With no point asking about the sequel after Erin’s answer, she continued, wondering what it would be like to be able to pick and choose roles, and have the world at her beck and call. “So both you and Ryder made the conscious decision not to talk about the movie, ever?” Her voice came out much terser than intended.
Erin jutted her jaw out. “We share an agent, so it’s not strange we received the same advice.”
Logan narrowed his eyes.
“I guess that it must be nice having Logan as the spokesperson for you all.” She swallowed to hold back the rest of the statement. Of all of them, Logan, the one who was arrested, the one who was blamed for the cancellation of the sequel, even the one who never saw his own movie, was the least likely choice for a mouthpiece.
“Well, he offered the most controversy and has the most to say. I think it’s perfectly fitting.” Erin smiled and gave a quick peek back at Logan.
Logan didn’t move, his stance tight as if ready to spring into action at any second.
“Then you have all remained friends all these years?” Her voice shook. Every word she spoke seemed like it was undergoing microscopic scrutiny.
Erin’s complexion paled. “Logan, Ryder, and I have always been close.”
The moment naturally opened up for a question about Drew. Her body mimicked her voice and she trembled.
Logan sat up.
She played with the bow tied way too tight at her neck. One decision ahead of her with two outcomes—go to work tomorrow or basically quit tonight. If she asked the question, she would lose Logan for sure, but if she lost her job, Logan would probably go with it. Still, she needed Logan if she kept her job. Actually, she wanted Logan, or maybe she needed him.
She sighed and wiped her brow. “Tell us a juicy tidbit. What was it like to be the center of affection between those two costars? Was it only on-screen?” Though she asked the question, the sick, sinking sensation in her chest told her she didn’t really want the answer.
“It was magic.” Finally, Erin looked her in the eye. “When you’re so young and there are all these beautiful almost-men around you, it’s magic.”
Logan turned away.
Erin reached forward and grabbed her hand. In fact, her whole demeanor changed. “I was the only girl on the main cast, and sometimes when we were shooting and on tour, it was hard to tell where the movie ended and where our real lives began.”
Back in the day, rumors of hook ups and break ups peppered the tabloids, but the confirmation made a vile metallic taste take over her mouth.
Out of nowhere, Erin’s eyes glossed over with tears. “Everyone but Drew.”
Drew? Ivy froze, bit her tongue, and waited. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Logan squeeze his hand into a fist.
“Drew always knew where everything stood. Knew I would never choose him because I couldn’t.” Erin put down her glass of water and dabbed the corner of her eye. “I miss him. There was so much pressure to choose.”
“Choose?” Ivy’s voice came out ragged, and her word hung in the air.
The cabana fell silent.
Erin inhaled. The faraway, mournful expression vanished as she transformed into cunning actress Ivy walked in on. A smile grew across her face. “Through the years, we tried, but it was never right. They wanted me to be with the good boy and we never overcame it. Don’t let anyone ever tell you different. The bad boys are the most fun.”
Logan crossed his arms.
Everyone’s life had one of those moments. The second one thought they would be chosen for an award, or won something, and then realized they’d lost, yet they still needed to keep a straight face. With sweat running down her spine and nausea creeping up on her in record speed, this was one of her moments. She would label it the time where she found out her crush slept with his costar and continued to for twenty years. At least her stage fright had been replaced with something much more useful . . . anger.
Maybe they lived out the sequel every day and laughed at how they had turned her into a pile of mush. Maybe that’s why he didn’t make love to her. Actors lived in a different world. While kissing might be fine as long as they were playacting, sex was not an act.
“There’s probably a reason no one is ever with the bad boy.” The word’s exited her mouth and hung there like a cartoon bubble.
Logan turned and stared her down.
“So true.” Erin laughed. “So true.”
Only sheer will and the fear, not of the camera, but of utter embarrassment, forced her not to stand up and leave. But she could end the fiasco. “Before we end, tell me, since this is the first time you are talking about the movie in public, what is something you have been longing to tell us?”
Erin leaned forward. “I loved Roxy and I envied her. I’m thrilled another generation will get to watch her.”
“Cut!” Logan shot up out of the chair. “Ivy, there are some things we need to review.”
“I can’t thank you enough. I’ve always wanted to meet you.” She let go of Erin’s hand and got up as well, but didn’t acknowledge her cohost. “I need to leave.”
“That’s it?” Erin looked between her and Logan.
“I have to run, but I’ll make sure Logan tells you when your interview goes live.” Any excuse would be a lie.
“Wait.” Erin held one finger up and took a little card off the table. “Here’s my e-mail. Logan always forgets to call unless he wants something.”
“I understand.” She took the card. “You have a Chargge e-mail.” Long ago Chargge.com became one of the go-to email providers for those on the go. Just about everyone had one or ten accounts to their name, why not Erin Holland?
“That’s my personal e-mail. Had it for years. Don’t share it.” Erin picked up her glass. “I should have offered you something to drink.”
“Ivy,” Logan growled.
“Thank you anyway. I need to get back to the office. I have to leave to go out of town.” She picked up her bag and rushed out, pretty sure she would end up right in the swimming pool.
Pure dumb luck on her side, she managed not to trip on anything, knock down anything, or destroy anything on her quest to get out of the hotel. Her heart throbbing from exertion and disappointment, her throat on fire and needing moisture, she made it all the way into the lobby before she had no choice but to stop and take a breath. She braced herself on her knees.
“Ivy!” Logan yelled.
She straightened, looked around, and hid behind a huge palm tree. While she pressed her back to the wall, she smiled at one of the porters watching the scene.
“Ivy.” Logan rushed by her.
She actually felt like cheering, but chose to stay silent and perfectly still.
He scanned the area, stared right at her, and then marched over to the tree. “Ivy!”
Fine, she didn’t win. No surprise there. “I did the whole interview. I think you can do the establishing shots alone or with Erin.” At letting that last part out, she ground her teeth together.
“You and I have a lot of establishing yet to do.” He reached out to her.
“I have established plenty, too much, in fact.” She pulled down a leaf to shield her. “I need to go home. I am leaving for my parents’ this weekend.” With her words, she officially closed the door on any excursions with him. Good. Well, not good, but smart.
“I wasn’t informed of a weekend outing.”
“I don’t have any obligation to let you know of my whereabouts off hours.” She lifted her chin. “Now please let me pass.”
“That’s what you think.” He moved aside.
With the branch still between them, she walked forward.
“I like your jealousy. Very hot.” He peered over the huge leaf.
“I am not jealous. I’m just an intelligent woman.” She let go of the plant, and the branch snapped back, slapping her in the face.
“Ivy. Come on.” Logan wrangled the foliage for her.
“Let me go.” She managed to hold her
head up high. No wonder she wasn’t an actress. He saw right through her. She retrieved her phone and texted Matt. Great. See you at seven. All she needed was a white flag to signal her surrender.
HOLLYWOOD STARDUST
CUT TO:
EXT. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – STREET – NIGHT
With CHARLES back at the hotel, WILLIAM, ROXY, and STEVEN explore the town. ROXY walks ahead of them to look inside the window of a clothing store.
WILLIAM
What are you doing?
STEVEN
Hmm, let’s see.
STEVEN looks around as if searching for something and pats down his pockets.
STEVEN
Walking around in this mall in the middle of nowhere. Funny how all malls look alike no matter where you are.
WILLIAM
You know what I mean. I’m talking about what are you doing with Roxy?
STEVEN stops and faces WILLIAM.
STEVEN
What are you doing with Roxy?
WILLIAM lifts his chin.
WILLIAM
We’re together.
STEVEN
Are you so sure about that?
WILLIAM crosses his arms.
STEVEN
If you were so sure, you wouldn’t be asking what I’m doing.
Chapter Ten
Ivy dashed around her bedroom, throwing clothes into her suitcase, not caring what mixture of styles and decades she tossed together. Palm Springs boasted plenty of vintage shops, and she could fill in any gaps. All she knew was she had to get the hell out of Dodge, Dodge being anywhere within a one-hundred-mile radius of one Logan Alexander.
Done. She was done. Done with the games, the flirting, the amazing swirl in her stomach anytime Logan decided to gift her with a glance. He needed to stay a fantasy. In reality, she only had jealousy, despair, and disappointment waiting for her. Why she was even surprised at the turn of events was beyond her.
She caught her reflection in the mirror. “What did I expect?” The man could have Erin Holland and had indulged on multiple occasions.
In less than ten minutes, Matt would be there. Unlike her teen dream turned nightmare, Matt showed up when he said. Always punctual, to the point, and predictable. Yes, he was Old Faithful. She never needed to worry as long as Matt was there.
Maybe it was time she considered Matt. He wouldn’t wait forever for her. She marched to her closet and put on a modern, conservative tan dress, something smacking of this decade and of a woman who possessed a graduate degree.
With a nod of conviction, she went to her dresser, opened her lingerie drawer, and peered inside. Unbeknownst to him, Matt was getting some on their trip. If nothing else, she was getting some. She assessed her options: 1950s long, flowing nightgown or 1960s baby-doll?
At the knock on the door, she scooped up a pile of the pieces, dumped them in her bag, and closed her suitcase. Matt hated being delayed, and she rushed to open the door.
Rather than a person, a huge bouquet of flowers greeted her. Did Logan come here? She pressed her hand to her heart and leaned over the threshold. “Hello?”
“Here’s to the start of our weekend.” Matt peeked his head around the flowers.
Her heart fell, and at the moment, she wanted to grab the damn organ and kick it for overriding her good sense. Of course Matt brought flowers, not Logan. The movie star believed his mere presence was good enough, and it was true.
No! She shouldn’t settle for a man who would show up when he pleased. Matt wanted to be here. “I didn’t realize visiting my parents was a special occasion.” Over the years, they had visited her family’s little retreat in the desert many times.
“Well, you never know what life can hold for you.” With his hand still behind his back, he finally approached.
In her questionably cute dress, she leaned against the door in an attempt to be seductive. Matt never became overcome with passion. He was more of a planner right down to their almost nonexistent sex life. “What do you mean?”
From behind his back, he revealed a box of candy. “For you.”
Flowers, candy, a man on time. What more could she want out of life? She refused to answer her own question under grounds she might incriminate herself. Still, she assessed the situation: flowers, candy, a man on time. What the hell was going on? She broke out into a sweat. “What’s all this for?”
He smiled. “I should have taken a stand long ago, but seeing you with that has-been actor really put things into perspective.”
Funny for her, Logan made everything cloudy.
He came closer.
Maybe she only needed to open her mind and be receptive to all Matt had to offer. She licked her lips in preparation for his kiss.
He leaned down and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Are you ready to go? I checked the traffic reports. We should get going while the going is good.”
“Are you sure?” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
“Did you pack?” He gave her the chocolate.
“Yes.”
“I also brought my laptop. We can make a plan to get the story wrapped up without any more surprises.” He kissed her again in the same spot.
With a sigh, she opened the box and spied the maple cream. “Do you want a piece?” She waited for the suggestive reply.
“That will ruin dinner. Save it for later and we’ll share it with everyone.” He walked inside. “Let me get your bag, and we’ll be off. You should put the flowers in water.”
She put the lid back on the candy and gazed out at the street. With the sun setting and the sky darkening, the drive to Palm Springs could be really boring or really sexy. If they got right on the 10 freeway, it would be a straight shot. If they took the 60 freeway, the road would take a few turns before leading to the 10. She always preferred the turns even if it was a bit out of the way. Would being with Matt condemn her to always taking the 10?
Right as she went to pick up her posies, a set of headlights came down the street—more like careened down the street—and screeched to a stop in front of her apartment building. Logan’s car.
She straightened up and held her breath.
Logan got out of his car, slammed the door, and basically sprinted over to her. “If I were to ever bring you flowers, I would bring you a single red rose. It’s timeless, beautiful, and tells the receiver exactly what the giver wants.”
“Well, these are what were given to me.” She held her head up high.
“The night is not even close to being over. You never know when you may get a different opportunity.” He reached behind him and held out one long-stemmed, deep red rose tied with a matching ribbon.
Her hand seemed to move on its own to take the token. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to ask the same question.” Matt returned with her suitcase.
Logan didn’t bother even glancing in Matt’s direction. “I’m taking you on your outing. I thank you for offering a bellman, but I have it covered.”
“We have our plans set, and we have to get on the road.” Matt attempted to walk out the door with her bag.
Logan stretched his arm out and put his hand across the doorjamb, essentially blocking Matt’s way. “Only if I get to ride shotgun.”
Every muscle in her body tensed and tightened to the point where she started to shake.
“Listen, I don’t know what kind of game you are playing with Ivy, but it’s stopping right here and right now.” Matt put her bag down.
“If I’m playing a game, which I assure you I’m not, then I will win.” Logan faced him.
“Wrong. I will because I am the one seeing clearly, not through some haze.” Matt stepped toward him. “You know how she feels about the movie, about the characters. What are you, the villain come to life?”
Her breath quickened, her heart sped, and she put her hand over her mouth. In the movies, having two men fight over a woman seemed romantic, but here on her porch, it was horrifying, especially since the men w
ere her crush and her friend. Her friend. Not a man she had true feelings for. What was she doing?
“You don’t give Ivy enough credit. She knows the difference between fantasy and reality.” Logan’s tone remained perfectly calm, and he glanced at her.
For less than a second, their gazes locked but spoke volumes. A moment only two connected people shared. Everything had changed between them once she’d told that fan woman he wasn’t Steven.
Then there was her friend, the man who proofread her thesis, the man who brought her orange juice every time she got sick even though she hated juice, the man who she could count on, but who didn’t make her heart sore with want.
The man who brought her the most beautiful bouquet of flowers when all she wanted was a single red rose.
“I give her plenty of credit. I also help her. You ditched her before, but we don’t even need you. We have everything covered for your so-called story.” Matt set his jaw. “We don’t need some backstabbing drug addict who destroyed his own career.”
“Matt!” She thrust her hand out to stop him from going too far, and she wasn’t sure if it was for her or him or Logan.
They both turned to her.
“Ivy, we need to get on the road.” Matt’s voice shook in restraint.
“Why don’t you ask her who she really wants to get in the car with?” A seasoned actor, Logan’s tone remained calm. “Unless you’re scared she may answer the backstabbing drug addict who destroyed his own career?”
She looked between them. How could she answer?
“You don’t even know her. What on earth do you want with her?” Matt crossed his arms.
“I know more than you think, and I don’t know enough.” For the first time since he’d arrived, his voice wavered. “That’s why I’m here, but if she thinks I only rushed here because I’m playing some game, then I will go and leave the two of you be.”
Tears distorted her vision, and she found herself shaking her head. Nothing Logan did made any sense, yet it made perfect sense.
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