Hollywood Enigma: Hollywood Name Game Book 5

by Alexa Aston

  Scarlett’s hands tightened in her lap. “No. I very much want a baby. This baby.” She hesitated. “I’m worried, though. I wasn’t trying to get pregnant. I missed a few birth control pills, thanks to a nasty case of food poisoning. I’ve continued taking them until last night when I did the home test. Now, all I can think about is if those pills might cause a miscarriage. Or some horrible deformity.”

  “Let me put your mind at ease. The FDA has determined there’s no evidence that the combination pill you’re taking would increase risk of pregnancy complications or birth defects if you continue to take it while pregnant. Throw out all of those negative thoughts, as well as those pills. I’m going to prescribe some prenatal vitamins and you’ll take those every day instead. Right now, I need to do a thorough physical exam.”

  The doctor did what Scarlett thought of as an annual physical exam, checking everything from nose, throat, and ears to her breasts and pelvis.

  “Your uterus is almost the size of an egg, which would put you at seven weeks. Based upon the date of your last period, I’m estimating you’re due the last week of May. We’ll do a sonogram in a month to help narrow down your due date.”

  Dr. Lennon rolled over to a drawer and opened it, pulling out a couple of brochures and a handbook. She gave them to Scarlett.

  “These will answer some basic questions. Check my website for recommendations on a few books you might want to read to help you understand what to expect over the next nine months. I assume you’re still working? I know you have a stressful job and put in long hours.”

  “Actually, I resigned this morning. I’m going to open my own law office. I’ll keep my caseload small and won’t put in near the hours I have been. This baby is way more important.”

  The physician smiled approvingly. “That’s an excellent first step. No smoking or alcohol, obviously. One cup of coffee in the morning is fine if you need the caffeine. If you can do without, that would be better. Intimate relations are also okay. We can talk more about that as your pregnancy progresses. Since you’re thirty-four, we can forgo the tests I’d order if you were thirty-five or older. If you choose to have more children, your next pregnancy will be slightly different.” Dr. Lennon smiled brightly. “Do you have any questions?”

  “None. Or maybe a thousand. It’s a lot to wrap my head around,” Scarlett admitted. “I’m very excited, though. I’ve really wanted a baby. My best friend is also pregnant. Almost three months along.”

  “It will be fun for you to go through this together but remember—every pregnancy is different, Scarlett. Don’t compare too much but you can commiserate over things such as morning sickness and heartburn.”

  “I’ll get heartburn? Keely hasn’t mentioned that.”

  “Most pregnant women do. Have you experienced any nausea?”

  She nodded. “It started this past week. That’s what led to me buying the test kit.”

  “Well, now you know.” Dr. Lennon wheeled back to her iPad and tapped as she said, “I’m writing the prescription for your prenatal vitamins. They’ll do wonders for your hair and nails. Make an appointment for four weeks from now when you leave and tell Lydia that we’ll also do a sonogram during that visit. Your baby’s daddy is welcome to come and experience that with you.”

  Scarlett let that comment slide. “Thanks for seeing me so quickly, Dr. Lennon. You’ve put my mind at ease. Do you think it’s a good idea to wait until the first trimester is behind me before I tell people?”

  “That’s up to you. Right now, everything looks fine but I can understand wanting to keep your condition private until you’re farther along. You might want to wait for the sonogram and a more concrete due date. You can also find out your baby’s gender at that time if you’d like.”

  Scarlett dressed and went to the checkout. Only Lydia was present. Over her shoulder, the waiting room was still deserted.

  Her friend beamed. “Congratulations, Scarlett. You’ll make a fantastic mother.”

  Excitement filled her. “I hope so. Since you already have two, I may pester you to no end for advice.”

  “I’m happy to help anytime. Let’s get your next appointment scheduled.”

  Scarlett left the office with a spring in her step. She’d quit her job and was ready to strike out on her own. She was pregnant and healthy and would receive love and support from her many family members and friends.

  The only thing that would make everything better is if she could tell Wynn.

  An emptiness filled her. She desperately wanted to share this special news with him. Having watched him with Kyle and Cadence, she knew he would be a tremendous father. She didn’t want him to feel trapped, though. Wynn would want to marry her out of a sense of obligation. She refused to settle for that. What she needed was his love. Somehow, some way, Scarlett also needed to win back his trust.

  Considering the way they’d left things yesterday, she didn’t know if she’d ever hear from him. Maybe Keely would help her see things more clearly.

  ◆◆◆

  Wynn drove to the DeLaurias, buoyed by the feelings he had after spending time with Del and Cady. The love between the Youngblood siblings had always been there, unspoken, but they now entered a new chapter in their lives as a family. One that he desperately wanted Scarlett to be included in.

  An Audi pulled into their driveway just before him and he parked behind it. Jayla Jefferson got out and gave him a friendly wave.

  “Dash told me you’d be at today’s meeting and that you’re interested in production. I’d be happy to answer questions for you at any time.”

  “I appreciate that. I enjoy acting but a day may come when I want to move behind the camera. Or focus more on the business end.”

  “Having your own production company is a great way to take control of your career and seek out the projects you truly have a passion for. If you’re interested in directing, though, the first thing you need to do is make a movie with Sydney,” Jayla recommended. “Watching and working with her would be a master class.”

  As they entered the house, he said, “I hope I have that opportunity with the screenplay Cassie and Breck are writing.”

  “Sydney is interested in it, based upon what Cassie’s shared so far. She won’t commit, though, until she’s read the entire thing. Come on, we meet in the dining room so everyone can spread out and have plenty of room.”

  “Could I hit the restroom first?”

  “Sure. It’s that way.” Her phone rang and Jayla answered it as he walked away.

  Wynn did his business and headed toward the dining room. Before he rounded the corner, he heard Sydney say, “Did you have any idea Scarlett was leaving Lymon McGraw?”

  He came to an abrupt halt.

  Scarlett had left Lymon McGraw?

  “She’s never brought it up before,” Rhett said. “She texted me less than an hour ago that she had a lot to share but I never would’ve thought leaving her firm and striking out on her own would be what she referred to.”

  Guilt poured through Wynn. He was the reason Scarlett had resigned from the prestigious law firm. She must truly despise him if she left so that she wouldn’t have to see him when he came in for a client meeting. She’d done it for nothing, considering he’d given them notice that he would seek different legal representation.

  His hopes for winning her back sank like a stone.

  “I read the email aloud to Dash the minute he got home. We couldn’t believe it. I’m excited for her, though. Scarlett’s as sharp as they come. She’ll be very successful.” Sydney paused. “I assume RCDS will remain her client.”

  “We better,” Rhett said. “I don’t trust our company legal issues in anyone’s hands but hers.”

  “No vote needed,” Dash said. “Cassie, you’re pretty quiet.”

  “I’ll admit I’m as surprised as all of you. I can’t help but wonder if it has anything to do with Wynn. They had some horrible fight.”

  “You didn’t tell me,” Rhett said.


  “I found out this morning when Wynn called, looking for her. It has to be their first fight because they’ve gotten along beautifully. He was very upset. I encouraged him to do whatever it took to clear things up. They’re so good together.”

  “I agree,” Rhett said. “Scarlett’s had a hard time trusting men ever since Dad left. He was a charming drunk who deserted his family. Every time she starts to get close to a man, she pulls back. I think she’s remembering all of Dad’s empty promises. It seemed different with Wynn. Like he’d been able to knock her walls down and wrap her in love.”

  Wynn swallowed, moved by Rhett’s words. He thought he better make his presence known and walked around the corner. “Hello, everyone.”

  The group greeted him and Dash said, “I invited Wynn to our monthly status meeting to give him an idea of how we juggle and evaluate projects.”

  “We’re happy to have you here, Wynn,” Rhett said cordially.

  “It’s good to see you getting back into the swing of things. You’re looking good. Strong. Healthy.”

  “I’ll still be working with my physical therapist for a few more weeks but I’m starting to feel like myself.”

  Jayla entered the room, her phone to her ear. “Let me put you on speaker, Breck.” She placed her cell in the middle of the table.

  Wynn half-listened as Breck began to talk, still wondering why Scarlett had done something as permanent as cutting ties with Lymon McGraw. If she’d torpedoed her career because of him. If that weasel Henry Lymon had kept the knowledge of Wynn leaving from Scarlett, delighting in her resignation. He vacillated between anger at Henry and despair over whether Scarlett would ever consider taking him back.

  Jayla reached for her phone and Wynn realized he’d missed out on the entire conversation. The mathematician in him had always been able to compartmentalize things and he decided he better do so now. Dash had given him a great opportunity and Wynn better soak up everything he could in this meeting.

  When it ended, though, he would go straight to Scarlett’s house and throw himself on her mercy.

  CHAPTER 23

  After picking up her prescription, Scarlett did something she never did in the middle of the afternoon. She crawled under the covers and took a nap. When she awoke, she felt more rested than she had in days and was glad the nausea was gone. She dressed and headed for Keely’s, stopping at a bakery for macaroons. She and Keely had bonded early over their love of the cookies, especially the dense, moist, sweet coconut ones dipped in chocolate. If she couldn’t drown her sorrows over wine, macaroons were the next best thing.

  She rang the doorbell and heard Jax’s odd warble. Keely opened the door and the basenji seemed to smile when he saw Scarlett. She handed the bakery box to Keely and bent to love on Jax.

  “Macaroons?” her friend asked hopefully. “Come on in.”

  Keely padded barefoot to the kitchen, setting the box on the table and taking two dessert plates from the cabinet. “This is a wonderful treat.” She looked at Scarlett and, in unison, they said, “Life is short. Eat dessert first,” then giggled.

  “Remember the first time we saw that slogan?” Scarlett asked.

  “We were at some craft fair. It was stitched on a pillow. I’m glad we adopted it as our mantra.”

  Scarlett opened Jax’s treat jar. “If we get treats, Jax should, too.” Holding the treat high, she cooed, “Who’s the best auntie to Jax? Sit. Shake. Good boy.” She rewarded the dog with the crunchy treat.

  “You spoil my fur baby,” Keely chided playfully and then rubbed her small bulge. “I can imagine what you’ll do with my human one.”

  Scarlett burst into tears.

  “Oh, honey, what’s wrong?”

  Keely enveloped her as she sobbed, rubbing her back, and Scarlett blubbered away. Finally, she got herself under control and Keely released her, reaching for a tissue box on the counter.

  “Come sit. Tell me everything. And you can have every macaroon.”

  Scarlett smiled through watery eyes. “You are a great best friend,” she proclaimed. “But I’m going to share.” She opened the box and placed two macaroons on both of their plates and then pulled out a tissue and wiped her eyes.

  “It has to be Wynn,” Keely said. “Did he do something awful?”

  “Only after I did,” she admitted.

  With that, Scarlett led Keely through everything.

  When she finished, Keely said, “I can definitely see things from both sides. There’s no question that you needed to be with Rhett and Cassie. I was there. I know how serious the situation was and how much Rhett means to you. He’s not only your brother but he took over and became the man of the house after your dad split. He’s as much a brother as father figure to you. And a trusted friend now that you’re adults. I know you run all major decisions by him.”

  “I do.” Scarlett bit into her macaroon and chewed thoughtfully, thinking about her spontaneous decision of this morning to quit her job. “I’ve realized that not everyone is as close to their families as I am to mine. Plus, Wynn and I were very new together the day Rhett was shot. Wynn loves Del and Cady but he doesn’t see or even talk to them that much. He wouldn’t have understood how close we Corrigans are and how much I wanted—needed—to be there. Attending the signing at Rylon with him was out of the question.”

  “On your behalf, you did make sure he had The Tornado representing him. No one would dare push Wynn around or suggest a last-minute change and dare face the wrath of The Tornado.”

  Scarlett smiled. The Tornado was Keely’s nickname for Henry Lymon. Scarlett had griped to her friend on numerous occasions about Henry and his cutthroat style so Keely declared the man a violent, destructive force because Henry claimed everything in his path.

  “At the same time,” Keely continued, “you never consulted Wynn. Although you acted in the best interest of your client and met your professional obligations, you totally shut Wynn out of the mix. Worse, you never bothered to clue him in during all the weeks that have passed.”

  “I know. I’m guilty of a lie by omission. Not telling Wynn was bad enough, but then I never told him. Too much time passed and when he learned, he blew a gasket. All he could see was that I had betrayed him.” She paused. “I saw it in his eyes, Keely. The trust that we’d built together crumbled. It was like witnessing an earthquake’s destruction in slow motion.”

  Tears welled in her eyes again. “I have never made myself vulnerable to any man until Wynn. I don’t know if he can forgive me. Or if he’ll even try.”

  Keely took her hand and squeezed it. “He can. First, though, you’re going to have to forgive yourself. Once you do that, then you need to make things right with Wynn.”

  More tears cascaded down her cheeks. “Oh, it gets messier, Keely.”

  “How?”

  Scarlett shook her head. “Because I’m pregnant.”

  Keely’s jaw dropped. “You’re . . . but I thought you were on the pill.”

  “I think that case of food poisoning screwed with my birth control.”

  Her friend looked hesitant. “How do you feel about this, Scarlett?”

  “My biological clock has been screaming at me lately. I’ve wanted a baby, even more so since I found out you and Mac were expecting. What about everything I just told you?”

  “First, I’ll assume Wynn is the father.”

  “He is.”

  “Then you need to tell him right away. He’s a good man, Scarlett. He’ll be a terrific father to this baby.”

  “He’s never told me he loves me, Keely. He’s lost all trust in me.”

  Keely waved a hand in the air. “He does love you. Anyone can see that by the way he looks at you. Have you told him you love him? I’ll bet you haven’t but I know you do. Scarlett, you can’t keep this from him.”

  “I don’t want him to feel cornered by the news. Wynn is so honorable. He’ll want to marry me.”

  “He loves you, Scarlett. Loves you. And you love him. Sure, you have this ugly t
hing jammed between you now, keeping you apart. I say move the damned obstacle. Fling it away. Because you do not want to throw away what you have with this man.”

  Scarlett didn’t have to think about it any longer. Keely’s words spoke to her heart. “You’re right. I can’t let anything stand between us. I do love him. I’d be miserable without him. I want him in my life. In our baby’s life.”

  Keely patted her hand. “You’ll need to promise to work on communication. Not keep anything from one another ever again.”

  “I’m so lucky to have you as my best friend.”

  Keely bit into a macaroon. “You’re stuck with me for life. Let’s finish off dessert and then order in for dinner. It’s a Friday night and every restaurant’s going to be crowded by now. You need sustenance if you’re going to talk to Wynn.”

  “Pizza?” Scarlett asked hopefully.

  “As long as there’s no pepperoni on it. It gives me terrible heartburn.”

  “Dr. Lennon mentioned I’d be getting heartburn.” Scarlett grabbed another macaroon. “Okay, Mrs. Randall. Spill all of your first trimester secrets.”

  ◆◆◆

  Wynn left the meeting, having learned that he had a lot of homework to do. He understood the ins and outs of the numbers but personnel would be key. He would need to surround himself with skilled, talented people to make both his charity foundation and a future production company a success.

  It didn’t surprise him that no one mentioned Scarlett’s big career change once he entered the room. The only time her name came up was when the RCDS team decided to move forward with a time travel sci-fi project and Rhett asked Jayla to contact Scarlett to draw up the contracts for the two writers they would purchase the screenplay from.

  He got into the Spitfire and, for a moment, thought he caught a lingering scent of Scarlett’s perfume. He gripped the steering wheel and closed his eyes, savoring the faint smell of vanilla. It faded and he started the car. It was a little after three. Though the thought of seeing her caused his stomach to churn, Wynn couldn’t wait any longer. He drove to her house, practicing aloud what his apology should entail.