by Rachel Cross
“Plenty of time. What should we do?” He rubbed his hands together. “I have a free afternoon.”
She shrugged. “What do you suggest?”
“Shopping?”
She shook her head. No money for that. Not with Emma’s tuition sucking up the rest of the life insurance money. It was becoming more and more difficult to cover her and Emma’s living expenses on her salary.
“Touristy stuff? Griffith observatory?”
“I was here during the summer with my sister. We spent the weekend doing Grumman’s, Griffith Park, even Universal Studios.” She smiled at the memory.
His eyes lit up. “Cirque de Soleil is in town, you ever see them?”
“No, but I’ve always wanted to,” she replied, excited.
“I’ll bet I could get us in to where they’re practicing, if you want to go?”
“I’d love to!” she squealed, unable to contain her excitement as he peeled out, merging into Los Angeles traffic. She tightened her grip on her purse and closed her eyes.
• • •
Asher looked over at his passenger. Kate was back to her death grip on the purse. “We’re here.” He re-parked the car, smiling at her. She really didn’t need to be nervous. He was an excellent driver. He held the door for her. Now that he’d had a chance to spend time with her, he was suitably impressed.
He’d known who she was, of course, as soon as he walked into Alec’s house. He made it his business to know what was happening in the lives of the people he cared about. Asher recognized her from news about the rescue and the karaoke bar footage he had been inundated with. She was even more beautiful in person. Radiant. She was also sweet and innocent and young. Quite a departure for his most jaded, commitment-phobic friend. Things were looking up for Alec. Maybe this woman could get Alec back into music where he belonged. He grinned when he remembered her reaction to his inappropriate behavior, but it had been amusing to put her to the test.
He’d seen Cirque a number of times. Growing up in Las Vegas, there were few shows he hadn’t seen. His parents divorced when he was a child, and his billionaire father had been awarded custody. His mother was a hot mess — and that was putting it euphemistically. Though she lived in Los Angeles, he avoided all contact with her. A former actress, now blackballed in Hollywood for her antics, her exploits back in the day could have given today’s starlets and their scandals a run for their money.
The experience of seeing Cirque de Soleil through Kate’s eyes was startling. She was awestruck. That much was obvious. He watched her wiggle to the edge of her seat when the acrobats preformed some thrilling move. She clutched his arm several times, wholly unaware she’d even done it. Her actions were child-like in a way, but there was nothing childish about her.
Asher took his time studying her. He was protective of Alec. There weren’t too many people he was tight with in his industry but Alec was a good friend. He considered himself lucky to have met Sawyer when they were both getting started. Not that it wasn’t a friendship with a few bumps in the road.
He was the product of two individuals with astonishing affluence and exposed to the assorted ills that accompanied fame and financial success from a young age. Raised by a largely absent billionaire father and an indifferent, narcissistic Hollywood icon mother, Asher was unexpectedly grounded. Alec and most of Reeking Bliss went off the deep end with drugs and alcohol just about the time Spade hit mega stardom. Asher had participated in an intervention or two over the years and had enough exposure to addiction in all its forms to realize better than most that he would either lose his friend to drugs and alcohol, or Alec would sober up.
Asher’s vices ran to fast cars and faster women. He was jaded and bored, sure, but that came with the life. He didn’t realize how jaded and bored until he spent time with someone like Kate. Though come to think of it, he didn’t actually know anyone like Kate.
When the practice ended, she turned to him, beautiful green eyes shining, joy transparent on her animated face. They stood and she gave him a hug and thanked him profusely.
“That was so amazing!”
“Do you want to go backstage and meet some of the performers?” he asked.
She hung back, shyly. “Oh, no. I mean, no, really. That’s okay.”
“They’d be just as happy to meet me.”
She burst out laughing.
He grinned back at her. “I don’t just sound like an arrogant ass. I am an arrogant ass.”
She nodded. “Maybe. But at least you are self-aware? And besides, I’m sure you need a very healthy ego to be a rock star.”
“Now there’s positive spin. I should hire you to do my promotion.”
“Sounds like you handle that fine all by yourself.”
He took her hand, marveling at how small it felt in his large palm and led her backstage, then excused himself to talk to security.
• • •
Kate watched him walk away. Moments later, Asher winked and gestured her over. He signed an autograph for the security guard. As he had predicted, the troupe were thrilled to meet Asher and she was thrilled to meet them. She met a few performers then stood back, shyly, watching him. He was polite, charming and at ease, signing autographs and posing for pictures. He joked with men and women alike. She should get a picture. Emma would love this. She rifled through her bag for her phone, twice. Three times. She stood there, stumped, frowning. Had she left it at the restaurant?
“What’s up?” Asher came over, correctly interpreting stress on her face.
“My phone … ”
“I may have had it last, remember? I put it back on the kitchen island.”
She stared at him. “I forgot it?” Being available for her sister and occasionally for work was paramount. She had quite literally never left the thing behind.
“What time is it?” she asked, unaccountably panicked.
“After four.”
After four? Her heart raced. “Oh, my gosh! I need to get back.” She wasn’t sure what she was more stressed about, the idea that her sister couldn’t reach her in an emergency or the fact that she’d been incommunicado from Alec most of the day.
Asher tried Alec’s phone. No answer.
“C’mon. I’ll take you home.”
They were stuck in LA rush hour for over an hour, so she used Asher’s phone to call her voicemail. Four messages. All from Alec. Each message progressively more irritated, anxious and impatient until the last, when his mood devolved into angry. He’d cursed, barked, “Call me back,” and hung up.
She disconnected the phone, eyes wide and handed it back to Asher.
Asher glanced over and grimaced. “He pissed?”
She nodded and stared at him, baffled. “He left four messages. The last message was … ” her voice trailed off. “He was mad,” she breathed. So mad.
She glanced at Asher. He didn’t look surprised.
“What is his deal?” She half turned in her seat and finally the sheepish expression on Asher’s face registered. Guilt.
“Oh, Asher. What did you do?”
He downshifted on the hill, the motor revved.
She rubbed her temples, biting her lip. He glanced over at her, and cursed under his breath. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll fix it.”
She was silent for the rest of the ride.
• • •
Alec sat fuming on the living room couch. He’d told Asher to leave Kate the fuck alone. Did he? Of course not. Instead, he’d taken her out and texted Girlfriend is fucking hot and sent him a picture of her, looking radiant. Kate had left her phone. Left her damn phone. She always kept it on her. She was probably enthralled by the great Asher Lowe. Alec threw a cushion across the room. He’d been a jackass the last few days, prioritizing work, but he hadn’t expected this.
The gr
owl of the Bugatti pulled him from his thoughts. He sat, hands clenched and made an effort to reign in his temper. He heard them enter, quietly, cautiously. He watched Asher’s charming smile die a quick death at his expression. Kate was white with anxiety and something else. Guilt? He interpreted it as guilt immediately and his gut clenched.
“I’m sorry, Alec. I left my phone,” she said quietly, from across the room.
Alec barely spared her a glance. She looked between the two men, staring at each other.
“Alec?”
He finally looked at her and she halted on her way across the room to greet him. He forced an even tone he didn’t feel. “Why don’t you get changed? We should leave in an hour.”
He turned his attention back to Asher.
Kate mumbled something and left the room. He watched her grab her cell phone from the kitchen on her way to the master bedroom.
Asher rubbed his hands together, and put them up. “Nothing happened, man.”
“I know that.” Alec threw himself down onto the couch, scowling. Was this jealousy? The thought made him bolt upright.
“I shouldn’t have fucked with you, but I was curious.” Asher answered the glare with a lazy smile. “And boy, did my curiosity get satisfied.”
Alec half rose out of his chair at the innuendo.
Asher laughed, clearly torn between amusement and astonishment. “Do you think that I would do that to you? Who is it you don’t trust? If I wasn’t so amused, I’d be damned insulted. My friend, you have something here, try not to screw it up.”
Alec grunted.
“I’m in town all week,” Asher said and rose from the couch. “You promised we’d get together.”
Alec walked him to the door. “I’m taking her back to Cielito tomorrow, but I’ll be in LA most of the week.”
“Good.” Before he closed the door, he heard Asher whistling as he climbed into his sports car.
Chapter 18
Kate’s guilt over forgetting her phone was rapidly giving way to anger as she changed clothes. Alec was too busy to take her to lunch, pawned her off on his friend, and was furious when she returned because she forgot her phone? It didn’t make sense. Her heart had been walled off for so long, she didn’t know what to do with all the emotions rioting through her. Anger, fear, disappointment. Like it or not, he had crashed through the barriers she’d erected around her heart. Perhaps it was time to cut her losses and protect herself before this got altogether too painful.
Twenty minutes later, Alec helped her into the car. He started the vehicle and turned toward her.
“Sorry, Kate.”
She grunted, refusing to meet his eyes, playing with the hem of her dress. He reached out a finger and tilted her chin until she met his gaze. She raised her eyebrows. Waiting.
There was real remorse there and he looked pained. “I’m sorry. I was worried, then I got mad.”
“Okay.”
He grinned and she returned his smile.
“So what kind of party is this?” she asked.
“Eh, television and movie people mainly. There’s a guy I need to talk to. We don’t have to stay long.”
“Good.”
Once they arrived at the party in the Hollywood hills, Alec greeted a few people. Only a modicum of his usual charm was evident, and she noticed the smile he directed at her didn’t reach his eyes. Tension strung her taut. She didn’t know a soul.
“You can go mingle if you want,” she offered.
“I’ll see if I can catch the guy I’m supposed to meet.” He kissed her cheek, absently, and left.
Well. This was awkward. She recognized a few actors but would never in a million years go chat with them.
She smiled to herself. If only Emma were here. She’d be dragging Kate to meet celebrities right and left.
She turned as an older man approached her. He was short, oddly muscular and wearing clothes that would be more appropriate on a much younger person.
“How you doing?” he asked, his words inflected with a thick, New York accent.
“Good.” She gave him an absentminded smile.
“Whatcha here for?” he asked bluntly as his gaze drifted from the top of her head where her hair was piled up, to the tips of her slingback clad feet, where cherry red toes peeked out.
“I’m here with a friend,” she responded, amused by the once-over from a man nearly old enough to be her grandfather.
“Bullshit,” he replied, smiling.
She gave him her full attention with a frown. “I’m sorry?”
“What project are you looking at?”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re an actress?”
She smiled at the misunderstanding. “No.”
“Well, you’re too short to be a model.”
“True,” she agreed, still smiling. What a strange, blunt man.
“With an overbite.”
Her smile vanished. How rude.
“What are you looking for?” he asked, impatiently.
She looked him straight in the eye. “Mr … ?”
“Butler.”
“Look Mr. Butler. I don’t know what you’re driving at. I’m here with a friend. I don’t have a project. I’m not an actress. I’m not in the movie business.” She wanted to finish with “now go away!” but wasn’t sure his attitude warranted that level of rudeness.
He gave a short bark of laughter “Movie business. I like that. Do you know who I am?”
“I have no idea.” She smiled, showing all her teeth. “Care to enlighten me?”
“Aren’t you here with Alec Sawyer?”
She nodded.
“And you’re not in the business?” His eyes were shrewd.
“Nope.”
“So what do you do?”
“I’m a nurse.”
“Ah.” He brightened and snapped his fingers. “Yes. Alec’s nurse.”
She rolled her eyes but felt heat creep up her neck. Good Lord. That’s what she was?
“You and Alec saved someone.” He tapped his chin. “From a car wreck?”
Kate started to interrupt, but he shushed her, “I’ll get it, give me a minute. Right! The surfer. Yes.”
She nodded, eyes darting around the party, her smile forced. Where was Alec?
“Good for you, but especially good for Alec, that kind of press. He’s done a remarkable job remaking his image. Did he bring you here to introduce you to some people, for your story? Maybe a television movie or something?”
Her eyes widened as she realized what he was getting at. She laughed. “No, no. Not interested.”
He froze, drink midway to his lips. “You are stunning when you laugh.”
“Thanks,” she said, drily.
“I could use you in something. Give me a minute.” He steepled his hands over his mouth and frowned at her.
Kate flushed, unaccustomed to being scrutinized solely based on her looks. Who the hell was this guy? With her luck, he was probably a porn director. Swallowing a giggle, she glanced around. Where was Alec?
He smiled. “I know just the thing. Give me a headshot before you leave town.”
Kate shook her head. “I don’t know who you are or what your business is, but I’m not interested in a job. I have one I’m happy with. I’m just here with Alec.”
“Then sweetheart, why are you at this party? This party, hell, this town, is all about networking. Alec Sawyer doesn’t bring sweet, young things to these kinds of shin digs. He brings barracudas looking to get a leg up.” He didn’t seem unkind, only puzzled.
“Well, maybe he’s trying to network.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, well … ” She looked around, eager to extricate hers
elf from this odd conversation.
The expression on her face must have given her away for he gave a shout of laughter. “Honey, I can’t remember the last time someone wanted me to get lost. See those people eyeing you?”
She looked around. There were, in fact, a number of people, casually standing on their periphery, looking at them.
“They’re all waiting to talk to me about some new screenplay or actress or director or whatever.”
“Oh. I’ve taken up too much of your time.” She inched away.
He stepped toward her, smiling broadly.
“Trust me, this is a unique experience. Let’s see if I know how to talk about anything other than the industry. Hmm.” He brightened. “My sister is a nurse, back on Long Island where we grew up.”
“Cool. Where does she work?”
“Hospice. But she’s mostly retired.”
“Oh, hospice is wonderful. Our local hospice took care of my mom at the end of her life.”
“Mine too. Sorry for your loss.”
“Sorry for yours. How did your mom die?”
“Lou Gehrig’s a long time ago.”
“I’m sorry. That’s really sad. Tough way to go.”
“Yeah.” There was a world of pain in that one word. “Yours?”
“Breast cancer. She was sick for about three years. I think she only hung in there to see me turn eighteen so I could take care of my younger sister.”
“I think mine hung in there to see if I would ever leave her basement.”
They shared a laugh.
“You’re a long way from a basement on Long Island. I’m sure she’d be proud.”
“Thanks.” He took a healthy swallow of his drink. “I got my big break right before she died. Bad timing. I’d been writing all my life, finally hit the jackpot with a screenplay, moved to LA, started taking meetings, stars were signing on. My project was moving forward and I didn’t give a damn.”
She reached over and squeezed his hand. They shared a look of understanding.
Alec appeared at her side. His face was a rigid, hostile mask.
She blanched and her stomach turned over.