My One and Only

by Iris Morland

  “Do you need something?” she said. She wrinkled her nose when she smelled the alcohol on his breath. “Are you drunk?”

  Carter snorted. “I wish. More like happily buzzed.” He peered down at her. “Where were you tonight?”

  He was definitely drunker than he’d copped to. Rolling her eyes, she pushed at his arm. “None of your business. I’m going to bed. You should, too.”

  “No, tell me. Were you with him?”

  Lucy’s heart seized in her chest. As she looked up at Carter, his smile lazy yet dangerously feral, irritation made her strike back at this man who’d plagued her for weeks.

  “He asked me out for dinner. There, are you happy? Is that what you wanted to hear?” she said in triumph.

  Carter kept smiling. “You got what you wanted, little spitfire. Congratulations. I hope he remembers to wear a rubber when you fuck. Otherwise, you might catch something. He’s stuck his dick in plenty of women already.”

  Lucy’s face flamed with humiliation and disgust. “What the hell is your problem? Are you really going to play dog in the manger? Besides, like you’re one to talk. Didn’t you tell me your number one hobby was fucking?”

  Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, “Yes, and I’m sure you imagined me doing it to you. How I’d touch you, make you come with my fingers. Then my mouth, but I wouldn’t make it easy. I’d make you beg until you could only say my name.”

  His words washed over her, flames igniting deep in her belly. Trembling, she whispered, “You’re wrong.”

  “No, I’m not.” He sounded almost sad. “You’re not that good of an actress, babe.”

  Lucy scowled. Throwing her arm around his neck, she brought his head down and kissed him—hard. She pushed her tongue into his mouth like an invader to prove to herself that she didn’t want him. Not really. He disgusted her, enraged her. He made her want the complete opposite of him.

  It took a millisecond for Carter to overcome his shock. Then he had his fingers tangled in her hair. He held her until their bodies aligned, and she felt his hardness against her belly. Shivering uncontrollably, she felt tears prick her eyes when he started to kiss her throat.

  She opened her eyes, and for the first time, she saw that he had a pink lip-print on his neck. Had he slept with another woman tonight? And then he’d come to her room afterward?

  Her blood turned to ice; she felt sick to her stomach.

  “No, no.” Her voice wasn’t working. She shook her head and said more loudly, “Don’t touch me. Don’t touch me!”

  Carter froze. Then he stepped away from her.

  They were both breathing hard. Lucy could see the outline of his erection against his jeans, and it took all of her willpower not to throw herself into his arms again. Whatever this was between them—it could only end badly. Carter wasn’t the type of man she’d dreamed of falling in love with. This, this thing? It was just lust, and after Carter had had his fill of her, he’d go on his merry way.

  Lucy refused to be another notch on his bedpost. He could sleep with whomever he wanted; she wasn’t going to be one of them. She remembered Hayden warning her about Carter. This was confirmation that what Hayden had said must be true.

  “I’m going on a date with Hayden,” she whispered.

  Carter said nothing.

  “I’m going on a date with him, and I want you to leave me alone.” She swallowed. “Please.”

  Something crossed his face that she didn’t recognize. If she were crazy, she’d almost think he was hurt. But then he shrugged and said softly, “Good night.”

  And then she was alone.

  Chapter Twelve

  Soft jazz flowed around Lucy as she gazed out onto the sunset over the water. It was gorgeous, the spill of colors fanning across the sky. Sipping her wine, she felt a sense of calm fill her for the first time in three days.

  “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” said Hayden. He raised his own wineglass in a toast.

  “I think you said it at least twice, but it’s nice to hear again anyway.”

  Tonight she wore one of her favorite dresses: a short little black dress with slim straps that set off the milkiness of her skin. She wore pearl earrings, her hair in a loose braid around her head. She felt a bit like Audrey Hepburn; all she needed was a cigarette and a guitar and she’d play a perfect Holly Golightly.

  Hayden had taken Lucy to one of the nicest restaurants on Hazel Island: situated on the tip of the northern part of the island, it overlooked the water. Since it was summer, most of the restaurant-goers sat outside, tall heaters keeping the patio warm as the sun set and the temperature dropped.

  Lucy had ordered oysters on the half shell, her absolute favorite. She was almost as excited for the food as she was to be on a date with Hayden Masterson.

  She knew she was getting stares as she sat with him. She knew that even in a place like Hazel Island, there were people with phones taking photos and posting them online. By tomorrow morning, there would be articles about Hayden’s mysterious new lady.

  A knot of anxiety had formed in Lucy’s stomach, thinking of being talked about in gossip columns and blogs. She should be used to being talked about, but she’d never had her personal life discussed. She hoped nobody dug too deep into her past. She didn’t have anything to hide exactly, but some things she’d rather not have strangers commenting over, like they actually knew her.

  “How’s the pinot noir?” said the waiter.

  Hayden swirled his wine and shrugged. “I’ve had better. Do you want another bottle of this one, Lucy?”

  Lucy didn’t know why she’d order a wine neither of them really liked. “This is fine,” she said.

  “She means she wants a white wine. Women always prefer white,” said Hayden. Once the waiter left, he said to Lucy, “I wasn’t sure how this place would be. Despite the great reviews, I’m not impressed.”

  “Just because you didn’t like the wine?”

  “I guess you wouldn’t know what was really five-star or not.” His smile was edged with condescension.

  Lucy bit back a sharp retort. If this was Hayden’s way of wooing her, he was doing a terrible job at it. At least Carter had never treated her like she was stupid.

  Her heart flip-flopped in her chest. After that kiss, Lucy had been so out of sorts that she’d considered calling in sick for filming. The thought of running into Carter on set would’ve been too much to bear. But Erin had dragged her out of bed, and luckily for Lucy, Carter hadn’t been on set that day. She hadn’t seen him since that night.

  When their food arrived, Lucy was glad for the distraction. Hayden seemed content to talk trash about the restaurant, all the while drinking the wine he supposedly didn’t like. Lucy almost moaned when she ate her first oyster: whatever Hayden thought, this place had divine oysters. She’d eat an entire bucket of them if she could.

  Hayden carved into his filet mignon and frowned. “Why can no one cook a steak medium rare?” He waved the waiter down with an impatient gesture. “Send this back. It’s still raw.”

  A few minutes later, the waiter returned with Hayden’s plate and a newly cooked filet. To Lucy’s surprise, he sent the second back one, too. It was only on the third try that Hayden grudgingly ate his food, muttering about shitty restaurants the entire time.

  Had Hayden always been this…annoying? Lucy didn’t know if he was having an off day or if he was always like this.

  When Hayden paid the check and went to use the men’s room, Lucy couldn’t help herself. She peeked at the receipt to see that Hayden had written on the line for the tip: $0. Horrified, Lucy dug around in her purse for some cash and stuffed it into the leather holder before Hayden returned.

  Hayden had invited Lucy out to his cottage that evening, but at the moment, she was tempted to call it a night. As Hayden opened the passenger door for her, he took one look at her face and said, “What’s wrong?”

  Lucy pulled her coat closer. She considered lying, but she couldn’t help herse
lf. “Why didn’t you tip the waiter? He didn’t do anything wrong.”

  Hayden’s eyes widened. Then he chuckled. “Is that what you’re worried about? Darling, these places include gratuity in the bill. You can add a tip on top, if you like, but I didn’t think I needed to.”

  Lucy hadn’t heard of any places in America doing such a thing, even though it made more sense than their current system. But not wanting to push her luck, she said, “Sorry. My mistake.”

  “You’re cute when you’re riled.” Hayden touched her arm. “Let’s go to my place. I have real wine there, too.”

  Lucy had to admit, Hayden’s cottage was hardly a cottage in the traditional sense of the word. It was more like a mini-mansion, with two floors, a long, winding driveway, and even a fountain out front.

  “Nobody actually lives here full-time?” she said to Hayden. “I’m surprised no one is using this place during the summer, at least.”

  Hayden shrugged. “No idea. The studio booked it for me. The owner probably has other properties he can stay in. Besides, this place isn’t all that big. But I guess you can’t expect anything more on this tiny island.”

  The interior of the “cottage” was all modern, the floors a glossy pine, the walls covered with modern art. A piano sat in the corner of the open living room. What she assumed were Hayden’s things—bottles and food containers—were scattered across the kitchen table.

  When Hayden saw what she was looking at, he shook his head. “Crazy, right? There’s no housekeeping service out here. They’ll have to clean up after I leave, I guess.”

  Lucy hadn’t been thinking that in the slightest, but she didn’t feel like saying as much. When Hayden offered her a glass of white wine, she was glad to drink something. Maybe a little more alcohol would improve her mood.

  Hayden turned on music and dimmed the lights. Lucy gazed out onto the water: now that it was dark, she could only see the moon’s reflection on it. She wished she had a boat: she could row to the middle of the sea, the only sounds the lapping of waves and her own heartbeat.

  “What are you thinking about?” said Hayden.

  “Nothing. Everything.” She smiled, turning her head. “Why did you want to become an actor?” she said suddenly.

  “Because I was good at it. Better at it than sports, I’ll say that.”

  At the mention of sports, Lucy’s thoughts darted straight to Carter. Her hand tightened around the stem of her wineglass. Was he looking out at the moon right now, wondering about her? Of course he’s not. He’s probably found another woman to screw in your absence.

  “But when did you know it was what you wanted to do?” she insisted. “Was there some moment or performance as a kid where you thought, ‘This is it’?”

  Hayden considered her. “Not that I can think of. I didn’t really do much acting as a kid. I did some theater in high school, but that was it. Then I got picked up by an agent who saw me in an off-Broadway play my senior year, and that was it. Now here I am.”

  “No living in a cockroach-infested apartment with five other roommates for you, huh?”

  Hayden set down his wineglass on the piano before taking Lucy’s glass from her as well. “Does it matter?” he said. He wrapped one arm around her waist, bringing her closer.

  Her heart in her throat, Lucy waited for Hayden’s next move. Would he try to kiss her? She wished he would, she thought, because then maybe she could get Carter out of her head once and for all.

  Hayden tilted her chin up, his touch gentle. Lucy closed her eyes. As he pressed his mouth to hers, she held her breath.

  The kiss was good—great, even. Hayden knew how to seduce a woman with just his lips. He was confident but searching, neither completely taking nor receiving. Lucy tangled her hands in his hair, and he let out a grunt.

  She waited for the fireworks. She waited for that feeling of the world fading away around her. She waited—and it never came.

  She could hear an airplane flying; she smelled wine and sandalwood, and it made her head hurt. And when she opened her eyes while still kissing Hayden, she knew.

  She knew that she’d been the biggest idiot in the history of the universe. Her crush on Hayden had been merely a fantasy. The real thing, though, didn’t affect her like she’d thought it would.

  He didn’t make her heart race like Carter Roberts did.

  Lucy ended the kiss, trying to step away. She needed to tell Hayden…something. Some ridiculous excuse that wouldn’t sour their working relationship too much.

  “I can’t,” she said, because that was all she could think of right now.

  “You can’t what?”

  “I don’t think this is a good idea. Since we’re working together and all.”

  Hayden’s smile was placating. “You really are just a baby, aren’t you? Actors have been hooking up with each other on movie sets since the dawn of filmmaking. Nobody cares, Lucy.”

  “I know that.” Irritation bubbled up inside her. She put more space between them. “It’s not that it’s wrong, necessarily. Just not wise.”

  “If you thought it was a bad idea, then why did you agree to go out with me? And to come here?” Annoyance laced his tone. He picked up his forgotten wineglass and drained it in one gulp.

  He had a point. Lucy’s shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry. Can you take me back to the bed-and-breakfast?”

  He picked up her glass of wine and drained that one, too, then said in a faux-apologetic voice, “Sorry, babe. Can’t drive right now. You can either wait or call a cab to come get you.” He touched her arm as he once again embraced her. “Or you could enjoy yourself and stop thinking so much.”

  When he kissed her this time, Lucy struggled and pushed hard at his chest. “Stop—stop!”

  He did, to her immense relief. But his gaze was scathing as he took in her flushed appearance. “Suit yourself.” Then he stalked away, more than likely to find the open wine bottle.

  Tears pressed against Lucy’s eyelids. Embarrassed and horrified, she grabbed her coat and purse and decided that she’d rather walk than wait for Hayden to sober up. She could ask to use his car, but then she’d have to bring it back to him. No way in hell was she coming back to this place.

  As she began walking, though, she realized how far it was to downtown. It was probably three miles, which would’ve been easy for Lucy if she weren’t wearing heels and walking alone in the dark. When she tried to pull up the Internet on her phone, she realized she had no service out here, and she didn’t exactly have a number for a cab company. Did Hazel Island even have taxis?

  She tried to call Gwen, but the call kept dropping before Gwen even picked up. Lucy let out a screech of rage. Not knowing what else to do, she kept walking, hoping she didn’t twist an ankle in the dark.

  She’d walked about a half mile when her feet ached so badly that she needed to sit down. As she rounded the corner of the deserted sidewalk that she hoped led in the right direction, the distant sound of the sea came closer. She kept walking in that direction, and soon she reached a tiny beach.

  No one was on the beach, of course, but at least there was more light from a few flickering streetlamps. Lucy took off her heels and began to walk along the sand, feeling more lost than she had felt in a long time.

  When her phone rang, she almost dropped her phone in the water. Expecting to see Gwen’s name, she was surprised to see it was her sister, Thea, requesting a video call.

  “Lucy!” said Thea. At the moment, Lucy could only see what looked like Thea’s living room.

  “Thea, you need to turn the camera.”

  “Shit, I thought I did.” A second later, Thea’s face appeared. “Can you see me?”

  “Yeah.” Lucy’s smile wobbled.

  She hadn’t realized how much she needed some sisterly advice right now. Five years older than Lucy, Thea had taken care of the entire family, along with their oldest brother, Trent, after their mother had died and their father had basically disengaged from the family. Thea worked as a g
raphic novelist, her series of comics recently published through the publishing press she and her boyfriend Anthony had started together. Irreverent yet pigheaded, Thea had hated Anthony until they’d both realized that they were actually perfect for each other.

  “Where are you? Are you outside?” said Thea. “Do I hear the ocean?”

  “I’m at the beach.” Her voice broke, the tears overflowing now.

  “Lucy, what happened? Why are you alone on the beach at night? It has to be freezing. Do I need to come up there and kick somebody’s ass? Last time we texted, you sounded like you were having fun.”

  “I was!” wailed Lucy as she sat down on the sand, not caring about her nice dress. “Everything was going perfectly, and then it went to shit. I’ve ruined everything.”

  “Did you get fired?”

  At that, Lucy scowled. “Of course not.”

  “Okay, well, just making sure.” Thea turned her head. “I’m talking to Lucy. Say hi.” A male voice rumbled something that sounded like hello. “Anthony says hi, by the way.”

  At the mention of Anthony, Lucy thought of Carter, and her tears started all over again. She was so mixed up inside. When had everything gotten so complicated?

  “Did you get fired?” said Anthony, his face on the screen now.

  Lucy had always found her sister’s boyfriend rather intimidating, with his dark eyes and piercing gaze. He hadn’t become one of the richest men in the country by being friendly. But he was devoted to Thea, so he must have a warm, squishy heart somewhere inside him.

  “Why does everyone keep asking me that? No!” said Lucy.

  “Wait, aren’t you her boss?” said Thea to Anthony. “You’d be the one firing her.”

  “I’m not her direct supervisor, no. And anyway, the SAG rules make it tricky to fire actors, so she would’ve had to do something really stupid.”

  “Wow, Tony-kins, you’re so helpful.” Thea patted him on the cheek. “Go make me a sandwich and be useful for once.”