It was close to four when they arrived at the hotel in Beverly Hills. Palm trees and men in black outfits greeted them. He fought against the urge to run the other direction as they entered the posh lobby that smelled of tropical flowers. Staff bustled around as they attended to the privileged. Air-conditioning and water infused with fruit kept everyone hydrated and cool. The hardened, dangerous neighborhoods of LA did not exist in this world.
While Lisa checked them in, he wandered over to the glass doors that led out to the pool and patio. Every beach chair was taken by a beautiful person with tanned skin that shimmered under the afternoon sun. Servers dressed in white shorts and blue shirts delivered drinks. A pop soundtrack played in the background. He pulled on the collar of his shirt. This hotel must be at least a grand a night.
He turned to see Lisa gliding across the lobby toward him. Ordinary walking was for everyone else. Lisa Perry floated a few inches above the floor. The skirt of her sundress swirled about her knees. Her high-heeled wedge sandals showed off well-defined calves. Shiny hair bounced against her shoulders. The neckline of her dress was modest. No need to show everyone and their uncle her breasts. She exuded class and glamour. This era was not good enough for her. Like him.
He watched as every man and woman in the lobby turned to look at her. Yet she had no idea. Her eyes and smile were fixed on him. How could that be?
“They booked us in a suite,” she whispered as she grabbed his arm. “On one of the top floors. The studio paid for it.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I know. This is so weird. The room was like a million dollars a night. The staff acted like I was a movie star or something.”
“Stardust, you are a movie star.”
She giggled. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
He pressed her arm against his side. At least he could treat her like a lady, even if he couldn’t afford her in real life.
She smiled up at him. “You look like you belong here in the land of sunshine and gorgeous people.”
“Hardly.” As they crossed over to the elevators, he nodded in the direction of the pool. “Did you see the pool crowd?”
“It’s intimidating,” she said under her breath. “All those tanned people. People in Beverly Hills are rich, thin, and tan.”
They let a couple exit before entering the elevator. The scent of coconut sunscreen lingered behind as they began the climb to the top floor.
“I feel so weird here,” Lisa said. “Like an imposter.”
“You earned this. Don’t forget that.” She wasn’t a trust fund baby like some of these phonies. This girl had sacrificed everything to be here. A surge of pride washed over him.
The doors opened, and they exited into a plush hallway decorated in soft green tones.
She pointed toward the left. “This way.”
At room 1210, she swiped a key card across the reader. He opened the door for her and let her slip by him before following. God, she smelled good. Someone should bottle the smell of Lisa. They’d make millions.
“I like your perfume.” Big mouth.
“Is it too strong?” she asked with a worried knit of her brow.
“What? No way. It’s perfect.” Like you.
“My mother always says if people can smell you then you’ve put too much on.”
“It was just as you passed by me. There was a breeze.” He smiled to ease her mind. She was so innocent and surprisingly insecure, given that she was the most beautiful woman ever born.
She tossed her purse on the table by the door and squealed as she did a complete turn. He saw a glimpse of what she must have looked like in a chorus on Broadway. “We get to stay here all week. Can you believe it?”
He took a moment to look around the suite. Decorated in shades of white, it screamed elegance and wealth. He thought of Mama. She loved a white room. “Only rich people can decorate in shades of white,” she’d said to him once. He would take photos later when Lisa wasn’t around so he could send them to his mama. She’d be proud, just like when he sent her photos of the places in Europe he’d visited during the Mullens’ honeymoon.
She gestured toward a closed door on the other side of the bar area and handed him a key card. “Your room’s in there. That’s the key card for your entrance from the hallway. The door here can be locked from your side.”
He stuck the key in his pocket. “Great. Thanks.” Not great. Terrible. How would he sleep knowing she was next door?
Her phone rang from her purse. She scurried over to answer it. “Yes, hi, Winn. Just arrived. Sure. Bring them over now. Also, would you grab a few things for my…boyfriend? We didn’t have time to shop before we came.” She looked over at him and made a face. “What’s that? I don’t know. Let me ask him. What size are you?”
“Large shirt. Pants are a thirty-four by thirty-four.”
She conveyed that to the caller before describing what they needed. “A few party outfits. One for tomorrow’s party needs to be pool-party casual. The other should be a summer suit for the premiere.” Her gaze flickered to him as she spoke into the phone. “Dark skin and hair. Eyes the color of coffee. Very physically fit.” She laughed into the phone. “Yes, exactly. Complete hottie.” She smiled at him, and his stomach flip-flopped the way it did when he jumped out of a plane. “His style? He’s the manly type. Former Navy SEAL. Trust me, he’ll look good in anything, but I think he’d prefer a more traditional look.”
“Nothing too crazy,” he said. “No peach or teal.”
Lisa rolled her eyes as she put her hand over the phone. “It’s not 1992.”
He laughed.
She hung up, looking triumphant. “She’s pulling stuff for you and said she’d be right over. You’ll have lots to choose from.”
“Me? I’m not choosing. That’s your job, Stardust.”
But she wasn’t listening. Instead, she ran through the open door of her bedroom and called out to him. “Rafael, it’s bigger than a king. It’s gigantic. Come see it.”
Come to her bedroom? Wonderful. He was in so much trouble.
Like a soldier facing inevitable doom, he crossed over to stand in the doorway. Lisa was sprawled out on the bed with her arms and legs thrust out as far as they would reach, like a kid doing a snow angel. Only in this case, she was a real angel.
“It’s a California king,” he said as he averted his eyes from her legs where her skirt had ridden dangerously high up her thighs. If he spotted anything lacy, he was a goner. “They’re bigger than regular kings.”
She sat up, her hair as wild as her eyes. “Come on. Let’s go look at your room.” She scooted to the edge of the bed and looked at him expectantly.
Bad idea. If she jumped on his bed and rolled around, he’d have that in his mind all night. Sleep would never come.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” he said.
“You know it’s fine, I mean look at this place.” She bounced on the bed. “This mattress is unbelievable. We should order room service. I love those silver tray things. What do you call them?”
He couldn’t help smiling. She was completely adorable. It wasn’t fair. How could he resist her?
“What am I saying?” Her face crumpled as she lifted her fingers to her mouth. An agonized sob rose out of her chest. She cried and talked at the same time. “I’m acting like an idiot when all those people at the concert…and their families are suffering…their lives are shattered, and all I can do is act like a schoolgirl about this stupid hotel room. I’m an awful person.”
He rushed to her side and sat next to her on the bed, then pulled her onto his lap. She melted into him like a rag doll and sobbed into his chest. “No, no. You’ve got this wrong,” he said. “I told you. Living well and enjoying this wonderful thing that’s happened to you is the only way to honor the victims. If you let that madman ruin all this for you, then he wins. Don’t you see?”
She quieted but stayed pressed against his chest.
“You’ve worked hard. And you did it the
right way, without sacrificing your integrity. I know you feel guilty, but you’re still here, remember? He placed his fingers against the pulse in her neck once more. “You’re alive.”
A hiccup was her only response.
He kissed the top of her head. She nestled closer. How was he supposed to move with an angel on his lap?
“I should take a shower and get ready for Winn,” she said.
“Good idea. I’ll do the same. LA smog is already on my skin.”
Still, she clung to him, her slender body warm and soft on his lap. He wrapped his other arm around her and rocked her gently. “You’re going to be fine, Lisa Perry. You have the face of an angel and the heart of a lion.”
She sniffed. “I don’t, though. I’m scared of everything.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re not courageous. I’m scared of a lot of things, too.”
“Like what?”
“Yetis.”
She snorted. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Not yet. And I’m not looking forward to it.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“For what?”
“For throwing myself at you like this.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m the one who pulled you onto my lap.” A silken tendril of her hair tickled his neck.
“Being like this with you makes me feel safe.” She lifted her tear-streaked face to his. “Do you mind?”
He brushed a clump of her hair from her wet cheek. “Stardust, I could spend the rest of my life right here with you on my lap and never need another thing.”
She traced his mouth with her thumb. “You might get hungry.”
“It wouldn’t be for food.” Speaking of yetis, that had come out like more of a growl than words from a human.
Her eyes widened for a split second before returning to the half-lidded inspection of his mouth. “No?”
“God no. Food would be the last thing on either of our minds if I did what I want to do to you.”
She lifted her head and stroked his cheek. “It doesn’t have to mean anything. We can just be together for a few weeks.”
“Is that really what you want?”
“It’s what I want.”
“Then there’s no way I can resist you,” he said.
Her breath quickened. “I want you to kiss me, but not now. Not like this…when I’m such a mess.”
“Okay.” He said it slowly, to buy time. How did a man respond?
“Because I know it’ll be the best kiss of my life. And I want to make sure it’s yours, too.”
“Of that I have no doubt.” He scooped his arms under her and set her next to him on the bed. “I’m not a patient man. Let’s get ourselves together so I don’t have to wait much longer. I’ll see you later.” He tweaked her chin and got the hell out of her room before he went against her wishes and kissed her.
Chapter Eight
Lisa
She’d just finished her shower and dressed in yoga pants and a T-shirt when her phone rang. Mom cell.
“Mom, any news?”
“They pulled her body out of the lake.” Her mother’s voice was strangely calm. “Someone shot her and dumped her in the lake.”
She sank onto the bed. David. The babies.
“Do they know who did it?”
“They think it’s those drug people she was involved with. The police said they didn’t want her to talk.”
Just as Rafael had said.
“What about David?” she asked.
“He’s in shock.”
“The kids?”
“They’re here with me.”
“I’ll come home,” Lisa said.
“David doesn’t want that. The memorial will be in a week or two. No one’s ready yet. They’re having her cremated.” Her mother’s voice cracked. “Wait until you’re done with all your movie stuff and then come.”
Her brother wouldn’t want her to sacrifice for him. He knew how long she’d worked for this. “I’ll fly home the minute all this is done. Tell David I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Her mother sobbed as she spoke. “He’s broken, honey. I’ve never seen him like this. My golden boy.”
“Mom, he’s strong. He’ll be okay.”
“And the babies. My sweet little grandkids with no mother. I won’t be enough.”
“Mom, we’ll figure it all out. Right now, try to get some rest so you can be there for the babies.”
“Your father’s locked himself in his shop and won’t come out.”
“That’s just his way of dealing with things. Give him some time. Focus on the kids. They need you.”
“You’re right. I have to be strong for the kids.”
When they hung up, Lisa sank to the floor of her room. Marigold’s body pulled out of the lake. How was this possible? David’s idyllic life imploded in the span of days. Lies and deceit. Greed. Damn you, Marigold. Damn you.
* * *
The next few hours were a blur. Winn came up with the clothes and they discussed options and planned the wardrobe for the next few weeks of events and interviews. While Winn worked with Rafael, Lisa called Sasha to get the rundown on the days to come. When she was off the phone with Sasha, she called Pepper to tell her about David. They had one of their long talks where they analyzed everything from one end to the other. Before they hung up, Pepper promised to fill Maggie in on the latest. By the time she went back to the main room, Winn and her rolling closet were gone. Rafael had poured her a glass of wine and opened a beer for himself.
“Hey.” His features softened as she grabbed the glass of wine and curled up in the easy chair. “Everything all right?”
“I’ll tell you all about it, but first we should order some dinner up. You’re probably starving.” She needed a few more minutes before she could say the words out loud. My sister-in-law is dead.
He raised an eyebrow. “You had me at dinner.”
She chose a salad and he ordered a pasta dish. While they waited, she drank her glass of wine and told Rafael about the first several events. First was the party at the home of Eden, her costar in Indigo Road. The day after that they’d attend the premiere. Then it was a series of interviews over a span of a week. Then they flew to New York.
They ate their dinners at the table and talked about benign subjects. Mostly, Rafael asked her what it was like to film a movie. He had specific questions and comments about Indigo Road. Amazed by the level of detail he noticed, she finally got him to confess he’d watched the entire season twice.
“Is it because you’d met me before?” she asked.
He admitted that it wasn’t a show he would normally watch. “So yeah, it was because of you. But then I got into it. I could relate to Harry, of course.”
“In what way?”
“You know, the gardener in love with the rich girl, even though they’re doomed.”
“Is that how you see yourself?” she asked. “Like Harry?”
“Sure I do. It’s not a leap.”
“But it’s not like that any longer. We can choose whomever we want, regardless of social status or money.”
“We always could. In America anyway. But people didn’t because of social and family pressure. It’s still like that now. There’s always a choice. We weigh what we want with what we have to give up. Can we stand to live without it? Like in Rose’s case. Will she run away to be with the man she loves?”
“Or stay in comfort?” She finished her salad and set it aside.
He swiped the last of his pasta sauce with a buttery piece of bread. “My bet is she stays.”
The last scene of the season had been Rose standing at the closet, deciding whether or not to take her packed suitcase and meet Harry. If she stayed, she would marry the man her parents had chosen for her.
“We don’t know what happens either,” she said. “So there’s no use trying to get it out of me.”
“What’s your guess?”
“I think she goes. But the fallout from th
at decision will hurt. Because she’ll have to live a whole new way. The reality of her decision will become apparent when she has to live with the day-to-day consequences.” She smiled. “Of course, as an actress, it’s going to be fun either way. She’ll suffer, regardless.”
He wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I didn’t think about it that way. You get juicy stuff to play no matter which direction they go.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” She took her napkin from her lap and placed it next to her plate. “Could you ever be with a woman who had more money than you?”
Rafael pushed away his plate. He’d eaten everything but the onion on his side salad. “If I’m honest, it would be hard for me.”
“Is that why you’re not interested in me?” There it was. Right out in the open.
He looked across the table at her. “I’m interested. I’d think that much was obvious.”
“Is there a ‘but’?” she asked.
“There is.” He ran his finger around the edge of his plate. “A man wants to feel like he could take care of his woman. Not the other way around.”
“There’s more to caring for someone than just money,” she said. “I want a partner who loves me and takes care of me in his own unique way.”
“Seriously, though…don’t you think less of me because I’m broke?”
“Not a bit. Would you have still liked me two years ago when I didn’t have money?” she asked.
“Of course.”
“It’s the same for me. I like you, not your bank account,” she said. “Now that I’m doing well, it means I can offer financial security to whomever I’m with.”
“That’s what I want, too,” he said. “I want that to be my part in the relationship, not the woman’s.”
“I thought you were more evolved than that,” she said.
“I wish I was.”
Her heart sank. What was she doing? It would take about a second more and she would be in love with this guy. He’d just told her the truth. There was no future here.
He reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. “Stardust, that doesn’t mean I can’t get there. It is and will be a struggle for me. I can’t promise anything other than I’ll try.”
Missed: Rafael & Lisa Page 11