by Calista Fox
Finally Scarlet pulled up short and deduced, “So, Lily’s feeling kicked to the curb romantically, but also professionally, since she was completely overlooked for this new show.”
“That’s not exactly the way it unfolded,” Christian said between clenched teeth.
“That’s exactly the way it unfolded,” Bayli assured Scarlet.
Christian pinched the inner corners of his eyes with his finger and thumb.
Rory said, “She was more than interested in stepping into Bayli’s role in order for us to film yesterday.”
Scarlet smacked her hands together. “Perfect! So here’s what we do. Rory, you go back on location today and ‘convince’ Lily that it’s imperative she fill in for Bayli, since Bayli is under doctor’s orders to stay in bed and recuperate.”
“But I’m not under doctor’s orders to stay in bed and recuperate,” Bayli lamented, fearing her golden TV-premiere opportunity was slipping through her fingers.
“Just work with me here,” Scarlet said. “We’re going to push this woman up against the ropes—I’ve done it a million times before and it always works. Once the villain feels as though they’re getting what they wanted all along—are getting away with their villainy—that’s when they fall prey to me.” She winked. “So Lily gets Bayli’s stylists and everything moves forward to make Lily the heroine. She’s saving the day, saving the show, whatever. Sell it hard.”
Rory groaned.
Bayli grimaced. “See, the thing is, Scarlet, you’re asking Rory to play nice with a woman he pretty much wants to crush under his heel at the moment.”
“I don’t care,” Scarlet said. “Make her feel like she’s God’s gift to this show. Let me handle the rest.”
Christian skulked about. Rory’s fists clenched at his sides. Bayli told them, “I trust Scarlet. Please trust her, too.”
Rory said, “Fine. I’ll do my part.”
* * *
Christian was the one to contact Lily to make sure everything was reset for shooting later in the afternoon. Rory arrived on location and greeted his guest chef.
Then Rory found Lily and, forcing a humble tone, asked, “Do you think you can take Bayli’s place for this first show? She’s still not up to it, and we can’t postpone another day.”
“Of course,” Lily enthusiastically said. “I mean, I’m sorry Bayli’s under the weather, but at least she’s going to be okay. And last night I studied all of her notes that she’d sent me to print out before we left Manhattan.”
“That’ll be helpful. The stylists are here for you and they brought some extra outfits to try on.”
She gripped his arm and said, “You won’t regret this at all, Rory. I swear. I’m completely prepared to do this. It’ll be fantastic!”
Lily rushed off to get the royal treatment with hair, makeup, and wardrobe. Rory seethed. How could the woman be so happy about this when Bayli had been traumatized? It took every ounce of restraint he possessed not to confront Lily. Not to wring her neck. But he’d do as Bayli asked. He’d follow Scarlet’s lead … and hope like hell the investigator knew what she was doing.
* * *
Bayli was a bundle of nerves as she and Scarlet stood on the fringes of the makeshift cantina erected on the beach, with a grilling area, long counter, and numerous tables and chairs that were already filled with the show’s tasters/audience—all under a tall thatched cone-shaped top, the dried palm fronds rustling in a gentle breeze off the bay.
Lily was dressed in a pretty, flowy sundress in a floral print, her blond hair beautifully coiffed, her makeup perfectly done. She was a striking woman and she knew how to work the crowd. She poured margaritas and apparently told jokes, because she had everyone laughing and grinning.
Bayli’s insides clenched, most notably her heart. “She’s really good at this. What if it turns out that she’s not our culprit and Christian and Rory decide to keep her on as hostess?”
“Come on, Bay,” Scarlet said as she delicately rubbed Bayli’s back to comfort her. “There’s no way they’d choose Lily over you. In any capacity.” Her brows wagged. “Those two men are clearly hooked on you. They are so worried about you. And when Christian contacted me to fly me out here because he thought it would help to soothe you, there was no mistaking how crazed he was over something bad happening to you. He was very intense. He wants this all to be over so that you can relax, not look over your shoulder every second of the day, and be able to do the show.”
“That was before Lily had a chance to strut her stuff. Look at her. She’s a natural.”
“So are you. But you’re much more genuine, Bay. And Christian and Rory want you, remember?”
Again, that was prior to them seeing Lily in action. Who eventually ducked into the privacy tent where she’d been made up, likely to do last-minute touch-ups before the taping began.
“Here’s your chance, Bay,” Scarlet urged her forward. “You know what to do.”
Bayli drew in several deep breaths, then rounded the back of the cantina and headed toward the tent. She slipped through the opening, the material silently falling back into place, not disturbing the other woman.
Bayli quietly crept up on the vanity with a large mirror attached to it where Lily sat, dabbing red lipstick on her already perfectly painted mouth. Her signature scent filled the moderate space. It had once been a pleasant aroma to Bayli. Now it made her stomach roil.
Lily started when she caught sight of Bayli in the reflection and let out a small shriek.
“Good Lord, Bayli!” She pressed a hand to her chest. “You nearly scared the life out of me.”
Serves you right.
But Bayli kept that thought to herself.
Instead, she said, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I just came to say thanks for warming up the crowd and for helping out today.”
“Sure, sure. It’s no problem at all. I’m happy to do what I can. But … why are you here?” Lily capped the tube of lipstick and stood. “Shouldn’t you be in bed? Rory said you fell asleep on the sundeck at the house and suffered heatstroke. That must have been so awful.”
“Yes, it was pretty terrifying.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay. And you look fantastic.”
The stylists had secretly returned to the house to primp Bayli after they’d worked on Lily. She wore a sleeveless turquoise dress that had a bejeweled neckline and a low blouson waist that complemented the tight skirt and short hem. Her raven hair was sleek and angled at her collarbone, the strands currently defying the heat and humidity with the mass quantity of products used to keep any frizzing at bay.
Lily took her in from head to toe and said, “Wait. Why are you all done up? I’ve got everything under control here. You should be back at the house resting.”
“Luckily, I’ve made a full recovery. So thank you very much for agreeing to stand in if need be—that is so far above and beyond the call of duty, Lily. I know you have other responsibilities to—”
“‘If need be’?” Her brow crooked.
Bayli smiled as congenially as possible. “Yes, in the event I couldn’t make it today. You’re a wonderful understudy, really.”
“Understudy?” A hollow laugh fell from Lily’s lips. “Rory all but begged me to fill in today. He wants me as his hostess, Bayli. I’m so sorry, but—”
“Actually, he doesn’t,” Bayli said, starting her full-court press the way Scarlet had coached her earlier. “You were a last resort so that we didn’t have to cancel the taping again. Nothing to worry about there, because I’m feeling much better and completely prepared to do my job.”
“No, Bayli.” Lily’s tone held a distinct edge and her manicured fingers curled into her palms at her sides. “I’m the one who’s prepared to do her job. I’m the one who primed the crowd. I memorized all your notes. I’m dressed and ready for this, and … Rory chose me.”
“That’s because he wasn’t sure I’d be all right after you locked me out of my suite and left me to fry on the
balcony. I didn’t fall asleep by the way.”
Lily’s laugh was a sharper one this time. “I locked you out? That’s absurd!”
“So is trying to convince me that Rory would pick you over me to work with him.”
“You can’t honestly think that I’m just going to walk away from this opportunity?” Lily’s voice dropped an octave. “Not a chance in hell. After all I’ve done for the company, and for Christian, I deserved the chance to audition for this show. I earned the right. And just because he fell for your legs or your sugary sweetness doesn’t mean shit. This is my turn to prove what I’m capable of, to be in the spotlight. Nobody’s going to take that away from me.”
A chill ran through Bayli at Lily’s icy gaze and menacing tone.
Yet Bayli managed to say, “You’ve decided to usurp the lead performer, but I’m on to you, Lily. You’ve lost the element of surprise and—”
“If you think spiders and heatstroke are bad, trust me when I tell you I can come up with far worse, far scarier than that.”
“So it was you.”
“Yes, it was me!” she erupted. “I warned you to stay away! I even told you and Christian that it was dangerous to keep you involved with the taping when you were under fire. Did anyone listen to me, heed my warnings? No. But I can assure you, Miss Styles, that if you don’t back out of the show I will make your life a living hell. And if you breathe one word of this to Rory or Christian you’ll be checking under your bedcovers and inside your shoes every night and day in fear of what I might have waiting for you. Let’s not forget … accidents do happen.”
“So do kidnapping and perhaps even attempted-manslaughter charges when you intentionally trap someone in an oven and leave her for dead.”
“I think the heatstroke has gone to your head. I only intended to delay you until after the show. I even sent Christian for you. Too bad Rory couldn’t separate work from pleasure and had to go as well. That’s clearly changed today. Whatever went on between all of you last night, he’s obviously aligned himself more appropriately, concentrating on the success of this venture, not your drama.”
“And here I’d thought all this time that I was the desperate one,” Bayli said, a hint of sadness in her voice. “I understand your ambition, Lily. I’ve lived and breathed it for so long, I know it’s hard to let it go.”
“Great. We’re on the same page. So glad to hear it, because I don’t have time to continue this discussion. I have a show to star in.”
“You know, I really felt bad when I slept with Christian, then Rory, while I was trying to land the hostess job at that restaurant. It didn’t seem right, ethical, whatever. But I haven’t stooped the way you have. I never would. Never could. I feared I was nearing the end of my rope financially and professionally, but I’d rather pack away my dreams and go home to River Cross with my tail between my legs than stab someone in the back to get what I want.”
“That’s why I’ll be famous. You won’t be. That e-mail stalker of yours really came in handy. I just piggybacked off his ominous comments and left everyone thinking he was the one threatening you. Worked like a charm. Now step aside, beauty queen. I’ve got this.”
Bayli’s teeth gritted. She squared her shoulders. “You just try to take my stage.” Her pulse pounded in her ears; her skin crawled as though all those spiders Lily had sent her crept through her veins. Yet she hitched her chin. “I dare you.”
Lily scoffed, “Go back to the sandbox, Bayli.” She whirled around on her sandals.
Bayli’s heart launched into her throat.
Lily cried out.
In the opening of the tent stood Christian and Rory. Scarlet. Along with two federales, automatic rifles resting in the crooks of their arms.
Bayli said, “I’m guessing a live confession in front of six people will hold up in a court of law. Hmm, Mexican prison.” She made a soft tsking sound. “You might want to check your bedcovers and shoes, Lily. No telling what you might find…”
* * *
Christian was on the patio enjoying an expensive cigar and the phenomenal view—that being Bayli in her bikini as she swam in the infinity-edge pool that gave way to the scenic ocean stretching south with no barriers.
Rory plopped onto a chaise longue beside him and said, “We knocked it out of the ballpark today with the taping. Bayli was perfect.”
Without taking his eyes from the object of his and Rory’s desire, Christian puffed on his stogie, then told him, “You were both perfect together. The way you shift and move with each other, the banter—whether intelligently witty or comically snarky—doesn’t matter. You two were extremely entertaining. We’re definitely going to have a huge hit on our hands.”
“Let’s hope so.”
“I’m not just talking about the show.” Christian set aside his cigar and sipped his cognac. Then said, “I’m talking about our girl.”
Rory grinned. “Yeah, she’s something else.”
They were quiet for a few moments.
Christian knew what Rory was contemplating as surely as Rory knew where Christian’s thoughts were headed.
Rory eventually said, “I’m not the only one in love, right?”
“Right.”
“Then here’s to finally finding the woman we’ve dreamed of, personally and professionally.” He lifted his cocktail and clinked rims with Christian’s glass.
“Ah, playing nice, I see,” Bayli teased as she ascended the steps and grabbed a towel to rub her hair. “No more fighting over little ole me?”
“Well, no guarantee there,” Rory mockingly grumbled.
Bayli sank onto the cushion of Christian’s chair and told them, “I was sort of hoping we could all get along, Rory.”
“Maybe make this a more permanent arrangement?” Christian suggested.
With a radiant smile, Bayli said, “I did get a little thrill over the thought of staying with you after my apartment was trashed. Though I’d really like the live-in arrangement to include Rory, if you could handle that.”
“Long as he keeps his hands off my dick.”
Bayli snickered. “Only when I’m not around.”
Both men glared at her.
“Oh, come on,” she said. “If it makes me happy…”
Rory leaned forward and kissed her. “Whatever makes you happy.”
She glanced at Christian. Raised her brow.
He deposited his glass on the end table and pulled her to him. “Whatever makes you happy.”
Bayli smiled again. “That’s easy. The two of you. The three of us. In love.”
She kissed Christian.
Rory simply said, “We’re going to need more condoms.”
He was right, of course.
EPILOGUE
Bayli was riding another high.
“This is the best party ever,” she announced, a little on the tipsy side. Luckily, it was Christian pouring the champagne for everyone and not her, so that she didn’t spill.
Scarlet, Jewel, Rogen, Vin, Phillip, and Colin had joined her, Christian, and Rory at the trio’s apartment—since Rory and Bayli had officially moved in. They were all on the heated terrace enjoying the light snowfall over Central Park and cocktails before dinner.
“Our cooking show is an overnight sensation!” Bayli proudly declared. “And so am I.”
“Never doubted it for a second,” Christian said, and kissed her temple.
“Well, I did,” Bayli told everyone. “What with Angsty Chef and Christian’s psycho assistant—and I do feel justified in calling her that because, seriously, what woman in her right mind would send eight-legged monsters to another woman? Anyway, with the dark cloud hovering over me, I was starting to fear this whole thing would never come together.”
“But it did.” Rory wrapped an arm around her waist and gave a squeeze. “And the excessive online streaming of the show crashed the site temporarily. Twice.”
She laughed. “Who would have thought it possible?”
“It’s a great s
how,” Jewel contended.
“With a solid network behind it,” Christian said, and they all raised their glasses to toast the success.
Bayli added, “I think we do owe Lily a tiny bit of thanks for creating more hype around the launch with her insanity.”
“We are not toasting her,” Rory adamantly said.
“I wasn’t even suggesting it,” Bayli assured him.
Pierre appeared at that moment and told them all, “Dinner is served.” It was Monday night and Davila’s NYC was dark. Pierre had volunteered to play host this evening, and Rory’s executive chef had offered to cook, wanting to spread his own wings and give Rory some thoughts for the new menu that incorporated inventive and traditional favorites.
While Pierre ushered in their guests, Christian and Rory stayed behind with Bayli.
Christian said, “I hope this is everything you ever wanted.”
Her eyes misted. “You know it is.”
He took his hand in hers and lifted it to his lips. He said, “I wish I’d known you back in River Cross. Then I would have been aware of your mom’s heart condition and after I’d met my college roommate, Gene Eckhart, I could have asked him to help you. To help her. He’s really quite brilliant.”
Tears crested her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. She told him, “Christian, we both lost our mothers because of circumstances beyond our control. We can’t change that. But something all my friends keep telling me is that what I do as I progress in my life is something for my mom to be proud of. She’d appreciate my tenacity, the strength I’ve finally found, the huge amount of love I have in my life. The fact that I both give and receive it.”
She hugged him tight. Then she turned to Rory.
“You give me all kinds of crazy fulfillment I never anticipated.”
He chuckled. “I do like to keep you on your toes.”
“And you’re quite good at it.”
Rory exchanged a quick look with Christian, then extracted a long, narrow box from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. “This is from us. For … everything.”
He kissed her forehead.