Love in the Afternoon

by Alison Packard

  Watching him walk away, Sean still had no clue why the guy looked so familiar. Knowing he’d figure it out eventually, he moved into the elevator and hit the button for his floor. He still had some time to kill before the awards dinner started and he didn’t feel like making polite chit chat with anyone. Getting blind stinking drunk sounded a hell of a lot better. Maybe then he could stop thinking about Kayla and how much he missed her.

  When he got off of the elevator, he fished his card key from the pocket of his suit jacket and headed for his room. After rounding the corner of the corridor, he stopped in stunned surprise when he saw who was standing in the hallway. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

  James Barrett’s blue eyes assessed him coolly. “You know exactly why I’m here, Sean. You may not want to talk to me, but you’re damn well going to listen to what I have to say. Now, do you want me to say my piece here in the hallway, or are you going to invite me in?”

  * * *

  Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Kayla dabbed at her tearstained cheeks with a tissue. The thought of attending the awards banquet almost sickened her. She and Lisa would be seated at the same table with Sean and several of their co-stars. And not only would she have to pretend to have a good time, she would have to get up and accept three awards. One of them with Sean. She pressed a hand to her queasy stomach. Is it too late to say I ate some bad sushi and pull a disappearing act? Forget that idea. For one thing it was a documented fact that she hated sushi, and for another, she could never disappoint the fans that might have come to see her.

  Opening the small clutch she was using for the evening, she pulled out a tube of her favorite red lipstick and touched up her lips. She might feel like hell on the inside, but at least she looked presentable on the outside.

  A sharp knock sounded on the door; her pulse started to race. It was still too early for Lisa to arrive. Maybe Sean has come back, she thought, unable to tamp down the frisson of hope that ignited inside of her. Dropping the lipstick case next to her purse on the vanity, she left the bathroom and hurried to the door. Pulling it open, her heart plummeted to her stomach as stared at the last person on earth she had ever expected to see in Savannah.

  “What the hell are you doing here?”

  * * *

  Sean unbuttoned his jacket and turned to face his father. He didn’t like surprises, and his father showing up unannounced in Savannah qualified as a big one. “You wanted to talk. So talk.”

  “Do you mind if I sit down?” James motioned to the upholstered chair next to a round table in the corner of the room. “It’s been a long day. My connecting flight in Kansas City was delayed for about two hours.”

  “You flew commercial?” he asked as his father moved to the chair and eased himself on to it. Looking at him, Sean could see the tiredness etched on his face, and again realized his father was getting older. Tonight though, he seemed particularly vulnerable. A trait Sean had never associated with his father.

  “I couldn’t arrange for a private jet on such short notice.”

  Sean gave a hollow laugh. “And here I thought the great James Barrett could get anything he wanted just by snapping his fingers.”

  “I don’t wield as much power as you obviously think I do.” James settled back in the chair and met his gaze with enigmatic eyes.

  “But you got Kayla the part in that Pearl Harbor mini-series. You called Spielberg and had him call his casting people, didn’t you?”

  James shook his head. “I haven’t talked to Steven in several weeks.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Believe what you want. The last time I talked to Steven he told me there was a part in the project he thought you’d be perfect for. You weren’t interested, remember?”

  “So you’re telling me you had nothing to do with Kayla getting the part?”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. I didn’t pull any strings, but I’m happy to hear she landed the role.” James smiled. “She’s a very talented actress.”

  “How would you know anything about Kayla? You just met her.”

  “I’ve seen her work. On your show.” Sean remembered Kayla saying that his father watched the show, and just like then, he was having trouble believing it. “I can see you’re surprised,” James continued. “But it’s the truth. I’ve watched A New Dawn. Not regularly, but enough to see that you’re too talented to stay there. There’s so much more you could do.”

  “I find it odd that in all these years you’ve never mentioned it,” Sean said. “You’ve spent the last ten years trying to get me to leave the show because you’re embarrassed I’m on it.”

  “I’ve never been embarrassed by you, Sean. But I can see why you might believe that. I’ve never told you how proud I am of you.” The corners of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. “I find it far easier to express myself when I’m saying words someone else has written for me.”

  For a moment, Sean was speechless. His father was proud of him. It shouldn’t matter, not after everything that had happened, but still, the part of him that had always longed for his father’s approval was gratified. Quickly, he squelched the feeling and got back to the matter at hand.

  “What’s so important that you had to fly across the country to talk to me?”

  “Your mother.”

  “Mom?” Sean’s heart began to pound. “No way. I’m not talking about her with you.”

  James put his hands on the armrest of the chair and leaned forward, his expression somber. “Then just listen. It wasn’t your fault, Sean.”

  Sean searched his father’s face, unable to believe what he’d just heard. He’d longed to hear those words for so long and had given up hope they would ever be spoken. Or if they were that it would make a difference.

  “That’s not what you said at the hospital.”

  “I know what I said,” his father said, holding his gaze. “And if I could take back those words I’d do it in a heartbeat.” James looked down at the carpet. Several tense seconds elapsed before he looked up. “Laura wanted me to change the battery in the smoke alarm before I left for the studio that day. I was running late and didn’t feel like dragging out the ladder so I told her I’d do it when I got home.” His father leaned back in the chair, looking even older than he had a few minutes ago.

  “She asked me to do it but I blew her off,” Sean said. “I told her I’d do it when I got back from the beach.” Sean closed his eyes and remembered coming home to find his mother lying in a lifeless heap on the tile floor in the foyer next to the ladder. For months afterward, he couldn’t get that image out of his mind. “I called 911,” he said, opening his eyes and meeting his father’s sad gaze. “And then I called you but all I got was your voice mail. I kept calling and calling but you never answered.”

  “The phone was in my trailer. The second I listened to your messages I left for the hospital. When I got there…”

  “She was dead,” Sean finished for him. “And you said it was my fault.” He paused, the memories of his father’s accusations, even after all these years were like dagger blows to his heart. “I was surfing, just like I did every day,” Sean said through clenched teeth. “I didn’t know.”

  “I was out of my mind with grief.” James’s eyes welled up. “But instead of comforting you, I lashed out at you. I was so overwhelmed with guilt that I couldn’t see past it. And when I did, it was too late. I’d alienated you, and nothing I did after that could repair the damage between us. For the rest of the summer you wouldn’t speak to me. You were either holed up in your room or out all day with Matt.”

  “I needed you,” Sean choked out as moisture filled his eyes. It was as if he were thirteen and helpless all over again.

  “I know, son.”

  Sean glared at him. “Do you? Those…those hours at the hospital seemed like a year. Nobody would tell me anything—I was a kid. A kid—” Sean’s shoulders slumped, the anger draining from him like air from a balloon. “—who needed you
to make everything all right.”

  A taut silence filled the room. James blinked several times and then said, “I let you down and it’s been eating at me ever since. The more I tried to reach out to you, the more you pulled away. Before I knew it we were strangers sharing the same house. When you decided to become an actor I thought maybe we could find some common ground, but I’m afraid my desire to rebuild our relationship was perceived as trying to control you. Believe me, that’s the last thing I wanted to do.”

  “I should have changed that battery,” Sean whispered, reaching up to wipe his eyes.

  “You didn’t know she would try to change it herself. We both know she didn’t like heights. It never occurred to me that she wouldn’t wait for me to get home. But I guess she couldn’t stand listening to that damn chirping noise it made. It was an accident, Sean. A horrible, senseless accident. You need to believe that and stop blaming yourself.”

  “Easier said than done.”

  “Maybe we could try to do it together.” There was a tremor in his father’s voice as he continued. “I came all this way because whether you believe it or not, I do love you.” He paused. “I’d like a second chance. And, God knows, it’s a lot to ask. But I hope you’ll give it to me.”

  I happen to believe in second chances.

  Kayla had said those words to him. And believed them. That was the kind of person she was. He’d thrown the very qualities she truly possessed back in her face; the thought of it made him sick to his stomach. Because of his stupid stubborn pride he’d hurt the only woman who’d ever found her way into his heart. He was a damn fool for not recognizing what had been right in front of his face for weeks.

  Glancing at his watch, he fought the urge to tear out of the room and go directly to her. But the banquet was starting in less than fifteen minutes. That wasn’t enough time for him to say everything he needed to say to her. He would say it though. He just hoped it wasn’t too late.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Jared: I don’t want you to go.

  Shay: Give me one good reason to stay.

  Jared: After Rebecca died I didn’t think I could ever fall in love again. But I did. With you.

  Shay: That’s a really good reason.

  When Kayla came to, she was lying on a hard linoleum floor in a small room that reeked of pine-scented cleaner and other chemicals. She tried to move and winced at the pain that reverberated in her head. Panic seized her. Her arms were tied in front of her and her ankles were also bound. Whatever was binding her was tight and unyielding.

  “It’s about time you woke up.”

  The familiar voice confused her until she remembered opening her hotel room door and finding him standing on the other side. She heard steps. In her line of vision two highly polished black dress shoes appeared. Angling her head up, she locked eyes with the man she’d once cared about.

  Greg Alamo.

  He sank to his haunches beside her. Fear gripped her like a vice when she saw the hatred burning in his coal black eyes. “Surprised to see me?” he asked. She stared at him, amazed that she had ever found him remotely attractive. Right now he looked like the devil’s disciple.

  “Where am I?” The last thing she remembered was the foul smelling cloth he’d shoved over her face. She’d passed out within seconds.

  “You’re still in the hotel,” he said, reaching out and brushing a finger over her temple. When she flinched his eyes flickered with amusement. “I thought about leaving you tied up in your room, but I figured your boyfriend would come back and find you.” He stroked her cheek. She tried to pull away but he held her head in place, pressing his fingers into her flesh. “I’m not going to kill you, if that’s what you’re thinking. Despite what I may have implied in my letters, the intent was never murder.”

  “Oh, my God.” Her body stiffened in shock. “It’s you? You’re the stalker?”

  “Stalker?” His dark eyebrows slanted in a frown. “I really don’t like labels. Actually, I was just doing a favor for a friend.”

  “What friend? Who would want to do this to me?” she asked and then remembered the picture of him and Rachel in Soap Opera Journal. “Rachel?” she whispered. “You’re doing this for Rachel?”

  “She inadvertently gave me the idea.” Greg gave her cheek a hard pat before rising to his feet. He stared down at her, his dark eyes soulless. “Did you like the rat?”

  “You’re sick.”

  “I wish I could have seen your face. Did you scream?” He chuckled. It was an evil sound. “This little game has been so amusing.”

  “Game?” Her voice trembled. “What kind of monster are you? This is no game.”

  “It was genius—if I do say so myself.” Greg stuck his hands in the pockets of his slacks and looked at her with sick satisfaction.

  “W-why did you do this?”

  “Rachel’s been bitching about you for months. I got sick of her damn whining.”

  He’s crazy. Absolutely crazy.

  “Rachel doesn’t know?”

  “If she had half a brain she’d figure it out. But she’s pretty clueless.” He pulled his hand from his pocket. Icy fear gripped her heart when she saw the switchblade.

  “Do you remember what I told you that night you came to Malibu?” Greg’s eyes flashed with unconcealed rage. “The night you broke up with me.”

  “Y-you said you’d make me pay.”

  A tense silence enveloped the room and a wave of apprehension swept through her. He was insane. For all she knew he could snap at any moment.

  “I’m the one who says it’s over.” He sank down and grabbed her chin with his fingers. Fear roiled in the pit of her stomach as he lowered his head and stared into her eyes. “You belonged to me.” His breath felt hot on her face. “Did you think you could make a fool out of me and get away with it? There are consequences for what you did. But since I’m not willing to risk spending the rest of my life in jail I decided to do the next best thing to killing you.” His fingers dug into her skin. She winced and tried to pull away but he was too strong. “I wanted you scared. I wanted you to wonder if you were being watched and followed.” His mouth curved with a smile that was made of pure evil. “I wanted you to believe that someone wanted you dead.”

  “You’re insane,” she whispered. “You won’t get away with this.”

  “There’s no proof I did anything to you. I covered my tracks very well.” Now he was gloating.

  “I’ll tell the police everything.”

  “Your word against mine.” The calm in his eyes was more terrifying than anything else he’d said. The pounding of her heart echoed like a drum in her ears; it was beating so fast she feared it might burst from her chest. “I haven’t hurt you.” She heard whoosh of the knife opening. Her body shook as he laid the cold steel blade against her neck. “But I will if you tell anyone I brought you here.” He pressed the tip of the knife against her skin until she felt a sting and then the trickle of blood as it dripped down her neck. She bit back a sob.

  Oh, God, was he going to slit her throat?

  Loosening his grip on her chin, he rose to his feet and stared down at her. “Consider this payback,” he sneered. “And always remember…you got off easy.”

  * * *

  The moment Lisa entered the Savannah ballroom, Sean knew something was wrong. For one thing, she was alone. His other clue was the way her lips were pressed together in a grim line as she wound her way around the tables set up in neat precision in the ballroom. When she reached his table, she sank down onto the chair next to him. “Have you seen Kayla?” she asked him a low voice and then glanced at the podium. The emcee was in the middle of his welcome speech.

  “I saw her about an hour ago. In her room,” he said, meeting her worried gaze. “Why?”

  “I went to her room but she wasn’t there.” Lisa leaned back and craned her neck to survey the ballroom. It was filled with actors, soap fans, and assorted media. “I thought she might have come down early, but I don’
t see her.” Lisa looked at him. “Did you two have an argument?” she asked in an accusing tone.

  “No. We talked for about ten minutes and then I went back to my room.”

  “Was she upset when you left her?”

  “Our discussion was civil. I apologized for something I said to her last week and then left.” He didn’t want to tell Lisa about the tears he’d seen glistening in Kayla’s eyes. He felt like a bastard for causing them, but he didn’t believe she was upset enough to miss the banquet. She would never do that to her fans. “Did you try calling her?”

  Lisa nodded. “There was no answer in the room and when I tried her cell phone it went straight to her voice mail. Sean, if there was a good reason for her not to show up, she would have called me. I’m really worried.”

  “Let’s go.” He pushed his chair back and grabbed Lisa’s arm.

  Ignoring the speculative looks from the guests, he tried to tamp down the dread that had enveloped him and hurried her out of the ballroom and into the hallway. Once the door closed behind them, Lisa turned to him. “What should we do?”

  “Talk to hotel security. They can get us into Kayla’s room.” They moved toward the lobby and it hit him. He stopped short. “Son of a bitch.”

  Lisa stumbled to a stop beside him, her eyes wide and filled with apprehension “What?”

  “I just remembered the name of the guy I saw with Rachel.” He met Lisa’s confused gaze. “Greg Alamo.”

  “Greg? You saw him? Here?”

  “With Rachel.”

  Lisa’s face paled. “I don’t like this.”