by Stacy-Deanne
“Except mind her own business,” Gabrielle said.
“Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Ashleigh.” Warner dipped his head to her.
She gushed. “Likewise.”
“You look great, Warner.” Gabrielle circled his tall, slender frame, checking out his tight butt through the rifle-green Dockers. “I see you’re still working out, huh?”
He turned to the side, eyebrow raised. “You like what you see?”
She laughed, tapping his chest. “Boy, I’ve missed you.”
His glowing expression disappeared. “It’s been too long.”
“When did you get into town?”
“Last night. I’m here for a photo shoot then I’ll be in Paris for a few weeks working with Ayana Dason.”
“Wow.” Ashleigh gaped. “Ayana Dason? I love her. She’s one of my favorite singers.”
“She’s shooting her next video in Paris,” Warner said. “I’ll be doing some promotional shots for her upcoming tour.”
Ashleigh’s mouth dropped. “You must be big time, huh?”
Gabrielle slipped her arm in Warner’s arm. “He’s worked with the biggest names.”
Warner brushed against Ashleigh. “Did you see the early March issue of Shake Up magazine?”
“I love Shake Up magazine!” Ashleigh raised her hooked hands. “Dash Phillips was on the March cover.”
“I did that cover.”
“My god.” Ashleigh’s eyes popped. “For real?”
“Oh, jeez.” Gabrielle moaned. “Why did you have to bring up the magazine, Warner?”
“What?”
“Ashleigh is Dash Phillips crazy.”
“He’s my favorite actor.” She wiggled from side-to-side. “He’s so hot. I can’t believe you did that cover. It was amazing.”
Warner nodded. “Thanks.”
“What’s Dash like?” Ashleigh snatched his arm. “How does he smell? How does he act? Is he as gorgeous in person as in his movies? Did they have to do a lot of touch ups for the cover?”
Warner chuckled under his breath. “Um—”
“Ash.” Gabrielle pulled Ashleigh’s claws from Warner’s flesh. “Warner came with his arm so I’m sure he’d like to leave with it.”
“Sorry.” She touched her cheeks. “I can’t believe I’m standing in the same room with someone who knows Dash Phillips.”
“Ash, how about you get Warner something to eat or drink?”
Her face dropped. “Since when did being the maid go into my job description?”
“I’m fine, Gabs.” Warner laughed. “How did we go four years without seeing each other?”
“It’s your fault.” She took his giant hand, led him to the two-seater, and sat beside him. “It’s the last time you were in L.A.”
Warner crossed his legs. “And Brooklyn is on another planet?”
Gabrielle snickered as Ashleigh sat on the couch, gawking at the two. “Touché,” she said. “But, I guess I’ve been busy.”
“Me too.” He laid his hand over hers. “We should never be too busy to see each other. Did you get my last email?”
She flinched then avoided eye contact.
He let her hand go, holding a tight smile. “You didn’t answer me back.”
She pushed her hair behind her ear. “There’s no excuse for—”
“It’s okay.” He smiled again, but his twisted lips suggested he’d taken offense. “You’re a world famous model. I can’t expect you to drop everything for me.”
“You’re not just anyone and you know it.” She touched his shoulder. “You’ll always be my best friend no matter what happens.”
His shamrock-green eyes locked on her face. “That means everything.”
“I owe you my life, Warner.” She kissed his cheek. “If it weren’t for you doing my first portfolio, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” She sighed. “Where I was anyway.”
“I’m so sorry, Gabs.” He rubbed her hair. “I can’t believe Futero let you go. They must be insane.”
“Yeah.” She held in tears, refusing to damper the happy occasion with more depression. “It’s over now.”
“It’s not over. You’ll have opportunities.”
“That’s what I told her.” Ashleigh chewed yet another caramel. “To hell with Futero. Gabby brought them millions, and I doubt whoever they replace her with will do half as much as she did.”
“I shouldn’t have based my life on a company.” Gabrielle swept her hand across her forehead. “I thought Futero and I would be together forever.”
“Good news is that the public seems to be on your side,” Warner said. “I’ve read your Twitter and saw the comments on the TMZ article. Many people are upset with Futero about this.” He winked. “I just got off the phone with one of your biggest fans.”
“Who?”
“Guess.” He raised his head, eyebrows wiggling.
“Who?” She poked his chest.
“Ow.” He rubbed the spot. “Watch those nails, will you?”
She flexed her fingers as if she had claws. “They’ll be scratching your eyes out if you don’t stop playing with me.”
“Your longtime admirer.”
“HuMac?” Ashleigh asked and then laughed.
“The one and only.” Warner laid his arms across the back of the two-seater. “He was livid as if he were the one Futero dumped.”
“Livid?” Gabrielle twisted her lips. “What business does he have to be livid? He doesn’t know me.”
“But, he’s been trying for years to get to know you,” Warner said. “He even wanted to go to Futero on your behalf but I told him you don’t like people getting into your business.”
“The man is sick. The only reason he’s your friend is to get me.”
“Hold on.” Ashleigh waved her hand. “How do you and Hugh know each other, Warner?”
“About ten years ago I did a photo shoot for Loya Moses right after she scored the main role on Sudden Glory.”
“That’s my favorite HuMac film,” Ashleigh said.
Gabrielle rolled her eyes. “Everything is your favorite something.”
“I did the promotional shoots for the movie.” Warner cut his gaze to Gabrielle. “Hugh and I hit it off, and we’ve been buddies ever since. He’s had the hots for Gabby since she started with Futero.”
“That long?” Ashleigh whistled. “Maybe she’s on to something about the stalking thing.”
“Hugh’s not a stalker.” Warner rubbed his hair. “He’s just very determined with women. He’s never met a woman he couldn’t have.”
“See, Gabby?” Ashleigh raised an eyebrow. “You keep saying he can’t have you, but you might fall for his charms if you had the chance.”
“Never happening.”
“Gabs is right,” Warner said. “Hugh’s my buddy and all but she doesn’t need to get mixed up with him and his baggage.”
Ashleigh ducked her head in her computer. “She needs to do something other than staying in the house and pondering.”
“I agree with that.” Warner hit Gabrielle’s leg. “I’ll make sure she has fun. We’re going out.”
“No, Warner.” Gabrielle got her cup of orange juice. “I don’t wanna go out into that jungle and have to deal with the press or anyone else asking a bunch of questions.”
“Gabs.” He pinched her nose. “You can’t stay in the house forever.”
“Why not?” She gestured to her Kindle on the glass coffee table. “I can catch up on my reading. You realize how far behind I am? Haven’t even finished Fifty Shades of Gray yet and the second movie’s out.”
Warner wagged his finger. “You’re going to have fun tonight if it kills you.”
She sipped from her cup. “Tonight?”
“Yep.” Warner cracked his knuckles. “What’s the hottest spot in Hollywood and the place I have to go when I’m in town?”
She groaned. “The Bridge.”
“Right. And you’re going with me.”
“No.”
She turned toward him, folding her leg underneath her. “I’m not in the mood. I’d be horrible company.”
“Not with me you won’t.” Warner straightened his collar. “If anyone can bring you out this funk it’s your bestie, Warner DiMaggio.”
A silly smile covered Ashleigh’s face.
“Anyway it’ll be great PR for me,” Warner said. “There’s nothing like partying with the most famous model on your arms.”
“Girl, you better go,” Ashleigh demanded. “Sitting around here isn’t doing anything for you. You can’t hide from people forever.”
“It’s a date.” Warner jumped up, checking his Omega watch. “I gotta be someplace in a few minutes.” He pulled Gabrielle from the couch and kissed her cheek. “You’ll have fun. Trust me.”
She sighed. “If I don’t it’ll be your ass.”
He did a rhythmic sway to the door. “Oh, I forgot. Someone will be joining us.” He avoided eye contact as he always did when he was up to something.
“Wait, a minute.” Gabrielle grabbed her hips. “You’re not talking about Hugh are you? Warner.”
He shrugged.
“Warner.” She grabbed him by his shirt. “I don’t wanna be anywhere near that man. I’ve spent my career trying to avoid him.”
“Sierra will be there.” He tried to pull her fingers from his shirt. “It’s a double-date. Hugh’s not gonna bother you.”
“What planet are you living on?” She paced, grabbing at her hair. “The man’s been after me for years. What makes you think he isn’t just salivating at the chance to seduce me tonight?”
“He can’t seduce you unless you let him.” Warner put his hands in his pockets. “Right?”
“I’m not going anywhere near Hugh Macintosh. Forget it.”
“You can’t avoid him forever,” Ashleigh said. “You live in the same city.”
“I refuse to become another notch on Hugh Macintosh’s bed post.” Gabrielle shook her head. “It’s never happening.”
“He’ll behave as long as Sierra’s there,” Warner said.
“Yeah, right.” Gabrielle closed her eyes, wiggling her neck. “That relationship is about as real as my hair.”
Warner and Ashleigh grinned.
“The man’s a walking hard-on,” Gabrielle said. “I’ll have to wear my gym shoes because I’ll be running from him all night.”
“You gotta come,” Warner said.
“Why?”
“Do you want me to spend my first night in town without you? Didn’t you say if it weren’t for me you wouldn’t be the force you are today?”
She raised her head, exhaling. “Yeah.”
“You owe me.” He pinched her chin. “I want you to come with us tonight. I’ll make sure Hugh is on his best behavior.”
She frowned.
“Look at this as a gift,” Ashleigh said. “HuMac could open a lot of doors for you, girl.”
Gabrielle crossed her arms. “The only thing Hugh wants to open is my legs.”
“I’m staying at the Pacific Palace Hotel.” Warner kissed her cheek. “Have your driver drop you off there at eight. We’ll be meeting Hugh there and riding with him.”
“I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this.”
“What are you so afraid of?” Ashleigh stretched out on the couch, flexing her toes. “Keep an open mind.” She chuckled. “Hugh might be the man of your dreams after all.”
Gabrielle gulped. “I vomited in my mouth.”
CHAPTER FOUR
“I must be out of my mind to go to The Bridge.” Sierra sat beside Hugh in the back of the Town Car, applying more pink lipstick. “The paparazzi’s gonna be all over me.”
“You didn’t have to come.” Hugh picked lint off the sleeve of his plum, Michael Kors sports coat. “In fact, it might’ve been better if you’d stayed home.” He smiled.
She moved her lips awkwardly in the mirror. “You didn’t want me to come?”
“Course, I did, honey,” he lied, kissing her cheek. “But, I know how hard it is for you to face the media. If you want, I can have Peter take you back to your place.”
Peter turned from the front seat, smiling.
“I bet you would.” Sierra straightened the straps of her burgundy, fringe cocktail dress.
“What does that mean, darling?”
“As if I don’t know that you’re more excited to see Gabrielle Montane than Warner.”
“What?” He guffawed. “That’s insane. Where did you get that?”
Peter snickered and faced the front.
Sierra slipped the mirror and lipstick back in her purse. “It’s no secret that you’ve had a crush on her for years.”
“Why would I want Gabrielle Montane?” He pulled her close. “When I got the most beautiful...” He kissed her. “Sexy...” He kissed her again. “And tantalizing woman in the world?”
“I’m serious, Hugh.” She patted his cheek, tightening her lips. “You make a play on Gabrielle and Lil’ Hugh might go missing in the middle of the night.”
“Ouch.” He clamped his legs together. “I’m here to see Warner. Would I be dumb enough to make a play for another woman with you right here?”
“You do and it’ll be the last woman you make a play for.”
Warner sauntered out of the hotel in a sleek, sports coat similar to Hugh’s jacket.
Hugh chuckled. “That sly fucker always did bite my style.” He hung out the window, waving. “Warner!”
“Hey, man!” Warner waved.
Hugh laughed, pulling on his collar. “Still stealing my style I see.”
Warner playfully flicked off the dig. “You wish, man.”
Gabrielle Montane exited the hotel and tangled her arm in Warner’s arm.
“Jesus.” Hugh stuck his head further out the window.
Sierra popped him in the back of the head.
“Ow.” He rubbed the throbbing spot. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“You’re drooling on your jacket.”
He kept his eyes on the vision that sashayed toward the car.
“Wow.” Peter’s gazed followed Gabrielle, head moving as if it were on a swivel. “She’s even hotter than in her photos.”
“Isn’t she?” Hugh breathed hard.
Sierra pinched Hugh’s side.
“Ow.” He pushed her hand away. “Stop pinching me, woman.”
She pulled him inside the window by his jacket. “Then stop making a fool out of me and sit down.”
“Who’s making a fool of who?” He opened the car door, smacking Sierra with his elbow.
“Damn it.” She held her nose.
“I’m sorry.” He patted her head.
“I’m not a dog.” She slapped his hand away as he got out the car.
Gabrielle stood beside Warner, the slinky, auburn V-neck dress complimenting her dark skin.
“Hugh.” Warner gestured to Gabrielle. “You already know who this lovely lady is.”
“I do.” Hugh swallowed, butterflies invading his stomach.
Be cool, man. Be cool. You’re HuMac. She should be the nervous one.
“Wow.” Hugh took Gabrielle’s soft hand as the night breeze swept her coconut perfume his way. “Gabrielle Montane in the flesh.” He kissed her hand, struggling to separate his lips from her delicious skin. “Finally, we meet.”
“I guess so.” Gabrielle’s voice reminded him of angels humming. “You’ve gone through a lot to get my attention, Mr. Macintosh.” She tried to pull her hand away but he wasn’t letting go if his life depended on it.
“Yet, my efforts didn’t warrant a reply?”
“Funny, I thought such a brilliant director could take a hint.” She held her strapless purse in front of her. “I preferred not to be rude and hoped you’d gotten the point, but I see you haven’t.”
“What can I say?” Hugh patted his short, cocoa-brown hair he’d slathered down with mousse. “I didn’t get where I am today by taking no for an answer. I learned a long time ago th
at if you want something you’d better fight for it.” He smiled, rocking on his heels. “I don’t apologize for being determined.”
“I admire your determination.” Gabrielle displayed a sarcastic smile. “But, it’s a waste of time and energy when you continue to chase something you have no chance in hell of getting.”
Sierra ducked her head, grinning.
Gabrielle combed her fingers through her thick waves. “There’s a time when you should move on because it can become obsessive.”
“That makes it more of a challenge though, right?” Hugh stepped closer to her, inhaling more of that spicy perfume. “HuMac never backs down from a challenge. You should know that more than anyone.”
Sierra cleared her throat, reminding Hugh to move away from Gabrielle.
“One thing you should know about me is I’m not a pushover either,” Gabrielle said. “No one pressures me into anything.”
“Excuse me?” Sierra scowled, tapping the door.
“Didn’t mean to be rude.” Gabrielle passed Hugh, giving him the opportunity to sniff her again. “Gabrielle Montane.” She extended her hand to Sierra. “Nice to meet you, Sierra. I love your movies.”
“Thanks.” Sierra took her hand with a sour expression. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
Warner shook Sierra’s hand through the window. “Warner DiMaggio. I’m a big fan.”
“Aren’t you sweet?” She chuckled as he kissed her hand. “I’ve seen a lot of your work, Warner. It would be an honor to do a photo shoot with you one day.”
He dipped his head, blushing. “The honor would be all mine.”
Sierra turned her attention back to Hugh’s fantasy. “Sorry about Futero dumping you, Gabrielle.”
“Sierra,” Hugh said.
“What?” She shrugged. “They did fire you, didn’t they? For being too old?”
Gabrielle wobbled her head, lips pursed. “When one door closes another one opens.”
Hugh smiled.
“For your sake I hope so.” Sierra’s lips curled. “Sometimes it’s just the end.”
Gabrielle chuckled. “You’d know about that, wouldn’t you?”
Sierra jerked forward as if she’d attack then settled in her spot. “I bet tonight will be interesting to say the least.”
