Tyler had a firm grip on Star’s hand as the EMTs disappeared.
Burnett excused the musicians. Their gig was over. He found the maintenance man, asking him to take charge of clearing the remaining food. The cleaning staff he had hired began packing up paper plates, plastic knives, forks, spoons and glassware.
“Looks like your cupcakes were a hit—not one left that I can see,” Tyler said. “Star, wait here. I want to check with my team before we leave. I have some big news to tell you but not until we get home.”
“Sure. I hope Mr. Roth is going to be all right. He didn’t look good. Never opened his eyes. Never said a word.”
With the abrupt end of the Fourth of July celebration, Star thought about the coming Monday. She was to meet with Roth. Now that he was on the way to the hospital, that meeting seemed doubtful at best.
Chapter 4
NOT MUCH WAS SAID on the way home from the barbecue, both lost in thought. At the house, Tyler asked Star if she’d like a cocktail, a glass of milk, maybe a cup of hot chocolate.
Cocktail? That was different. She and Tyler were known to share a glass of wine but rarely what she thought of as a cocktail. She shook her head, changed her mind. A cup of cocoa would be nice, marshmallows on top. She changed from her flippy sundress to a pair of shorts and a sleeveless T-shirt. Settling on the couch she took the mug Tyler held out, tapping his mug to hers.
“Cheers,” he said with a grin.
“Okay, Mr. Jackman. Tell me your exciting news.” Star pushed away the nagging possibility that there was going to be a change in the project she’d been hired for. At the very least, there would be a delay. She concentrated on Tyler, staving off the image of Mr. Roth as he was lifted into the emergency vehicle.
Tyler set his mug on the coffee table, paced to the sliding glass door overlooking the Pacific Ocean. He spun around, returned to Star sitting on the couch. He sat next to her taking the mug from her hand, placing it on the coffee table beside his.
“Star, I can’t believe it. I, my team and I, have been selected to submit a cartoon, an animated story to be the lead-in to Disney’s upcoming feature-length film.”
“Ty, that’s wonderful. No wonder they looked absolutely giddy this afternoon. When do you start? When is the Disney film going to be released? Are they giving you startup money?”
“We start Monday. It’s a competition. Roxy didn’t say how many teams were involved. We must present the film no later than September first. The feature film will be released the beginning of December for the Christmas season,” Tyler said jumping to his feet, pacing to the window then back to Star.
“Where will your team work? The project isn’t for Burnett Media, or do they have a piece of it? Did they help you, their star animation designer, get the project?” Star said beaming at his news.
“No. No help from Burnett. It was a fluke that we’ve been chosen. A few months ago, Roxy, you saw her at the barbecue. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to introduce you to her. Anyway, I saw a notice in the Hollywood gossip paper that Disney was holding a competition for an animated short story. She dared me to enter. Good thing she did because voila, my team and I, the four of us, were tapped.”
“Terrific. I’m sorry I didn’t meet Roxy. Was she the woman talking to you and the two guys before Roth collapsed?”
“Yes. Shoot, I should have made sure that you met the group.”
“So where are you and your team going to work? Is there an empty studio at Burnett Media?”
“Twentynine Palms.”
“Twentynine Palms? Where’s that? I think I’ve heard of it. Isn’t it in Nevada?”
“No, silly. It’s east of LA…in California.”
“How far east?” Star asked withdrawing her hand from Tyler’s grip.
“A hundred-forty miles…about.”
“Tyler, are you telling me you’re going to commute that far every day…twice a day?”
“No, no. Roxy said the Disney rep arranged for a house they use from time to time when they need to be secluded. I guess it’s a small house that’s empty in a development. Three bedrooms. Roxy said we can set up bunk beds. Boys room and a room for Roxy.”
“Ty, wait a minute…my cell. It’s Burnett. Hello Mr. Burnett. Have you heard anything about Mr. Roth? Is he—”
“He’s in Intensive Care, Star. They pumped his stomach for drugs,” Burnett said.
“Drug overdose? I never heard anyone say he—”
“It wasn’t well known.”
“So will he be okay?” Star said.
“They don’t know yet. Star, he’s in pretty bad shape. He may not make it. The project he was going to produce, your project, is on hold for now. I’m sorry.”
The call was disconnected.
Star had been in Hollywood less than a day and now her project was in jeopardy. No, it was worse. It may never happen. And Tyler…instead of being together, he was leaving and was excited about it. Boys and girls in separate rooms, miles and miles away, sounded a little too cozy. She shook her head. Thoughts filling her mind were unsettling. Come on Star, she thought. You’re a big girl. Ty’s not going to be gone forever…a few days then back for the weekend. I’ll give Mr. Roth a day or two, then check in on him. Could have been something he ate. Maybe a bad hot dog.
“I’m starting another project, too,” she blurted out.
Tyler looked up. “I know the reality show—"
“Not that. A kids’ cooking show, a pilot—maybe turning it into a reality show, too. I mentioned it to you back when I opened the bakery.”
“Star, you were crazy busy. I was leaving for Hollywood. I don’t remember—”
“Roth thought the idea had promise. Maybe a spinoff…he even said there was a kitchen studio at Burnett Media. So, I guess we’ll both be busy—”
“I didn’t know…” Tyler began.
“Like I didn’t know about Twentynine Oaks?”
“Palms.”
“Whatever.”
Chapter 5
CLOUDS FILLED THE SKY the next day. Not the menacing kind, big and black. These were white, fluffy, but none the less they did cast a shadow over Star as did Tyler’s news of leaving Sunday morning. She should be happy for him and she was. But her immediate future seemed in doubt depending on when Mr. Roth recovered.
The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee roused Star from her nagging thoughts. She smiled. Tyler fixed coffee. She was usually first in the kitchen.
“Hey, lazy bones. Time to get up, enjoy the day,” Tyler said handing her a mug of coffee laced with cream. Hot and steamy, just the way she liked it.
“Thanks. Ty, did yesterday afternoon really happen? I mean, are you really leaving tomorrow morning? When will I see you again?”
Tyler sat on the bed beside her.
Taking a sip of her coffee she waited for him to answer her eyes not daring to look at him.
“I had a call this morning from Roxy. The team is traveling to Twentynine Palms this afternoon. We can settle in the house today, get our computers networked tomorrow, which gives us an early start Monday morning.”
“Today?” Star snapped splashing coffee on the black and white checkered quilt. Setting the mug on the nightstand, she jumped out of bed snatching the shorts and T-shirt from last night and marched to the bathroom.
“Hey, what’s the matter?” he called out.
She didn’t answer.
Tyler padded to the kitchen. His black jogging suit, pants and shirt, matched a growing knot in his stomach. He didn’t want to leave Star but he’d be back every week. Well, most weeks. It would take the team at least two months…well maybe more. It must be Roth she’s worried about. A batch of pancakes will help. She loves pancakes, he thought, a grin breaking across his face.
Star stalked into the living room open to the kitchen. “I have to move. This place is too big for one person. You know darn well it will be months before your film is done, and then what, non-stop meetings with the Disney people—”
“Star, we may not be chosen. There are five other contenders. Why are you so—”
“So what? So upset?”
“It’s not forever. You’ll be busy—” Tyler started to say.
“Not unless Roth has a miraculous recovery.”
“How many pancakes do you want? Three or—”
“I’m not hungry. I’m going for a run on the beach.”
“Hold up. I’ll go with you.”
Star was already out the door, running down the path, hitting the sand full throttle. Tyler wasn’t far behind and with his long strides caught up with her, stride for stride.
Out of breath, Star slumped to the sand fists clenching the sand as her breathing returned to normal. Tyler flopped down beside her. Both stared at the incoming tide.
“I’m sorry, Ty,” she whispered. “Too much is happening at once which is no excuse for my taking it out on you. But I may fly back to Daytona Beach…at least while you get your film started and Roth, hopefully, recovers fast. I know how the first weeks of brainstorming are. You’re trying one concept after another can be exhausting. If I’m going back to my bakery for a little while then we should really give up this house. Things are changing.”
“I understand. It’s probably a good idea…give up the house.”
“What time are you leaving?” Star asked turning to him, pain in her eyes.
“A couple of hours. We all want to have access to our own car so we’re forming a caravan at Burnett Media. Star, I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too. I’ll take care of the house issue and then fly to Daytona Beach. After you leave today my first thing will be to visit Roth at the hospital. Maybe he’ll be doing better, maybe he said something about my kids’ idea to Burnett. If so, we’ll keep the house and it’ll be a quick trip East or I won’t go at all…who knows. He may be back to work in a few days.”
“I love you Star.”
“And I love you, Ty.”
Tyler turned on his knees, held her cheeks and kissed her perky pink lips, a lingering kiss interrupted with her cell.
Star pulled back smiling as she answered the call. “Mr. Burnett, hi.”
“Star, will you be home later this afternoon?”
“Yes. Is there something wrong…Mr. Roth?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ll find out and tell you when I see you. Your address is the same as your employee file?”
“Yes it is. Can you give me a call when you’re on the way? I have to skip out on a few errands.”
“I will.”
The call ended and Star turned to Tyler.
“Burnett is coming here?” Tyler said. “Why? Did he say?”
“He didn’t say. He’s stopping to see Roth. Maybe it has to do with the show. Why? Is it important?”
“He has a reputation…with women. You shouldn’t meet here. It would be better if you saw him at a restaurant, a café—”
“Tyler, he didn’t ask me for a date—not lunch or dinner.”
“Still, I don’t like it.”
“Oh, it’s okay if you drive God knows where, staying in a house with Roxy—”
“And two other guys. Don’t forget that.”
Star sighed. “Ty, let’s not fight. I understand your new project could turn into something big.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just—”
“Call me when you get a chance. I’ll call you if it’s urgent, otherwise I don’t want to interrupt a genius at work,” Star said. She tried to smile but it was weak.
Tyler flicked a small shell. How did I fall into the trap of doubting her, he thought. I’ve seen how she handles guys on the beach back home. Guys were always coming on to her. Ah, but that’s the difference. Burnett is not any guy. He’s a powerful man and Star will want him to like her, will want him to save her project.
Standing, he drew her into his arms. “Just be careful. Okay?”
“I will be careful, Mr. Jackman.”
With a quick hug and kiss, they raced back to the house laughing.
Chapter 6
THE VAN WAS PACKED—clothes, two computers, two thirty-two inch monitors and one a tad a smaller at twenty-seven inches. A bag held the components—a mouse, a backup mouse, batteries and several flash drives and cupcakes. Star had baked a dozen for the team.
She leaned against the white cargo van watching him parade back and forth with his gear. He was really leaving her. Maybe leaving her was too strong, but that’s how she felt.
“That’s it, Miss Bloom. Cell is in my pocket at all times. Don’t hesitate to give me a call and, of course, I’ll be calling you to hear your sweet voice.” Tyler hugged her. Holding her he leaned back, looked into her eyes. “I’ll be back Friday night for the weekend. Let’s not vacate the house until you know about Roth’s condition. I should have some idea of the team’s schedule by then. Okay?” he said with a peck on her lips.
“Okay.”
She pasted a smile on her face as Tyler backed out of the driveway but inside she felt abandoned. She knew it was silly. They’d been apart for months until she finally put her bakery in the capable hands of the Butterworth sisters. They had practically picked her up bodily taking her to the airport. Benny too. Such wonderful people who came into her life that summer at the diner.
- - -
Tyler turned into the Burnett Media parking lot followed by Roxy in her red, four-seater convertible, top down. The other two, Sam and Ben were standing by their cars chatting but stopped as their leader pulled up beside them. Tyler was a tough task master and as such was known to be grumpy at times acting like one of the seven dwarfs in Snow White. But he could flip to other comical figures giving them ideas for characters in the stories they were tasked to animate. They never knew which he would be if the design grew out of whack. Nicknames didn’t bother Tyler. It helped in some instances to get the team to quit goofing off by a mere look.
When the team formed, putting the polishing touches on his original Baker Girl cartoon show prior to the reality show production, the guys wondered if Roxy would stay or if they even wanted her as part of the team. While she definitely could be disruptive she was an extremely talented graphic designer and often came up with a twist in the story, or a new character to interact with their characters that enriched the plot. They also learned how to handle her, shut her down, if she got into one of her crazy-lady phases—disruptive versus productive.
Roxy was a very hot, quirky, yet sometimes a down-to-earth redhead. She knew she was attractive to guys and would pout to get her way. The team played along if they felt like it, but more often than not they ignored her and she’d get back to work. Today she was hot…short, short, shorts, tight orange T-shirt and a ball cap pulled low over her eyes.
Roxy tooted twice, as she stopped behind Tyler’s van.
“Come on boys. Let’s roll. There’s an Olympic size pool in the development where we’re going to create an Emmy-award-winning short film. Follow me,” she said with a smile, tooting again as she backed up, making a three-point turn out onto the main road.
The guys laughed. Tyler shook his head as they formed a caravan of four following Roxy on the highway East to Twentynine Palms.
- - -
By two in the afternoon the team had arrived at the now furnished to suit their needs desert bungalow. They unpacked their vehicles, claimed their bedrooms, and set up the dining room as the command center for the project. Tyler was pleased there were three bedrooms set up with the single-sized beds Roxy had requested. They climbed in Roxy’s convertible and headed out for a late lunch at the Mexican Street Grill, a very unpretentious stucco roadside restaurant. At the cafeteria-style taco bar, they helped themselves to a cheap lunch by California standards.
Sam mentioned he’d like to take a swim. The team agreed and headed back to the development. They didn’t make it to the pool. Exhausted from the exhilaration of being picked to compete a few days ago, plus the almost three-hour drive, they crashed. By four thirty in t
he afternoon, they found themselves sitting in the living room looking at each other.
“We could start brainstorming,” Tyler suggested.
Ben jumped to his feet. “No, we deserve a few hours off. Tomorrow we set up the equipment ready for Monday—a work day.”
Roxy smiled. “I know the perfect place to get our juices going.”
“And where is that?” Sam asked.
“Las Vegas—a three-hour drive each way and two to three hours at the slots or a show,” Roxy said with a grin.
“Sounds like what the doctor ordered,” Ben declared. “Let’s change. The last one in the sleek red beauty is a grumpy old man.”
“I don’t know guys?” Tyler said, shaking his head.
“Come on, Ty. You know we’re going to work our tails off starting tomorrow networking our gear. We deserve a little playtime.”
“Okay, okay. But curfew is midnight,” Tyler said.
He tried to call Star but it went straight to voicemail. So if she was off having fun, why shouldn’t he?
On the way to Vegas they chatted, mostly Ben and Sam chatted in the back seat about the feather-clad girls they were going to meet. On the way back to Twentynine Palms they sang every pop song they knew from high school. Although Tyler was the designated driver, he joined in the merriment. Tomorrow was only a few hours away. Plenty of time to buckle down, time to get the equipment set up for Monday.
Chapter 7
STAR LIED TO BURNETT. She didn’t have running errands on her to-do list. She had to steady her nerves. More important she needed to shake the feeling of being alone, of being without Tyler and his words of encouragement, and his strong arms around her. When Burnett called that he was on his way she was ready and pushed Mr. Coffee’s brew button.
She welcomed the head of Burnett Media asking if he’d like a cup of coffee.
A Cupcake to Die For Page 2
