,” Jake said.

  “Brought my ereader. No worries.”

  The house was huge. The ultra-modern design had several stories of glass and weathered wood. The front lawn was terraced into three levels leading up to a large black door. Grace looked around with appreciation. Wish our gardener was this good. The grounds were immaculate, including a perfect stone wall hugging the long, circular driveway. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows showed a crush of people inside. Strains of rock music met their ears.

  “Wow! This is some place,” Jake said, his eyes wide.

  “You’re new to all this, aren’t you?”

  “Pretty much. I come from a small town—Willow Falls? It’s upstate.”

  “Don’t know it.”

  “Didn’t think so.” He smiled.

  “Stick close to me. I’ve been to these things before.”

  “Good. Clueless here.”

  Don’t get excited. He’s a bumpkin. Not for you. And he thought you were the maid!

  They entered, and Grace led him to the bar. “Helps to be holding a drink when you’re trying to talk to people,” she advised.

  A bartender was pouring Cosmopolitans. Jake picked up two and handed one to Grace. She took a sip. Wow, this is strong! Jake took a hefty sip and smiled. An attractive woman about thirty-five years old, wearing a low-cut dress tight enough to be a second skin, sauntered over. Grace noticed her give Jake the once-over.

  “You’re the second guy in the movie, aren’t you? Jason, I think his name was?”

  Jake nodded. “And this is…” He gestured toward Grace, but the woman simply raised an eyebrow and turned her back. She linked her arm through his. Jake threw Grace an apologetic glance as she followed along behind them. The woman chattered away while Jake nodded in reply. Grace could hardly keep from laughing. She’s coming on to him, and he doesn’t even know.

  Another rail-thin woman with short blonde hair joined them. “Mitzi’s going to research costumes at the Met for that period piece Gunther’s doing.”

  “The Met?” Jake asked.

  “Not the Metropolitan Opera, darling. The Metropolitan Museum. Of Art. You know.”

  “Oh, oh, of course!” Jake put on a good performance, but Grace wasn’t fooled. She could tell right away that he had no idea what they were talking about. He excused himself to get another drink. Grace was still nursing the first one and watched him return to the sophisticated women and pretend to know what they were discussing. Grace looked around the room to see if she spied any of her acting or camera friends, but no one looked familiar.

  She turned and almost ran into Gunther Quill holding hands with a stunning blonde wearing a sexy red dress and a big, diamond ring. She gulped, searching frantically for an escape, but Jake was still deep in conversation.

  “Don’t run, my little bunny,” Gunther oozed, taking her elbow. “Let me introduce you.”

  The blonde narrowed her eyes and stared at Grace.

  “This is my fiancée, Elsa Marquette. Elsa will be starring in my newest movie. Elsa, this is Grace Brewster…Cara Brewster’s little sister.”

  Fiancée! Elsa extended her hand and left Grace no choice. She couldn’t breathe as her eyes sought the engagement rock Elsa was wearing. Sweat broke out on Grace’s upper lip.

  Elsa shot a phony smile at her before she spoke. “Gunther loves brunettes,” she said. “Let’s see…screenwriter or bit player?”

  “Screenwriter,” Grace mumbled, her eyes wide.

  “Ah, of course,” Else nodded. “You know what they say…gentlemen prefer blondes.” Her eyes were so cold they’d freeze hell.

  “Nice to meet you,” Grace muttered, trying to remember what she’d been taught growing up. She knows. She knows he slept with me! Gunther stood staring at her. Lust glittered in his eyes. He’s laughing at me. Engaged! Oh my God. What have I done?

  Emotion caught in her chest. Bile rose in her throat and tears stung the backs of her eyes. Fool, stupid fool. Of course he’s engaged. I should be surprised he isn’t married. Run! She gulped down the rest of her Cosmo.

  “Excuse me,” she said, pointing to her empty glass as she moved toward the bar.

  “Of course.” Gunther bowed slightly, grinning as she slipped away to refill her glass and find a corner to hide in. She was sick to her stomach. Leaning against the wall, she took a healthy swig. The alcohol loosened her control and angry tears spilled over onto her cheeks.

  “You okay?” The deep voice at her ear was Jake’s.

  “Nice of you to stay with your date. I see you have other women on your mind.” She brushed her fingers across her face.

  “You weren’t exactly into me in the car. I figured you’d like it better if I left you alone.”

  “Whatever,” she waved her hand, gazing at the drink in her hand.

  “You’re upset. What happened?” Jake tipped her chin up before he downed the rest of his Cosmo.

  “Nothing.” She avoided his gaze.

  “I need another drink.”

  “I think you need some food. Where is it?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. Grace hesitated to explore the house for fear of running into Gunther, or worse, Elsa, again. But Jake was getting plastered, and she needed to get something into his stomach. “There, there,” Jake said, pointing.

  Grace took his hand and pulled him to the hors d’oeuvres table. She picked up a plate.

  “What do you like?” He mumbled something unintelligible. His glazed look told her the alcohol was taking effect. “Some of everything then.” She picked up a pair of tongs and piled up cheese puffs, cold jumbo shrimp, stuffed mushrooms, mini quiche, and crudités on the plate.

  Then she had to find a place to sit.
“Come over here.” She grabbed his lapel and pulled him over to a table. He took a healthy swig of his drink. “These are amazing,” he said, licking his lips.

  Her gazed rested on his tongue for a moment. Stop looking at him like that. Gracie shoved a cheese puff in his mouth.

  He chewed quickly and swallowed. “What was that?”

  “Cheese puff. Like it?”

  “Yeah but not as much as the Cosmos,” he wandered toward the bar with Gracie right behind. She stuffed a baby carrot in her mouth while Jake got a refill.

  “You shouldn’t have another one of those.” She reached for the glass.

  Jake snatched his drink away from her grasp and raised it high above her head. “I’m a grown man. I’ll drink what I want. Why do you care, anyway? You don’t even like me.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “Didn’t have to.” He took a sip.

  “Here, eat something.”

  He scowled at her. “Are you my mother?”

  “The food is good.”

  “Then why don’t you eat it?” he challenged her.

  Her stomach was in a knot. Seeing Gunther made her appetite go south. She was barely able to choke down that raw veggie. I can’t tell him. “I’m not hungry.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  Grace put the plate down on the table and sank into a chair that backed up to a wall. The loud music, the crowd…everything grated on her nerves. She’d been humiliated again by this man and his fiancée, too. Gathering what little dignity she had left, she pushed to her feet. “I’m leaving.”

  Jake raised his eyebrows. “The night is young.” He made a sweeping gesture, almost knocking a drink out of the grasp of one of the women who had been talking to him before.

  “I think you should, too,” she said, taking his arm.

  “Now you want me, eh?” He snickered then chugged the rest of his Cosmo. “Guess we’re leaving.”

  When the cold air hit Grace in the face, the effect of the alcohol she’d consumed wore off. But not for Jake. He stumbled along, hanging on to her to keep from falling. They found Bobby’s limo. He opened the door, and Jake fell in with Grace sliding in behind him.

  “Why did you come with me if you hate me so much?”