For the Love of You

by Donna Hill

  “Point me to the drinks and food and let’s get this reunion started.”

  “We can go someplace else if you want,” he offered.

  “No, why bother? We’re already here.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Craig bent his arm and she slid hers through before leading her into the hotel’s bar and restaurant.

  * * *

  Alyse had barely taken a breath once they were seated before she launched into her barrage of questions.

  “So how long are you in town for and why didn’t you tell anyone that you were coming?” She reached for her glass of water.

  Craig leaned back in his seat. “About two months if everything goes according to schedule. And I know I should have called you and Myles.” He paused. “I’m sorry.”

  “You should be. We haven’t seen you in God knows how long,” she groused. She shot him a glare. “I read that Milan is the lead.” Her brow arched. “Ulterior motive?”

  He pushed out a breath. Alyse was one of the few people other than Anthony who had told him from the start that getting involved with Milan Chase was a mistake. At the time he didn’t care. They were hot for each other and they let it burn until there was nothing left but ashes.

  “I don’t have an ulterior motive, and,” he qualified, “there is nothing going on now. She happened to be the best person for the role.”

  “Hmm.” She rolled her eyes. “Just be careful, that’s all I have to say about it. But speaking about your notorious love life, who are you seeing these days?”

  His thought immediately leaped to Jewel. But he couldn’t truthfully count her as someone he was seeing. Besides, the minute he let Alyse know that Jewel was the owner of the location where the film was to be shot, he would never hear the end of it. “You’ll be happy—or at least surprised—to know that I’m not seeing anyone. I’m totally focused on this film.”

  “What are you plans when it’s completed?” she asked with a hint of hesitation mixed with an unspoken plea.

  Craig linked his long fingers together and shrugged slightly. “When it’s done I’ll head back to LA, to the studio for editing, then home to London. I have a television pilot that I’m contracted to work on in the fall.”

  Her long lashes lowered over her eyes. “Oh,” she said softly.

  “But I promise to stay in touch.”

  The waitress came to take their drink and dinner order. Once she was gone, Alyse continued her inquisition.

  “Is it true that the movie is about our family?”

  Craig rocked his jaw. “Let’s just say that the Lawson legacy is the inspiration for the film.”

  “Does Dad know?” She stared across at him.

  “I have no idea what he knows. I’m sure he doesn’t care one way or the other what I do,” he snapped, his expression hardening by degrees.

  “You don’t believe that.”

  “Why wouldn’t I? He made himself very clear, Alyse. And if nothing else, I take Jake Lawson at his word.”

  The last confrontation with his father still stung all these years later. As the eldest son, it was expected that he would follow in his father’s footsteps and one day take over the helm of JL International. Craig had had his sights set elsewhere. Since he was a kid he’d been fascinated by the wonder and magic of film. He would watch his mother prepare for her small film roles, and sometimes she would let him come on set. His mother nurtured his thirst for the arts, his father starved him. Things only grew worse between him and his father after the scandal and his mother’s tragic death. When Craig entered college, his goal was to major in film as much for himself as well as homage to his mother. His father went ballistic and refused to cover the cost unless he switched his major to international business, which he claimed to do to satisfy his father. But unknown to Jake, Craig stayed on the film track. Instead of his college graduation being a day of celebration, it was an epic nightmare when Craig’s degree was an MFA in film instead of an MBA in international business.

  “I don’t give a damn what it was you thought you wanted! You spent my money on this piece of crap degree to do what—become famous like your trifling, lying mother!”

  “Don’t you dare talk about my mother!”

  Jake had whirled toward his son, his face twisted in rage. He’d pointed a warning finger at Craig. “I told you—” his voice shook “—this movie shit is nothing but an empty path filled with narcissistic assholes that want gratification from everyone but themselves. It’s crap. It’s frivolous, and it’s not worthy of a Lawson! Didn’t you learn anything from what your mother did to me, to us, to this family?”

  “I can’t live my life for you, Dad. I can’t and I won’t. This is my life, my dream. You had yours. You have to let me have mine.”

  “I don’t have to do a damn thing.” He’d snorted a nasty laugh. His dark eyes narrowed as he glared at his son. “This is what you want. Fine.” He tossed his hands up in the air as if he’d conceded defeat, but Craig instantly knew better. His father never gave in, but he’d never expected what his father said next.

  Jake had pursed his lips and slid his large hands into his pant pockets. “I want you to pack your things—everything. I want you out of my house by morning. I don’t want to hear from you. I don’t want to see you. Tomorrow I will meet with my attorneys to have your name removed from my will. You want your own life—you got it. Let’s see how far you get on your own without everything that I’ve provided for and this family. Now get out of my sight.”

  For a moment, Craig had stared at his father in disbelief. Dozens of scenarios and monologues raced through his head, but nothing was remotely up to the level of hurt and disappointment and, yes, uncertainty that twisted inside him. He swallowed. “Fine. If that’s what you want.” He’d turned to walk away so that his father would not see the burn of tears that hung in his eyes.

  “No, it’s what you want!” his father tossed at Craig’s back. “Live with it.”

  That had been a little more than ten years ago. And true to his father’s demand, Craig had not been back. Unfortunately, his self-imposed exile also affected his relationship with his siblings.

  Alyse wrapped one hand around her glass; the other she lay flat on the table and stared at her fingers.

  “Look.” He reached across the table and covered her hand. “Don’t get yourself all mixed up in this beef with me and Dad. It’s our ugly mess, not yours.”

  “But we’re family, Craig,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “You’re a part of that family that has been missing for over a decade.”

  “That’s not on me.” He shook his head and glanced away.

  The waitress returned with their drinks, and before they were on the table, Craig swiped up his and took a deep swallow. He lowered his head then looked across at her. “Let’s enjoy the evening. We haven’t seen each other in ages. Catch me up on what’s going on with you and Myles.”

  Alyse visibly relaxed and launched into an animated monologue about her latest significant other, hirings and firings at the office and Myles’s rise up the corporate ladder. “He’s set to head up the new office in Detroit. As wild and crazy as the Motor City is now, real estate is a steal. There is so much potential. In another ten years that city will be unrecognizable and ready to compete with New York and LA.”

  “I’m sure you’re right. It’s definitely primed for a turnaround.” He was certain that his father had seen that coming from miles away and was ready to pounce the instant that opportunity presented itself.

  Their dinner arrived, and while they ate they reminisced about the crazy times they had growing up, with the conversation constantly peppered with remember when?

  “Wow, it’s nearly ten,” Alyse said in amazement following her final bite of cheesecake.

  “I’ll drive you home.”

  “D
on’t be silly. I have my car.” She grinned. “I’m a big girl now, remember.”

  “Yeah,” he said, his voice warming. “I remember.”

  The valet brought her midnight-blue Lexus RX around to the front. Craig stood by the driver’s door while Alyse slid in.

  She glanced up at him. “When will I see you again?”

  He braced his hand on the roof. “We’ll work something out. Let me know when Myles is back in town and the three of us will hang out.” He smiled.

  “You plan on seeing Dad?” she asked hopefully.

  “No.”

  “He misses you, you know. He’ll never admit it, but I know he does.”

  He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Drive safe. Love you.” He stepped back and shut the door.

  “Love you, too,” she said through the open window then drove off.

  Craig stood there until her car was out of sight. His father missed him. Hmm. He doubted that very much. It was wishful thinking on Alyse’s part and nothing more. Just wishful thinking.

  * * *

  “Fontaine residence,” Minerva said into the phone.

  “Hello, this is Craig Lawson. I was hoping to speak with Ms. Fontaine.”

  “One moment.”

  Minerva put the phone down and went in search of Jewel. She was just coming down from sitting with her father.

  “Ms. Jewel, there’s a call for you. Mr. Lawson,” she added with a twinkle in her eyes.

  Jewel’s heart beat a little faster, but she kept her expression neutral. “Thanks, Minerva.” She came down the last few steps and walked toward the den. “I’ll take it in here.”

  She walked in and closed the door halfway behind her, took a breath and picked up the phone. “I have it, Minerva,” she said and waited to ensure that Minerva hung up the extension. “Hello,” she said once she heard the telltale click. “How are you?”

  “Good. Better now,” he said and wished that he hadn’t. “I mean, it was a busy morning. I, uh, have the revised contract as well as the shooting schedule, and the check. I wanted to drop it all off later this evening if that’s okay.”

  Jewel grew hot all over. The tips of her ears were on fire. Flashes of their parting kiss on his last visit danced in front of her. This evening. Evenings were always difficult for her.

  “Umm, sure. How is seven, seven thirty?” She swallowed. Her father was usually settled and calm by then.

  “Not a problem. See you then.”

  “Okay.”

  “Take my cell number in case...of anything.”

  “Hang on a sec.” She got a piece of paper and a pen from the table and took down the number.

  “Feel free to call anytime. See you this evening. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

  “You, too.” She squeezed the phone in her palm for a moment then returned it to the cradle and stared at the number in hand. Call anytime. She pushed out a breath and walked out.

  * * *

  “Too busy for an old friend?”

  Craig slid his phone into his pants pocket and turned. “Milan.” His eyes roved over her. As always, she was photograph perfect. She had the looks and simmering sexuality of a hot young starlet with the edge of maturity rolled in. Whenever Milan walked into a space, bystanders were swept up in the swirl of her aura. The magnetism that she exuded as easily as she breathed was what made her an undeniable star on the big and small screens. This role was made for her, and as much as he didn’t want to stir up the coals of their past relationship, he knew that Milan would not make that easy. It was all in her eyes and the teasing flicker at the corners of her mouth. He sat on the edge of the table and folded his arms. “What can I do for you?”

  Milan took a step toward him. “I think you have the answer to that.”

  Craig lowered his head for a moment and shook it slowly from side to side. He looked at her. The corner of his mouth curved into a grin. “Not happenin’, baby. We both know that. A friendly drink is as far as it’s ever going to go.”

  She stretched out her manicured finger and ran it along the line of his jaw. “Why? You’re not seeing anyone. And we have a history. We’re both going to need to unwind at the end of those long workdays.” Her lashes lowered over her trademark smoldering eyes.

  Craig stood. He looked down into her upturned face. “I’m sure you’ll find something to satisfy you, but it won’t be me. Not again.”

  Their tumultuous past flared between them.

  “How many ways do I have to say I’m sorry,” she begged.

  “You don’t. Just do what you’re being paid to do.” He started to move past her. She grabbed his arm.

  “Craig... I’m sorry. When are you going to forgive me?” She blinked rapidly. “I miss you.”

  His cold look stripped away the facade. “You are good,” he said, his tone dripping in sarcasm. “If I didn’t know the real you and what you’re capable of, I would almost believe the BS you’re slinging.”

  Milan’s five-foot-six frame jerked as if she’d been pushed. Her beguiling expression morphed into one of stunned disbelief then anger. “You don’t talk to me like that,” she said between her teeth.

  “Milan... I’m not going down this road with you. Let’s keep it professional. You’re here for the movie, and that’s it. If you’ve changed your mind about the role, let me know now and we’ll start looking for a replacement.” His unflinching gaze held her in place.

  She pressed her mouth tightly together, hurled a death stare at him and then spun away.

  Craig filled his cheeks with air and pushed out a long breath. Anthony had warned him about signing Milan on to the project. But he wanted the best for the film. And, unfortunately, Milan was the best for the role. They both knew that. But, hell, he’d kick her to the curb in a heartbeat and move on if she couldn’t keep the past in the past where it belonged. He never should have agreed to anything even as innocuous as drinks. Leading her on was the last thing he wanted.

  “Trouble in paradise?” Anthony asked, sidling up next to Craig.

  “Not anymore.”

  “Good. The last thing we need is diva drama. So...how did it go with Alyse?”

  Craig smiled. “Good. Really good. We had dinner, talked, laughed—like old times.”

  “Glad to hear it. I’d love to see Alyse. It’s been a while.”

  “We plan to get together when Myles is back in town. I’ll let you know.” They didn’t talk about it, but he knew that Anthony carried a torch for Alyse. They both also knew that Alyse, unlike Craig, wouldn’t cross her father.

  “Sounds good. Listen, Norm wants to meet with us for a few.”

  Craig nodded in agreement, but his mind was on seeing Jewel later. It was going to be a long day.

  * * *

  “Everything okay?” Minerva asked when Jewel exited the den.

  “Yes. Fine.” She tried to breeze by Minerva, but she wasn’t having any of it.

  “Then why do you look like a frightened doe? Did something happen?”

  Jewel rubbed her hands together. “Nothing happened. He’s going to drop by later to bring the revised contract and the check, that’s all.”

  Minerva studied her. “You aren’t reconsidering, are you?”

  “No.”

  “Then what is it?”

  She understood that Minerva was concerned for her. In the short time that she’d been part of the family, Minerva had taken on not only the role of caregiver but surrogate mother. A role that Jewel embraced. She’d been without a strong female figure and nurturer in her life since she was six when she’d lost her mother to cancer. Of course her father stepped in and filled as many of the empty spaces as he could, but he could never be the mother that a part of Jewel would always miss. Although tragic circumstances had brought Minerva to them
, it was also a blessing. She’d come to lean on Minerva when things became difficult and accepted Minerva’s unsolicited wisdom as part of the package.

  Jewel walked into the living room and sat down on the side chair. She crossed her legs at the knee and linked her fingers together. “I know financially it’s the right thing to do,” she began.

  “But?” Minerva sat opposite her on the love seat.

  “But...he kissed me...well, we kissed each other.”

  Minerva’s eyes widened. “Really, now. Well, that changes things—or does it?” She leveled her gaze on Jewel.

  Jewel glanced away. “I don’t know if it does or doesn’t. It complicates things, that’s for sure.”

  “Why?”

  “You know why. We’ve talked about this.”

  “No, you talked yourself out of it before there was a this.”

  Jewel pursed her lips. “Maybe,” she mumbled. “But now what? What if it didn’t mean anything? He’s notorious for being a womanizer. I’m probably one of many. I’m sure he felt he owed it to me for saying yes to the deal,” she rambled on, stacking up a litany of excuses.

  “Hmm, all that, huh?”

  Jewel’s gaze jumped to Minerva’s reproving expression. “Sounds like you are setting yourself up to be disappointed.”

  “But it’s all true!”

  Minerva shrugged. “Says the gossip sites. But you don’t know that for yourself. Besides, what’s so wrong with grabbing a little sunshine, no matter how fleeting? You deserve it, sweetheart. You’re young, beautiful and single, but you’ve buried yourself in this house and under the weight of your father’s illness. Do you really think Augustus would want that for you? Your father would want you to live your life and be happy.”

  Jewel lowered her head. “Easier said than done.”

  Minerva pushed up from the chair. “It’s only as hard as you make it.” She started to walk away, stopped and turned back. “Oh—” She pressed her hand to her forehead. “Our church committee is putting together donations for the middle school. It’s a damn shame that the teachers have to go in their own pockets for supplies and such. Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to part with any of your things in the cottage? Things you don’t plan to use no more.”