“What neighborhood is it in?”
“Beverly Hills. We’re on Mulholland Drive, you’ve heard of this road, right?”
I nod and continue to gaze out the window as we drive up the road. The higher we get, the better the view and the bigger the houses.
“Josh, these houses …” My breath catches when our relator comes to a stop in front of a single level gray home.
Josh comes around and helps me out of the car and we meet our agent halfway up the driveway. I notice the garage first; it’s mirrored glass reflecting back on us. I’ve never seen anything like it. The walkway is slate and leads to a frosted glass door. I hesitate before I walk in, already aware that I’m in love with the house and I haven’t even seen it, and knowing that Josh is already worried about the price because of the location.
“Oh my God,” I gasp as I step inside. Everything is white, gray, and black with the perfect accent of brown for hardwood floors. The agent drones on about the specifics of the house, but my eyes are focused on the glass walls which the agent is opening as we walk through. Josh takes my hand and leads me through the massive rooms, but I’m lost in a daze, imagining myself living here.
A small wall with a fireplace separates the living room and dining room, making it visible from both sides, and off the living room is the master bedroom. When we step into the master, the wall of windows slides open, revealing the same view from the other rooms.
“Holy shit,” I murmur, stepping out. The large patio and outside kitchen is nothing compared to the pool. Josh chuckles behind me before dragging me into the master bath, walk-in closet, and exercise room. “I’d never have to leave.”
“I’d be okay with that,” he whispers into my ear.
We look at the other two bedrooms, which have their own bathroom and a walk-in closet.
“This house is massive,” he says.
“This house is beautiful,” I counter, knowing it’s only a dream. We could never afford it.
The fourth bedroom is smaller, but still has its own private bathroom. I already start thinking about nursery decorations and a pang of jealousy hits me square in the chest. This isn’t my baby, but we’re looking at houses so that he or she can live with us, when I want to be looking because we’re having a baby and need the space. The rest of the house consists of an office, breakfast nook, and kitchen. The color scheme is carried throughout the house for complete flow.
Josh takes me outside to the terrace. “What do you think?” he asks, while holding me.
I shake my head. “I love it, but it’s too much.”
“Can you see yourself happy here?”
“I’m happy wherever you are, Josh. We’ve seen some great places today that are affordable, smaller. This is too much house for the three of us.” I smile, but it’s weak. I’m trying to include his child with Jules in our decision because as much as I want that part of my life to go away, it’s not happening anytime soon.
“What if there were four of us, or maybe five?”
I look at him questioningly. “What are you talking about?”
Taking my face in his hands, Josh kisses me softly. “After being with your family I want that. I want it all, Joey. Watching your cousins run around and jump in the pond and seeing your parents dote on them, I want that for us. I want to have children with you.”
“What?” My eyebrows rise as I step back. “Is this because of Jules?”
“God no. This is because I saw what a real family could be like and I know together we can do that.”
“Wow.”
“Do you not want kids? I thought—”
I hold my hand up to stop him. “I do. I always have. I knew with you it’d be a hard sell, but when Jules told you she’s pregnant I thought that would make you shut down completely. That children would never be an option for us.”
“I’m making it an option if you want, Joey.” He pulls me back into his arms.
“Okay.”
“Yeah?”
I nod and wipe away the tears that have fallen. “Yeah.”
“Perfect. Now before we decide about the house, let me tell you that it comes fully furnished if we want and the owner has never lived here.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“It means we get to be the first ones to have sex in the house!”
I roll my eyes. “Is that all you think about?”
He smiles then laughs. “You know, apparently it is. I can’t get enough of you.”
I want to tell him that I feel the same way, but I like the idea of him needing me. He can have anyone he wants and he’s chosen me and it’s not because of circumstance. And I still fear he could leave me for Jules. They have history and the baby is coming sooner rather than later. Does that mean I go off the pill now to secure him, or do I trust that he’s not going anywhere?
“What do you think of the house, Mr. Wilson?” the agent asks Josh, knowing full well he’s the one with the money.
“We love it.”
“Would you like to make an offer on it?”
Josh looks at me for an answer, but I can’t give him one. Can I see myself living here? Yes, I can. I can see it all. My parents visiting, my cousins doing cannon balls into the pool, Josh over by the grill and our children being held and loved by our family.
“Yeah,” he answers, never taking his eyes off of me. “All cash offer. I want to close tonight if possible.”
“I’ll be right back, Mr. Wilson.”
“Josh—”
He silences me with his lips. “I saw it, too, Joey and I want it. I want the noise from our visitors, the wet feet traipsing through the house. I want the sounds of laughter and the smell of a home to be all around us, and this house does it for us.”
“But it’s expensive.”
“It’s what I’m making off my next movie. We’ll be fine. I promise.”
We sit on the edge of the pool with our feet in the water. Josh says the house is ours unless someone else is coming in higher, but cash usually speaks louder.
“Do you like the furniture?”
“I wouldn’t change it now, if that’s what you’re asking. This house is huge, Josh. I don’t know where I’d begin if I had to decorate it myself.”
“Mr. Wilson?”
“Yes,” he replies, glancing over his shoulder.
“The house is yours. My assistant is bringing the paperwork up now. She’ll be here in an hour. Here are your keys.” She drops two sets of keys into his hand and disappears.
“Open your hand.” I do and he closes it as soon as the keys are set in my palm.
“Welcome home, Joey.”
I can’t help but smile as I look over my shoulder. The house is still open and I see right into our bedroom. The navy blue comforter is inviting and I know that tonight I’ll be in that bed with my husband.
As soon as the papers are signed, we head back to the hotel and pack our things. Now that we have a place, my mom will be able to ship the rest of my clothes to me and a few of my personal belongings that I left behind when we returned to Los Angeles.
Our next stop is Josh’s apartment. He’s not sure how Rob is going to take the news, but figures that he has to realize Josh and I can’t live there with him. I’m not going to lie, but moving to a house with twenty-four-hour security is very welcomed. I hate that anyone can have access to Josh whenever they want.
Rob’s watching television when we enter and Jules is sitting next to him. Or she was until the door opened and she put some space between them. Josh glances at me and shakes his head. I can see the anger in his eyes, but can’t tell if it’s because Jules is here, or if it’s because her and Rob were sitting so close to each other.
Either way, he doesn’t say anything and pulls me down the hall into his room where he starts emptying his dresser onto his bed.
“There are black bags under the sink … I think. Can you go get them?”
“You want me to go out there?” I point toward the living room wher
e my worst enemy is sitting.
“If I go, she’ll talk to me.”
“If I go, she’ll say nasty shit to me and I might hit her.”
A smile spreads across his face before he realizes that he’s laughing and shouldn’t.
“So what do I do?”
The only bag in his room large enough to hold his clothes is my wedding dress and I don’t want him to see it, so taking it out of the bag isn’t an option.
“Come back tomorrow and pack?”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” he says.
Before we leave, though, I snag my dress out of his closet and drape the garment bag over my arm. If Jules is here, I’m not leaving my dress.
“I’ll carry that for you.” Josh slings the bag over his shoulder and walks out of his room, letting me shut the door behind him.
“Joshie, we need to talk about the baby.”
He pauses near the door. I make sure to hold his hand so he knows that I’m there for him, and so she sees that we’re together.
“Not today, Jules.”
“When? Because every time I call you, you don’t answer.”
“That’s because I don’t want to talk to you.”
She points to her stomach and mine rolls. “This is happening whether you accept it or not.”
“I’m aware.”
“So talk to me then. We’re going to be a family, Josh.” She tries to touch him, but he steps back.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Jules. Joey is my family. You and I will co-parent, but when it comes to family photos, you’ll be nowhere near ours.”
“And neither will she.” She points at me, her voice rising high enough to get Rob to stand. “This is our child, not hers, and I won’t let the harlot who stole you away from me be a part of our baby’s life.”
Josh groans and has to let go of my hand to run it through his hair. “She’s not a harlot, she’s my wife.”
“You cheated on me with her. That makes her a harlot in my book.”
“Well your book is skewed, Jules. We were broken up long before I went on the show,” he fires back, but it does nothing to curb her anger.
“I’ll make you pay, Josh.”
“I have no doubt, Jules. I have no doubt.”
Josh motions for us to leave so he doesn’t have to listen to her anymore. Once inside the car he doesn’t say anything as we drive back to our house. Pulling into the driveway, he hits the garage door opener that he put on his visor earlier.
“We’re home,” I say, trying to ease the tension.
“Yep. Come on, wife, we have a lot of rooms to christen. And I think we should start in the pool.”
He doesn’t give me a chance to protest. By the time we get through the mudroom clothes are already being shed.
There’s one day until I have to get on set and I’m already dreading it. I wish I hadn’t signed onto the movie, but it was done a year ago, long before I met Joey. The only saving grace is that we’re shooting on the lot and that means I’ll be home each night with her. Breakfast, too, unless it’s an early shoot.
Much to my dismay, I’m meeting Barry for coffee this morning. I asked Joey if she wanted to come, but she opted to lounge by the pool and bask in the sun. To say she loves our house would be an understatement. I know I fucking love it and am pretty sure Joey’s sentiment is right up there with mine.
The coffee shop is buzzing when I walk in and it takes me a minute to spot Barry. I don’t usually conduct business in public, but considering my agent and I aren’t on speaking terms right now this was better than inviting Barry over to our house. He’s already asked Joey and me to do another reality show, but she’s declined and I respect her decision for that.
“Morning, Josh.”
“Barry.” I pull my chair out and sit down across from him. It’s only a matter of seconds before a waitress is taking my order.
“How’s married life?”
“It’s pretty damn awesome.”
He chuckles as if there is something funny about being married. I should Google him and see how many times he’s been married or if he’s a perpetual bachelor. A quick glance at his hand shows no ring, or ring line, so I’m guessing he thinks he’s a playboy. Barry’s an old man with a rounded belly and balding head, but with a fat checkbook. He’s every starving actress’s knight in shining armor.
“Given any thought to my proposal?”
I take a sip of my coffee, letting the hot liquid heat my already warm body. I don’t know why I don’t switch to iced coffee. It seems smarter to drink when living in California.
“Joey’s not on board.”
“We can film you.”
“Seems pointless, don’t you think? Who the hell is going to want to watch a show about me?”
Barry leans forward. “You and Jules. I’ve already spoken to her and she’s ready to sign on the dotted line. I’m sure if you tell Joey that you’re going to do a show with Jules, she’ll jump on board.”
“Or she’ll cut my dick off. Don’t underestimate Joey, Barry. It won’t bode well for you.”
He laughs once again and sits back in his chair. “Money talks in Hollywood. The sooner she realizes that, the better we’ll all be. Besides, you’re the only couple still together from the original three and the fans are chomping at the bit to see what you’re up to.”
“They can watch TMZ or buy People magazine. The paparazzi are following us everywhere these days.”
We stop talking when the waitress appears to refill our mugs. I tell her that I’d like a blueberry muffin when she gets a chance and Barry tells her he’s fine.
“Of course they’re following you. Everyone is waiting to see if you fuck it all up and leave your wife for Jules Maxwell.” This time Barry isn’t trying to hide the volume of his voice. A quick survey around the coffee shop tells me that no one is listening to us.
“And why would I do that?”
“For starters, you’re having a child with Jules. People are placing bets on whether you bail and go back to her. Put her up in your fancy house in the Hills.”
My stomach rolls and I want to hurl my coffee all over the table. Instead, I push it away, no longer interested. “Tell your friends that Jules isn’t even on my radar. I’m more than happy with Joey.”
“If that’s what you think,” he says, sighing. There’s probably a reason this ass isn’t married. Aside from being a chauvinistic pig, he’s a complete douche.
“It’s what I know. Are we done?”
“Nah, I have one more offer even though the first one still stands. We want the exclusive rights to your wedding. It’ll be a six-week production schedule, we follow you both around while you get ready, film the wedding and the reception, and we’ll air the ceremony on national television.”
“For how much?”
“Ah, I see you’re interested,” he gloats. “We’re offering a million, plus we cover all the expenses.”
It’s not enough, but I don’t tell him that. “I’ll talk to Joey and let you know.”
“When’s the wedding?”
I shake my head. “We haven’t set a date, but it won’t be in the US. We want a destination wedding, so that means you’ll be covering the expenses of her family as well.”
“Deal.”
Except I never agreed. I only added terms. He slides a contract over to me and I leave it sitting on the table without even looking at it.
“Read and sign. My fax number is on the last page. Don’t wait too long, though, Wilson. You have another woman waiting in the wings who is ready to make a huge production out of her pregnancy and you can bet she’s already signed the contract.”
Barry throws a few dollars down on the table and leaves. His last words replay over and over in my head. I should’ve known he’d go to Jules and she’d agree. Anything for her to be in front of the camera, making the masses feel sorry for her.
Before I can get up to leave, the waitress brings me my muffin. Instead of taking it to go,
I let it sit in front of me, cooling down while I read over the contract. There are things that I have to do, but will need Joey’s help and the first one is hiring a lawyer. A new agent needs to be sought out as well, especially before I sign any new deals. This is another reason why I don’t want to start this movie—there are too many loose ends that have to be tied up. I can’t do them if I’m working and Joey can’t because she’s not on all of my accounts. This is where Jason would come in, but I fired him months ago and haven’t had the time to replace him.
I place a call to Blaze PR and ask them for a referral. Lucky for me, they have an in-house one and ask me to stop by and sign some papers so they can get my files from Jason. Unfortunately, I have to call him to let him know that he needs to comply as soon as possible or else. I’m not sure what the “else” is, but it sounded good when I said it. I make a few more calls, one of them being to Rob. We haven’t spoken much since the night I moved out. I wasn’t too thrilled to find Jules in the apartment. There wasn’t a reason for her to be there. When she showed up, he should’ve told her to go home.
My call to Rob goes to voicemail. I don’t leave him a message—he’ll know I called and if he wants to talk, he’ll call me back.
“You look lonely.”
I close my eyes at the sound of her voice and when I open them, she’s sitting down. There’s a large to-go coffee cup in her hand and a grin that matches the Cheshire cat.
“Far from it. I was just leaving.”
“Well, being as you’re alone, we should talk.”
The Jules sitting across from me isn’t the one I’m used to. Her hair isn’t done up and her face lacks the mass of make-up she’s usually wearing. Of course, the nails, jewelry, and designer handbag are all still there to help her accessorize.
“I know we need to talk, Jules, but I really don’t have anything to say.”
“We’re having a baby, Josh. I’m fairly sure that means we have a lot to talk about.”
“Right …” I fiddle with the rim of my coffee mug; the contents are cold and unwelcoming. My muffin mocks me. I’d wanted to eat it up until Jules sat down and now my appetite is long gone.
“This baby is a good thing for us, Josh.”
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