When the lights went up, Nick lit a cigarette and glanced over at Jonas–the only other person in the screening room. ‘How about I buy you guys dinner?’ he said. ‘I got a permanent table at Ago.’
‘I can’t,’ Jonas said, still uptight.
‘C’mon, man. We’ll chug a coupla beers and—’
‘I’ve got work to do,’ Jonas interrupted. ‘So do you,’ he said, staring pointedly at Cat.
She hated people telling her what to do. Jonas might be the big brother she’d never had, but that didn’t mean he was free to boss her around. Besides, tonight she fancied hanging out. ‘I think I’ll go grab a plate of pasta with Nick,’ she said, infuriating Jonas even further.
‘Hey, Jonah, whyn’t you make the cut?’ Nick asked.
‘It’s Jonas.’
‘Sorry, man.’
‘Are you sure—’ Cat began. Before she could finish, Jonas had made a fast exit.
‘Somethin’ I said?’ Nick remarked.
‘He’s got work to do. Jonas is very conscientious.’
‘Seems like a good dude.’
‘He is.’
‘Kinda buttoned up.’
‘Not really.’
‘Yeah. Really.’
‘Hmm…’
‘You happy with the dailies?’ Nick asked, as they walked out of the screening room.
‘Are you?’ she countered.
‘Never like watching myself.’
‘You told me it helps you with your performance.’
‘I was lying.’
‘Why?’
‘’Cause I fancied spending time with you,’ he said, casually throwing his arm round her shoulders.
‘You’re crazy.’
‘Never said I wasn’t.’
‘Try and keep the bullshit charm for in front of the camera.’
‘How about this time I drive?’ he said, as they approached her car.
‘No way.’
‘Hate to tell you this, Blondie, but you drive like a girl.’
‘Flattery’s gonna get you all the way to nowhere.’
‘Okay,’ he said, with a half-grin. ‘You win. But this is only a skirmish. When it comes to the battle–I got you beat.’
‘You think?’
‘I know.’
By the time they were through with dinner, Linc was so bombed that he could barely stand up. Lola remained stone cold sober. No alcohol was coming between her and her looks, not unless it was the best Cristal champagne, and even then she only indulged in a glass or two.
Linc was all over her, pawing and touching, his hand attempting to creep up her skirt. She slapped him off like a particularly annoying puppy, which failed to stop him trying. She intimated that if he came back to her hotel things would heat up. He was hot to trot.
Mama Mario would not allow him to pick up the check. ‘You be back soon with your bella signora Shelby,’ she said, throwing another disapproving look Lola’s way.
‘We were rehearsing a scene,’ Lola offered. ‘You shouldn’t read anything into it.’
‘Ha!’ the older woman sniffed.
As soon as they walked out of the restaurant, the paparazzi sprang into action. Earlier, Lola had issued instructions to Big Jay to let everyone know where she was and with whom.
‘I wonder who called them?’ she asked innocently. As the cameras began flashing, she turned to Linc, took his face in both her hands and planted a big kiss on his lips. ‘Thanks for dinner,’ she whispered. ‘It was nice, even though we didn’t get to discuss the script. I love that you found time to listen to my problems. You’re such a sweetheart.’ Then she kissed him again.
She knew perfectly well what the photos would look like when they appeared. Nobody would hear the dialogue, they’d simply view the action.
‘Put him in a cab,’ she said to Big Jay, ducking into her limo while the paparazzi continued to flash.
Linc started to follow her.
Big Jay blocked his way. ‘Ms Sanchez says you should take a cab,’ Big Jay announced.
‘What the fuck…’ Linc mumbled, unsteady on his feet. ‘Shit! I’m not feeling great, those fuckin’ flashbulbs are ruining my eyeballs. What the fuck’s goin’ on?’
Big Jay hailed down a cab, told the driver where to go, and bundled Linc into the back seat. Then he joined his boss in the limo.
‘Some stud,’ Lola murmured. ‘Bloodshot eyes and boozy breath. Oooh, I’m sooo unhappy I didn’t end up with him.’
Big Jay stared straight ahead. He knew better than to comment.
Shelby always set two alarms in case one failed to go off. She had a fear of being late and missing her call. Not that she had a call today, but she did have to be at the airport in time to catch Merrill’s plane. He’d told her yesterday that he might be on it. She didn’t mind. After all, it was his plane.
She’d finished packing the night before, so after dressing in a comfortable tracksuit, she was ready to go. All she needed were her sunglasses and carry-on bag.
Downstairs in the kitchen, her housekeeper had fixed her a plate of scrambled eggs.
‘I’m not hungry, Lupe,’ she said apologetically.
‘That’s all right, Miss Shelby.’
‘Is my car here yet?’
‘It’s outside.’
‘Thanks. I’ll see you in three days,’ she said, walking out the front door.
Standing in the driveway was Pete.
‘What on earth are you doing here?’ she asked, perplexed.
‘Driving you to the airport,’ he said, with a big friendly smile.
‘You’re doing what?’
‘Driving you to the airport,’ he repeated.
‘And why would you be doing that?’
‘I know you’re nervous about flying,’ he said, pulling up the collar of his weathered leather jacket, ‘so I figured it would be a nice thing to do.’
‘Uh, listen, Pete,’ she said, quite taken aback, ‘it’s a thoughtful offer, but I can’t take you up on it.’
‘Why not?’
‘I don’t know quite how to put this,’ she said hesitantly, ‘because I do think you’re a great guy. Only here’s the thing–Linc would not be happy about this.’
‘He wouldn’t?’
‘No, he wouldn’t. And—’
‘Shelby,’ Pete interrupted, his rugged face quite serious, ‘there’s nothing going on between us. We both know that.’
‘Yes, we both know it. How about everyone else?’
‘I thought it would be a gesture you’d appreciate,’ Pete said, managing to look hurt.
‘I do appreciate it, Pete, but I can’t risk upsetting Linc.’
‘I don’t see him anywhere.’
‘I’m honest with my husband, I wouldn’t lie about anything.’
‘You mean he’ll ask who drove you to the airport?’
Shelby frowned. Pete might be a great guy, but this whole scene was getting to be too much of a good thing and she had no desire to lead him on. ‘Where’s my car and driver?’ she asked, deciding she’d better put a stop to it before it went any further.
‘Now you’re really going to be mad,’ he said sheepishly.
‘Why?’
‘’Cause I sent your driver away.’
She was silent for a moment, trying to remain calm and not get too angry because she knew that Pete meant well. However, he’d now crossed the line, and it was time for her to do something about it.
‘You’re giving me no choice, are you?’ she said evenly, aware that if she didn’t go with him she could miss Merrill’s plane.
‘That wasn’t my intention.’
‘Look,’ she said, taking a deep breath, ‘when I get back, the only place we should see each other is on the set. Unless you and Linc resume your friendship, that’s it. I hope you understand.’
‘Got it, Shelby,’ he said, suitably abashed.
‘Good.’
Chapter Twenty-Five
Friday morning Cat awoke late. They were
night shooting, so she had the luxury of not having to get up at dawn. She’d got home around one a.m., turned off her phone and settled in for a long sleep.
Spending time with Nick and his friends had been interesting. Nick had not been all over her as she’d expected. Instead he’d practically ignored her, chatting up a couple of girls at the table. One of them was Petra Flynn, a busty blonde who starred in her own TV series. The other was a sultry brunette, currently appearing at a small theatre in Santa Monica. Nick was obviously into actresses.
Cat spent the evening getting to know some of his other friends–a mixed group of writers and actors. When she’d left, Nick barely seemed to notice her go. Not that she cared: he was the star of her movie, that was all. Yes, he’d been paying a lot of attention to her on the set, but that was only because there was nobody else around except Shelby for him to flirt with. And Shelby had made it very clear up front that their relationship was strictly professional. Nick understood. He wasn’t into chasing married women when they were still with their husbands.
Cat yawned and checked her voicemail. There were several messages from Jump. ‘I’m flying to New York,’ he said, sounding angry, ‘an’ if you refuse to talk to me, I’m throwin’ every freakin’ thing of yours out on to the street. Got it?’
What a jerk-off. Why couldn’t he accept that they were over?
She picked up the phone and reached him at his hotel.
‘What?’ he mumbled.
‘It’s me.’
‘Knew you’d finally call.’
‘I got your charming message. You know I don’t have time to go to New York right now.’
‘You’d better,’ he threatened, ‘’cause I mean what I say.’
‘You can’t throw my stuff out.’
‘Who’s gonna stop me?’
‘My lawyer says it’s to your advantage if you co-operate.’
‘Fuck your lawyer.’
‘What happened to your Australian tour? Why are you back?’
‘The tour’s finished. If you weren’t so busy with your own selfish crap, you’d know that.’
‘There was a time I used to worry about you,’ she reminded him. ‘Don’t forget that I flew to Australia to surprise you. And didn’t that turn into a memorable night?’
‘Here we go again.’ He groaned. ‘Same old shitty song.’
‘The lease on the loft is all yours if you want it,’ she said abruptly. ‘Send me the papers to sign.’
‘That’s all you’re into now, isn’t it?’ he scoffed. ‘Papers and freakin’ lawyers.’
‘You know what, Jump. Why don’t we try to be civil about this?’
‘Take civil an’ shove it,’ he said, slamming down the phone.
He was not handling this well, which wasn’t fair because it was all his fault. If she hadn’t caught him dicking around, none of this would’ve happened.
She padded into the kitchen and put on the coffee. Her mind flashed on Nick. If she was truthful she’d have to admit that she was attracted to him.
Hmm…Nick Logan was not a good idea. He was a heartbreaker who’d probably make Jump look like an amateur, and that was exactly what she didn’t need.
Besides, she had no time to get involved.
She called Jonas and asked him what he was doing.
‘Working,’ he said, sounding cool.
‘I thought you might want to get together for breakfast. We could go over our notes from last night.’
‘Now?’
‘What’s wrong with now?’
‘Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you ask me to keep you away from Lover Boy?’
‘Who’s Lover Boy?’ she replied, fully aware who he was talking about.
‘You know who.’
‘Jonas,’ she said lightly, ‘if I wasn’t sure you were straight, I’d definitely think you fancied him.’
‘That’s not even remotely funny.’
‘Can we go get something to eat? I’m starving.’
‘We’re on location at Paradise Cove today.’
‘I know, so I was thinking about brunch at the Ivy at the Shore. Then we can go over to the location early.’
‘I’ll meet you there.’
‘Can’t you pick me up?’ She couldn’t resist a small dig. ‘That way I won’t be tempted to go off with Lover Boy, will I?’
‘Fifteen minutes.’
‘Make it ten.’
‘You’re impossible.’
‘See ya.’
‘Get me the Post and the Daily News,’ Lola ordered Big Jay over the intercom. ‘Now, please.’
Big Jay immediately took off.
She couldn’t wait to see what the morning news would bring. She was lying in bed thinking about the previous night’s dinner with Linc. He’d been so drunk. She’d heard that he was a drinker, but it wasn’t until last night that he’d exhibited his addiction.
She stretched and leaned over to switch on the phone. It started ringing right away.
‘There’s a Miss Margolis on the line,’ the hotel operator informed her.
‘Put her through.’
‘Have you seen the papers?’ Faye rasped.
‘No, Faye,’ she said faintly. ‘I only just opened my eyes.’
‘Your picture’s on the front pages again.’
‘That’s impossible,’ she said, yawning. ‘Tony’s in New Orleans. He doesn’t get back until today.’
‘I’m not talking about you and Tony,’ Faye said grimly. ‘It’s you and your very married co-star.’
‘My co-star?’ she said innocently.
‘Linc Blackwood.’
‘Me and Linc?’ she said, feigning surprise. ‘You must be kidding. Could it be they sneaked a photographer on to the set while we were working?’
‘No, Lola,’ Faye said brusquely. ‘Apparently you were out to dinner with Mr Blackwood last night. They have the two of you kissing outside the restaurant. That touching scenario is all over the front pages.’
‘Oh, no,’ Lola said, pretending to be dismayed. ‘We might have exchanged a friendly peck on the cheek. I never saw any photographers.’
‘Don’t bullshit a bullshitter,’ Faye growled. ‘This is a real kiss. And it’s not good publicity, especially after last weekend’s press.’
‘I thought all publicity was good publicity,’ Lola said, tongue in cheek. ‘Y’know, as long as they spell my name right.’
‘May I remind you that you’re supposed to be getting a divorce,’ Faye said. ‘First you’re caught with Tony Alvarez, now it’s Linc Blackwood. This kind of publicity makes you look like a tramp.’
‘I think it enhances my reputation,’ Lola said.
‘What reputation?’ Faye responded sourly.
‘Aren’t I the Latina sex bomb that every man wants to sleep with?’ she said, with a knowing laugh. Big Jay knocked on the door. ‘Come in,’ she called. He entered the room and handed her the papers. ‘I’m looking at the photos now, Faye. I’ll get back to you.’
‘Do that,’ Faye said, in her smoke-enhanced voice. ‘The press are driving me crazy for a statement.’
‘Tell them this. Linc Blackwood and I are merely co-stars. We were discussing our script.’
‘I’m sure they’ll believe that,’ Faye said curtly, and hung up.
Lola checked out the papers. There she was on the front page of both of them. The Daily News ran a headline that screamed, ‘LA LOLA! DOES IT AGAIN!’ The Post’s headline was, ‘LOLA AND LINC TOGETHER? WHERE’S SHELBY?’
She studied the pictures. The kiss worked perfectly. Linc’s eyes were closed, and he certainly looked like he was having a fine time.
She wondered how he’d feel when he got an eyeful of them. Not too happy.
Ha! His wife had some innocent picture in People, and here he was on the front page of the Post and the Daily News kissing Lola Sanchez. She didn’t give his marriage much chance.
Mission accomplished.
So, why didn’t she feel better about i
t?
Because he’d been too easy, that was why. Where was the satisfaction in bringing down a guy who was obviously a total screw-up?
It was all his wife’s fault. He was pissed about her movie, pissed about her brilliant reviews, and pissed that her photo was in a magazine with another man. That was why he’d turned into a falling-down drunk.
He certainly wasn’t the man he’d been six years ago. The macho movie-star stud she would’ve done anything for. The man who’d obliterated her chances of ever giving birth.
Maybe Shelby Cheney didn’t want to stay married to Linc Blackwood. That was a thought.
The phone rang again. This time it was Tony. ‘Hey, baby,’ he crooned, sending shivers down her spine.
The sound of his voice made her realize how much she missed him. ‘When are you coming back?’ was her first question.
‘Not soon enough,’ he said calmly. ‘I guess you’ve seen the New York papers?’
‘Yes, I know. It’s so ridiculous, Tony. There were ten other people with us. Linc was drunk, he grabbed me outside the restaurant, and that’s what ends up in the papers. You know how those things go.’
‘Shit happens, baby,’ he said, not sounding at all upset.
‘You’re not mad?’
‘Why should I be? I had a girl here.’
‘You did?’ she said, shocked.
‘Yeah. It wasn’t happenin’ for me, so I put her on a plane back to L.A.’
‘What girl?’ Lola asked, suddenly furious.
‘The foxy chick I was about t’ get engaged to when you came runnin’ back.’
Now she was totally outraged. ‘Are you telling me she was in New Orleans with you?’
‘Sure, baby.’
‘You left my bed to fly to New Orleans to be with some putta?’ Lola yelled, stunned that he would do that. ‘I can’t believe you’d be with another woman.’
‘So you’re sayin’ it’s fine for your photo to be all over the papers with another man, but me–I gotta keep it down, huh?’
‘I explained to you what that was all about.’
‘This our first fight, baby?’ Tony said, laughing. ‘’Cause if it is, I think it’s turnin’ me on.’
‘Get your ass here,’ she said, quickly backing down. ‘I’m working this afternoon, but tonight I’m all yours.’
Hollywood Divorces • Hollywood Wives: The New Generation Page 68
