by Hale, Beth
Her laugh bubbled out and she gave him a hug over the console. “You always know how to make me feel better.”
Chapter 2
Emma stepped into first class and saw Norah waving at her. Emma moved to sit beside her. “You haven’t changed a bit,” she exclaimed as they exchanged a quick hug.
“Oh, I had a wrinkle or two, but my doctor took care of that.”
Emma laughed, then said seriously, “Thank you for giving me a second chance.”
Norah skimmed a hand through her champagne blond hair and shook her head. “I’m just thankful you took me up on my offer. I’ve been lost without you.”
“You’ve had other assistants.” Emma stood and stored her carryon bag.
“Yes, three of them. And not one as good as you. Those idiots could never do anything right and all they did was chatter about this star or that star—whichever one I was working with at the time. They annoyed me.”
“I’m sorry I quit.” She scowled down at the seatbelt and wrestled with it before finally getting it to snap.
“I’m sorry I didn’t push you harder to stay. Water under the bridge,” Norah replied as the plane prepared for takeoff. As they lifted into the sky she asked Emma if she’d had a chance to look over the paperwork.
“I have, and I’m really excited. There’s not a whole lot out there about Edward II and Isabella. It’s gonna rock.”
“I hope so. With Richard Solomon as
Mortimer I think the love scenes will be
excellent. Especially since we indulged in another bout
of torrid sex a few months ago, when we worked
together onstage in New York.”
She said it so matter-of-factly that Emma could only stare. “Well,” was all she could think to say.
Norah let out her trademark silvery laugh and her blue eyes sparkled. “I really have missed you. I forgot you’re sometimes so easy to shock.”
Emma shrugged and continued the conversation. “Roger Agnew—I’m impressed. He’s terrific and will portray Edward II so well. I believe he can make Edward seem more caring about his subjects than he actually was. Did you know he was rumored to be bisexual?”
Norah started. “Roger?”
“No,” Emma laughed. “Edward II.”
“Oh. Well, that’s interesting. I remember that from the script now. What do you think about Thomas Cullam? His directing abilities have been praised far and wide, and he finished with Float Away a while back; it’s due out soon. I think with him as director and a script like this, She-Wolf will be a hit. I want a best actress award.”
“I hope you get one; you deserve it.”
“Yes, I do.” It was said with an air of self-confidence. “This Jack Brandon, he’s going to be good. He’s got a lot of talent. I’ve met with him and Thomas several times to go over things. He’s very, very sexy…but too young for me, more’s the pity. I don’t enjoy being a cougar.”
Emma grinned. “Nope, you haven’t changed one bit. I’ve missed you so much.”
“Welcome back, Emma.”
“Did you really beat out Cate Blanchett for this role?”
“I did,” she replied with a satisfied grin. “I auditioned and did a passable job on my French accent. I hired a voice coach and worked hard so that when it came time for the screen test, I aced that sucker.”
Emma snickered at the look on Norah’s face. “Proud, much?”
“Extremely. Cate is terrific, so damn talented, and I was scared she’d get it. I really wanted this role; something about it spoke to me. Besides, she got to be Queen Elizabeth. I did a victory dance when David told me I’d gotten it.” Norah yawned and her fox like face turned towards Emma’s. “Three more hours left. Jesus, it’s a long flight. I think I’ll sleep the rest of the way.”
It wasn’t long before Emma joined her.
It was drizzling rain when they landed at Heathrow. After claiming their luggage, Norah turned to Emma and yawned again. “I’m tired,” she said, “and glad we slept a bit on the plane. I’m sleeping late in the morning, but then I want to get some shopping in. Bond Street has excellent shops.”
“Are we staying in the hotel for the duration?” Emma found the car and driver assigned to them and began loading luggage into the trunk while the driver held the umbrella over her. Norah waited for her in the backseat.
“No, only for a few days. Dawn Southgate—you remember her?”
“Sure. Y’all were together in The Glass Menagerie. That was right after I started for you.”
“That’s right. Anyway, she told David about a small house for rent in the Mayfair district. She lived there for a while when she was doing a film here. He checked into it and it was available.”
“Well, that’s just awesome. Many thanks to David, agent extraordinaire.”
“I know. And it’s close enough to the set so we can drive back and forth while we’re filming in London. And it’s right there at Bond Street—my own personal Mecca.”
Emma leaned back and closed her eyes. “I’m ready for a hot shower and my nightgown.”
“Me, too. That’s a hell of a long time to be on a plane. It was nice to have a friend to suffer with.” Norah squeezed Emma’s hand and mirrored her pose.
“I knew you were my friend but Ryan convinced me I was nothing more than your servant,” Emma said suddenly. “Now, I don’t know why I listened to him.”
“You loved him. I understand that.”
“I’m not sure it was love,” Emma admitted quietly. “I was flattered that such a successful attorney would be interested in a country girl nobody like me. I let him sweep me off my feet.”
“You underestimate yourself.”
“Do you remember, I was only twenty two when I came to New York? My accounting degree was barely dry, and Chris wanted me to visit so I could watch him reap the rewards of his first off-Broadway hit. I fell in love with the city and was trying so hard to get a job so I could stay.”
“And I was in his play,” Norah reminisced with her. “He was so excited you were visiting that he dragged me to lunch with him so I could meet his Emma.”
“Yes. And you were bitching about not being
able to find a good assistant. God, I can’t believe I just
offered you my services like that. I’d never done anything that brave before.” Emma laughed at the memory.
“I’m glad you did,” Norah smiled as they reached the hotel.
After they checked in, Emma went to her part of the suite and dug into a suitcase for her toiletries and one of the oversize t-shirts she favored for sleeping.
“I’m going straight to bed, Emma,” Norah called from her bedroom.
“See you in the morning,” she called back and shut her door. She bundled her thick hair into a bun so it wouldn’t get wet, took a quick shower, and brushed her teeth. She climbed into the big bed and had barely pulled the comforter over her before she slid into dreamless sleep.
***
“Emma? You awake?”
Emma yawned and stretched before opening her eyes. She stifled a laugh. Norah’s blond hair was sticking up in tufts, and her eyes were smudged with last night’s mascara. Norah grimaced.
“I’m not at my best this early in the morning. Thank God we have people to make us look glamorous when we need it.”
“I’m just as bad,” Emma said as she ran her fingers through her hair. She threw back the covers and stood.
“Room service,” Norah announced. “Coffee and scones.” She grinned. “Then showers and shopping.”
“Already?”
“We only have a few days before we have to
buckle down. I want some London fashion. And I’m ready to hit a few of the nightclubs.”
“Never a dull moment,” was Emma’s reply. “I’d actually like to do some exploring. I’ve always dreamed of vacationing here.”
“Of course. We’ll squeeze that in, too. I’d like to see some of the places we’ll be filming.”
> They discussed their plans over a breakfast of coffee, scones with raspberry jam and fluffy scrambled eggs before separating to shower and dress.
“Well, that’s better,” Norah said as they met back up in the sitting area. “Look at us.” She tucked her arm into Emma’s and looked into the big mirror on the wall. “Two women ready to take London by storm.”
Emma smiled as she picked up her purse. “You look fabulous.” It was true; Norah had the knack to make even slacks and a simple blue blouse look good.
“Let’s find killer outfits, a great nightclub, and a couple of good looking Brits to buy us drinks tonight.”
Emma shook her head and followed Norah out of the room.
Chapter 3
“Oh my God. You have to buy it. It was made for you.”
Emma studied her reflection and considered. The turquoise dress molded her figure and the rhinestone straps sparkled. It scooped low on her breasts and stopped at mid-thigh. “You don’t think it’s too short?”
“Nope. It does great things for those tanned legs of yours. We’ll find some ice pick heels to match.”
Emma fingered the hem. “I’ve never had a dress like this.”
“Then I say it’s time you did. I wonder how many men will fall over themselves trying to get you to go home with them.”
“Norah! Is sex all you think about?”
“It is when it’s been a while since I’ve had any,” Norah grinned. “How about you? How long?”
“Almost a year.”
Genuine shock rippled over Norah’s face. “Are you serious? How?”
“You know Ryan was my first.” Emma went into the dressing room to put her own clothes back on. “There hasn’t been anyone since. We had sex that last night and five minutes later he’s talking divorce.”
“The bastard. You mean you never even had sweaty rebound sex?”
Emma emerged shaking her head.
“What a pity. We’ll remedy that. Buy the dress.”
Emma tilted her head, considered Norah’s words. She bought the dress.
They continued to shop along Bond Street. Norah tried on several dresses before she found one she claimed was “the one”. There were silk blouses, satin skirts. Emma found black ice pick heels, along with a pair of sturdy brown hiking boots. “For sight-seeing in the country,” she told Norah.
Norah fell in love with an orange bag in the Hermes shop and immediately switched all the items from her black one into it. She talked Emma into buying three more outfits and bought a mountain of new clothes for herself. Emma picked up a red leather jacket and had it shipped to her mother.
They laughingly agreed to let a store manager call a delivery service to take their ever-growing collection of shopping bags back to the hotel. Emma found a small tavern and pulled Norah inside for lunch.
“Fish and chips,” she decided, “and a pint of whatever you recommend,” she told the waitress. Norah seconded her order and laughed.
“I haven’t shopped like that in ages! I’ve spent all my money.” She lifted her new orange bag. “But it was worth it.”
“My credit card is going to explode. I actually heard it crying in that last shop. It hasn’t been used that much in…well, ever. I hope Mama likes the jacket.”
“She will. You have an eye for what looks good on people.”
“I want to go to Westminster, and the Tower of London, and Stonehenge.” Emma dug into her food with gusto. “And to some plays, so Chris won’t fuss. And—“
“And the whole damn country, probably.” Emma grinned but didn’t argue. “You are the only person I know this passionate about history.”
“I can’t help it. I’ve always been fascinated.”
“It’s a good thing, I guess, since we’re working on a historical film.” They paid the tab and walked back onto the street. “Look there, Emma, Myla.”
“What’s that?”
“Lingerie. Let’s go in. We’ll buy sexy new underwear.”
“Weren’t you just complaining about spending too much?” Emma let herself be dragged to the door.
“That was before this. Don’t look at me that way,” Norah smiled and wagged a finger. “You like sexy undies just as much as I do.”
“True, very true. Oh,” Emma gave a soft cry. “I love the red silk set. And the blue, and the black. Oh, God, I’m in trouble.” She grabbed those, along with several cotton sets.
Norah had her own arms full when she found Emma fingering a black lace nightie with a matching robe. She looked wistful.
“Go on, buy it. It’ll look great on you.”
Emma ran her hand over it again. “Where would I wear it? It’s not exactly restaurant attire.”
“Well, you would wear it for the man lucky enough to find you in his bedroom. It never hurts to be prepared.”
Emma laughed, then tossed the nightie on top of her other purchases. It was, she decided, a productive shopping trip.
***
“Christ, you look amazing.” Norah studied Emma. “I like your hair like that; it just kind of curls around your shoulders in a sexy way.”
Emma smiled. “I feel a little foolish,” she admitted. “I’ve never dressed this way before. Even the clothes Ryan bought me were more conservative.”
“You should do it more often. You will do it more often,” Norah corrected as she inspected her own image. Her pale pink dress left one shoulder bare and her hair was swept into a loose chignon. “Let’s go find a hot guy for you to fall into bed with. I really, really think sex is what you need before you completely bounce back.”
“Jesus, Norah, I’m not going to’ fall into bed’ with someone I just met.”
Norah rolled her eyes. “I know that, Emma. But you have to stop being so afraid. You can at least meet men who make you think about sex.”
Emma expelled a breath as they stepped into the elevator. “What the hell,” she said with a laugh. “Meeting men I can handle. Maybe I’ll even meet one who makes me think about sex.”
“Now you’re talking! Let’s party.”
Tristan’s was a new nightclub that was gaining a reputation for star sightings. It boasted a polished wooden dance floor with a disco ball mounted above it, a stage for live music, and booths and tables scattered throughout. The owners were always discreet and willing to help someone who may have had too much to drink. It had been highly recommended to Norah by Dawn Southgate.
Emma and Norah entered and stood for a
minute as their eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. Norah spotted an empty corner booth and dragged Emma towards it as the band took a break and the DJ put a record on.
The music was a hot, pulsating beat that stirred Emma’s blood. She loved to dance. She grinned and swayed her body to the music. Emma ordered a dirty martini while Norah decided on the house red. Several men took notice of the pretty brunette in the short blue dress.
“You look happy,” Norah told her as they sipped their second round of drinks.
“I am. I want to dance,” Emma decided. “I’m going to ask someone to dance.”
Norah raised an eyebrow. “Feeling better about ourselves, are we? That’s great. Who do you have in mind?”
Emma gazed around the club and shrugged. “I’m not sure yet.”
“Look over there,” Norah subtly pointed at a tall blond man lounging against the wall by the door. “That’s a fine specimen of manhood. Ask him.”
“Hmmm.” She thought for a second, and then nodded. “OK, wish me luck.” Emma stood and walked purposely toward him. As she drew closer his bold green eyes looked her up and down and he smiled.
“Looking for me, darling?” His low voice sounded amused.
“Would you like to dance?” Emma asked as she stopped in front of him.
“Sweetheart, I would be stupid to turn down a beautiful woman. James Wyley,” he introduced himself as he took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
“Emma Payne.” She laughed as he spun her
around before settling her in his arms. The song was fast paced and Emma grinned as she looked up at James. “You’re a terrific dancer.”
“So are you. Lovely Emma, you’re from the states. What brings you to London town?”
“A movie,” she told him as the song ended and a slow ballad took its place.
“Ah, so you’re an actress then. My best mate acts as well.” James drew her closer as they slowed their pace to match the music. His green eyes smiled into hers.
Emma shook her head. “No, I’m not an actress, just an assistant to one. Norah Jackson.”
“Brilliant! Ms. Jackson is starring in the film he’ll be working on. Jack Brandon,” James explained. His eyes scanned the club. “He’s here somewhere.”
“What a coincidence. I’d like to meet him.”
“I can arrange that,” he returned. “After a couple more dances with you.”
True to his word, James walked Emma back to the booth where Norah was waiting and left to find his friend. Norah scooted closer to Emma and whispered, “Well?”
“He’s nice,” Emma shrugged, “and handsome. But he doesn’t make me think about sex.”
Norah laughed and toasted Emma with her wine. “Then we keep trying.” She looked up and smiled as James returned with another man in tow.
“Here we are,” James said. “I’ve brought Jack Brandon for introductions.”
Emma caught her breath as she looked. He was
easily the most attractive man she’d ever seen. His hair
was black as coal and curled just a bit over the collar of
his black shirt. Steel blue eyes met hers and when he smiled she felt her stomach muscles tighten. Good God, she thought, now I’m definitely thinking about sex. The man is sex. She reddened slightly and swallowed.
“Pleasure to meet you,” he said as he held out his hand.
“Same here,” Emma responded as she placed her hand in his. Instead of the handshake she expected, Jack raised her hand and kissed it. Emma’s blush deepened as he released her and turned to Norah, who was watching Emma with a small smile.
“I doubted James when he told me he had the two prettiest women in the place waiting on us,” he told Norah as he kissed her hand. “I see now he was being truthful.”