Heartthrob (Hollywood Hearts, #1)

by Belinda Williams

  Celebrations that had just gotten a whole lot bigger.

  “Are you for real?” I cried, gripping the phone tightly. “Nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture at the Golden Globes?” I repeated in awe. As was tradition, the nominees were released a month out from the ceremony.

  “For the drama category. I can’t say I’m surprised. It was Duncan’s production and The Long Night has been nominated for Best Motion Picture, too.” Lena sounded calm. Too calm. She was calling me in between takes on set. I had the feeling her muted response had less to do with being on set and more to do with the mention of Duncan.

  “Don’t you dare downplay this. Yes, Duncan makes good movies but you know why that is? Because he was smart enough to cast you.”

  “Possibly. I’m up against some amazing actresses.”

  “Who you’ll blitz because you’re Lena Lyons, do you hear me?” If I’d had pom-poms I’d have been shaking them cheerleading style. “This is a seriously big deal, Lena. Huge.”

  “I’ve had award nominations before, you know.”

  “Not for the Golden Globes you haven’t,” I pointed out.

  “True. Anyway, see how we go.”

  “See how we go? Do you hear yourself? Why aren’t you excited about this? You should be excited about this!” I demanded.

  I heard her let out a soft sigh. “I am. Honestly. I think it’s just because it’s Duncan’s production, that’s all. I have a suspicion it will win Best Motion Picture.”

  I bit back a smart remark about Duncan. It was easy to think that Lena was doing OK because she was busy with her grueling schedule. But I knew better. When Lena’s mom was sick she hid her pain well like the actress she was. “Will Duncan be there?” I asked gently.

  “We’ll be sitting together. Everyone from the production of The Long Night is on the same table. It was organised before our split and if I try to change it now, the media will have a field day.”

  I’d always thought the name of that film was incredibly romantic. Now I was worried it was an omen. Stuck on a table with her ex, it was potentially going to be a very long night.

  “At least the numbers are so tight that no one is able to invite partners,” Lena added.

  And thank God for that. Imagine if the rumors about Duncan’s ex-wife were true and Lena was forced to sit on the same table with them all night.

  “Anyway, I thought you’d be excited,” she continued.

  “Of course I’m excited! Do you hear how excited I am? I’m making my cheerleading outfit as we speak,” I promised.

  “No, not about me. You.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes. It’s your dress I’m going to be wearing, remember? The coverage you’ll get will be amazing.”

  Oh. Right. I’d kind of forgotten about that bit. My excitement levels suddenly plummeted into something approaching panic.

  “Ally? Are you still there?”

  “Still here,” I managed, sounding reasonably normal.

  “You’re freaking out, aren’t you?” she asked.

  “No,” I replied, my voice taking on a higher-pitched edge. “I’m absolutely thrilled. Of course I am.”

  “You don’t sound like it,” Lena observed.

  “No, I am! Totally. Completely. But I’m more thrilled for you.”

  “Well, you shouldn’t be,” Lena said firmly. “Whether I win or lose, I’m still going to be famous. This is your big chance, Ally, and I’m so glad I could make it happen for you.”

  “Me too,” I whispered.

  “Sorry, I’ve got to go. They’re calling me. Hopefully I’ll be home before midnight tonight, but don’t wait up.”

  The line went dead and I let go of the breath I’d been holding.

  “Oh, crap,” I said out loud. What had I done? I was stupid to agree to this. I hadn’t designed anything in years and now Lena was trusting me to dress her for the biggest award nomination of her life?

  It hadn’t felt real when I’d first agreed to it. With the announcement of her award nomination, I’d just been catapulted out of fantasyland and into reality. Maybe I could convince her to wear another designer. Yes, that would work. I’d dress her for a smaller event. Something more low-key, like a movie premiere.

  Even as I thought it, I knew Lena would refuse the suggestion. She was adamant that it was my dress she was going to wear.

  In one month’s time, whether I liked it or not, my fate as fashion designer would be sealed. And the whole world would be watching.

  Chapter 11

  The one good thing about the awards ceremonies being in the new year was that Christmas proved distracting. I was determined to make Lena’s Christmas memorable, so any reservations I had about what she was wearing to the awards ceremonies were put on hold. Lena had decided to host a low-key Christmas Eve celebration, and I had plans for the biggest feast a single Italian woman could hope to prepare.

  The bit where Lena’s friends were other famous movie stars? I’d kind of forgotten about that until they started arriving.

  “Ally? This is Chloe.”

  Lena guided Chloe Kemp to the island bench in the kitchen where I was busily preparing the food.

  I offered her a smile to cover my shock at the appearance of the former child superstar. I’d known she was coming, but it was still strange to think I’d be serving her lunch. “Hi Chloe. Nice to meet you.”

  “Oh my God. That smells amazing. I’m so glad filming is on a break because I am totally going to eat whatever I want.”

  “Good,” I said. Were all movie stars the same, I wondered. Stunningly beautiful but borderline starving? “I’ve already told Lena no calorie-counting on my watch.”

  Chloe observed me with a smile. Unlike the time I’d seen her at Chateau Marmont, I liked what she was wearing today. A dark purple, floaty short-sleeved top set off her deep blue eyes and auburn hair. She’d paired it with white capri pants, which highlighted her petite figure. I’d always admired Chloe’s style. Unlike a lot of other young stars, she had class and didn’t feel the need to be half-naked.

  “Do you approve?” she asked.

  I blinked at her. “I’m sorry?”

  She waved a hand in front of herself. “Of my ensemble? Lena keeps saying how fantastic your designs are, so I was a bit worried I might make a major fashion faux pas and embarrass myself.”

  I resisted the urge to laugh. Loudly. The ridiculousness of a famous movie star being nervous about meeting me was definitely laughable. “You’re beautiful, Chloe. Trust me. And I see Lena’s been talking me up far too much.” I shot Lena a warning look over Chloe’s head and she shrugged.

  “Oh, I don’t think so,” Chloe said. “Every time she’s had a fitting with you, she’s come to set the next day raving about how excited she was.”

  I looked for Lena again but she’d disappeared out into the hall, where I could hear more guests arriving.

  “Lena’s a good friend,” I told Chloe.

  “They can be hard to find in this town,” she admitted.

  “But you grew up here, didn’t you?” While I wasn’t exactly well-versed on Hollywood celebrity, it had been kind of hard to miss Chloe’s transformation from child star to adult actress.

  “Yeah. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve got friends. But there’s friends and then there’s friends, if you know what I mean. I haven’t known her very long, but I can tell Lena’s one of the good ones.”

  It seemed to be a common refrain, I thought to myself. Fame guaranteed attention, but not necessarily lasting friendships.

  “She definitely is,” I said. “How did you get to know her?”

  “I’m playing Jake's little sister in the romantic comedy she’s co-starring in with him.”

  I paused chopping up the vegetables. There was no point hiding my disbelief. Chloe’s coloring couldn't have been more different from Jake's if she’d tried.

  Chloe hopped up onto one of the stools and put her elbows on the counter, happy to watch
me work. “Yeah, I know. Stupid, right? Plus, he’s like years older than me but I still managed to get the role, so maybe I can act or something.”

  “Well, you have kind of been doing it all your life,” I sputtered, reeling a little at her harsh assessment of Jake's age. Sure, anyone in their thirties seemed old when you were in your early twenties, but Jake couldn’t be more than thirty-five.

  “Mmm, true.” She was studying the snacks I’d laid out and opted for a homemade shortbread cookie. “Oh wow,” she said through a mouthful. “These are divine. Lena said your family owns a restaurant?”

  “In Providence.”

  “It’s so beautiful over there. Do you get snow for Christmas?”

  “Yes. It feels like summer here in comparison.”

  Chloe’s eyes widened. “I would so love a white Christmas one year. How come you’re not going home this year?”

  I looked away and concentrated on the knife I was wielding. “Christmas in LA is kind of a novelty for me and I wanted to keep Lena company.”

  Chloe leaned in further, her chin-length hair falling forward. “Yeah, me too.” She lowered her voice. “I know she’s not showing it but the divorce is still new. It must be hard for her. Has she said much to you?”

  “Not much,” I admitted. “But that’s her way. Do you have family in LA to spend Christmas with?” I added, not wanting to linger on the subject of Lena. I had no doubts Chloe was genuine, but I didn’t feel right talking about it in any more detail than we already were.

  “I had brunch with my mother and I’ll see Dad tonight.”

  I had vague recollections Chloe’s parents were divorced. Her mother was a retired actress who had been big in her day and her father was a screenwriter or something like that.

  “Hey, ladies. I hope you’re going to help me eat all this food,” a deep voice announced.

  “Jake!” Chloe jumped off the seat and bounced toward him, throwing herself into his arms. He picked up his co-star and twirled her around before setting her down gently.

  “Hey, sweet stuff. Merry Christmas.”

  I forced myself to look away as they stood grinning at each other. What was it about that man’s voice? It was better I focused on that than the strange feeling swirling in my stomach after seeing him hold Chloe. They were co-stars, I reminded myself. They must have developed a good relationship while working together. And besides, Chloe thought he was old. It’s not like it bothered me anyway. It was just the surprise of seeing him. Lena hadn’t told me he was coming. I wondered if that had been deliberate or not.

  “Bambi. This is quite a feast.” He strolled over to the counter. “Are we being treated to any of that deadly lasagna?”

  “Afraid not,” I said. I glanced up at him and then back down to the vegetables. He looked good, as always. Best not to dwell on it. “I’m sticking with tradition today.”

  “I’m sure I won’t be able to walk, anyway. Hey, you’ve been working out.”

  A carrot slipped from my fingers and I grabbed for it as it bounced across the chopping board. “What makes you say that?”

  “It’s all those endorphins you’re giving off.”

  I finally met his gaze and wished I hadn’t. The mischief in his eyes was unmistakable.

  “What?” I retorted. “Is that some sort of sixth sense really fit people get?”

  His mouth twisted into a devastating grin and I immediately wondered why I couldn’t have just left it alone.

  “Shh. It’s a secret. You’ll get superpowers too if you keep up the workouts.”

  Chloe let out a very polite snort and I started chopping the carrots. It was either that or drool.

  “What superpowers?” I asked, once my heart rate had settled. “Does looking good in Lycra count? And how do you know I’ve been working out?” I certainly wasn’t at the looking good in Lycra stage just yet, so it couldn’t have been that.

  “Alright, Lena told me,” he admitted, selecting a shortbread cookie like Chloe had. “She said you’d been using her gym, but I can tell. You look good.”

  Chloe eyed the cookie. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she interrupted, but it was already too late.

  Jake moaned through his mouthful and I stifled a sharp intake of breath, forcing myself to keep chopping.

  “Oh, man. It’s like her cooking is laced with something. Come on. Fess up. What’s your secret?”

  I hid a grin and nodded at the plate of cookies. “Only the people with cooking superpowers know that.”

  “It’s alright,” Jake said, reaching for another cookie. “I’m immune. One of my superpowers is protection from evil calories.”

  I couldn’t help myself and snorted in a much less graceful way than Chloe. “Well, good luck with that. There’s like a pound of butter in those cookies, as well as enough sugar to power a class full of children.”

  Jake’s grin faded and he retracted his hand slowly, though it appeared to be a struggle.

  “I knew it,” Chloe said with a sigh, dropping herself back onto the stool. The kitchen seemed to be the place to be. “Hey, why are you here, Jake? Don’t you have family to see?”

  He gazed at my evil cookies longingly. “They’re all back east,” he replied.

  “Don't you have a private jet? Or a cape?” Chloe teased.

  “I leant the jet to my sidekick and my cape’s at the dry cleaners.”

  “So how come you aren’t seeing them?” Chloe asked with interest, and plucked another cookie from the plate, undeterred by my earlier warning.

  Jake shrugged and sat on the stool next to her. “Hasn’t been the same since Mom died, I guess. My brothers all have their own families now.”

  “Nieces and nephews. Cool.” She was barely an adult herself but the concept of being an aunty obviously appealed to her.

  “Eight.” Superpowers going strong, he picked up another cookie.

  “Oh, wow. That’s a lot. I bet they love you. Do they think you’re a real-life superhero?” she asked, referring to his role in a recent action film inspired by a comic book series.

  “I haven’t really seen them since that movie came out,” he said.

  I frowned to myself. I was pretty sure that movie had been released several years ago. Was he really saying he hadn’t visited his family in that long?

  I didn’t get the chance to ponder it further because more people had arrived. I recognized familiar faces from the big screen and others Lena introduced who worked behind the scenes. Chloe and Jake drifted off to talk to other guests and the usually cavernous kitchen was abuzz with conversation.

  For the next hour or so I was left to my own devices as the celebration drifted out onto the patio area. It was an unseasonably warm winter’s day, around sixty-five or so, which was positively balmy compared to home.

  I was happy being ignored for the most part. It wasn’t too different from managing the restaurant and it allowed me time to observe Lena’s guests. I wanted to get a feel for what sort of people she surrounded herself with in Hollywood. There was lots of laughter and joking and, from what I could tell, she’d made good choices in friends.

  I looked up as a dark haired woman came to stand next to the counter, then I did a double take. Prominent cheekbones, strong jawline, flawless skin, and hair so long, straight and shiny I immediately wanted to stroke it.

  Holy shit. Faith Martin.

  She was a veteran of the industry, although that term wasn’t entirely fair. She’d been a childhood actress like Chloe, but then made it big—or bigger—playing a femme fatale detective on a television series during her twenties. High-profile movie roles had followed and so had a string of famous boyfriends, but Faith was still single from what I recalled. She was at least a few years older than I was—not that she looked it. She could have passed for my younger sister. Alright, no hope of that. She was everything I was not: tall, tanned and toned. For some reason our differences annoyed me.

  Her dark eyes were guarded as she surveyed the counter. “I’v
e been told to avoid the cookies.”

  I shrugged. “Depends on how long you want to spend at the gym.”

  Faith blinked at my honesty and then looked me up and down. I was distracted from her blatant appraisal by her impossibly long eyelashes. They couldn’t be real, could they?

  She pursed her lips and stared hard at the cookies. Unlike Lena who wore bright red lipstick, Faith’s were painted with a natural gloss, directing attention to her dark eyes.

  “They must be really good then.” She reached over and selected a cookie from the plate. Unlike Jake’s earlier show of appreciation, all my cookie managed to elicit from Faith was a raised eyebrow. “They’re potent.”

  I forced myself to smile and secretly hoped the pound of butter would go straight to her hips. I stiffened. Where had that come from? Lena exhibited the same goddess-like perfection, so why had I taken an immediate dislike to this woman? There was no logical reason for it.

  “Do you sample all of your cooking?” Faith asked, nodding at me.

  Alright, first reason. I aimed for a polite response, hoping I’d heard wrong. “I’m sorry?”

  “It’s obvious you like your food.”

  As my face flushed I forced myself to give her a big smile. “What do they say? Never trust a skinny cook.”

  “Lena must find you very trustworthy then.”

  Oh my God. And I thought I had a big mouth. I’d tried to soften the comment and turned it into a joke and she’d thrown it right back at me—only harder. Ouch. That answered the question of whether she knew who I was, though. For a moment I thought perhaps she’d mistaken me for being hired help. I’d been willing to dismiss her rudeness based on some poorly developed class associations and a movie-star ego. Now I knew she was just nasty.

  “Lena and I go way back.” If my smile was fake, I couldn’t have cared less. She could insult me all she liked, but this was Lena’s house and perhaps she needed reminding she was insulting one of Lena’s oldest friends. What was she doing here anyway? Faith didn’t strike me as best buddy material, unlike Chloe who was sweet and personable.

  “That’s obvious, too. You don’t call in reinforcements when things are going well.”