Fame

by Susan X Meagher

  Haley started to speak, but Piper kept going. “I’m still more comfortable like that. But this is a side of me I’m starting to enjoy. I don’t complain when Charlie wants me to go to a party filled with celebrities. I don’t give her a hard time when she spends a ridiculous amount of money on dinner.” She revealed a small smile. “It makes her happy to take me out, and that’s a good enough reason to go and enjoy myself.”

  “It is,” Haley agreed. “It’s the best reason I’ve ever heard.”

  “I’m going to manage my sister’s career, and this time I’m doing it for the right reason.” She took in a breath and smiled confidently. “Because I want to. I want to do it for me, not just Charlie.”

  “What do you want for us?” Haley asked, still gazing into those mesmerizing eyes.

  “I want both of us to be our best selves,” she said quietly. “I simply want you to be happy, Haley, however you want to go about doing that.”

  “I’m not certain what I want professionally,” she said, “but I know I want to be with you. There’s not a doubt in my mind about that, Piper. Whatever I do, I want to do it as your partner.”

  “That’s enough to start with.” She let out a soft laugh. “Actually, we can get pretty far with just that.”

  Haley had been focusing so intently on Piper that she hadn’t paid any attention to a young woman just on the edge of her field of vision. Clearly their server, sensitive enough to the intensity of their discussion that she was waiting for a moment to approach. “I haven’t even looked at the menu,” Haley said, “but I’m sure I’d rather be in your arms than eating the best food in the world.”

  With a quick motion, Piper signaled the sommelier. “Will you have the wine sent up to room 2305?”

  “Of course, Ms. Campbell. Would you like anything else? Some canapés?”

  “Just the wine,” she said, standing to pull Haley’s chair out. “Thanks for taking care of us.” She reached into her jacket pocket and took out some cash, discreetly handing it to her.

  “Thank you for dining with us again,” the woman said. “I hope we see you again soon.”

  “You will. Thanks again,” she said, taking Haley by the elbow to pass some of the same people who’d been waiting when they’d walked in.

  Piper stopped by a desk in the very sedate lobby and spoke to a man for a moment, then led the way to a bank of elevators, putting a key card up to an electronic eye. “No one’s expecting you tonight, are they?” she asked, grinning rakishly.

  “No, but…” Haley watched the numbers fly by on the display. “Why are we going to a room?”

  “Three reasons,” Piper said. “One, you have a roommate, two, you sleep in the living room, and three, I thought I’d have had too much to drink by the end of the meal. I didn’t realize I wouldn’t get a bite of food, and only a few sips of the wine. Not complaining,” she added, with her grin finally looking like it had when things had been going so well between them. When Piper had simply been a seriously pretty woman with a sweet personality, who was also often a little silly.

  “The bottle’s probably waiting for us,” Haley said, smirking. “I don’t think the queen is treated any better at Buckingham Palace.”

  “Oh, she probably is,” Piper allowed, holding the door when it slowed to a halt and let out a quiet ping. “But I haven’t met her—yet. I’ll ask when I do.”

  She walked decisively to the end of the hall, ran her card over the sensor and held the door for Haley. Someone on the staff had learned the right way to set up a room. Leave all of the lights off, but open the curtains fully, exposing the glittering lights of West Hollywood, along with the more sedate dots of brightness from individual houses in the hills just beyond the hustle and the bustle.

  “This is…stunning,” Haley breathed. “Not as pretty as a Hawaiian sunrise, but awfully nice.”

  Piper stood behind her, and quickly slipped her arms around Haley’s waist. “I feel like the devil showing Jesus all of the worldly riches he’d ply him with if he followed him.” Her arms tightened as her lips tickled Haley’s ear. “Can I tempt you to follow me?”

  “Lead me into temptation,” Haley sighed. “But I’m not interested in the riches, nice as they are.” She turned in Piper’s embrace and faced her, with her features mostly obscured in the darkened room. “You’re the prize, Piper. Nothing you could offer me will ever be worth more than your love.”

  “I do love you,” Piper sighed. “So very, very much.” She pressed Haley to her chest, holding on for dear life. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I’m so sorry I hurt you,” Haley murmured. “I’ll do anything to make it up to you.”

  “I hurt you, too. So we’ll commit to learning from that and moving on. We start tonight.”

  “Some start,” Haley said, laughing softly. “What are you going to do for an encore?”

  “I’ve shown you all my cards. From here on out, you’re going to have to be happy with just me.” She touched Haley’s chin again, tilting it so their eyes met. “Am I enough for you?”

  “More than enough. More than I’ve ever even had the nerve to wish for.” She let her head lean back as her eyes closed. “Kiss me,” she begged, so desperate for Piper’s lips she could barely contain herself.

  Piper held her tenderly, once again rendering the world a safe, secure place. Then she placed her lips upon Haley’s and pressed gently. They breathed softly through the kiss, their heart rates getting in sync in just a few beats. As Piper’s embrace tightened, Haley let go, opening her mouth to welcome Piper’s velvety tongue. They remained in that tender embrace for the longest time, then Haley let her hands travel up the back of Piper’s shirt, sliding against the silky fabric that lined her jacket. “I want to undress you so badly,” she said, breaking into a soft laugh. “But I’m afraid someone’s going to knock on that door, bearing a bottle of wine.”

  Piper moved to a table to flick on a soft light, smirking when she pointedly gazed at their wine, resting comfortably on the desk. “You’re going to have to come up with another excuse,” she said, her smile so cute it should have been illegal.

  “No excuses,” Haley said, switching off the light again. “But I prefer the dark. It feels like we’re all alone, but nestled amid thousands and thousands of people. It’s odd—but sexy.”

  Piper enfolded her in her arms again, holding on as they swayed slightly, dancing to a tune they could hear only in their hearts. “I’m so glad we’re getting this chance,” she murmured.

  “It’s not a chance. It’s a promise.” Haley tilted her head and pressed on the back of Piper’s shoulder to draw her close. “I promise to love you for the rest of my life.”

  “You took the words right out of my mouth,” Piper whispered.

  “I have much better things for you to do with that gorgeous mouth than talk,” Haley said, chuckling at her admittedly rusty overture.

  “There’s only one thing I need to say,” Piper sighed. “Yes—to everything.”

  ONE YEAR LATER

  THE GLAM SQUAD ARRIVED AT the house at noon, wielding suitcases full of make-up, hair care products, both double-stick and duct tape, foundation garments, and a dress carried by a guy who looked like he was toting a priceless porcelain statue.

  Only one member of the squad was particularly friendly, so Haley focused on her, getting a little thrill from watching Piper work her magic. She cut Haley’s hair too, of course, but seeing her work on someone else gave her renewed appreciation for her lover’s skills.

  They were outside, with the house shading them from the sun, all of the other members of the team upstairs, probably sniping at each other. Haley would have sent everyone but Piper packing long ago, but Charlie’s steadfast loyalty kept the group together.

  “Honey, would you get me some sparkling water?” Piper asked.

  “There’s some in the kitchen,” Charlie said, not able to turn her head to meet Haley’s eyes.

  “You’re out of lemons,” Haley said,
getting up to go to their apartment. “But I’ve got a strategic stash. I assume you want some too, Charlie?”

  “If you don’t mind.”

  “I also assume you both want ice more than water?”

  “Yes, please,” both sisters said, in unison.

  Haley walked toward the stairs, with Delta right on her heels. “Taking the dog,” she said, as she started to walk up. Delta was still unable to let any of them stray from the pack without an escort, but he was now very good at sticking to Haley’s heels while not wearing a leash. Actually, he was good at nearly everything, pleasing her with his skills on a daily basis.

  After a few months of doing very little, an old friend had given Haley a heads-up on a pilot one of the streaming services was trying to cast. It was a pretty racy series, with so much nudity and hooking up that she couldn’t even have her parents watch, but at the heart of the story was a little white dog whom a divorcing couple were fighting over. Who could have guessed Delta would be a star in his own right? Well, he wasn’t really a star, but he’d appeared in all thirteen episodes, and they’d just announced they’d renewed the series for another thirteen.

  Both Piper and Charlie were thrilled to have the little guy working, and the job gave Haley a sense of autonomy that she knew she wouldn’t have if she were just part of Charlie, Incorporated.

  Delta ran for one of his toys, a little mouse he was fond of, and tossed it around while Haley crushed ice for the sisters.

  “Let’s go, buddy,” Haley said, when the big glasses were filled with ice and a little water. “We’ve got some thirsty girls to take care of.”

  He paused, his mouse filling his small mouth.

  “Leave it,” she said, and he dropped the toy and trotted over to her. “That’s my good boy.” She stuck her fingers into Piper’s drink and pulled out a good-sized shard of ice. When she tossed it, he jumped into the air and snared it, then chomped on it as they descended the stairs. “I don’t know what it is with you people and ice,” she said, watching him run across the yard to greet his posse.

  “Charlie!” Margot called down. “I need a solid hour to get you into your dress, and your makeup isn’t going to put itself on. Move it!”

  Charlie rolled her eyes. “Almost finished,” she called back. “Kind of a pain in the ass,” she whispered. “Who’s the dope who hired her?”

  “You,” Piper said, inserting a few final pins, then leaning back to take a good, long look. “But I can’t complain about your hiring practices, since no one else in the world would have hired me as a manager.”

  “Stylist/manager,” Charlie reminded her. “I believe you’re the only one in that union.”

  “No doubt about that. Your hair’s perfect. Go let your handlers polish the rest of you.”

  Charlie jumped up, whipped the black smock from her shoulders and planted a noisy kiss on Piper’s cheek. “Wish me luck,” she said, grasping her glass and kissing Haley as she flew by.

  As she ran into the house, Delta at her heels, Piper took Haley’s hand, leading her back to the outside staircase. “I’m so glad you’re on hiatus,” she said, the look in her eyes making it clear exactly what was on her agenda. “I love my job, but it’s so much better when you’re home.”

  “My job’s not bad either,” Haley said, smirking. “Only one well-trained lover and one well-trained dog to look after. Slice of pie.”

  “Speaking of dogs, I assume Charlie bought a tuxedo for Delta, but do you really think we should bring him with us tonight?”

  “If you want to pick tonight to have him stay home alone for the first time…” Haley let out a laugh. It was positively insane that Delta had never been alone, but no one ever said they lived in a normal world.

  “Good point. Charlie’d probably insist on staying home, too, and then where would we be?”

  “Neither of us could sub for her, so we’d be screwed.”

  They started to climb the stairs. “Speaking of screwing…” Piper made her eyebrow twitch, one of the dozens of cute mannerisms she could pull out at a moment’s notice.

  “Not what I’d call it,” Haley said as she opened the door, pulled Piper in with her and wrapped her arms around her waist. “But I like the idea.”

  Piper took her phone from her pocket and turned it off. “For the next hour, my full attention is on you,” she said, tapping Haley on the nose.

  “Perfect.” She took her phone from her pocket and turned it off as well. After pointing to her eyes, she touched Piper’s lids. “Your sister’s gonna be the star tonight, but this afternoon, all eyes are on you.”

  ***

  Haley was ready to go, looking good enough to nibble on—again. She didn’t usually wear dresses, so when she put one on it pulled every bit of Piper’s attention to her trim legs and the way the fabric clung to her shapely ass.

  Piper was running a little behind, struggling to get cufflinks into her new tuxedo-style shirt. Then Haley glided into the room, somehow able to walk perfectly smoothly on heels, despite having so little experience wearing them.

  “Let me,” she said, folding the French cuff and sliding the link in. Their eyes met, then Haley strolled around Piper for a few seconds, taking her in. “You look very sharp, baby.”

  Someone knocked on the door, startling Piper. “When’s the last time someone came to our door?”

  “Never, I think. Ask who it is.”

  Piper strode over. “Who is it?”

  “Eden.” It was clearly Charlie’s voice… Piper threw the door open to find her sister, still in a thin robe, hair and makeup perfect, except for the wet spot on her cheek, left by the puppy wriggling in her hands. “Look what I got!”

  She looked so blissfully happy Piper found herself unable to compel her hands to link around Charlie’s throat and strangle her. “Are you shitting me? Your premiere is in like two hours and you went out to buy a dog?”

  “I didn’t buy her today,” Charlie said, acting like that would have been true lunacy. “I arranged to adopt her months ago. But one of her litter mates was going to his new home here in LA, and the breeder said she could bring Eden along. I was trying to save you from having to drive all the way to Lake Elsinore to pick her up.” She thrust the puppy at Piper. “Isn’t she adorable?”

  Haley stepped up and grasped the dog, supporting her with both hands. “She’s precious,” she agreed. “Another cotie?”

  “Yep. I want all of my dogs to match. This one’s from a real breeder. She has a web site and everything.”

  Piper could have gone into her lecture again; about how many dogs languished in shelters, how many were killed every day because of indiscriminate breeding, etcetera, etcetera. But Charlie was never going to hear that message. She’d vowed to get a new dog for each hit movie, and she was clearly going to try. Piper wasn’t sure why she’d skipped one for the Aaron Evert movie she was in earlier in the year. Maybe because the name didn’t lend itself. Calling a dog The Precipice, would have been a little odd.

  Piper stroked the little white head, her heart skipping a beat when she thought of how Delta had looked almost exactly like this just a year and a half ago. Now he was a robust eleven pounds, white as snow, still with a “puppy cut” rather than the longish hair his breed was known for.

  “She’s very cute.” Piper lifted her eyes to meet her sister’s. “What do you plan on doing with Eden tonight?”

  Charlie’s big blue eyes blinked slowly. “You don’t think she should come?”

  “No, I don’t,” Piper said, hating to see the disappointment in those vivid eyes, even over something so silly. “She can’t be housebroken yet, Charlie, and all of those flashing lights will freak her out. She’ll pee all over your dress.”

  “What can we do with her?”

  “We can do the smart thing.” She turned and looked at Haley.

  “I’ll call Frisky’s Den and see if they can take…” She blinked, then added, “Them.”

  “Them?” Charlie squeaked. “Delta to
o?”

  “He doesn’t like noise much either,” Haley said, “and if they’re together, they can get to know each other.” She grabbed her phone and turned it back on. “I’ll see if they’ll set up a gate so they’re in the same room, but not able to touch. I’m sure Delta will be gentle, but if I’m not there to watch him…”

  “She’s so little,” Charlie said, looking at the pup with longing. “I really want Delta to go with us, but I guess Eden’s too young to be alone.”

  “Her big brother can show her the ropes. Where is he, anyway?”

  “Ken’s watching him. I wanted you to be able to meet Eden without Delta going nuts, which he is.”

  “Charlie! Come stop this dog from howling, and get into your dress!”

  Margot’s voice could etch glass, and as soon as it stopped reverberating, Charlie rolled her eyes. “Gotta go. Bye, sweet puppy,” she said, kissing the dog on the head. Then she was gone, just the scent of her sexy perfume lingering.

  “A fine mess you’ve gotten us into now,” Haley said, giving Piper a pinch on the cheek.

  “Me? What did I do?”

  “You didn’t ground her after she got Delta.”

  “If only I could have,” she said, wishing she had that kind of power. “We’d better get moving, babe. We’ve got to make an unscheduled stop at the doggie spa.”

  ***

  Piper had never made a diva demand, but she’d made a couple for tonight. She and Haley lingered around the entrance to the theater, watching the not-very-VIPs enter. She heard her name, turned and opened her arms to her buddies from the salon. Rada, Jess, and Chelsea were all decked out in snazzy dresses, tottering on high heels, their hair pimped out to the max. “Woo hoo!” she yelped, as they crowded around her. “Is this fun, or what?”