"Morgan! It's so good to finally meet you. You are stunning. He said you were beautiful, but you're stunning. So, let's go, huh?" She looped her arm through mine and tried to get me to walk away with her, but Sean's grasp on my waist told me not to go.
"Mel, stop." His voice was firmer than I'd heard before, but not mean. She let her arm fall from mine.
"Fine—it's your funeral," she mumbled loud enough for only us to hear.
"Three minutes, Mel," Sean said just as quietly, "Just three."
She nodded, and Sean pulled me forward. As we neared the living room, Stewie, Rudy, Nathan, and an older man stood up and stared at me. Not even the old bitties at home made me feel so closely observed before. It was nerve-wracking. Sean let go of my waist and grabbed my hand. When an older woman finally stood up, I squeezed the life out of his hand.
"Mom, Dad, this is Morgan Edwards."
His dad stepped forward first and gave me a hug. "Hello Morgan."
His mom didn't step forward but smiled at me. I wasn't the excellent study of people that Sean was, but I could tell she wasn't as enthusiastic about meeting me as his dad. Her smile certainly did not meet her eyes. I squeezed Sean's hand harder.
His dad pulled my attention away from his mom. "When we heard you were here, we just had to come meet you. I don't know how much you know about us, but we're a close family."
I smiled. "He's mentioned that."
"So do you have any close family?"
I shook my head. "I have some amazing friends I'm lucky enough to call family, but my mom passed away a few months ago."
"I'm so sorry." And he did look genuinely sorry. "That must have been very difficult for you."
I looked to the floor, missing Mom more than anything in that moment. She would have walked right up to Sean's mom and become her best friend or her worst enemy in a matter of seconds. "Thank you. It was—and is."
Sean rubbed his thumb back and forth on my hand, offering me some comfort when I really just wanted to jump into his arms. This was more difficult than I thought it would be. Stewie stepped closer to me. "So I've got a big day for you. You and Mel are headed out to go shopping for a few hours. Then you'll come back here where Andy will be doing your hair and makeup before the premiere. Sounds great, right?"
Mel stepped forward. "What about Brenda? Why isn't Brenda doing her hair and makeup?"
"She wasn't available. She gave me Andy's name instead."
Mel shook her head emphatically, sending her dark brown locks swirling around her shoulders. "No, no, no, no. Stewie, Andy will not work in this case."
"What are you talking about? You said he was great."
"He is, but." She looked at me and leaned forward to look at Sean. "No, Stewie—call and see if there's someone else."
"It's too late, Mel. Andy will be fine."
"Uh—" I waved my hand to get their attention. "I can do my own hair and makeup. I don't—"
Sean's mom laughed harshly and very loudly then walked away into the kitchen, still laughing cruelly. I turned to Sean. Mel grabbed my other arm. He put his hand to my cheek. "Go with Mel. Don't worry about this, sweetie. Please."
"Come on, Morgan. Let's go shopping."
Sean nudged me toward her.
I started to walk away, but Sean's dad came forward again. He looked to the kitchen sadly, but smiled back at me. "It really was nice to meet you, Morgan. Try to have a good time tonight, honey." His voice was warm, and I saw a little of Sean's smile in his.
I couldn't quite get myself to smile, but I nodded at him and let Mel drag me away.
Just as we reached the door, Sean called out, "Mel?" She stopped, and we both looked back at him. "She thinks it's twenty million. Set her straight, huh?" Mel started laughing. She looked at me and laughed harder. Sean winked at me, and Nathan skipped in my direction. Mel tugged on my arm, and I let her pull me out of the house.
We climbed into Sean's BMW, which was parked in the front of the house. Nathan rode in the backseat while Mel and I rode up front. As soon as I had my seatbelt fastened, I let myself breathe again and let my head fall back against the seat.
"Hey, it's gonna be okay, Morgan."
Mel patted my hand like Cerise would have. I missed Cerise. So much had happened, and I wanted to tell her all about it.
"She's just worried about Sean is all," Mel continued. "She always worries about us. He hasn't been head over heels for a girl in—well, Nathan? How long's it been?"
"Senior year?" Nathan said loudly, surprising me since I'd hardly heard anything from the quiet man. "Remember Raney? She was a trip. Totally crazy. She'd do anything once."
"I think she gave Sean that wildness he wanted back then, and I think you give him the stability he wants now. Mom was the same way with Raney. She never warmed up to her." I turned to stare out the window. Great. She was never going to warm up to me. "It might take her a while to get a freaking clue, but she will, Morgan. Don't worry. Dad already took a liking to you. I can tell. He hated Raney. You know, he lost his mom when he was 25? It was really tough for him. He's an only child, too. Hey, I'm sorry I laughed at you, but it's just—Nathan? Did you hear what she thinks Sean's worth?"
Nathan laughed low. "Yeah. That's funny."
"I—don't really know anything about stars and their money," I explained. "It was a guess."
She shook her head. "Well, guess higher. Think about what he'd bring in for each movie. I mean, really, he's overpaid. Just cuz he's always been able to lie well doesn't mean he should be making what he's making. It's ridiculous, but hey, that's Hollywood. Anyhow, guess higher. "
"Um, twenty-five million?"
She smiled as we left the community gates. "Higher."
"Thirty million?"
She nodded. "Good. There you go."
"Thirty million? Seriously?" Sean was worth thirty million dollars. I just couldn't wrap my mind around having thirty million dollars to my name. No wonder he was so worried about someone wanting to be with him for his money.
"Oh, trust me, I am." She laughed again. "I know it's crazy. I wouldn't have guessed it either."
I noticed the fancy cars in all the driveways and the pristine yards. "I just—that's a lot of money. I just can't even wrap my mind around being worth thirty million dollars."
"I know—wait—what do you mean by worth?" She glanced at me with a concerned expression and tone.
Did she think I was being insulting or something? "I—didn't mean—what do you mean?"
"Well you don't think he's worth thirty million total—do you? No—"
I was completely confused. I thought that's what we had just been talking about. "Isn't that what you just said?"
"Oh, wow. Um, Morgan."
"Mel, don't." Nathan put his hand on her shoulder. "Let him."
"He told me to set her straight, Nathan."
"What?" I asked. "What am I missing here?"
"Just—wait until we get to the café, and I'll tell you."
I nodded at her and let my mind start running wild. What the hell was going on? I was really starting to think I should have just stayed in Vermont. Sean's mom hated me. His dad only liked me because I'd lost my mom, which seemed all wrong. And I was clearly clueless about the money side of Sean.
After a few moments of wallowing though, I took a deep breath and told myself to shut the hell up. I jumped on a plane and flew across the country with a guy I hadn't spent any time with in person. Of course there were things I didn't know about him—I just needed to suck it up and make the best of it instead of throwing in the towel before I'd even broke a sweat.
"So, I'm gonna warn you, Morgan. You've got trouble when we get back. The guy doing your hair and makeup, Andy, he—well he's a flirt. I, personally, love him, but Sean is gonna be pissed like you wouldn't believe. He's possessive and overly protective. He always has been. Just don't encourage Andy."
I nodded dutifully, shrugging off the desire to be back in the inn with Cerise and Annalisa.
&nb
sp; Mel kept up a steady stream of conversation as we drove to a boutique not far away. I hardly had time to think as she asked me questions about my friends, about the inn, and about where I grew up. She seemed satisfied with all of my answers, but when she wanted details about how I met Sean or our dating history, I simply told her I wasn't ready to discuss that. She wasn't pushy about it, but she seemed to be unable to resist tossing a question in about us here and there.
When we reached the café, she shut off the engine and turned to me. "Okay, here it is, I'm just gonna lay it all out there. Sean is worth thirty million… per movie, sometimes more, all the way up to fifty million when you figure in royalties on DVD sales and merchandise."
My jaw dropped open, and my heart started beating too quickly. Thirty million a movie? No. That just couldn't be. He'd been in a ton of movies. If he got thirty million for just the last five movies, he'd be worth… no. I shook my head.
"Hey, Morgan?"
I kept shaking my head and felt lightheaded. I couldn't breathe and pushed my way out of the car. I had to get some air. I stumbled toward the building with Nathan right on my heels, but I kept going. I got to the side of the building and Nathan grabbed my arm, but I pulled free.
"Slow down. Just—oh shit, you look pale—just put your head between your knees. Calm down. Breathe, Morgan."
I slid to the ground and sat there. A hundred and fifty million? A hundred and fifty million? At least a hundred and fifty million. I couldn't focus. Nathan kneeled beside me and pushed my head down. Mel sat down beside me. I vaguely heard her talking, but everything was getting really dark. I knew I was hyperventilating and couldn't get my breathing to calm down. I'd been here before with Brent. Would Sean always worry I was after his money? With a hundred and fifty million, how could you not?
I felt Mel press something to my ear.
"Morgan?"
Sean? I realized it was a cell phone against my ear.
"Morgan, stop thinking about it. I didn't realize. I'm sorry, sweetie. I would have told you myself—I didn't think you'd—I should have known. Morgan, talk to me. Morgan? Morgan!"
He sounded panicked. I had to say something. "Sean."
"Jesus, Morgan. You scared the crap out of me."
"This is—too much. I can't—"
"Shh. Just slow down. Take a slow breath in. Come on, slow." I did as he said. "Focus on my voice. It's okay, sweetie. Remember what I said? After tonight, your Sean will go home with you and leave all this craziness behind—just you and me. The money, the parents, all of it goes away, and it'll just be you and me, love. Think about that. You can show me the inn. You can show me where you grew up, and I can get to know Cerise and Annalisa."
I could see him there. I could see him in the inn, watching me, standing in the doorway of the office, leaning on the desk in the lobby, and smiling at me. We could be normal there, and he would love Annalisa.
"Stewie. He has to come. Annalisa needs him." The world was coming back into focus. I was catching my breath again. I wiped the tears from the corner of my eyes and grabbed the phone from Mel, who had been holding it to my ear.
"Okay," Sean said softly. "He can come too, but you have to calm down first, love."
"I—I'm doing better. I'm okay." But then the reality hit me again without the incapacitating panic. "Sean? A hundred and fifty million? I can't—what am I doing here? I hate people with money. This can't work. How can you—"
"Please stop thinking about it, Morgan. I only told Mel to tell you because I thought it would make you stop worrying about spending money. I didn't think it would—I'm just sorry, love."
"A—a tenth of that is what Brent thought I was getting, and he—how can you—"
"Morgan, we've been through this. I'm not Brent and neither are you. I'll say it as many times as you need me to, but I know you're not with me for my money, love. That'll never be an issue."
I wanted so much to believe him. "I just—there's so much. Your mom and your dad and what's going to happen tonight, Sean? I feel so lost. I'm sorry—I—"
"No, stop Morgan. Here's what I want you to do. Go with Mel. Get something to eat and actually eat, Morgan. Get a dress, and come back here. If you want to come with me tonight, that's fine, and if you don't, that's fine too, sweetie. I don't want to pressure you. You know that. Just take an hour or two and relax. My parents will be gone when you get back, but I'd really like you to get to know my sister. You don't have to go tonight, Morgan."
"Okay."
He sighed loudly in response to my use of the word, but it effectively conveyed my feelings to him. "I love you, Morgan. That's all that matters."
In the harsh light of day, those words felt even more out of place. Everything felt out of place, but it was all so new. I had to admit to the possibility that the newness of it all was what made me feel so shaky. I handed the phone back to Mel. "Sorry," I kept my head low. "I—"
"No, I'm sorry, Morgan. I didn't realize that you were so… different. Sean said you were, but I—it was tough to believe."
I looked at her in amazement. "Are all women really just out for his money? I mean, really? It's Hollywood. Don't they have their own money?"
She nodded. "I've never met a chick who wasn't of the opinion that you can never have enough money, fame, or success as an actor."
I looked at Nathan, who nodded and went back to scanning the area. Letting out a loud sigh, I started to stand up, but my legs were still wobbly. Nathan grabbed my elbow, supporting me. When I was able to stand on my own, he let go and patted me gently on the upper arm.
"Let's get some food in you," Mel said, grabbing my arm. "You still look way too pale."
At lunch, Mel babbled on and on about her husband. He actually did sound like an ass. He seemed overly possessive and yet completely uninterested in Mel all at the same time. I managed to shove some food in my mouth despite the nauseous feeling every time I heard the name "Brent." Nathan sat with us but didn't order anything. His eyes were constantly moving, though.
After lunch, we walked to a boutique in the nearby shopping center. The second we stepped foot in the door, Mel gave Sean's name, and we were ushered into a private room. Moments later, two women came in and took my measurements. Not five minutes after that, two different women brought in several dresses. I breathed heavily. I liked clothes shopping, but this was a little crazy. When added to the rest of the day's hysteria, this was just surreal.
The gowns I tried on were amazing, but Mel was meticulous. At first, I thought she was just too negative. She had a complaint about every dress, but then I caught a glimpse of the price tag on one of the dresses. For $9,000, it had damn well better be perfect.
By about the tenth dress, I'd had my fill of "fun" shopping. I had to admit that I had fantasized about shopping in Hollywood with a lot of money like in Pretty Woman, but it was just a fantasy, and this wasn't living up to it in the least. It was too much pressure. Thankfully, I put on a burgundy strapless floor length gown that set off my skin tone and my eyes, and Mel loved it. The way the layers of sheer material swirled around my legs made me feel glamorous. Alterations were needed, but we were assured they could be completed and delivered in an hour and a half. Mel tried to get me to try on clothes in another shop, but I just didn't feel comfortable. When her cell phone rang, she walked away from me so that I couldn't hear the conversation. We went to a nearby high-end shoe store, and I found a $2,000 pair of heels and a cute sparkly clutch purse for an equally over-priced amount.
I saw some cute earrings in the window of a little store, but Mel said, "Those are fake, Morgan," like that should insult me and dragged me away.
With the necessities purchased, I begged Mel to take me back to Sean. She was good company, don't get me wrong, but I was so preoccupied with everything that I couldn't concentrate on her. The thought of being with Sean or at least Stewie, who'd become a friend, was the only thing keeping me calm.
Finally, she pulled out her cell phone and I heard her say, "She wants
to come back."
"Can I talk to him for myself?" Mel narrowed her eyes at my perturbed tone, but I didn't care anymore.
"She's feisty, too," she commented while staring at me. "Good, it's about time. We're on our way then." She hung up the phone and smiled at me. "They're gone. We can go back now."
"Gone? Who? Your parents? I've been hiding from them?"
"Well, yes and no. More like he's been trying to hide them from you. Well, at least Mom. Her reaction just sort of—embarrassed him. I could see it in his eyes. He's ridiculously in love with you."
I didn't respond to any of her words. We walked back to the car, and I found myself uncomfortable the whole way there. I had to remind myself not to bite my bottom lip about a hundred times. When we finally pulled into the garage, I jumped out of the car and headed straight for the door to the house.
Panic Button
Pushing through the door, I walked into the kitchen and stopped cold. Sean's back was to me, and a beautiful female I'd never seen before sat smiling at him from the chair adjacent to him. My stomach dropped to my toes.
"Sean?" Mel said loudly from right behind me.
"She's back," Sean said as he got up. He rushed around the couch and pulled me into his arms, planting his lips firmly on mine. There were people I hardly knew all around us. I wasn't about to make out in front of them, but Sean seemed to have different ideas. He forced his tongue into my mouth and glued his body to mine. Before I knew it, I was lost in him. His tongue slid in and out of my mouth, carrying me away and making me want him to carry me upstairs. I vaguely heard the clearing of a male throat. When Sean slowed the kiss and pulled away, I leaned into him. He ran his fingers through my hair. "I'm sorry about earlier, love," he whispered.
I leaned up on the tips of my toes and whispered in his ear. "Can we just be alone for a few minutes? Please?"
Accidental Texting: Finding Love despite the Spotlight Page 20
