Breaking Character

by Lee Winter

  Fury flooded Summer. “Hey! I saved your butt today when I didn’t have to. I could see we were losing Jean-Claude. He needed to hear something real. So I told him something honest even though I knew it’d be embarrassing or, worse, you’d judge me for what I did when I was young. And to thank me, you fling my honesty back in my face? Mock me for who I was?”

  Elizabeth looked as if she’d been slapped. “Summer…” A faint pink crept up her cheeks. “No. I…”

  “All right, stop!” Delvine gave them a long-suffering glare. “You two can figure it out on your own time. Bess, of course I’m not suggesting you try and fool your friends. I’ve met them. Yes, they’d assume you were joking. So just be honest. Explain what happened and that they need to help Summer research you. And Summer, get your parents to share with Bess a couple of childhood anecdotes or something.” She rubbed her temple. “This shouldn’t be so hard.”

  “I can’t.”

  Elizabeth and Delvine looked at her.

  “Mom’s impossible.” She threw up her hands. “You don’t understand. She believes the rumors. She gets ideas into her head, like she did when she saw the HGZ photos, and doesn’t believe a word of my denial, because she likes the idea of it. Besides, she’s friends with Jean-Claude, so I’m not even sure I should try to convince her. What if she says the wrong thing to him?”

  Delvine frowned. “Okay, new plan. Be honest with Bess’s people, and fake it with yours.”

  “I don’t want to lie to Dad.” Summer winced. “But he’d tell Mom. Shit. I’ll have to lie to both of them.” She sighed. “I’ll tell Autumn, though. As my manager, she has to know the truth. And then there’s Chloe.”

  “Who?” Delvine asked.

  “My roommate.”

  “Does Chloe have any contact with your parents?” Delvine sounded exhausted.

  “All the time. Mom comes for lunch every Sunday, sometimes with the rest of the family in tow.” Summer groaned. “And Chloe can’t lie to save herself. She’d blurt out we were faking it if my parents just asked her to pass the ketchup.”

  “I see. Well, think of it like this: It’s a test. An…audition. If you can convince Chloe, you’ll be ready for your role.” Delvine eyed her closely. “Or if you can’t bear any of this, just say so now. I can see you’ll find it hard. Maybe it’s best to pull out before you waste anyone’s time and Jean-Claude can find a new Lucille. It’s up to you. We’ll all understand.”

  Summer considered that, just as the car reached the top of the driveway outside Elizabeth’s home. She stared at it in amazement. She’d been too out of it that morning to take it in. Before her sat a stunning hillside home, walled on one end with glass. Through that glass she glimpsed the shimmer of a beautiful pool, and an incredible view.

  Wow. It made Summer’s cute bungalow look like a garden shed.

  “Okay, this is me.” Elizabeth tossed a glance at Summer as she exited the limo. “We’ll talk tomorrow at work.” She turned back to her manager. “Delvine, I’ll call you later and discuss what I want changed. To hell I’m doing a full nude scene. I don’t care who’s asking.”

  “No problem,” Delvine replied. “I’ll handle it with Rachel. Talk soon, darling.”

  The door closed. The driver steered the limo around the circular gravel drive and soon they were headed back down the hill.

  Summer sat in silence, digesting the words “full nude scene” next to the image of the woman who’d uttered them. The reality slammed home.

  Elizabeth naked.

  Me naked.

  In a tiny bed in a cozy writing shack in the wilderness.

  How the hell am I going to get through this?

  Maybe Delvine would be great at negotiating? Sheets and shadows and low lighting all around? Hope flared. But still…Elizabeth naked. In my arms.

  “So. Summer Hayes. Everyone’s favorite girl next door.” Delvine adjusted her bangles and gave her a speculative look. “You’re full of surprises.”

  “I am?”

  “You know, I normally have excellent gaydar, but I didn’t pick you at all. Don’t worry, I think it sailed right over Elizabeth’s head.”

  “W-what? Wait, what sailed over her head?”

  “Summer, darling, I gather Skye’s a little eccentric, but no mother would assume the HGZ photos were real if she also knew her daughter was straight. So she had to know you weren’t.”

  Oh shit. Summer’s shoulders slumped. She couldn’t muster a lie and Delvine clearly wasn’t stupid.

  “I only pointed it out so you don’t make the same mistake with someone less discreet. I will tell no one. I have a few closeted actors on my books, so I’m attuned at picking up the clues. That’s the only reason I noticed.”

  Summer nodded glumly.

  “But on that topic—noticing things—there’s something else I can’t overlook.” Delvine worried her fingers over her bangles.

  For some reason, seeing the up-front manager hesitate made Summer’s stomach churn.

  “Look, it was a good speech,” Delvine said. “You had Elizabeth convinced. That’s impressive, because she is no one’s fool.”

  Startled, Summer asked, “Convinced about what?”

  “About how you’re just trying to help her and she shouldn’t judge you by who you were at fifteen.” Delvine paused. “The thing is, Summer, you hide it well, sweetheart, but it’s plain to me you do have some sort of feelings for Bess.”

  Oh. My. God. Denials sprang to her lips but, under Delvine’s knowing eyes, none of them made it to her tongue.

  “It’s okay.” Delvine’s expression was gentle. “We live in Hollywood. Whose heart doesn’t beat that little bit faster for some of the perfect specimens we work with? I don’t think anyone’s immune from a few secret crushes. And I promise Bess doesn’t know.”

  “But it’s not like that. I just want to be her friend.”

  “Is that so?” Delvine considered that. “I heard you at lunch. Your beautiful story about how you saw the real her and fell for who she really was after years of knowing only her image. I suspect it was quite the opposite, though. I believe you did see the real her. And Bess, being Bess, was her usual aloof self, walls up, dismissive of those around her, not interested in being friendly. That probably hurt like hell, especially since there’s probably still a piece of you, deep inside, who remembers how teenage-you looked up to her. It’s all a bit confusing. Am I close?”

  Summer felt sick. How humiliating.

  “You have to understand, Bess is not a bad woman, so don’t judge her too harshly. She gets so focused on work, and given the bad mood she’s been in these past two seasons, she’s not too pleasant to anyone. She forgets the little things, the social lubrication, you’d call it, such as noticing the people around her. It’s not personal. Her mindset is just on getting her job done and escaping back home. Add to that she’s also cautious because of her fame. It’s hard for her to let down her guard at the best of times. But right now, she’s at her most impenetrable.”

  “It’s fine. I understand.”

  “I told Bess you were a good actress and there.” Delvine offered a wry smile. “You had me almost convinced. It’s not fine, though is it? I’m sorry for asking, and normally I wouldn’t involve myself, but Bess is my business, so…”

  She lowered her voice, even though the privacy screen was up between them and the driver. “Are you really going to be okay doing this role? You’ll have to pretend to be intimate with a woman you clearly feel something for. She doesn’t feel that way for you and never will. Elizabeth’s heart is not something she shares often, and never with co-stars.”

  “I know that.” Summer glared, even as her heart sank.

  “Then if this is about getting to do that sex scene just so you can be close to her in a way you never can be in reality, it will mess up your head badly. I’ve seen it. Not to me
ntion it’s destructive on both sides. It’s not right.”

  “Oh my God, no!” Summer gasped, offended. Didn’t Delvine get how awful that scene would be for her? How hard it’d be to have to work past her feelings just to do the role? “How could you even…” Her fury rose. “I’d quit this minute if I thought for a moment you were right. I’d never take advantage of the situation for some selfish reason.” She shot Delvine an appalled glare. “How can you ever think that? I’m interested in this role despite…everything, not because of it.”

  “Good.” Delvine nodded with satisfaction. “Now that I believe. Thanks for putting my mind at rest. I didn’t seriously entertain the thought, but I like to check. Don’t worry, I won’t breathe a word of this. Good managers are like priests. Just with better fashion sense.”

  Summer gave her a relieved smile. Delvine matched it with a wide one of her own.

  “There’s that smile you’re famous for.” In a wistful tone, she added, “Bess used to smile a lot too, you know. Back in the day. When she first arrived in LA. She was so happy to be here.”

  “Really?” That was hard to picture.

  “Oh yes. She was with her Cambridge friends again, and the whole world was alive with possibilities. Now work’s a grind and it breaks my heart. It’s why this role’s so important. Why, despite all the baggage, I don’t want anything to mess it up for her.” Delvine gave her a direct look. “Or anyone.”

  “I’d never hurt her.” Summer meant it with every fiber of her being.

  “You already have,” Delvine said. “But don’t worry, she’ll live. It’s probably a good thing for her. A reminder to think about how everyone else fits into her world. To think outside her bubble. It’s time she had a bit of a shake-up. It’s not just her. Being famous makes some people too inward focused as they try to protect themselves. It’s difficult to avoid.”

  “I don’t understand. How did I hurt her?”

  “It upset her greatly when you withdrew from her. Funny thing is, she hasn’t even realized you were the cause of her even more atrocious mood of late.”

  “It was her damned idea! Well, her people. You!”

  “Not me, dear. Rachel Cho. Agent extraordinaire. It wasn’t the advice I’d have given. The thing Rachel never considers is just how few genuine friends people like Elizabeth have. Everyone wants a piece of the famous. So she socializes with few people. Her social life comprises only the friends she met at college in London twenty years ago.”

  “Seriously?” Summer had assumed Elizabeth had dozens of friends.

  “Yes, well, she’s complicated. So consider it high praise that you’re the first person I’ve seen break the mold on her friendships. I think I know why, too. You grew up around famous people, didn’t you?”

  Summer nodded. “They were always at our parties.”

  “I’d bet you’ve never once thought about her fame. That’s incredibly rare for her. I think she’s picked up on it subconsciously.”

  Summer stared at her in dismay. “That’s all it is? She likes me because I don’t treat her like she’s famous?” Great. A stray dog could have had the same impact.

  Delvine laughed. “Of course not. I think she genuinely liked you for however briefly your friendship lasted before Rachel decided it needed torpedoing.”

  Summer bit her lip. “Liked? Past tense?”

  “I should have guessed you’d pick up on that.” Delvine smiled sympathetically. The car slowed in front of a gleaming glass apartment building.

  “Listen, darling,” she said as she gathered her bag, “despite any other complicated matters between you two, I think you’re really good for her. She smiles around you more. She’s almost like the woman I first met. But you bring out the dragon in her, too, and she’ll get as furious with you as I’ve ever seen. It’s been quite a revelation watching you two going at it today. I can’t tell you how rare it is you get the full-spectrum Bess. She’s usually so damned British and buttoned-up when it comes to her feelings on anything. Still, be careful. Big emotions have a lot of power to hurt if you’re on the receiving end. You don’t want to immolate under Bess’s laser focus. Or, if you must fall apart, can you at least do it after you’ve done Eight Little Pieces?” She shot Summer a mercenary grin.

  “Got it,” Summer drawled. “No self-destructing until after your client’s big film role.”

  “There now, I knew we’d understand each other perfectly.” Delvine’s smile was positively angelic as she got out of the car.

  Chapter 9

  Elizabeth stared into the mirror of her trailer, wondering if the woman looking back was prepared for what lay ahead in the coming weeks. This had disaster written all over it. One small error, one ill-timed flinch, and she’d wind up with no movie and an irate Frenchman on her hands.

  She glanced at the wall clock. Summer was supposed to be here any minute. It still made little sense to her how wholeheartedly the young woman had flung herself into wanting to play Lucille—no reservations, doubts, or fear.

  Elizabeth had all three. She didn’t want the speculation, attention, and prying questions. She hated all that. The role would bring an avalanche of scrutiny, probably requiring her to step up her appearances with Amrit. And lie. Elizabeth sighed. She hadn’t come to Hollywood for this. To manufacture a life about as real as the Chief Hunt collectible doll the network had put out at the height of the Mendez romance.

  She shuddered at the reminder, picking up a hairbrush and twirling the handle. It was part of a polished wooden set of brushes her mother had given her. Elizabeth wondered if her love of smooth things was all just a balm to the jaggedness of her double life. Straight on the outside, gay on the inside.

  Her gray eyes stared back at her, offering no answers. At least they hid her turmoil.

  Summer, on the other hand, seemed fearless. Although that might be because this was just some fun acting challenge for her. Something to tick off on her CV. She’d move on without another thought. Summer wouldn’t feel bared to the bone and terrified that if someone just looked at her in a certain way, they’d know. It was always the hardest thing about being an actor. How much of yourself do you choose to reveal? How much do you expose for the price of admission? How much do you hold back and protect?

  Summer had been right, calling Elizabeth out for projecting her fears. These were her own issues to pull apart. So, Elizabeth would throw herself into Elspeth. She’d choke back those fears and twist herself into the soul of a reclusive writer.

  A woman who lusts for women.

  What would it be like to kiss Summer? Or have her kiss me?

  She frowned at the thought. It was unprofessional. This was a job.

  There was a soft knock, and Elizabeth turned to the door.

  “Come in.”

  A hand holding a cup of tea appeared first. “Peace offering.” Summer stepped inside, toeing the door closed behind her. She was dressed as Joey Carter, in hospital scrubs, her hair in a ponytail.

  “Ah. Now that’s how to make an entrance.” Elizabeth gratefully took the cup and waved at Summer to sit, before taking a long sip. Liquid heaven. She groaned.

  Meeting Summer’s eyes in the mirror, she noted a small blush. Seriously? This was the woman who was supposed to seduce her on-screen in less than a month? It seemed about as likely as Chief Hunt discovering her love for puppies.

  “So,” Summer’s gaze roamed the trailer as Elizabeth drank, “Any thoughts about this ‘researching our lives’ thing?”

  “Mmm, yes.” Elizabeth placed the steaming cup on the table. “My friends are due on Friday night for a semi-regular event. We call it ‘party night’ to give it an air of respectability, but it’s just a games night. We eat a little, drink a lot, and every few months, including this Friday, one of the highlights is watching my thespian friends try to best each other with trivia questions. Shakespearean trivia. It’s also a
little interactive, depending on how much alcohol has been consumed and who can remember the lines they’re attempting to deliver.”

  Summer’s eyes lit up. “No wonder you got that naughty look when I told you about my party trick. I’ll be your ringer.”

  “If that’s like a ring-in, then yes. My friends have a high opinion of their knowledge, and being an American you’ll be underestimated immediately. It should be highly amusing to watch.”

  Summer grinned.

  “Somewhere in the middle of all that, you should be able to extract enough information out of them to give the impression to Jean-Claude that you actually know me.”

  “Sounds good.” Summer pulled out her phone. “What time and what do I bring?”

  “Eight, assuming filming doesn’t run late. And you don’t need to bring anything but your wit. You’ll need that. My friends will test it. Fresh meat and so on.”

  Summer eyed her. “Okay, just who’s being set up here? Me or them?”

  “A little of each. I suspect it’ll be educational all round. I admit I’m curious as to how you’ll handle them.”

  “And you’ll be the one who laughs either way?”

  Elizabeth feigned innocence. “Who can say?”

  “Uh-huh. Well, I’ll be there. And I see your Shakespeare night and raise you a Sunday pool party.”

  “What?”

  “Mom’s doing a thing. Pool, barbecue, drinks, a few friends. She’s insisting I bring you. And Autumn wants Delvine to come, too. To strategize on the QT.”

  “Strategize?”

  “So they’re both on the same page.”

  “That makes sense. I’ll ask her.”

  “No need. Autumn did already. Delvine said yes.” Summer sighed. “I feel like I should apologize to you in advance for everything Mom’ll put you through. I did mention she’s offbeat, right?”

  Elizabeth hid her smile. How bad could one slightly eccentric woman be?