by Kay Correll
He nodded as he opened the wine list.
“Does that happen often?” Whitney’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“Does what happen?”
“People stopping you to get their picture taken with you.”
“Often enough. Hence the sunglasses and ball cap in Indigo Bay. Sometimes it’s just easier to be incognito. But the fans are what make my job. More fans, better roles.”
“It seems so… invasive.”
It was a bother sometimes, he’d admit that, but he’d come to realize it was part of his life. “Guess it just comes with the territory.”
“I don’t think I could handle that.” She shook her head. “I had a hard enough time when Shawna Jacobson bought jewelry from my shop and posted all over social media. I had reporters coming to do articles on me and my shop. It was so surreal. Though her doing that kind of made my shop the success it is now. It exploded with online sales as well as sales in the actual shop. I get a lot of custom orders.”
“Like my grandmother’s.”
“Exactly.”
“Well, the media attention might have attracted some business for you, but it’s your talent that really sells the pieces.”
She blushed a rosy pink. “Thank you.”
“No, I mean it. Your jewelry pieces are stunning and very unique. I can’t wait to give my grandmother the set you’re making.”
“I hope she’ll like it.”
“I’m sure she will.” He glanced at the wine list again. “So, shall I order us some wine?”
“Yes, please. I usually prefer a drier white.”
“Perfect, they have some unoaked white burgundy from the Alsace region.”
“That’s all French to me.” She grinned. “But I’ll trust you.”
He ordered their wine and glanced around the room. Some of the patrons were looking at him surreptitiously, but thank goodness no one had actually gotten up and come over to their table. He wasn’t sure Whitney would deal well with another intrusion.
Chapter 5
Whitney tried not to let her eyes widen at the prices on the menu. Nor did she know what half the items on the menu were. Or the sauces. How would she know if she was ordering something she’d enjoy? She sighed, knowing she was going to have to admit her ignorance to Rick. Rick, the movie star who was used to dining in places like fancy French restaurants with fancy French words.
She looked across the table at him, his head bent over the menu. “Um, Rick?”
He looked up and smiled at her and she almost dropped her menu. When would she develop a force field that protected her from that smile? “I don’t know what most of this stuff is.” She smiled ruefully. “Or what any of it says.”
“You’re in luck. My grandmother speaks fluent French and taught me. Do you like chicken or fish? Maybe beef?”
He ordered her meal without making her feel foolish about her lack of knowledge, and they sat back and sipped on the wine he’d ordered. It was really good wine even if she knew nothing about unoaked wine and wasn’t burgundy wine supposed to be red? She refused to ask him, unwilling to show any more of her cluelessness. Instead, she’d just fill the evening with small talk. That was safe. That was something she knew about.
“So, you said you have a brother and a sister. Where do they live?” She wanted to know more about Rick the person. Well, she wouldn’t mind knowing more about Rick the actor, too, but she didn’t want to sound like a groupie or something. Or were groupies just for rock stars? She wanted to know all the things about him, which bothered her a bit. She hadn’t been this interested in a man in a long time. A very long time.
So she decided to be interested in an actor who lived all the way across the country? Not a very smart choice on her part.
Rick, oblivious to her rambling thoughts, answered her question. “My sister, Christina, lives in Philadelphia. That’s where we grew up. She’s a surgeon. My brother lives in D.C. He’s a lawyer there. My parents have a place in both Philadelphia and D.C.” He paused and took a sip of his wine. “My mother’s a senator.”
She sat back in silence. Actors, a doctor, a lawyer, and a senator for Pete’s sake. You couldn’t get a more degreed and notable family. She couldn’t be any different from him if she tried. Far apart in distance and in upbringing.
“I’m just a mere actor. The family’s black sheep.” His eyes twinkled, but she could see the tiniest bit of hurt in their blue depths.
“So being a famous actor is a black sheep?”
“Well, I’m not that famous.” He grinned. “You didn’t know who I was when you met me.”
She felt the heat of blush flush her face. “I’m sorry about that. I don’t… I mean…” How to get out of this gracefully? “I don’t see movies often, and I’m not a television fan. Merry says I live in my own little world… and it drives her nuts.”
“No, I’m just teasing about you not recognizing me. As far as my family is concerned, I’m a very mediocre one, especially compared to my grandmother. My mother hoped I’d follow along in her footsteps in politics, or at least go on to law school. But, to her great chagrin, I never finished college and moved out to Los Angeles.”
“But your grandmother must be pleased.”
“I think she is. I doubt if I’ll ever reach her level of famousness—is that even a real word?”
She couldn’t believe his family wouldn’t be proud of him, but then she knew better than most that families could be difficult.
“You said your brother lives on an island in Florida?”
“Yes, he owns a tavern there on Belle Island.” She owned a jewelry business, Willie owned a tavern, and her father was a barely sober recovering alcoholic. She and her family were not even in Rick’s league. But he’d only asked her out to thank her for her help. It wasn’t like it was a real date or anything.
“So, you’re both entrepreneurs.” Rick stretched out his legs, and they bumped hers under the table. “Oops, sorry.” He swung his legs to the side.
She liked the way he called them entrepreneurs. It sounded more… fancy. But since when had she not been proud of all that Will and she’d accomplished? They might not be actors, or doctors, or politicians, but they had both come a very long way from their upbringing.
The waiter delivered their meal, interrupting her torturously meandering thoughts. They ate their meal while their conversation turned to Indigo Bay. That was a safe topic for her, too.
They finished off their meal by splitting the most delicious chocolate something-or-other-French-named dessert that she’d ever tasted.
The maitre d’ came over when they’d finished and leaned over to speak quietly to Rick. He answered, and the man hurried away. Rick frowned and took out his cell phone. With a few taps, his frown grew deeper. “Ah, I’m sorry, Whitney. Looks like we’ve been discovered.”
He held out his phone, and she took it, looking at the photo. It was a photo of them with the young woman who had stopped them in front of the restaurant. Complete with the hashtags #RickNichols #newloveinterest #whoisshe #whereisShawnaJacobson?
Her heart plummeted at seeing the Shawna Jacobson hashtag. Was Rick dating Shawna? So why had he asked her, a simple shop owner, out?
To thank her, not for a real date.
She looked at the photo again. She was on Rick’s arm with a startled expression on her face. Not a very flattering photo, not that it really mattered.
“The maitre d’ said there are photographers waiting outside. They didn’t let them in, of course. But it looks like we’ll have to make a run through them when we leave.”
“How did this happen?” She stared at the photo. “And so quickly?”
“It’s the hashtags. Some photographers skim social media, looking for hashtags, hoping for a chance to catch photos of celebrities. I’m sorry you got dragged into this.” He stood up.
“Let’s go. They’re bringing my car around. We might as well get this part over with.”
She sat in her chair, u
nable to move, unable to process her thoughts.
“Whitney?” He held out a hand.
She slowly got to her feet. She let him tuck her hand on his elbow and lead her to the front door. As soon as the doorman opened the door, flashes went off, blinding her as she clung to his arm and he opened the car door for her. She slipped inside, dazed by the number of people outside and the constant bursts of lights.
Rick slid into the driver’s seat and pulled away from the curb, the flashes of light still popping behind them as they sped away.
Rick glanced over at Whitney, sitting rigidly in the passenger seat of the car. She stared out her side window and said nothing to him. He drove on and let her sit with her thoughts, wishing she’d talk to him but knowing this date hadn’t turned out quite like he’d hoped. Not that it was a date. It was a simple thank you. He’d gotten a little too comfortable with rarely being recognized in Indigo Bay that he hadn’t expected the media attention in Charleston.
Finally, the silence got to him. “You okay?”
She turned to look at him. “I was just… surprised. I had no idea your life was like that. Photographers and fans, always snapping your photos.”
“I’m sorry to put you through that. I should have been smarter about it. Gone somewhere less well-known. At least worn my sunglasses and cap.”
“Yes, sunglasses at night would have been so subtle.” She gave him a small smile. “Is it always like that for you?”
“Quite often.”
“I couldn’t stand the lack of privacy. People knowing my business and taking photos all the time.”
“I guess you just get used to it in my field.” He sighed. “But I admit it would be nice to escape it sometimes.”
“I bet.” She turned and looked out the window again.
When he got to Indigo Bay, he pulled into the drive in front of her cottage. A warm, welcoming light spilled through the front door and gently illuminated the porch. He climbed out of the car and came around to open the door for her. She slid out and started walking to her door but lost her balance on the crushed shells. He reached and quickly caught her as she fell against him. He wrapped his arm protectively around her, liking the feeling of her next to him.
“You okay?” He looked at her.
She laughed. “Yes, I’m just not used to walking in heels. Much less walking in them on a surface like crushed shells. Now you know my little secret.”
He led her up the steps, carefully keeping hold of her arm so she wouldn’t trip again, not just because he didn’t want to lose his contact with her. As soon as she got to the porch, she reached down and slipped off her shoes.
“My other secret? These things have been killing my feet all evening. I’m much more a flip-flop girl.”
He grinned at her. “Nothing wrong with flip-flops.”
She opened the door and turned toward him. He could see a flash of indecision in her eyes. She looked down at her bare feet, wiggled her toes, then looked back up at him. “Um, do you want to come inside for a few minutes?”
“I’d like that.” He followed her into the cottage, pleased she’d decided to ask him in.
She dropped her shoes in the corner and led the way to her kitchen. “I can fix you a drink. Beer? Wine? Soda?”
“A beer sounds great, but I better stick with soda. I kind of have this strict rule about drinking and driving. One drink only.”
“If you don’t mind leaving your car until tomorrow, you could walk back to The Pink Ladies.”
He paused, eyeing the open fridge. “That sounds like a deal. I’ll have a beer.”
She reached in, grabbed a bottle, and handed it to him. “Here, you wrestle the cap off. I’m going to get a glass of wine for myself.”
They took their drinks out onto her deck overlooking the ocean. The moonlit sky tossed silvery beams of light on the gently rolling waves. She sat down on an Adirondack chair and he took the one beside her.
“I love sitting out here in the evenings. I swear this deck is the best part of the cottage.”
“It is nice and peaceful.” Especially after the chaos of leaving the restaurant.
“I love having coffee out here in the mornings, too. Watching the sun rise up out of the horizon and throw colors across the sky. You should see the photos on my cell phone. I’m forever taking sunrise photos. There is something magical about that time of day.”
He watched as she relaxed in her chair and sipped her wine. She pushed a wisp of hair away from her face and turned to catch him staring at her. She smiled. “What are you looking at?”
“Just… you. Glad to see you relax after all that mess at Bistro Fifty.”
“I was just startled. I guess I didn’t handle it well, I’m sorry. I know I was quiet on the car ride home. My mind was racing with thoughts and… I know none of it was your fault.” She looked into his eyes. “I did have a good time with you though. The food was wonderful. Especially that chocolate dessert.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” At least that part of the evening had turned out well. And this part was turning out pretty nicely, too.
“So, what’s next on your to-do list for the big gala?” She settled back in her chair.
“I’m talking with the caterer to finalize all that. Reconfirming the band. It’s a small four-piece group. They play a mix of oldies and some new music. They know a lot of classics from my grandmother’s era. I think they’ll be perfect.”
“That does sound nice.”
“I want to make sure everything is settled before my family starts coming to town this weekend. Christina and my two nieces will arrive on Saturday. My grandmother on Monday. My brother and the rest of the family comes in after that.” He was going to make darn sure that everything was in place before his sister got here, so there would be no way she could second-guess his every decision. Or maybe she still would, but the decisions will have already been made.
“How old are your nieces?”
“Six. They’re twins and I adore them. They have me wrapped around their little fingers.” Ah, his adorable nieces. They were full of boundless energy and endless questions. He enjoyed seeing them when he could get away, though that did mean he had to put up with his sister. He wished he and his siblings could get along better, but he was almost certain that unless he gave up acting and became something like a rocket scientist, they’d never think he’d amounted to anything. He tried hard not to let that bother him. It didn’t bother him.
Mostly.
“I can’t imagine a large family like yours. What’s it like?”
“Well, it’s noisy.” He grinned. “Especially when all the kids come. My grandmother tries to get us all together at least once a year. Aunts, uncles, cousins. Usually a holiday party sometime in December. I don’t catch it very often anymore.”
“I always dreamed of growing up in a family like that. Lots of brothers and sisters and cousins. You’re very lucky.”
He couldn’t miss the wistful look in her eyes. He’d never really thought much about coming from such a large family. It was just a part of him. He wondered what it would be like to only have a brother and a father for family. Maybe her family didn’t even interfere in her life with millions of conflicting opinions of what she was doing wrong with her life…
“I guess I am lucky to have such a big family.” Though, sometimes it sure didn’t feel like it. Whitney made him feel like he should appreciate it more. She had a way of looking at the bright side of things, a habit he wished she’d teach him.
Right then he made up his mind to change his thinking. Instead of dreading his family coming to town, he was going to look forward to it. It was going to be a fabulous week of family togetherness. How was that for positive thinking?
Chapter 6
Whitney rolled over and glanced at the clock. Who in the world was calling her this early? She snatched her cell phone from the bed table.
“Hey, sis.”
“Willie, why are you calling me this early? Is eve
rything all right?”
“You tell me.”
She pulled the covers up and closed her eyes as she talked. “Um… you’re the one who called me, remember?”
“I saw your photo in the news.”
“What photo?”
“You and the actor. You know, what’s-his-name, Rick Nichols.”
She sat up straight in bed, the covers slipping down to her waist. “What? Where did you see that?”
“Pretty much everywhere. There was a big article about who is this mystery woman with Rick.”
“Did any of the posts have my name?” She frowned.
“Not so far. So you’re dating this actor guy and you didn’t bother to tell your own brother?”
“No, I’m not dating him. He took me out to dinner as a thank you for helping him with a party he’s planning for his grandmother.”
“Hey, you realize his grandmother is Viola Lemmons, right?”
“Since when do you keep up with celebrities?”
“Ashley told me.”
So her brother’s girlfriend had seen it, too. Whitney scrubbed a hand over her face, trying to clear her foggy, just-woke-up mind. “I’m sure it will blow over soon. No one will figure out it was me. I’m a nobody.”
“Whit, I’m pretty sure they’ll dig around and find out who you are.”
“Maybe not?”
“Maybe so. Look on the bright side, it might be good publicity for Coastal Creations.”
She let out a long sigh. “This isn’t what I planned. I do love that the shop is doing so well, but I don’t like being in the spotlight. Not when Shawna Jacobson did that viral post. Not now.”
“Well, I think you should be prepared. I’m pretty sure you’re going to be in the limelight again.”
“Well, Rick can just tell them he’s not dating me.” There, that was simple enough. Rick could deal with it. She climbed out of bed and headed to the kitchen in search of coffee. If she was going to be up this early, at least she could sip on coffee. The automatic coffee maker had done its thing. She reached for a mug and poured a steaming cup.
