Symphony in Blue

by M. J. Duncan

“Of course,” Gwen murmured.

  “You don’t text Mallory?” Dana asked. Gwen arched a brow at her, surprised that she would bring up Mallory after what had happened back at the house, and Dana tilted her head to the side as she said, “There’s no point pretending that she doesn’t exist, right?”

  “I guess not, no.” Gwen lifted her right shoulder in a half-hearted shrug and shook her head. “So, to answer your question, I don’t really text her a lot, no. I’ll send one every once in a while, of course, just because it’s so easy, but she rarely responds. And, honestly, I delete the message thread after I’ve sent it so that I don’t see it just sitting there as a reminder that she never responded.”

  “I…” Dana’s voice trailed off and she shook her head, her expression eerily close to the same look of sadness mixed with poorly-concealed frustration bordering on anger that Luke got whenever she talked about Mallory. “I’m so sorry she treats you like that.”

  “It’s fine,” Gwen tried to brush it off.

  “It’s really not,” Dana replied softly. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “You deserve so much better.”

  Gwen smiled sadly. “You sound like Luke.”

  “Well, maybe if there’s two of us telling you how amazing you are and stuff you’ll finally start to believe it,” Dana replied with a kind smile. She bit her lip and then rolled her eyes as she leaned forward to cover Gwen’s wrist with her hand. “You deserve someone who recognizes just how lucky they are to be with you and thanks their lucky stars every damn night that they have you in their life.”

  Gwen blushed at the gentle earnestness in Dana’s voice and looked down at the table where Dana’s fingers were curled lightly around her wrist. Her throat tightened as her heart offered up the futile wish that Dana would be that person to her, and she swallowed thickly as she blinked that hope away. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” Dana whispered. She cleared her throat and pulled her hand away as their server stopped by the table just long enough to take their empty appetizer plate. “Well that got way heavier than I thought this dinner would get.”

  Gwen chuckled and nodded. “Right?”

  “We need a lighter avenue of conversation.” Dana smiled wryly. “Any ideas?”

  Gwen shook her head and offered, “What do you have planned for the rest of the weekend?”

  “That’ll work,” Dana drawled. She huffed a little laugh and ran a hand through her hair. “Not much, actually. I’ve got to go grocery shopping and do some laundry, but that’s about it. If it’s not too hot I might go for a bike ride or something, but otherwise…” Her voice trailed off and she shrugged. “How about you?”

  “I’m picking Storm up at ten tomorrow morning.” Gwen pulled her hands into her lap as their server returned with their meals.

  “Chicken carciofi,” the woman announced as she set a plate in front of Gwen, “and the chicken tikka masala,” she continued as she set Dana’s plate down. “Can I get you ladies anything else?”

  “I’m good,” Dana said, shaking her head. “Gwen?”

  “Oh,” Gwen murmured, shaking her head. She was so used to Mallory speaking for her without asking her opinion that she was genuinely thrown for a moment. “Um, no, thank you.”

  The server smiled and gave them a small bow as she backed away from the table. “Enjoy your meal.”

  “Do you have everything set up for Storm’s big coming home day?” Dana asked as she picked up her utensils and began cutting up her chicken breast.

  Gwen nodded as she picked up her knife and fork and started doing the same. “I think so. I mean, I set up the litter box in the laundry room and the plastic tray that her food and water bowls will go on in next to it, so all her stuff will be centralized.”

  “Smart. What’s your plan for when you have to go to work?”

  “Until I’m sure she won’t destroy my house, I’m thinking I’m going to sequester her in the laundry room. There was a bunch of open space beneath a counter in there, so besides her litter and food stuff, I also put some of the toys and one of the little beds we picked out for her in there too so she’d be comfortable.”

  “That sounds like a good idea. Do you have any stuffed animals? I mean, I don’t know how long your rehearsals are, but if you’re going to be leaving her home alone for a few hours at a time, I read somewhere that having something to cuddle with might keep her from feeling lonely. Especially if it smells like you.”

  “I don’t.” Gwen stacked bits of artichoke heart and spinach on a piece of chicken and speared them both with her fork. “Right now rehearsals aren’t bad, just the morning, but I will be gone longer once we start really gearing up for the season.” She sighed. “I guess I could always swing by Target on my way out there tomorrow morning and pick something up, though.”

  “It’s just an idea.” Dana shrugged as she forked an oversized bite of food into her mouth.

  “No, no, it’s a good one.” Gwen swirled the food through the white wine butter sauce on her plate and tilted her head to the side as she added, “I just didn’t even think about it.”

  “Eh, I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Dana smiled reassuringly.

  “I know.” Gwen nodded as she lifted her fork to her mouth. “I mean, I’ve got you and Luke to talk me through any problems, so I’m sure we’ll survive.”

  “I’m sure you will, too.” Dana chuckled. “Do you want me to call and check in on you two tomorrow to see how you’re doing?”

  Gwen held up a finger as she finished chewing. “Sure. Or, I mean, if you’re bored and looking for something to do, you could always come over and meet her.”

  “Really?” Dana grinned. “I’d love to. It’s been forever since I’ve gotten to play with a kitten.”

  “How old is Regan’s cat?”

  “Ryan’s like four, I think.” Dana shrugged and stabbed at her food, spearing another massive bite. “I dunno for sure, but he passed the cute little kitten phase a while ago and is just an angry old man now.” She lifted her fork and added, “I mean, he’s a cute little shit, but he’s definitely a little shit.”

  Gwen laughed. “Sounds charming.”

  Dana hummed around a mouthful of food and nodded. “Maybe you’ll get to meet him one day.”

  “I’m sure Regan doesn’t want me anywhere near her house—you know, after everything.”

  “She’s fine.” Dana shook her head. “I mean, yeah, she’s still kinda pissed at you, but she’ll come around.”

  “So I don’t have to worry about her trying to beat me with a pool cue later?”

  “I’ll protect you if she does,” Dana promised.

  “That’s sweet,” Gwen chuckled. “But not entirely reassuring, either.”

  Dana lifted her right shoulder in a small shrug. “It’s the best I can do. Take it or leave it.”

  Gwen smiled. “I’ll take it.”

  “Good,” Dana murmured as she picked up her wine glass. Her eyes were soft on Gwen’s face as she took a sip, and a gentle smile curled her lips as she set the glass back onto the table. “I’m glad.”

  TWENTY-SIX

  “I’m so full,” Gwen groaned as she and Dana made their way through the moderately-sized crowd milling along the western sidewalk fronting La Cienega. Traffic on the thoroughfare between Santa Monica and Melrose was a battle of brake lights and revving engines, and she edged closer to Dana as a car coming their way slammed on its brakes and swerved ever so slightly in their direction.

  “Idiot,” Dana muttered, glaring at the twenty-something faux-hawked driver with designer stubble shadowing his jaw. She sighed and nudged Gwen with her elbow. “Tell me that brownie torte wasn’t worth feeling a little full now, though.”

  “Oh, it’s totally worth it, but still…” Gwen’s voice trailed off as she spotted a couple of familiar faces on the sidewalk up ahead of them. “There’s Luke and Jay,” she said as she lifted her arm to wave at them.

  “Oh, good. They found it okay,” Dana mused.
“It’s not the most obvious place,” she added when Gwen shot her a curious look.

  What she meant became clear a moment later when they stopped beside Luke and Jay in front of nondescript, otherwise abandoned-looking storefront, and Dana smiled warmly at the guys as she asked, “Were you guys able to find a place to park nearby?”

  “Behind the strip with the jewelry store and that art gallery just up the way,” Luke shared, nodding as he waved in the general direction of their car.

  Gwen rolled her eyes at the pointed look Luke shot her, demanding a proper introduction as if he wasn’t entirely aware of who Dana was. “Guys, this is Dana. Dana, this is my best friend Luke and his fiancé Jay.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Luke said, offering Dana his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “Oh boy,” Dana muttered nervously as she shook Luke’s hand. “That sounds ominous.”

  “Nah,” Luke laughed as he dropped Dana’s hand and pulled Gwen into a one-armed hug. “This one here—”

  Gwen elbowed him in the side, second-guessing her decision to have Luke and Dana meet. “Shut up.”

  “It’s fine,” Dana laughed and shook Jay’s hand. “Hello.”

  Jay smiled and gave her hand a light squeeze. “Hey.”

  “Okay. So, you guys ready to play some pool?” Dana asked as she punched a code into the keyed entry. The door unlocked with a loud click, and she grinned as she pulled it open and waved everybody inside. “After you.”

  “Um…” Luke looked at Gwen and then Dana. “Not to be rude or anything, but where the hell are we?”

  “The best kept secret in WeHo,” Dana promised.

  “I’m holding you to that,” Luke sassed as he strode through the door Dana was holding open for them.

  Jay followed right behind him, murmuring his thanks and rolling his eyes at Luke’s antics.

  Dana shook her head as she watched them make their way inside, and when she looked back at Gwen, it was impossible to miss the way her eyes twinkled with laughter. Her smile was so open and honest that it was utterly captivating, and Gwen was helpless but to trace the supple curve with her eyes. The awkwardness from earlier had faded over the course of their meal and, while she was relieved that they had found their way back to their more playful banter, it would have been a lot easier to ignore the ripple of butterflies that swooped through her stomach if she had been more concerned about doing or saying anything to make matters worse.

  “You coming?” Dana prodded gently, her smile widening as she gave Gwen a curious look.

  “I…” Gwen licked her lips and nodded as her pulse seemed to trip over itself before settling into a slightly faster rhythm, and she blushed as she averted her eyes, embarrassed at having been caught staring. “Yeah. Of course. Sorry,” she whispered.

  “Nothing to be sorry about,” Dana replied just as softly, her voice low and smoky and positively delicious in a way that sent a shiver down Gwen’s spine.

  Yes, things would have definitely been easier if they were still cautiously tap-dancing around each other.

  The entryway beyond the door was, at most, five-feet square and led straight to a narrow set of stairs that were lit by stained glass sconces along either side. The sound of music cascaded down the stairwell, and the light beyond the rectangular opening at the top was warm and golden and seemed to radiate life.

  In a million lifetimes Gwen would have never expected to find herself faced with a chic, comfortable lounge-like room when she cleared the top step, the room the complete antithesis to the abandoned storefront façade at the street. The sconces from the stairway were scattered at regular intervals along the walls of the large, square room that was painted a warm cranberry red. Circular bar-height tables were spread amongst the dozen or so pool tables that filled the space, and above each billiard table hung a glittering crystal chandelier, which gave each distinct area a feeling of intimacy that would have been sorely missing at a regular pool hall. A long mahogany bar ran the length of the far end of the room, the wall behind it covered in mirrors and glass shelves filled with artisan colored glass bottles of premium liquor. About half the tables were currently taken, each surrounded by at least one famous face that routinely graced either the big or small screen or the stages of the most prestigious venues—not to mention the covers of the tabloids lining the shelves near the checkout at the grocery store—and Gwen felt her mouth fall open in surprise when she spotted her favorite actress, Trish Fletcher, at the table in the far corner.

  “Fuck,” Luke breathed when Gwen stopped beside him. “We’re not in Kansas anymore.”

  Gwen chuckled softly and nodded. “Definitely not.”

  “Welcome to Scratch,” Dana announced as she joined them.

  “Um, yeah. I don't think we’re supposed to be here,” Luke told Dana, his expression only half-joking.

  “Eh, you're fine.” Dana waved to the bartender and pointed to an empty table near the middle of the room as she started to walk toward it. “They're just here to play some pool and hang out, just like us.”

  “How did you even find out about this place?” Gwen asked.

  “A guy I used to swim with at SC opened this place up a few years ago,” Dana shared with a shrug. “He’s in the business, so he knew there was niche for a place like this where celebrities could hang out without paparazzi recording their every move.”

  “Dana Ryan! Is that you?” a melodious Australian voice, low and rich and tinged with playful laughter rang out.

  There was no mistaking the blush that exploded across Dana’s cheeks, and Gwen’s eyes widened as she turned to see Trish Fletcher striding toward them with the biggest smile on her face.

  “Hey, Trish,” Dana murmured as she embraced the stunning blonde. “I didn't realize you were back in town. I thought you were filming up in Vancouver.”

  Gwen was at once awed to be standing so close to Trish Fletcher, and mildly jealous of the way Trish’s smile softened as she brushed a light kiss over Dana’s cheek. She had no right to be jealous, of course, but knowing that did absolutely nothing to quell to leaden feeling sinking her stomach as she watched the affectionate way Trish’s fingers trailed over Dana’s tanned arms, and she wondered if this was what Dana had felt back at her house earlier when she brought up Mallory.

  God, what a mess, Gwen thought as Luke coughed softly beside her.

  “I am,” Trish said as she pulled away. She ran a hand through her thick, shoulder-length platinum waves as her hazel eyes flicked quickly to Gwen, Luke, and Jay. “I apologize for ambushing you all just when you've arrived,” she said, smiling as she offered Gwen her hand. “I assure you, I'm not usually so rude. I'm Trish.”

  The jealousy Gwen had been feeling seconds before evaporated completely as Trish Fletcher—the woman she had watched win an Oscar the year before—focused those incredible gold-green eyes on her. She could not contain her smile as she shook her hand, and while she knew Luke would tease her later about fangirling over her celebrity crush, she prayed she was playing it cool enough that neither Dana nor Trish could tell. “Gwen.”

  Luke grinned and waved as he introduced himself and Jay, who nodded his hello. Luke looked like he was trying his damnedest to not laugh at her, and Gwen discreetly kicked him in the ankle as Trish let go of her hand and turned back to Dana.

  “How did your speech at the Taglyan event go last weekend?” Trish asked. “Grace and I were supposed to go, but I’d just gotten back into town that afternoon and she wasn’t feeling up to walking the red carpet so we just stayed home instead.”

  Dana shrugged and shoved her hands into her back pockets. “Fine. It was just another speaking engagement.”

  “She used to be terrified of them,” Trish shared with a conspiratorial smile as she tilted her head at Dana.

  “You’d never know by the way she looked on stage,” Gwen spoke up in Dana’s defense even though it was not at all necessary. “Her speech was incredible.”

  Trish’s smile turn
ed just a little speculative as she regarded Gwen more closely. “Oh, of that I have no doubt.”

  Later, if pressed, Gwen would swear that she absolutely did not swoon when she found herself on the receiving end of that look, but she totally did. Because she was so very, very human, and Trish Fletcher was so very, very swoon-worthy.

  “Well, I did learn from one of the best,” Dana drawled, edging closer to Gwen, everything about her body language yelling at Trish to back off.

  Luke started to laugh but quickly covered it with a coughing fit, and Gwen felt like a deer caught in headlights as her eyes bounced from Dana to Trish and back again. What the fuck?

  Trish shot Dana an appraising look, the kind that contained an entire conversation, and nodded slowly, a pleased smile tugging at her lips as she took a small step back. “I see.” Before she could say anything else, however, a new voice interrupted her.

  “Oh my god! It’s Trish Fucking Fletcher!”

  The room seemed to freeze at the outburst, the anonymity of the evening potentially shattered. Luke’s head was immediately on a swivel to try and see who had called out, while Dana, Trish, and Gwen all started laughing, each of them immediately recognizing the voice.

  “Classic Waterman,” Trish muttered, shaking her head.

  “You know it,” Dana agreed.

  “Hey, you sexy bitch, you!” Regan greeted Trish as she pulled her into an exuberant bear hug. “I haven’t seen you since you and Dana split!”

  Oh shit. Really? Gwen looked at Luke, whose expression showed that he was thinking the same thing. Jay, on the other hand, seemed far too amused by their reactions to worry about the scene playing out in front of them.

  “Hello, Regan,” Trish murmured, swaying side-to-side with her. “It’s been way too long. Congratulations on your recent nuptials.”

  Regan pulled back and beamed at Brooke, who had followed her across the room at a more restrained pace. “Thanks.”

  “Hey, Trish.” Brooke waved and wrapped an arm around Regan’s waist. “Sorry about this one.”

  “I would expect nothing less from her,” Trish laughed, winking at Regan.