by M. Stratton
“I will.” She gave him a small smile. “Now where are you planning on taking me?”
“You still want to go?”
“Yes, more than anything.”
“What about your work? You were right, I should have made sure you didn’t have anything going on first. I was so excited about getting some time off, my only thought was to whisk you away and ravish your body for a whole week straight.”
“Well, who can argue with that kind of thinking? And no, I looked at my calendar before I came down here. We really didn’t have much scheduled for this next week. If I could at least have tomorrow morning to get everything ready for while I’m gone, we should be fine. That is assuming Lissa is fine with me leaving.”
Royce smiled, his eyes lighting up. “Oh, I’m sure she’ll be fine. Will’s going to do whatever needs to be done to get a yes out of her.”
She shook her head. “I don’t even want to know.”
“Laissez les bon temps roulez! Welcome to New Orleans, Hannah, honey.” Royce picked her up and spun in a circle in the private garden of the house he had rented for them in the Garden District.
Laughing, she said, “The only thing that is going to roll is my stomach if you keep spinning me, and that, my dear, is not a good time.”
“Doesn’t matter what we are doing, if you’re in my arms, it’s a good time.” He stopped spinning but kept his arms around her.
“You charmer, you.”
“Hey, I’m good at sweeping you off your feet.”
“You could say that.”
“I did.” His grin was infectious.
“What are we going to do?”
“Everything.”
It was as simple as that. They spent their days seeing everything they could around the city. Their nights were spent in each other’s arms, showing each other how deeply their love was growing. One night they decided to go to a small club within walking distance from the house they were renting. In true New Orleans style, there was a small band playing jazz on the stage. They sat in a dark corner, held hands and enjoyed the music.
An older gentleman came down off the stage and walked over to their table. “Well, if it isn’t good old Royce Rivers.” He pounded him on the back. “How the hell are you? Oh, pardon me, ma’am.” He nodded in Hannah’s direction.
“No worries.” She smiled at him.
“I’ve been good, great in fact.” Royce put his arm around her. “See this little lady here, she’s made me the happiest man on the Earth.”
“Well, I didn’t know the old bachelor had finally settled down.” His work-worn hands squeezed Royce’s shoulder.
“Oh, it’s not like that—” Hannah interrupted.
Royce cut her off. “What the lovely Hannah means to say is she hasn’t agreed to be my wife . . . yet.”
Her head whipped around to look at him. “What do you mean ‘yet’? You haven’t asked anything.”
“It’s all part of the plan.” He grinned at her. “Now, Wilson, do you mind if I hop up on stage with you and tickle the ivories?”
“Sure, sure . . . don’t know what you’re waiting for . . .”
“Well, I thought it would be rude if I just plopped down and started playing without an invitation.”
“No, son, I’m talking about asking her to marry you.” Wilson shook his head. “Dumbass kids.”
“Or smartass kid. I’m wearing her down so when I do ask her, she’ll fall all over herself to say yes.”
The old man laughed so hard he started coughing. “You’re a smartass, that’s for sure. Come on, let’s play.”
After a brief discussion with the other musicians, Royce sat down at the piano and started pounding out chords. Hannah leaned forward, rested her chin in the palm of her hand and watched as his fingers flew across the keys, creating music out of nothing. Then he started to sing and she knew if she wasn’t head over heels in love with him before, she certainly was now.
She was sure she was the one in the bar who clapped the loudest when the song was over. If she could have used her fingers to whistle loudly, she would have. She could tell by his strut as he walked back to her that he enjoyed seeing her pleasure at his playing.
He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her passionately. Pulling his lips away, he looked deep into her eyes. “Marry me.”
Her already wildly beating heart took off and her mind flew in a thousand different directions. Could she?
“No, don’t think with your head, feel with your heart.”
She felt his shiver. Was it fear of her saying no, hoping she’d say no? Or was it excitement at wanting something so badly? He was still waiting for an answer. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing would come out. She settled for nodding instead.
“Yes! Laissez les bon temps roulez, babe. Laissez les bon temps roulez.” He kissed her hard and quick. “Come on.” He grabbed her hand and started pulling her toward the stage.
“Wait, what are we doing?”
“We’re going to talk to Wilson, the old man can marry us and then, Hannah, honey, we’re going to be starting our lives, together.”
“Hello!” Lissa waved her hand in front of her face. “Earth to Hannah, come in, Hannah.”
Hannah slapped her hand away. “I’m here, where have you been?”
“I’ve been right here trying to work. You on the other hand are staring off into space.”
“Sorry.” Hannah shook her head. “Where were we?”
“Talking about the signing down in San Diego in two days.”
“Oh, yeah, everything’s taken care of.”
“Are you sure? Hotel reservations? Books, swag, you know, the usual?”
“Yes, I’ve done this a thousand times. I know what needs to be done.”
“Okay then, Ms. Cranky Pants. Anything else?”
“Sorry, I was just thinking about New Orleans.”
“I bet. You’ve been looking like the cat that ate the canary since you came back.”
“What? I’ve got nothing to feel guilty about. We just went on a trip together.”
“Whoa, I didn’t say you were guilty about anything, are you?”
“No, no, silly question, what could I possibly be guilty about?”
“Okay, this conversation is going nowhere.” Lissa sighed. “As much as it’s going to gut me to ask, I have to.” She paused and fiddled with the papers in front of her and grabbed one of the pens she’d stuffed through the messy bun on top of her head. “Have you and Royce talked about what happens when they are finished filming the movie?”
Now Hannah started fiddling with her laptop. “Yeah, we have.”
“Care to elaborate? What are you going to do?”
“Well, we have a few ideas. I, umm, actually wanted to talk to you about that.”
“And I’m here . . . ready to listen . . . to talk . . . any day now . . .”
“You know I love working for you, and I never want to quit. We’ve done so much together; there is no way I could ever give that up. But, on the other hand, I love Royce with everything I have. I’m going to want to spend time with him. There, I said it. Happy?”
“Yes and no. Happy for my best friend that she’s found love and is willing to dive in and embrace the experience, yes. Happy I’m losing my assistant? No.” Lissa stretched her arms out and held Hannah’s hands in hers. “We’ll figure something out. We’re both smart women. We can do this.”
“Actually, I did kind of have an idea. When this movie is done, Royce has three months off.”
“Three months! I didn’t know it was that much. Lucky you.”
“Yeah.” She smiled. “Three whole months. Anyway, we’re thinking of taking off somewhere for that whole time. So . . . I was thinking about Hope.”
Lissa frowned. “What about Hope?”
Hope was Lissa’s graphic designer, had been for years. “Well, you know she’d been living with her grandmother, who just died. She’s at loose ends since the condo her grandmother own
ed was in a retirement community, so she can’t stay there. She has to be out no later than the end of the month. I was thinking if she came here right away, I’d be able to show her what needs to be done, and she’d be set for three months. Then she can decide what she wants to do after that.”
“Hmmm . . .” Lissa tapped her pen to her lips. “You know, that just might be bloody brilliant.”
“You’re spending too much time with Will.”
“What?” She frowned. “Why did you say that?”
“Bloody brilliant?”
“Oh.” Lissa blushed. “Yeah, he kind of rubs off on you.”
“Not going there.”
“Shut it. Anyway, that is a wonderful idea. She’s always been very organized. Perfect. Let’s get this ball rolling.” She stood up, walked around the table and pulled Hannah up and into her arms. “I’m going to miss you more than anything.”
“You too. You too.” Her voice wavered and she held onto her friend. “We haven’t been away from each other this long since we met.” Part of Hannah was worried Hope was going to work out too well, and she’d be replaced as Lissa’s assistant. The other part of her knew she was being silly. While things were never going to be the same as before Lissa signed the movie deal, they’d always be a team. They just may not be in the same city.
“I know,” Lissa whispered.
“I’m scared.”
“Me too.”
“Hello, Miss Hope, how are things?” Hannah spoke into her phone her, Hope had been designing Lissa’s teasers and covers for her books for years.
“Things are going. I can’t believe how much stuff my grandmother had. Did I tell you she also rented two storage units she was keeping things in? I thought I was done once I went through the condo, but no, now I’m having to sort through boxes of stuff in the winter. And it’s cold. And snowing.”
“Ugh. Stop, you’re making me cold just thinking about it. And I came up with a perfect solution for your problem.”
“What? You’re coming up here to help me go through everything?”
“Oh, hell no. I’m not going near the snow if I can avoid it. Are you going to have everything done by the end of March?”
“As long as there aren’t any freak snowstorms, yes, I’ll have everything done.”
“Perfect. Don’t pack away your shorts and flip flops, because you’re going to need them.”
“What? Why?”
“You know Royce Rivers and I have been dating. Well, after they’re done filming this movie, he has three months off. We’re going away and someone needs to help Lissa. I thought it would be perfect if you come down and I train you before the movie is finished so you’ll know what you are doing when I leave. You can help Lissa and figure out what you want to do next.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say.”
“How about yes?”
“Well, what would I have to do?”
“Everything!” Hannah laughed. “No, not everything, you’ll be a natural. I have lists and lists on my duties, all you have to do is follow along.”
“What are Lissa and Will doing after this movie?”
“Will has a press tour which should last a couple of weeks, and then they’re on set over in Europe for an action movie he’s starring in. So you’ll also get a free trip overseas, better make sure your passport is current.”
“Wow. Really? Me?”
“Yes, you, silly. You’ll have so much fun, and bring your camera. You’ll have time to go sightseeing too!”
“Oh, hell yeah! I’m so excited! This couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you for thinking of me.”
“You’ll be perfect for it. Now get back to work. You have some warm weather waiting for you. The sooner you finish, the sooner you can get your ass down here and put your toes in the sand.”
“I’m on it!”
Hannah hung up feeling better about the whole situation. Hope would work out perfectly and she’d be able to enjoy the time with Royce and not feel guilty.
Humming to herself, she walked next door to Lissa’s kitchen and opened the refrigerator looking for something to eat. When she stood up, Beau was standing there perfectly still on the other side of the door, Hannah screamed.
“What in the hell . . .”
“Sorry, couldn’t resist.” Beau smirked. “You were so in your own little world. I thought a startle would bring you back to this one.”
“Jerk.” She shoved him in the shoulder. “Next time think of something a bit nicer. I could have knocked you out.”
“Of course.” He bowed.
Hannah wiggled her finger at him. “And don’t start with the whole gallant gentleman attitude, because it’s not working, buddy.”
“Alas, you’ve found me out.” He covered his heart with his hands. “Want to tell Uncle Beau what’s made you so happy?”
“Oh, I’ve just solved the little issue of me going away with Royce for three months. Hope, who happens to be Lissa’s graphic designer, is going to come and take over. She’s not sure what, or even where she wants to live next, so this will be perfect.”
“It does sound perfect. When does she arrive?”
“No later than the end of the month. I’m hoping she’ll be here sooner. It will give me more time to train her.”
“Well, then, since you have that all settled, what’s next on the agenda? Lunch?”
“Oh, yes!” Hannah turned around when she heard Lissa come into the room. “Hey, Lis, want something—” She rushed over to her. “What’s wrong?”
With tears in her eyes, Lissa looked at her friend and held out a letter to her. “I’m sorry, I saw where it was from, and I opened it. Here.”
Hannah looked down at the letter and saw the words ‘Arizona Department of Corrections’ on the top. Her legs were unable to hold her and she sank to the ground, her hands trembling so badly the paper shook and she couldn’t focus on the words.
Sinking down next to her, Lissa took the letter back. “It says he’s getting out in five days.”
“No . . . no. Just, no.”
“Yes.” Lissa put her arm around her and held on as Hannah broke down. Neither woman noticed when Beau backed out of the room.
Royce came flying through the house an hour later and into the kitchen where both women were sitting on the bar stools with glasses of wine in front of them. He could tell Hannah had been crying and his heart ached for her. Knowing he had to stay calm for her wasn’t working. As soon as Beau had called him, he had run off the set. He hadn’t even stopped to change out of his costume. Traffic had been a bitch as he zipped in and out of it, trying not to cause an accident but needing to get to her as soon as he could.
“Hannah . . .” he said from the doorway.
She turned to look at him. He watched the battle flow across her face: give in to the tears and run to him, or be strong and handle it on her own. He was taking the choice out of her hands. With a few long strides, he was at her side, lifting her off the chair and into his arms. He couldn’t put into words how much he hated that she was having to go through this.
When her body shuddered, he knew she was going to lose it. He strode out the back door, with her still in his arms and down the stairs, across the beach and into the home they shared. All the time his mind running about upping security, especially given the fact that Hannah hadn’t locked the door when she had gone next door to see Lissa. Anyone could have been in here waiting for her to come in alone.
Once they were inside, he carried her up the stairs and tucked her into bed, making sure the covers were wrapped tightly around her before he climbed in behind her and slid his arms around her waist. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
She relaxed into him before the shaking became more violent and the sobs began. His arms tightened and he was at a loss as to what to do to comfort her, to make everything okay again. He never wanted her to have to fear for her life again. That was why he’d paid a visit to the scum who’d almost killed her. He was hopi
ng to be able to use his fame and influence to keep him away, and also to let him know he’d always have someone watching him. At this point, he had no idea if it was going to work or not. He’d already called and received updates on Marc, and organized to have a tail on him as soon as he was out. He wanted to make sure Hannah was safe.
Finally, after what felt like hours, she began to calm down, sniffles and hiccups filling the air. She had no more tears left to cry. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I hate being weak.”
“Shush, you’re entitled, Betty Boxer. You are, after all, only human.”
“I knew this day was coming. I don’t know why it took me by surprise, why I had this kind of reaction.”
“I do.”
“You do?”
“Sure, it’s because you’re happy. You don’t want something from your past rearing its ugly head in our business. It’s perfectly logical.”
“Well, gee, that makes me feel better,” she said dryly.
“I know what will make you feel better.”
“Really, Royce? That’s the last thing on my mind right now.”
“What do you take me for? I’m not some caveman, although I have thought of bashing you over the head a few times. Damn stubborn woman. Anyway, I have a security team on him. We’ll know where he goes before he does.” His arms pulled her tightly against him. “I made a vow to you, and I plan on doing everything in my power to live up to it and make sure you’re safe and taken care of.”
“That sounds lovely.” She turned in his arms so she was looking at him. “You have to promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“You’ll always keep me updated on what’s going on with Marc. I need to know. I won’t have you keeping things from me because you’re afraid I’ll get upset.”
“That’s easy. I can even give you the head of security’s number. That way you can talk to him anytime you want.”
“And he’s good?”
“Oh, yeah, he’s the best in the business. I don’t know if you remember what happened to Noah Matthews, from the band Last Stand, and his wife. She had a psychopath after her and his security team ended up keeping Lexi safe until the bastard was finally killed.”
