“I’m proud of you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re doing something you love, and you’re good at it.”
“How do you know?”
“I wouldn’t be with someone who sucks.” I respond sassily, and he laughs.
“So, how much money did you have to secure for the movie coming out on Friday? And who’s in it anyway?” Jules slips the lasagna in the oven and leans across the counter, listening attentively.
“It’s called Rough Shot with Channing Tatum. It’s an action movie, lots of stunts and stuff blowing up, so it was high-budget. About a hundred million.”
Jules and I look at each other and then back at Luke.
“I’m sorry, did you say a hundred million dollars?” My voice is very shrill. It’s disturbing. Almost as disturbing as my boyfriend being responsible for raising a hundred million dollars.
“Yeah.” He smiles shyly. “The action/adventure movies are always high-budget, because there’s a lot of cinematography involved, CGI, and a lot of other stuff that I don’t really understand but know it’s expensive.”
I swallow. Wow.
“So, this is a big-box-office movie then.”
“Yeah, it’s expected to bring in about a hundred and fifty million this weekend.” He shrugs again, but I see the pride in his eyes.
“So, here’s where I get personal, and you can tell me to mind my own fucking business, but I’m curious because money is what I do for a living.” Jules’ eyes are gleaming with curiosity, and I know exactly what she’s going to ask.
“Okay, go ahead.” Luke smirks. He knows, too.
“Well, I know how much actors usually get paid for big-budget films, but what about producers?”
“When all is said and done, after royalties and stuff, I’ll probably bank about fifteen from this movie.”
I narrow my eyes at him and bite my lip, not sure that I understand the words that just came out of his mouth. I look at Jules, and her mouth is opening and closing, also with no sound coming out.
Luke isn’t looking at either of us. He’s staring down at his wine.
Finally, Jules speaks first. “Please tell me you have a damn good entertainment lawyer and a team of entertainment accountants with excellent reputations. Because if you don’t, I know some.” She’s completely serious.
Luke nods his head. “Yeah, that’s all been covered for years.”
“Good,” she responds.
I just don’t know what to say. I knew he was wealthy, but I had no idea.
Finally, Luke looks over at me. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” I whisper.
“You look a little pale.” He looks worried.
“I’m okay.” I shake myself out of my stare and look to Jules for guidance.
“Nat,” she says, “you’re no stranger to money.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Your parents left you, like, twenty million.”
Luke blanches.
“I know.”
“So, what’s wrong?” she asks quietly.
I frown. “Well, I guess it’s just a lot to take in.” I look at Luke and finally, needing to touch him, grip his hand in mine. “I’m sorry, honey. The money isn’t that big of a deal to me, you know that. I guess it’s just surprising to hear that my man deals with actors and hundred-million-dollar movies and is friends with Steven Spielberg. It’s easy to forget because we’re so far removed from that life.”
“Nat, I’ve removed myself on purpose.”
“I know.”
“Don’t freak out on me,” he whispers.
“I am not freaking out on you.” I smile, finding my equilibrium.
“Um, can I ask one more question?” Jules raises her hand like we’re in class, and we laugh.
“Okay.”
“Can I have Channing Tatum’s number?”
We all bust out in a laughing fit, and I’m relieved to have the tension lifted.
“He’s married, Jules.”
“Damn it.” She frowns. “All the good ones are taken.”
“Luke”—I jump off my stool and stand between his thighs, rubbing my hands up and down his arms—“I want to see your movie this weekend.”
“You do?” He looks completely shocked.
“Yes. This is what you do. I want to support you. Let’s go opening night.”
“I told you, I don’t do premieres. I’m not going to LA for it.” He’s shaking his head adamantly.
“No, I mean here. Let’s go to opening night here, in Seattle.”
Jules jumps up and down in excitement. “I want to go, too! I’m sure I can find a date.”
“Let’s make a night of it. We’ll double-date, go to the movie, maybe dinner. Let’s celebrate!”
Luke smiles, a wide, melt-my-panties smile, and for the first time since I met him, he looks genuinely proud and excited about what he does. “You really want to?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then I guess we’re going. But let’s try to go to an out-of-the-way theater. I don’t want our night to be ruined because I get recognized and have to stand around signing shit for three hours.”
“We’ll go to a late show in a suburb after dinner. You can wear a trench coat with a hat and sunglasses.” I smirk at him, and he narrows his eyes at me.
“You’re such a smart-ass.”
“But you love me.” I smile sweetly.
“God, get a room.” Jules pulls the lasagna out of the oven.
***
“I’m nervous.” I look over at Jules and cringe. “What if I don’t like it?”
“Then you lie through your pretty straight teeth and tell him you love it. That’s what girlfriends do, no matter what their boyfriends do for a living.” She shuffles through my closet, looking for something to wear to the movie tonight.
“Who are you bringing tonight?” I ask as I pull my black dress over my head and step into my black Manolo Blahniks.
“Don’t lecture me.”
“Uh, okay.”
“I’m bringing my boss.”
“Holy shit! I didn’t think you were seeing him anymore.” What the hell?
“We’re not really seeing each other.”
“Are you sleeping together?”
“No. Definitely not. He’s not as bad as I thought he was. Once the embarrassment faded…well, he’s a pretty nice guy. I figured, why not bring him?” She bites her lip and slips on a pair of my silver earrings.
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Jules.”
“I’m not sure that I do, but it’s just one night. Please, be cool, okay?”
“I am the epitome of cool. I’m offended you’d say otherwise. And here I was going to spring for dinner tonight, too.”
She smiles at me as the doorbell rings.
“One of our guys is here.” I head for the door, ready to go. “I’ll get it.”
I jog down the stairs and open the door to find a huge bouquet of red roses staring me in the face.
“Well, hello.”
Luke pokes his head out from behind them and smiles at me. “Hey, gorgeous, these are for you.”
“Thank you, my love.” I bury my nose in them and sniff as he comes inside and closes the door behind him. He looks fantastic in a blue button-down shirt that matches his eyes and a pair of khaki pants.
“You look handsome,” I murmur and kiss his lips softly.
“You are breathtaking.” He runs his fingertips down my face, and I blush.
“Come on, I’ll put these in water, and then I get to go see my boyfriend’s movie tonight.”
Luke laughs. “You do? That’s cool.”
“I know. He’s very famous, but I can’t tell you who he is because we are private people.” I nod sagely at him, my eyes wide.
“Are you sure I can’t get it out of you?” He wraps his arms around my middle as I arrange the flowers in a vase.
“Nope, my lips are sealed.”
“Damn,
and here I was hoping to get to take you out tonight.” He nuzzles my neck, and I sigh.
“Well, I could probably go out with you later, after my other date.”
Luke tickles my ribs, and I squeal. “Like hell. You’re mine, baby. Get used to it.”
I turn in his arms and run my hands through his hair, smiling up at him. “You are the only one I’ll ever want, my love.”
His eyes soften, and he gives me that kiss that makes me all gooey. “Ditto, baby.”
“Oh my God, do you two ever stop?” Jules rolls her eyes as she comes in the room, and Luke smiles smugly and kisses my cheek.
“Nope.”
“Gag. Nate just texted, he’ll be here in a few—”
Just then the doorbell rings.
“He’ll be here right now. I’ll get it.” She smiles and saunters to the front door.
“Who’s the guy?” Luke asks.
“A guy she works with,” I respond, and Luke’s eyebrows shoot up.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Could be interesting.”
“Come on in and meet them.” Jules walks into the kitchen ahead of a very attractive man wearing dark jeans and a black long-sleeved button-down shirt. He’s tall like Luke, with broad shoulders and slender hips. He has long dark, dark hair pulled back in a short ponytail at the nape of his neck, gray eyes and a nice, square jaw. Yes, he’s swoon-worthy, like Jules said before. He also has kind eyes, and he can’t take them off of Jules’ face as she introduces him to us.
He’s smitten.
“Nate, this is my roommate, Natalie, and her boyfriend, Luke Williams.”
Nate shakes both our hands and smiles at Luke. “It’s a pleasure. I can’t say I was a fan of the movies you acted in years ago, but I do love the ones you produce now. I’ve been waiting for Rough Shot to come out for months.” He smiles at us both and then steps back to drop his arm around Jules’ shoulders.
“Here’s hoping you like it.” Luke seems relaxed, and I breathe an internal sigh of relief.
“Shall we go? I’m starving.”
“Let’s go.” Luke takes my hand, and we all climb into his Mercedes SUV, me in the front with Luke, and Jules and Nate in the back.
“Where would you like to eat?” Luke asks us.
I turn my head to answer and see Nate kiss Jules’ hand. Just friends, my ass. I’ll drill her later.
“How about that little Mexican place you took me to last week?” I suggest. “It’s quiet, and they have delicious margaritas.”
Both Jules and Nate nod in agreement.
“Mexican it is.” Luke picks up my hand and kisses my knuckles, and I smile shyly at him.
The restaurant is relatively slow for a Friday night. The owners know Luke, so they escort us to a private booth near the back where we won’t be noticed.
After chips and salsa have been delivered and we’ve all ordered, we sit back to sip margaritas and get to know Nate.
“So, Nate, what is it that you do?” Luke asks.
“I work at the same investment firm as Julianne,” he responds and smiles down at Jules.
My eyebrows climb into my hairline, and I meet Jules’ gaze with my own.
Julianne? No one calls her that.
Jules narrows her eyes at me, telepathically telling me to shut up.
“How long have you been doing that?” Luke asks, oblivious to our silent conversation.
“About eight years.”
We make small talk for the better part of our meal. Nate is polite, attentive, and clearly completely taken with Jules.
And it’s completely mutual.
Luke lays his hand on my thigh and squeezes, and I link my fingers through his.
“Do you sail?” Nate asks out of the blue.
“I’ve been a few times, but I haven’t in a while,” Luke says. “You?”
“Yes, actually, I have a catamaran docked in Seattle. Would you two like to join us one afternoon for a tour around the sound?”
Luke looks down at me to get my take, and I nod and smile, catching Jules’ slight nod.
“Sounds fun,” Luke replies.
The check arrives, but I pluck it off the table before anyone else can.
“You’re not paying for this.” Luke digs for his wallet but I hold the check away from him.
“Yes, I am. We’re celebrating your movie premiere, so I get to pay.”
“Fuck no, give me that check.”
“Mine.” I hold it against my chest as I pull my card out of my wallet.
“Goddammit, Nat…”
I pull his face down to mine and kiss him, long and slow. When I pull back, we’re both out of breath. “Let me do this. I’m proud of you, damn it.”
“I can’t argue with you when you do that,” he mutters and looks disgusted, but I see the gleam of humor in his impossibly blue eyes, and I smile smugly as I pass the check and my card to the waitress.
Nate watches our exchange with curiosity and then breaks out in a wide grin.
“Dude, you’ve got it bad,” he says to Luke.
“You have no idea,” Luke grumbles.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Four for Rough Shot, please.” I pass my card through to the ticket girl at the movie theater and smile at her. We’re quite early, but we want to get seats in the back so we can be inconspicuous and leave after everyone else when it’s over.
“This is the last damn time you pay for me to go anywhere,” Luke grumbles behind me.
Jules and Nate laugh at him, and I just smile serenely.
We buy two extra-large tubs of popcorn and buckets of soda to share and find our seats. Even though we’re more than thirty minutes early, I’m surprised to see a handful of people already seated in the theater.
We climb up to the very top row of the stadium-style seats and sit in the middle, Jules and I between the boys.
Luke runs both his hands down his thighs and takes a deep breath.
“Are you nervous?” I whisper in his ear.
He smiles down at me and kisses my forehead. “A little.”
“Do you watch your movies?” I ask.
“Yeah, but I usually wait until after opening weekend to see what audiences are saying. Opening weekend is nerve-racking, and usually busy.”
“I’m glad we’re here. It’s exciting.”
He laughs and takes a handful of popcorn out of the tub. “Me, too. I hope you like it.”
“I’m gonna love it.”
The theater fills up quickly, and finally the lights dim and the previews start.
I’m shocked to see that two of the five movies previewed are billed as being produced by Luke E. Williams. I look up at him, stunned, and he smiles shyly down at me. I shake my head and push some popcorn in his mouth, making him laugh.
I’m excited as Rough Shot begins and want to stand up and cheer when Luke’s name flashes on the screen during the opening credits. Instead, I kiss him soundly and give him a ridiculously proud smile.
It’s hard to tell, but I think he actually blushes.
The movie is fantastic. When a mostly naked Channing Tatum walks across the screen, Jules and I look at each other and start laughing. We can’t resist. Luke throws popcorn at me in disgust.
It’s a fast-paced two-hour film that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end to find out “whodunit.” There is indeed lots of action and stuff blowing up. There is also an intense love scene between Channing and his co-star, and I can’t help but watch it in a very clinical way, knowing that Channing is married in real life, wondering how his wife deals with scenes like these.
I’m also incredibly happy that Luke has chosen to assume a different role in the movie business.
One particularly bloody scene makes both Jules and I squirm in our seats.
“Oh God, really?” I clasp my hand over my mouth as I realize I said that out loud, and both Nate and Luke laugh at us.
As the closing credits roll, I can’t stop smiling. I do clap, inco
nspicuously, when Luke’s name appears again, and he grins at me. We wait until all the other customers have left and the lights come up to leave the theater. As we stand, I wrap my arms around Luke and hold him tight, burying my face in his chest and inhaling his sexy Luke scent. I lean my head back and look up into his shining blue eyes.
“I loved it. I’m so proud of you. We are doing this for every movie. I want a schedule.”
He runs his fingers down my face and smiles sweetly. “I’ll get you one.” He kisses me gently.
“Um, Nat? This is a double date. Stop making out with your super-cool, famous boyfriend, please.”
I laugh and glance back at Jules. “I’m just appreciating his art,” I say primly.
“Appreciate it in private. Come on, let’s go.” Jules and Nate walk ahead of us out of the theater. I move to follow, but Luke holds my elbow, keeping me back.
I turn back to him, and he kisses me again, passionately this time, lovingly. He pulls back and leans his forehead against mine.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Thank you for tonight. I love you, baby.”
“I love you, too.”
***
We all decide to continue the celebration and go out for drinks. We end up near our place at the Celtic Swell, and I have to smile as I remember the first time Luke and I had drinks together here. It feels like a lifetime ago.
The bar is pretty busy with locals, and no one is really paying attention to us as we snag a booth near the back.
“They make a pretty good margarita here,” Luke comments and smiles down at me. He remembers, too!
I grin and nod, and we all decide to continue with margaritas.
Luke orders mine just the way I like it.
“So Nate”—I take a sip of my margarita. Delicious—“What did you think of the movie?”
“It was excellent, as I knew it would be. You?”
“Obviously, I’m biased, but I really liked it. Except that really bloody part.”
“Yeah, what the hell is it with boys and blood?” Jules squishes up her nose prettily.
“I am man. I like blood.” Nate beats his fist on his chest, and we break out into laughter.
“Mostly naked Channing Tatum is always pleasing on the eyes.” I catch Jules’ eye, and we wink at each other.
With Me in Seattle Bundle One Page 23
