All the Way: A Romancing Manhattan Novel

by Kristen Proby

  Which he happily does.

  “I know some of the cast. Do you mind if we go backstage?”

  “Not at all. I’d called ahead, so they’re expecting you.”

  I stare at him in awe for a moment. “You thought to let them know I was coming?”

  “Sweetheart, do you know who you are? You’re London Watson, and trust me when I say, no one has forgotten that.”

  Tears spring to my eyes, and all I can do is take a deep breath and squeeze his hand gratefully.

  “Let’s go,” he whispers in my ear, and leads me to the back of the house, where a security guard checks our IDs, then gestures for us to go behind stage where the actors are gathered, signing autographs and greeting fans.

  When Jeffrey Cameron, a superstar in both film and stage, sees me from across the room, he poses for one more selfie, then marches over to me and lifts me up in a tight hug.

  “How are you, darling?” he asks as he sets me on my feet. “I’ve been worried sick.”

  “I’m better,” I reply with a smile, and cup his cheek in my hand. “And I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve been here, doing this show for about six weeks. I have two more weeks to go, and then I head back to the States, and I was going to call you, but now I can talk to you in person.”

  I frown. “About what?”

  “Let’s go to my dressing room.” He winks at me, and I immediately reach for Finn’s hand.

  “Jeffrey, I’d like to introduce you to Finn. He brought me here tonight.”

  “Well, then he’s a friend of mine already,” Jeffrey says with a perfect smile, and holds his hand out to Finn. “Nice to meet you. I’m Jeffrey Cameron.”

  “Pleasure,” Finn says, but his eyes say that he’s not pleased with how familiar Jeffrey is with me.

  I’ll explain to him later that he has absolutely nothing to worry about.

  We’re led to Jeffrey’s dressing room, and once we’re inside with the door closed, he gestures for us to have a seat.

  “What’s going on?” I ask.

  “A movie,” Jeffrey replies, and leans forward, his blue eyes dancing in excitement. “I know you’ve always been content in New York, but I also know that circumstances have changed. There’s a new movie that I’m working on with Gerald Silverman.”

  My eyes widen at the mention of the famous director’s name.

  “It’s amazing, Lon. It’s a musical, and I’m the lead male. I need a wife.”

  I feel Finn stiffen next to me, and I smile up at him. “A movie wife,” I clarify.

  “That’s right. The part is gritty, and real, and the score is out of this world. We’re talking Oscar-winning material here, babe.”

  “I’d have to have my agent request an audition.”

  “You don’t need an audition,” Jeffrey says. “If you want the role, we’ll fly out to L.A. and read together for Gerald, just to make sure it’s right. But I’m telling you, it’s right.”

  “Have you two worked together before?” Finn asks.

  “A few times,” I confirm. “We work very well together.”

  “And if I wasn’t gay, I’d marry her in a heartbeat,” Jeffrey adds with a smile. “I’m telling you, London, this would be an amazing way to get started in film.”

  “Well, there’s a lot to think about.” I look up at Finn, who just smiles and offers a shrug.

  “Don’t look at me, I think you should at least think about it.”

  And just like that, for the first time since before the fire, I feel the warm glow inside me start to take shape, the way it did before where my career was concerned. I see an opportunity that feels real.

  “I’ll think about it,” I reply with a nod, and Jeffrey immediately pulls me in for a bone-crushing hug.

  “Excellent,” he says. “I’ll have the script sent to you so you can look it over, and when I’m back in the States, we will arrange to get with Gerald for a reading.”

  I nod, a bit shell-shocked, and spend the next thirty minutes chatting about the business, my time on Martha’s Vineyard, and Finn tells Gerald about his job and other interests.

  It feels so good for Finn to meet someone from my world. Since he will never meet my family, this is as close to that as it gets for me.

  Shortly after I say good-bye to Jeffrey, Finn and I are in the backseat of the car he hired, snuggled up, and my mind is whirling with so much information I can’t even talk.

  Once we’re inside our hotel suite, I walk into the bedroom to remove my jewelry and shoes, and then stare at myself in the mirror.

  Finn knew that I didn’t have clothes appropriate for the theater with me on the island, so he had a beautiful dress and shoes ordered for me.

  He also gave me a stunning necklace and earring set made of rubies and yellow gold.

  He took me to London, to the theater, and has indulged my every whim since we left the house yesterday.

  I wanted to nap, so we napped.

  I wanted a grilled cheese sandwich, so he ordered room service.

  I leave the bedroom, in search of the very special man that has come into my life, and find him in the sitting room, reading something on his phone.

  “Is everything okay?” I ask.

  “Yes and no,” he replies, then shuts the screen off and sets it aside. “Everything with you is amazing. But there are some things at work that need my attention.”

  “I’ve kept you away too long.”

  I sit next to him and he pulls me into his arms and kisses my forehead.

  “I’ve been exactly where I wanted to be, London. But, once we leave here, I’ll have to go to New York.”

  “Oh.” I don’t know why I feel so disappointed. I knew our time on Martha’s Vineyard wouldn’t last forever. No one lives in a bubble. “I have some things to finish up on Martha’s Vineyard, and then I’ll go to the city as well.”

  “You don’t have to cut your time there short because of me.”

  I smile up at him and drag my fingertips down his cheek, enjoying the scratchiness of the whiskers that have grown since this morning.

  “It’s time, I miss the city,” I reply simply. “And if you don’t mind, I’d like to be able to see you on a regular basis.”

  “That doesn’t bother me in the least.”

  “Finn.” I turn on the couch so I can fully see him. “Thank you. For this trip, for tonight, and for everything that’s come before this.”

  “London—”

  “Let me finish.” I take his hand in mine and he kisses my knuckles, bringing the butterflies in my stomach to life. “To be understood is profound. You understand me. It’s a big deal.”

  His lips twitch in that way they do when he’s particularly pleased with me and kisses my hand again.

  “You’re a big deal,” he whispers. “And not because of who you are in the show-business community, but because of who you are.”

  I lean into him and sigh when he loops his arms around me and holds on tightly.

  “Back at you,” I reply happily. “Right back at you.”

  Chapter Eight

  ~London~

  My phone is ringing.

  I rub my eyes as I roll over in bed and reach for my cell, happy to see that it’s Finn FaceTiming me.

  “Hey,” I say, and push my hair out of my eyes.

  “Good morning,” he says with a smile. He’s already dressed in his suit, clean-shaven, looking ridiculously handsome. “I’m sorry I woke you.”

  “What time is it?”

  “A little after nine.” I sit up and blink, trying to push the fog from my brain. “Were you up late?”

  “Yeah, I started reading a book and couldn’t put it down. But it’s good you called, because I have to get up and around here, since I’m coming home later today.”

  “Thank God,” he says, watching me avidly. “A week without you has been too long.”

  I smile and tilt my head. “It has been a lonely week,” I agree. “But I’ll be home in less than twe
lve hours.”

  “Do you need anything?”

  Just you.

  “I don’t think so. I have to meet with Tony, the caretaker, in a little bit and finish packing up. Oh, and I have to clean the playhouse.”

  “What happened in the playhouse?”

  “The storm last week did a number on it. I just want to straighten it up and make sure nothing is ruined before I close it up for the year.”

  “Okay.” He looks up and speaks to someone I can’t see. “What time does your plane get in?”

  “I land at around four. I’ll be home by about five thirty.”

  “Do you mind if I come over after work?”

  “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t,” I reply. “I’ll shoot over my address and let the doorman know I’m expecting you.”

  “Sounds good. Safe travels, baby.”

  “See you soon.”

  I hang up and climb out of bed, strip the linens and put them in the washing machine, then get in the shower.

  An hour later, I’m dressed and my essentials are packed and sitting by the front door. The next project is cleaning out the fridge, which I hate. But I graze as I pull out bagels and fruits, vegetables, and a questionable container full of something that I don’t remember making.

  By the time that’s finished, I’m full and the kitchen is clean.

  Multitasking is totally my thing today.

  The doorbell rings, and I answer, happy to see Tony. He’s worked for my parents since I was a kid.

  “Hello, Mr. Tony.”

  He gives me a hug and takes his hat off as he steps inside.

  “How are you, London?”

  “I’m doing great,” I reply honestly. “I don’t know what kind of conversation you and my dad had each year when we left, so you’re going to have to help me out here.”

  “I’m happy to,” he says with a shy smile. “I come once a week to mow the grass, trim trees, just landscape in general. I also make a quick stop by a couple of times a week to make sure that the house is soundly locked, and no alarms are going off. I’ll clean and cover the pool today, since no one will be using it for some time.”

  “That all sounds great. I’d also appreciate it if you’d keep an eye on the playhouse. I have a suspicion that there might have been a squatter there for a bit.”

  He scowls. “I don’t see how that’s possible. I check the whole property several times a week.”

  “I’m sure you do, I just wanted to mention it to you, just in case. My neighbor’s daughter mentioned seeing a man living out there, and I admit it spooked me.”

  “Well, I’ll pay extra attention to that, and call the police if I see anything. Oh, and I’ll keep tabs on the car, check the oil, start it up, that sort of thing so the next time you come, it’s ready for you.”

  “Thank you so much. Tony, I saw in my father’s records how much he paid you monthly, and I’d like to continue that pay schedule if that’s okay with you.”

  “Of course,” he says. “Although I always told your dad that he paid me too much.”

  “And I was going to suggest a raise,” I reply with a laugh. “You do so much for me here, I’d be happy to pay you more.”

  “No, this is fair, and I’m happy. If that changes, I’ll be sure to let you know. Give me a week or so notice the next time you’ll be here, and I’ll make sure the house is stocked and ready to go.”

  “You’re wonderful, Tony. Thank you.”

  Once he’s left, I look at the time, and figure I have about two hours until the car will be here to get me, so I grab a couple of large garbage bags and head out to the playhouse.

  I was hoping that I’d open the door, and everything would be back in its place again, but no such luck. The toy kitchen is tipped over, all of the plastic plates and foods are all over the floor. The little dining table is on its side, and the small twin mattress is off the bed and on the floor.

  This seems like a lot of damage from wind, but it was a crazy storm.

  I spend an hour righting everything, throwing away things that were damaged from the water, and make sure that it doesn’t need any repairs.

  Thankfully, it’s just the stuff inside that got broken or messed up.

  Once that’s finished, I wander down to the beach, but rather than looking out to sea, I turn and look at the huge house that’s been left to me.

  I love it, but part of me wonders if I should sell it. I know it’s worth a fortune, not that I need the money. It’s just so big, and I’m just me. I don’t have kids to bring here, and I don’t have a large extended family who could use it.

  Maybe I should sell it to a family, and let the house be loved the way it should be.

  I glance over at Finn’s house and smile. It’s not much smaller than mine. If I sold this house, I wouldn’t have Finn as a neighbor anymore, and that would be disappointing.

  I shrug and turn to walk down the beach. I don’t have to make any decisions about it today. Maybe I’ll see how the next couple of years go, and how often I actually come here to use it, before I decide on whether to keep it or not.

  One thing I do know is, I couldn’t be more excited to be going home. Not only do I get to see Finn today, but I’ve missed my condo, the restaurants I love, and my friends.

  I’m ready to get back to my life.

  He’s on his way over right now.

  Today might have been the longest travel day in the history of travel days, and the flight was only an hour long. But it was delayed, and then delayed again, and by the time I got my luggage, caught a cab, and made it to my condo in Manhattan, it was after seven in the evening.

  Thankfully, Finn ended up working late, so the timing worked out.

  But now I’m home, and he’s on his way, and I might be acting like a sixteen-year-old on prom night.

  I’ve checked my hair three times, unpacked in record time, and have been pacing around my living room for twenty minutes.

  But finally, the bell rings.

  “I have a Finn Cavanaugh here for you, Miss Watson,” Jerry, the doorman, says. I told him Finn was coming, but they still always announce visitors.

  “Great, send him up,” I reply, and wait by the door until I hear footsteps coming down the hallway. I open the door, and when Finn appears, I launch myself into his arms, holding on tightly. He shuts the door behind him, presses me against it, and kisses me like his life depends on it.

  Thank the good lord.

  “Missed you,” he murmurs as his lips move from my mouth to my jawline. “So much.”

  “I missed you too.” My fingers dive into his hair and hold on tight as his mouth does amazing things to my neck. “That feels good.”

  I feel him smile against me, and then he lowers me to the floor and makes sure I’m steady before he pushes his hand through his hair and stares down at me as if he hasn’t seen me in, well, a week.

  “How is it possible that you got more beautiful?” he asks, making me blush and roll my eyes at once.

  “You’re a charmer.”

  “A charmer with food.” He holds up a white paper bag, and I immediately salivate.

  “Is that Shake Shack?”

  “Yeah, sorry it’s not fancier, but I was in a hurry to get here.”

  “Oh my God, I’ve missed Shake Shack. Not that I ate there often before, because it has a million calories, but we’d always get it on opening night.” I take the bag and lead him through my living room to my kitchen, which is open to the rest of the space. My Manhattan condo isn’t huge at only twelve hundred square feet, but in Manhattan terms, it’s huge.

  “I’d say this is an opening night of sorts. Your place is nice,” he says, and watches me retrieve plates. “A condo at the edge of Central Park isn’t easy to come by.”

  “Well, there are plenty for sale,” I reply with a smile. “But you’ll break the bank buying it. I bought this a couple of years ago. I got it for a steal because it was a foreclosure, and I’d just won the Tony, so I splurged.”r />
  “You deserve it,” he replies simply.

  “I think so. I have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and dining space. Compared to my first studio apartment when I first moved here, this place is a mansion.”

  “I’m sure.” We take our plates to the table and sit. I immediately prop my sock-clad feet in his lap, happy to have him close. “How was your trip?”

  “A pain in the ass.” I shrug a shoulder and stuff a handful of fries in my mouth and chew thoughtfully, then rub my sore leg. “It sucks when there’s a delay and you just want to be somewhere so badly.”

  “I’ve been there,” he replies, and grips my foot in his strong hand, squeezing firmly. “Your leg is sore.”

  “Long day,” I repeat. “It’s bound to get sore sometimes. But it’s not nearly as bad as it was even two weeks ago.”

  He nods and takes a bite of his burger, and I stare at the way the muscles flex in his jaw. If you look sexy up in the dictionary, Finn’s photo will be there.

  “How was your day?”

  “The longest day of my life,” he says. “I didn’t think it would ever end. I’ve been thinking of you all day.”

  “I like that.”

  “Do you?”

  “Hmm.” I nod. “It’s good to know that the person you’re thinking about is also thinking about you.”

  “I agree. Did you get everything accomplished today that you wanted to?”

  “I did. The house is ready to go for a while, and Tony, the caretaker, has it all under control. He’s worked for my dad since I was little, so I trust him, which is nice.”

  “Tony’s great,” Finn says with a nod. “Your dad recommended him to me, so I hired him as well. And how does it feel to be home?”

  “Better than I thought it would.” I look around my condo and out to the lights of the city, along with the noise. “I didn’t realize how much I missed the hustle and bustle of the city. Not to mention the shopping. I think I’ll have to talk Sasha into a trip to Fifth Avenue this weekend.”

  “I don’t mind shopping myself,” he says with a wink, and finishes his burger.

  “Really? Because the kind of shopping I’m talking about involves many hours deciding on shoes and handbags and lunch at the new café in Tiffany.”