Love in the Afternoon

by Alison Packard

  “I wasn’t sure you’d come,” Matt said, staring at the beach. “I haven’t been very good company for a pretty long time.”

  Sean didn’t contradict him. Matt was right. Being around him for the past year had been tough.

  “Thank you for checking on me last weekend.”

  “You’d do the same for me.” Sean braced his hands on his board as a large swell wobbled it.

  “The Blaze are picking up my contract. I’m going to San Francisco after the All-Star break.” Matt turned and met his stunned gaze. “I’ve played my last game in a Dodgers uniform.”

  Sean wasn’t quite sure what to say. He hated the thought of Matt not being a Dodger. And to be traded to a team both of them had despised since they were kids was like adding insult to injury. But on the other hand, he’d still get to play ball. “I’m sorry, man.”

  “Don’t be. I brought it on myself.”

  “When did you find out?”

  “When I was driving over here. My agent called and gave me the news.” Matt trailed his hand in the water and then used it to slick back his hair. “Rick Taylor was in a motorcycle accident last night. He’s out the rest of the season. The Blaze need another catcher. They can’t finish the season with just their number two guy.”

  “That sucks. Taylor was a shoe-in for rookie of the year. He’s a helluva a catcher. He reminds me of you your first year.”

  “Yeah. He’s that good.” Matt grinned.

  Sean laughed. “Still modest, I see.”

  “I leave the day after tomorrow.” Matt’s expression turned somber. “I think this may be for the best. I need to be away from L.A. for a while. The memories here are still pretty raw.”

  Sean breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe, just maybe, Matt was ready to turn things around.

  “You’ll keep in touch, right?”

  “Of course.” Matt held his gaze. “You’re my best friend. I’m sorry for the shit I put you through this past year. You didn’t deserve it.”

  The silence between them was filled with unspoken emotions. The bond between them had been strained but it hadn’t broken. “I’m still rooting for the Dodgers,” Sean finally said.

  Matt’s laugh was booming, and for the first time in a year, Sean knew his friend was going to be all right.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Shay: You think I’m beautiful?

  Jared: Yes.

  Shay: You’re not so bad yourself.

  Jared: I get that a lot.

  Before leaving the studio for the day, Kayla stuck her head inside Amanda’s office. “You wanted to see me?”

  Amanda turned from her computer screen and nodded. “I want to update you on the activities at Fab Fan Weekend.”

  “I can’t wait to go to Savannah,” Kayla said, stepping inside her office.

  Swiveling her chair around, Amanda said, “Great, because I think you and Sean both being there has increased ticket sales. Not only do the viewers love your characters together, they’re thrilled you’re dating in real life.”

  “I’m pretty thrilled about that myself.”

  Amanda’s brows rose and she smiled. “Really? I never would have guessed.”

  “Funny.” Kayla grinned. “What’s the plan for Savannah?”

  “You leave a week from tomorrow.” Amanda picked up a sheet of paper on her desk and glanced at it. “The airfare and lodging have been paid for by the network. On Friday you have the morning free, but then there’s a luncheon with the contest winners from Soap Opera Journal. Friday evening there’s an informal dinner and Q&A session for all the actors invited to the event.”

  “That sounds fun.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. She still had plenty of time before meeting Sean at Cheech’s. “What about Saturday?”

  “The morning and afternoon are set aside for fan events. They’re meet and greets like that one you went to in Van Nuys. Saturday night is the formal dinner. Several awards will be given out.” Amanda looked up. “You’ve won three of them.”

  “What? You’re kidding!”

  “Nope. The readers of both Soap Opera Journal and its sister publication Soap Scoop are sponsors along with the network. They opened an online poll two months ago that closed last week. You won for best newcomer, best actress, and both you and Sean won for best couple.”

  “Wow. That’s amazing considering the writers are taking things pretty slowly.”

  “The audience knows it’s coming and judging by the responses on the viewer comment line they can’t wait for Jared and Shay to get together. I’m glad Ken’s not rushing it.” Amanda’s lips twitched with amusement. “By the time Jared and Shay admit they’re in love with each other the viewers will be so excited they’ll have a spontaneous orgasm.”

  Kayla burst out laughing, and after Amanda finished updating her about the event and handed her an itinerary she left the studio. Walking across the parking lot, she saw Rachel about to get into her sports car. It was parked next to her Mustang, which had been repainted. The body shop had done an excellent job. The hateful words were gone and the new paint gleamed in the afternoon sun.

  “How’d you do it?” Rachel stared at her over the roof of her car. “How did you rig the voting for the awards you won?”

  “Are you serious?” Kayla halted behind her car. “I didn’t rig anything.”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “Don’t play Miss Innocent with me. There’s no way you could beat me in any category unless the voting was rigged.”

  Good Lord, the woman’s ego was huge.

  “You’re out of your mind.” Kayla moved to the side of her car, digging her keys out of her purse.

  “You think you’re better than me, don’t you?”

  Looking up from her purse, Kayla saw malice in Rachel’s blue eyes. “No. I don’t,” she said, unlocking her car.

  “You won’t be around long,” Rachel snapped. “I’ve been on A New Dawn for six years. I have more experience, and more talent than you’ll ever have.”

  “If you say so.” Kayla opened the door and tossed her purse and the folder Amanda gave her inside.

  Rachel’s mouth twisted in an ugly grimace. “And furthermore, once Sean is done with you, he’ll turn to me so fast it’ll make your head spin.”

  Bracing her hand on the door frame, Kayla met Rachel’s frigid stare. “Jealousy isn’t a very attractive quality, Rachel.”

  Rachel’s mouth gaped open. “Me? Jealous? Of you?” She let out a loud snort. “And you call me crazy?”

  Deciding to not give Rachel what she wanted—a reaction—she feigned a smile. “I’d love to stay and chat but I’m meeting Sean for dinner. Have a nice evening,” she said and got into the car. Driving away, she looked in the rear view mirror to find Rachel watching her drive away.

  Turning the corner, Kayla couldn’t help but think that her life was becoming one big soap opera. She had a stalker, and a jealous co-worker.

  What was next? Amnesia?

  * * *

  An hour later, Kayla sat at a table at Cheech’s. Sean sat across from her, and in between them was a large pepperoni pizza.

  “Matt’s been traded to San Francisco,” Sean said before taking the last bite of his first slice.

  “It’s a done deal?” she asked. “I haven’t heard a peep out of Kelly.”

  “He found out this morning.”

  “How’s he taking it?”

  “Better than I thought.”

  “I’m sure Kelly’s not. I’ll call her before I go to bed. She’s going to need someone to vent to.” She was about to pick up her pizza when her cell phone rang. Pulling it from the side pocket of her purse, she looked at the screen. “Oh damn. I forgot to call Donald.” She looked up. “My agent.” The phone rang again. “Do you mind?”

  Sean shook his head and reached for another piece of pizza.

  “Donald,” she said putting the phone to her ear. “I’m so sorry. I saw you called right before rehearsal and then forgot to call you back. What’s up?”r />
  “Not a problem, Kayla. I had meetings with clients most of the day.” Donald Carter had been her agent since she’d moved to Los Angeles. “I got a call from a casting agent working with Amblin.”

  “Amblin? That’s Steven Spielberg’s production company,” she said and met Sean’s curious gaze. “This sounds like good news.”

  “It is,” Donald said with the same upbeat enthusiasm that had convinced her to sign with him seven years ago. “They’d like you to come in for an audition. The actress they originally went with has been let go. The details are sketchy. I heard something about rehab.” Donald paused. “Anyway, someone over there has seen you on the soap and wants you to come in. Are you interested?”

  “Am I interested?” Kayla asked and then laughed. “What do you know about the part?” She gave Sean a thumb’s up sign and grinned.

  “The character’s an Army nurse. That’s all I know. The project’s a twelve part mini-series about Pearl Harbor. It’ll be on HBO.”

  “When’s the audition?”

  “Friday. Will that be a problem?”

  “Not at all. I’m off on Friday.”

  “That’s a good omen.” Donald was very superstitious. “I can send over a courier with the audition script tonight, or first thing tomorrow morning. What works best for you?”

  “You can send the script over in the morning. I’ll be at the studio at seven,” Kayla said, excitement coursing through her body. A role in a Steven Spielberg production was a huge deal.

  After Donald said his goodbyes, Kayla shoved her phone in her purse. “I have an audition on Friday.”

  Sean set his half-eaten pizza on his plate. “So I heard. For Amblin, right?”

  “Yes.” She pumped her fist in the air. “This is so exciting.”

  “That’s interesting.” He leaned back in his chair and pinned her with a hard stare. “Right after meeting my father you land an audition for one of his best friends’ projects.”

  Kayla frowned. “What’s your point?”

  “The timing’s a little suspect.” His eyes narrowed. “Don’t you think?”

  “The other actress was fired.”

  “Isn’t that convenient?”

  “Donald said someone over at Amblin has seen me on the show and wants me to audition. They haven’t offered me the role. It’s just a reading.”

  “Oh, you’ll get it. Don’t you see? My father is using you.”

  “How would your father benefit from me being cast in—”

  Sean slapped his hand on the table. She flinched as the glasses shook and the silverware rattled. “To get to me!”

  “What the…?” She stared at him. “You’re being paranoid.”

  “And you’re being naïve,” he shot back. “You’re a damn fool if you take this audition.”

  “You can’t be…Sean.” Her blood turned cold. “This is the chance of a—”

  “It’s a set-up.” His voice was flat, his green eyes unyielding. “Rachel would kill for this.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “My father’s connections…she’d do it in a heartbeat.”

  “I’m not Rachel!”

  “Then prove it.”

  Furious at his demand as well as the unflattering comparison to Rachel, Kayla fumbled for the strap of her purse. “Are you so filled with…with resentment that you would ask—no demand—that I sacrifice my dreams on the off chance that your father may have put in a good word for me?”

  “So you do believe he recommended you.”

  “No, but if he did maybe it’s because he believes I’m talented. Did you ever think of that?”

  “My father doesn’t know you. You’re just one of hundreds of actresses in this town.” Sean’s words were cutting. “I doubt he’s seen Halloween Hell, and he wouldn’t be caught dead watching A New Dawn.”

  Rising from the table, she stared down at him. “Your father knows exactly who I am. He watches the show.”

  Sean’s eyes widened and then narrowed. “That’s bullshit.”

  “Ask him.” Throwing down her napkin, she held his irate gaze. “Oh, and by the way. Not everything is about you,” she said and turned and, without a backward glance, stalked toward her car.

  * * *

  Not everything is about you.

  Pacing back and forth in his dressing room holding his script, Sean replayed Kayla’s angry words over and over in his head.

  It was so damn obvious what his father’s intentions were. How could Kayla be so unaware? For years his father had been trying to get back into his life and control him. The minute James Barrett had met Kayla he saw his chance to worm his way back in. Well, it wasn’t going to happen. Not in this lifetime.

  Sean slapped his script down on the desk in the corner and scrubbed a hand over his jaw. His father wasn’t stupid—he’d give him that. If anyone could have convinced him to give his father a chance, it was Kayla.

  A soft knock at the door startled him. He turned and crossed the small room. Opening the door, he found Kayla on the other side.

  “We need to talk,” she said. She looked fresh and beautiful. Obviously their argument hadn’t prevented her from getting a good night’s sleep. Unlike him.

  “You’re right,” he said, stepping aside so she could enter, “we do.” After closing the door he turned to face her. “Are you here to tell me you’re not going to the audition on Friday?”

  “Actually.” Her chin angled up and she met his gaze. “I was hoping we could have a rational discussion about the matter.”

  “Are you implying I wasn’t rational last night?” he asked, putting his hands on his hips, glowering at her. “I know my father a lot better than you do. For the past ten years he’s tried his best to insinuate himself into my life. He couldn’t bother with me after my mom died and then he decided to start playing dear old dad.” Sean ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “But it was too late. I took the job on the soap, left his house, and never looked back.”

  Kayla met his gaze unflinchingly. “Oh, you looked back.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “You told me yourself you’ve spent holidays with him. You looked after his house, and even took care of his plumbing problem last week. You didn’t cut him out of your life. Underneath all the anger and resentment you’re carrying around there’s a part of you that cares about him.”

  “Are you analyzing me?” Clenching his fists, he moved to stand in front of her. “Sweetheart, you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “I know that if you hated your father as much as you want me to believe, you wouldn’t acknowledge him at all.”

  Her words stung, and hit closer to home than he wanted to admit. Instinctively, he struck back. “I should have known you were too good to be true.” Hurt flickered in her eyes but he went on, driven by a force beyond his control. “You’re an amazing actress, Kayla. And I bought it hook, line and sinker.”

  Her brow furrowed. “Bought what?”

  “That sweet innocent ‘girl next door’ persona you’ve got down pat,” he said. “You played me like a fiddle.” He paused. “Tell me, did you write those letters and send them to yourself?”

  “What?”

  “Is there really a stalker? Or did you make it all up?” She stared at him wordlessly. Leaning forward, he went for the jugular. “Did you fuck me to get to my father? Was that your end game?” Her face blanched. He quickly banished the voice inside of his head that was telling him he was going too far. “Are you going to fuck him too?”

  “How dare you!”

  Her hand blurred toward his face in a stinging slap. Her eyes were black with rage—he never imagined he would see her like that.

  “I’m done.”

  “Kayla—”

  “No one talks to me like that. Not anymore. Not ever again.” She brushed past him toward the door, but turned back. “Obviously Matt isn’t the only one with issues,” she said in a cold flat voice. “You might want to
think about that. Before it’s too late.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  She didn’t say a word. Instead she opened the door and then slammed it behind her when she walked out. The sound reverberated painfully in his heart and he was left alone in the sudden overwhelming silence of the dressing room.

  * * *

  On Friday morning, Kayla sat clutching her script in her hands as she waited to be called in for her audition. Across from her, the receptionist was on the phone calling agents and politely telling them that their clients didn’t get whatever role they had auditioned for. She hoped Donald wouldn’t be getting one of those regret calls after her audition.

  “That must be tough,” Kayla said when the receptionist finished with her last call.

  “It was hard at first.” The redhead smiled. “I feel bad for the agents. They’re the ones who have to break it to their clients.” She paused. “If you get the part will you leave A New Dawn?”

  “You watch the show?”

  “I love it. Is Sean Barrett as hot in person as he is on TV?”

  Kayla’s heart squeezed painfully. She didn’t want to think about Sean but he was all she’d been thinking about since their heated argument. Yesterday they’d had a scene together and she could barely get her lines out. Bill had looked at her with concern and after Sean walked off the set when the scene was over she’d barely been able to contain her tears.

  She noticed the receptionist staring at her expectantly. “Yes,” she said. “He’s very hot.”

  The phone buzzed and the receptionist picked it up. The call was short. She hung up and pointed to a door to Kayla’s left. “They’re ready for you.” She smiled. “Good luck. I’m rooting for you.”

  “Thank you.” Kayla stood up and smoothed a hand down the front of her dress. Taking a deep breath, she turned and opened the door.

  Thirty minutes later, Kayla uttered her last line and waited. There was silence in the room and then the casting director leaned to his left and whispered something to the woman sitting next to him.