#1 Muse

by T Gephart

That was not a lie, he had absolute zero animosity that I had won the coveted accolade before he had, something none of us expected.

  While Nick had continued to earn critical acclaim on The Blue Line for multiple seasons, he’d also expanded his small screen dominance with Nick and Blaire—the show I’d created. As expected, Audrey Rydell had done an amazing job with the adaptation, earning herself a Golden Globe for the writing. Not going to lie, that had actually stung. But the blow had been softened by my very own screenplay achievement, a small motion picture with moderate success at the box office.

  Marconi had put his money where his mouth was, and not only produced the first screenplay I’d given him, but he also bought the second. And that next one, well, that had been the game changer.

  Not only had it been my best writing to date, it smashed all earning predictions, and put me on the map. Directors and production houses who had previously given me a hard pass were falling over themselves to read my work, it was incredibly vindicating. And when award season came, it was my name being read in nominations.

  “Hey! We made it,” Jessica Larsson, Dave’s wife came running in minus her husband. “Dave’s parking the car, the traffic was terrible. Hi Claire, congrats on last night.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled and nodded for the millionth time in the past few hours, my cheeks heating every single time.

  It was so weird to be the center of attention, and not something I had gotten used to. Especially considering the company I was keeping. Also strange was to be called an overnight success despite years of rejections and working hard behind the scenes. Even weirder were the questions Nick got on the red carpet, about how it felt to be one half of Hollywood’s newest power couple. The famous actor and the acclaimed screenwriter, we were a force to be reckoned with.

  It was a massive contrast to what they had said about me before. Not going to lie, I smiled smugly at their cameras, my success a special “fuck you” to all of them who had called me plain and ordinary. Funny how they’d forgotten all of that.

  Our upcoming wedding had also attracted quite a bit of attention, with reporters desperately trying to guess when exactly we were going to be tying the knot and who was going to be there. The invites more sought after than tickets to the MET Gala. But our wedding wasn’t tonight, that was for damn sure.

  “Christ,” Roman cursed, the door swung open revealing what looked to be thirty colorful balloons.

  Dave poked through the mess of streamers and helium as he strolled into the room, “Hi everyone, did I miss it? Oh, hey Claire. Good win last night. Let’s get our people to talk to each other. I’m anxious to work with you.”

  “We’re getting married soon, your people are going to have to wait.” Nick shot a look of warning toward his brother. “And you need to get in line like everyone else.”

  “She’s going to be my sister-in-law, surely that means I get to jump the line.” He smirked, turning back to me. “You know there’s still time to say no and back out. We’ll still all love you and you won’t have the hardship of being married to him.”

  Nick flipped him off, shaking his head. “You are such a dick.”

  Jessica stood, grabbing the balloons from Dave’s hand. “Sit down, baby, we’re still waiting. And play nice, this isn’t a bar.”

  Waiting had been the theme of the night. Nick and I hadn’t been far, being the first to arrive after Nick’s mom, Kate, called us. She was positively buzzing with the impending birth of her new grandchild, and while she wasn’t in the birthing suite, she was right outside the door, not bothering to sit in the waiting room with us. The rest of the group had been summoned as well and had slowly filtered in. And while it was only seven P.M., the lack of sleep from the previous night meant I felt like a zombie.

  I needed coffee. Or wine. Or maybe both, not sure which one would get me through what potentially could be a very long night.

  “You need anything?” Nick dipped his head, his lips brushing against my ear. “You look exhausted.”

  “I’m fine.” I leaned my head against his shoulder. “And I’m tired, but there is nowhere else I’d rather be.”

  Last night hadn’t only been a huge night for me, but Eric had also walked away with a statue. Only problem was, he hadn’t been there to collect it. Tia was two weeks overdue with their second child, and none of the gods—including the Viking ones—were going to be able to convince her to go anywhere there wasn’t a birthing center. Eric wouldn’t go without her, which meant the director collected it on his behalf. Not that Eric was concerned, he was too busy being blissfully happy with his three-year-old son, Ethan, and his pregnant wife, who currently was in labor with their daughter.

  Which was why there was a pride of Larssons in the waiting room of Roland Regan UCLA Medical Center.

  My phone buzzed discreetly in my pocket and I tried to ignore it. It had been going most of the day, with the calls either being people to congratulate me or people wanting something from me. Amazing how many friends come out of the woodwork when your name was read out on television. Thankfully my family had been really cool about it. Ignoring the media attention that they had inevitably received, with my mom and dad circling the wagons and making sure no one talked to the press. They were the best kind of family, all of them excited beyond measure to be adding Nick to it. Not because he was famous, but because with him in my life I was happier than I’d ever been.

  My phone buzzed again.

  Whoever was trying to reach me was being persistent, the repeated attempts to silence the damn thing met with more buzzing.

  “I’m going to step out for a second.” I pulled out my phone from my pocket holding it up to show Nick. “Come get me if there’s any news.”

  He nodded, giving me a kiss as I got up and walked out the door and into the hall, the calmness of the birthing oasis left behind as the bustling of the hospital surrounded me.

  “Hey.”

  When I’d held up my screen to show Nick, the caller had also been revealed. Scully wasn’t the kind of woman to be silenced, which was why she was hitting the redial like it was going out of style.

  “Oh my God,” Scully squealed into the phone. “Where have you been?”

  Not much had changed in all the years I’d known Scully, and her excited phone calls demanding to know where I was, usually meant trouble. “I’m at the hospital, Tia’s in labor. What’s going on?”

  “Tyler proposed to Luke,” she screamed down the phone. “They’re getting married.”

  I laughed, knowing that Tyler had been planning to propose to Luke for months. I’d been with him when he’d chosen the ring, sworn to secrecy until he finally worked up the nerve. Guess the day would be one a lot of us didn’t forget, even if it was for different reasons.

  “That’s great, I’m so happy for them.”

  Warmth spread through my body, both incredibly happy and relieved I no longer had to keep the secret. Plus, with Luke getting married, Scully could finally help to plan the extravaganza she didn’t get from me. Nick and I were going to have an elegant—and simple—wedding. Luke, well Luke liked things a little more flashy.

  “You don’t sound surprised. Why are you not surprised?”

  I bit my lip, trying not to smile. “Because I knew.”

  She gasped, sucking in a gulp of air. “You knew, and didn’t tell me, you’re supposed to be my best friend. You’re Sebastian’s godmother, for God’s sake.”

  “I know.” I shrugged, not feeling any of the guilt she was trying to put on me. “But it was their news so wasn’t mine to share. Besides, I wanted you to be surprised when Tyler asked you to help plan the wedding.”

  “Tyler is going to ask me to help plan the wedding?” she screamed into the phone, people around me turning around having heard her voice barreling down the line.

  Well.

  Shit.

  “Scully, do not say anything, I thought you already knew.” I tried to cover, hoping like hell Luke or Tyler wouldn’t be mad.
<
br />   When Tyler told me he was going to propose to Luke, he was worried that with his caseload he didn’t have time to help with the details. Hell, he’d have been happy to fly over to Vegas and make it legal, but he knew Luke wanted something grander. So after I helped him choose a ring, he asked me whether involving Scully would be a good idea. I knew that next to him proposing to Luke it was the best idea he’d had.

  “To the grave, I miss you and I won’t tell a soul,” she whisper-yelled into the phone. “Finally, we get to have the wedding I’ve always dreamed of. You let me down in that regard.”

  I laughed, not the first time I’d been told of her disappointment. “You know, you could just get married yourself. Most people get their dream wedding when it's them walking down the aisle.”

  “Pleeeeeease,” she scoffed, “I’m happy being a single mom and dating whoever I want. I only want the party.”

  “Claire.” Nick had come out into the hall, his face positively beaming. “It’s time, she’s about to deliver.”

  “Gotta go, Scully, Bye.” I pulled the phone from my ear without waiting for her to respond.

  Then without wasting another minute, I walked up to Nick and kissed him. A full, on the mouth, desperately in love kiss and I didn’t care who was watching.

  “Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?” He grinned, nibbling on my lips.

  My hand moved to his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath my fingers as I looked at him and smiled. “Because every now and again I like to remind myself how lucky I am.”

  He laughed, his eyes filling with mischief as he dropped another soft kiss on my lips. “You want to find an empty room so I can show you how much luckier you can get?”

  It was my turn to laugh, the idea more tempting that was probably appropriate considering we were waiting for our niece to be born.

  “Nick,” I pretended to be scandalized. “You know I just won an Oscar and that kind of behavior is not something that would impress the Academy. You don’t want to ruin your chance for the future, do you?”

  His lips spread into his trademark mischievous grin, “Fuck the Academy, I won you.”

  THE END

  To keep up to date with all T Gephart’s news, appearances and releases, please subscribe to her mailing list.

  AS ALWAYS, MY FIRST AND most enthusiastic thanks goes to my family. Gep, Jenna, Liam and Woodley. I love you guys so very much.

  Thank you to rest of my crazy crew, those who share blood ties and those who are here by choice. I adore you all and thank you for your unwavering support, constant understanding and immeasurable love. Back at you x 2!

  Thanks a million to the team at Brower Literary and Management—Kimberly, Aimee and Caroline!! Come visit me, I have Tim Tams!

  To my amazing editor, Nichole Strauss, from Insight Editing, you gave me permission to take a breath when I needed it. There is not a doubt in my mind if I had handed this in when it was supposed to be done, it would have been complete and utter shite. You waited, giving me the time to find my voice again. Thank GOD it is back. #LetTheInsanityContinue.

  MK, lord, no words for you. Love your insight, thank you for all the work you do for me.

  Thank you to Christine Borgford from Type A Formatting. It is always a pleasure working with you. Not only are my pages prettier but your ability to get it “right” every time has me in awe.

  HANG LE! Lady, look how far we’ve come. I’ve lost count how many times we’ve worked together, but it is a privilege and a pleasure to continue the tradition. You are generous of heart and have an amazing mind. Oh, and you make me look good ;-)

  Thank you to my amazing proofreaders MK, Lisa B, Jackie R and Rosa! Your sharp eyes make things so much better.

  To all my author peeps, LORD, I LOVE YOU!!! Thank you to each one of you for your continued awesomeness. Not only do I devour your words—I will always be a reader—but some of you have become very dear friends. I expect you to be excellent character witnesses should the need arise. Please and thank you in advance. P.S. Thanks for all the laughs and your shoulder through the tears. P.P.S. I wished we saw each other more.

  A HUGE and ROWDY thanks needs to be extended to the bloggers, reviewers and promoters. Whether you are part of a big page, small operator, new or OG—I appreciate you. Those pimps, reviews, shares, and noise you make are invaluable to me and my books. Thank you for everything and your continued support.

  Thanks to KP, Jessica and Team InkSlingger! It’s been a pleasure working with you guys. Thank you for helping me with PR and promo “stuff”—it has been awesome having you in my corner.

  To Liz, MJ and Jillian at 1001 Dark Nights. Thank you so much for making me feel like I’m part of your incredible family. I still feel like fraud, not sure what I’m doing there, but you have all been so gracious and kind. I’m so glad Liz found me and the insanity of the #1 series or I might never have gotten to know how awesome you all are.

  THANK YOU to the T Gephart Review Crew and Entourage. Whether you belong to one or both, I absolutely adore you and am so thankful for the love you show my book babies. Review Crew—those shares and reviews mean everything!! Thanks to Michelle Clay who mobilized when I needed her and got the show on the road and to every member of the team. Entourage—thanks for the silliness and making it such an awesome, drama-free and fun group. Sorry I’m not in there as much as I should. I’ll work on that.

  And of course, a MASSIVE thank you goes to my readers. I don’t care if this is the first book or you’ve read every single one, I am grateful you found me. Thank you for your support, kind words and encouraging messages. Being able to do what I do is amazing but I wouldn’t be able to keep doing it if there weren’t people buying, reading, sharing and reviewing my books. Every single one of you is important, don’t let anyone tell you different.

  Lastly, thank you to the “Larsson” who was partly responsible for me starting this wild ride. Who thought the crazy insanity would have lasted five books? Certainly, not I. Hope our paths cross again, but if they don’t, I’m eternally grateful for the inspiration.

  Thank you.

  Thank you.

  Thank you.

  T GEPHART IS A USA Today and International bestselling author from Melbourne, Australia.

  With an approach to life that is somewhat unconventional, she prefers to fly by the seat of her pants rather than adhere to some rigid roadmap. Her lack of "plan" has resulted in a rather interesting and eclectic resume, which reads more like the fiction she writes than an actual employment history. She'd tell you all about it, but the statute of limitations hasn't expired yet. But all those crazy twists and turns have led her to a career she loves—writing romantic comedy.

  When she isn't filling pages with sassy and sexy characters with attitude, she's living her own reality show in the 'burbs of Melbourne with her American husband, two teenage children, and her fur child—Woodley.

  She loves adventure, to laugh, travel, and strives to live her life to the fullest.

  Connect with T

  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

  The Lexi Series

  Lexi

  A Twist of Fate

  Twisted Views: Fate’s Companion

  A Leap of Faith

  A Time for Hope

  The Power Station Series

  High Strung

  Crash Ride

  Back Stage

  The Black Addiction Series

  Slide

  Sticks

  Stand

  #1 Series

  #1 Crush

  #1 Player

  #1 Rival

  #1 Lie

  #1 Muse

  #1 Love (coming 2019)

  Collision Series

  Train Wreck

  Car Crash (coming soon)

  Standalones

  The Fall

 

 

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