What the Heart Wants: An Opposites Attract Anthology

by Jeanne McDonald

  “He has the flu. Can you believe that? He has the flu!”

  Britt closed the door. “You look great! Who has the flu?”

  “Liam.”

  “I don’t know who that is.”

  “My date for the premiere.”

  “Oh.” It was sometimes hard to keep up with Jon and his parade of boyfriends. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Home with a 103-degree fever. I blame you.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you and your maybe I’ll get lucky and catch the flu voodoo. It worked! It just worked on my date instead of you.”

  “Trust me when I say I wish I could take his place.”

  “You can. You’re now officially my date.” Jon stopped complaining and finally noticed his best friend. “You look gorgeous, by the way.”

  She should. She’d just spent the last three hours being poked and pampered by the studio’s glam squad. But the long red dress was pretty, and they’d managed to do something with her boring brown hair. Even the shoes weren’t too uncomfortable. The zipper, however, was being a pain in the ass.

  Britt turned around. “Thanks. Zip me?”

  Jon reached for the zipper and gave it a tug.

  “It’s stuck.”

  “No kidding. Do something, please.”

  “What do you want me to do? Where’s your stylist?”

  “I threw her out. Three hours was long enough.”

  “Three hours and she couldn’t zip you up?”

  “She did zip me up. It keeps . . . unzipping . . . and my dress keeps falling.” Britt exhaled a noisy, frustrated sigh. “Please try. And what do you mean I’m your date? What if I already have one?”

  “You don’t.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because if you did, he’d be here zipping you up.”

  It took some work—and a lot of cursing—but Jon finally got the zipper to cooperate. Flustered, tired, and already sick of this night, Britt turned around to face her friend, fully prepared to tell him that he was just going to have to find another date because there was no way she was going to this premiere.

  Then he whistled.

  “Seriously, Britt. You look hot.”

  Her face flushed. “Really?”

  “Absolutely. It’s really too bad I like boys.” Jon smiled and offered her his arm. “The studio sent a car. It’s downstairs. You look exceptionally beautiful, I’m devastatingly handsome, and we’re going to have an amazing night. Are you ready?”

  His excitement was infectious. They did look great, and who knows? Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  Britt took a deep breath and linked her arm with his.

  “I’m ready.”

  Scene 2

  The Boy

  “Luke! Over here!”

  Flashing his boyish smile that made the women in the crowd scream with delight, Luke Taylor and his supermodel date posed on the red carpet. As he glanced at the blonde bombshell on his arm, he realized he couldn’t even remember her name.

  Stacey? Starla? Something with an S.

  As tired as he was, he couldn’t be expected to remember something as trivial as his date’s name. Tonight’s movie premiere was his third star-studded event this week—and he wasn’t even in the film. To be honest, Luke couldn’t remember why he was even there. Knowing his publicist, it had something to do with PR. Everything was about PR.

  “You look amazing, Sasha! Who are you wearing?”

  Sasha. That was it. Not that it mattered. It’s not like he’d see her again after tonight. For whatever reason, his publicist thought it was sacrilege for him to walk a red carpet by himself, so Sasha was just another in a long line of beautiful women who adorned his arm from time to time. He needed to look available, but not too available. Not to mention that having a Swedish supermodel on his arm would make the international press happy.

  That was Hollywood in a nutshell. Smile for the cameras and keep the press happy.

  Luke Taylor had been a movie heartthrob since he was nineteen. After six years in Hollywood, he’d learned how to play the game. Flashing cameras, screaming fans, and crazy paparazzi were all part of the gig. Once upon a time, he’d loved it. Lived for it. Savored it and drowned in it.

  But tonight, as he looked out at the sea of shutterbugs, he felt nothing.

  Maybe you’ve just become numb to it.

  That’s exactly how he felt.

  Numb.

  Val, his publicist, gently touched his elbow—their secret signal telling him it was time to move along. Happy to be out of the limelight, Luke escorted his date inside the theater. The scene inside was much calmer, with studio execs and A-list celebrities saying hello before finding their seats. Always the gentleman, Luke ushered Sasha to her chair before politely excusing himself.

  “What do you need?” Val asked, her voice low.

  A moment to myself.

  “Keep Sasha company,” he said quietly. “I’m going to find a restroom.”

  Val glanced back at Luke’s bodyguard.

  “You know Maddox doesn’t like it when you—”

  “What? Pee? I bet Maddox understands, don’t you, Mad?

  The security stepped forward and gave a curt nod.

  “Whatever you need, sir.”

  “See, Val? Whatever I need. And I need to pee. Excuse me.”

  Val frowned. “Fine. Movie starts in twenty.”

  “Got it.”

  His bodyguard kept a respectable distance as Luke made his way to the lobby. He didn’t really need the restroom, but he walked in anyway. Except for a guy washing his hands at the sink, the room was blissfully empty.

  And quiet.

  He just needed a minute to himself. A moment away from the noise and his entourage and the Sashas of the world. And—if he had any hope of making it through the next two hours—he’d need to find himself a drink. Not all theaters in Hollywood served alcohol, but some did. Luke prayed he was standing in one of them.

  After a few minutes, he stepped back out into the lobby to find Maddox waiting for him. He gave his bodyguard a slight smile—a private little thank you for allowing him a few minutes to himself.

  “Luke Taylor!”

  Luke glanced to his right and found Jon Reynolds, his hiking buddy, standing just outside the ladies’ restrooms.

  Jon’s movie! That’s why I’m here.

  Jon was half of one of Hollywood’s hottest screenwriting teams. Luke couldn’t remember the woman’s name right now, but she and Jon were becoming famous for their romantic comedies. Action stars who wouldn’t have been caught dead starring in a rom-com in the past were now begging to work with Jon and his partner.

  Luke walked over to say hello to his friend.

  “Congratulations, Jon.”

  The men shook hands.

  “Luke Taylor. Wherever you go, cameras are sure to follow. That’s good press for our movie. We appreciate you coming.”

  “Wouldn’t have missed it. I’ve heard wonderful things about . . . your movie.”

  “You don’t even know the name of it, do you?”

  Luke grinned sheepishly. “I don’t. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I know how it is. One event bleeds into the next.”

  “You got that right.” Luke looked over his shoulder. “I don’t suppose this place has a bar?”

  “Afraid not. Too bad because I sure could use one.” Jon pointed toward the ladies’ restrooms. “I’m just waiting for my date. Why does it take women so long in the bathroom?”

  “A woman? But I thought . . .”

  Luke snapped his mouth shut. They’d hadn’t really discussed it, but during their hikes in Runyon Canyon, Jon had always talked about whichever guy he was dating at the time.

  “You thought that I was gay?”

  “Well . . . yeah.”

  Jon chuckled. “You thought right. My boyfriend has the flu. I’m just waiting for my writing partner. She’s having trouble with a zipper.”
<
br />   “I’d love to meet her. I keep saying you guys need to write something for me.”

  “I don’t know that our little studio could afford you,” Jon said with a grin.

  “For you, I’d take a pay cut.”

  Just then, a studio exec came by to say hello to Jon, and Luke took that as his cue to leave.

  “Good to see you, man. Congrats again.”

  “Thanks, Luke. And call me. We haven’t hiked in months.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  As he walked away, he noticed a bench nestled in a secluded corner of the lobby. It was unusual when Luke wasn’t surrounded by his publicist or the paparazzi, so he decided to take advantage of the last few minutes he had to himself.

  Luke walked over to his bodyguard.

  “Could we just . . . hang out here in the lobby for a few minutes?”

  Maddox looked confused. “Hang out, sir?”

  “Just for a few minutes.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  He pointed toward the bench. “I’ll just be over there, okay?”

  Maddox nodded and followed his boss, once again keeping a respectable distance. Luke sat down and smiled. From this angle, he could see the entire lobby. He didn’t have the chance to people-watch very often, so he was happy to take advantage of the moment. Unfortunately, the view was pretty dull. Not that the women weren’t gorgeous. They were just Hollywood gorgeous, and after years in Tinseltown, he’d grown bored with the bleached blondes and tanned bodies. Just once, he’d like to see a regular girl at one of these events. Someone classy. Someone sweet.

  Someone real.

  Scene 3

  The Meet-Cute

  The lights blinked, signaling that the movie was about to start. Luke knew he should head back, but he couldn’t bring himself to move. Instead, he watched as people rushed through the theater doors.

  From his spot on the bench, he had a perfect view to the entrance of the ladies’ room, where Jon was still waiting for his friend with his phone up to his ear. After a few seconds, Jon slipped his cell into the pocket of his tux and headed into the theater.

  Maddox peeked around the corner. “Should we head back, sir?”

  Luke sighed. His publicist was probably screaming in Maddox’s ear, wondering if her star client had bolted for the door.

  He was just about to stand up when he saw a woman in a long red dress walk out of the ladies’ room, texting furiously on her phone. She looked frantic. She looked frazzled.

  She looked beautiful.

  In a city where voluptuous women aren’t always appreciated, Luke couldn’t help but notice how the strapless gown clung to her curves. The red satin was a perfect complement to her pale skin and long brown hair. Totally gorgeous in a classic, girl-next-door kind of way.

  Someone classy. Someone sweet. Someone real.

  He had to meet her.

  Luke stood up quickly and walked in her direction. Still on her phone, she didn’t notice as he approached.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  She looked up quickly and gasped.

  “Luke Taylor?”

  Oh no. He hadn’t considered the possibility that she was a fan. Not that he didn’t love meeting fans. He enjoyed it a lot, actually. Just not tonight. And not her. Not when he felt such an immediate attraction to this woman.

  “Yes. You just look a little—”

  “Frantic? Pissed? Deserted?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “All of the above. Thanks.”

  She walked away and headed toward the theater’s doors. Luke was stunned. She knew who he was and couldn’t care less.

  And she was walking away.

  He couldn’t stand it.

  “Wait!”

  The woman spun around. “Yes?”

  “What’s your name?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

  “I . . .” his voice trailed off, surprised that simply asking her name had caused such a reaction. “I just think you’re really beautiful. And I’d like to know your name. And maybe get your number.”

  “My name’s Britt. I should really get in there.”

  The lobby was empty now, except for the two of them . . . and Maddox. The movie had probably already started. But he couldn’t let her walk away from him. Not yet.

  He stepped closer. “It’s nice to meet you, Britt. Is that short for Brittany or something?”

  “Or something. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  “Wait! What about your number?”

  Britt laughed. “You don’t really want my number.”

  “I really do.”

  “Why?”

  Luke frowned. He didn’t like to brag, but it’d been a long since he’d worked this hard for a woman’s name and number.

  “Like I said. Because I think you’re beautiful, and I’d like to take you out for a drink. Or dinner. Or whatever.”

  “Or whatever?”

  Luke shrugged. At this point, he’d settle for a civil conversation, but even that was proving to be difficult.

  “That’s the problem with you actors. All you care about is the whatever.”

  “I’m . . . not sure what you mean.”

  Britt leaned close and lowered her voice.

  “You know exactly what I mean. I’m not sleeping with you, Luke Taylor.”

  He hadn’t even considered that possibility. But apparently she had, and the thought made him smile.

  “And you can wipe that grin off your face. It’s not happening.”

  Luke thought he heard his bodyguard chuckle in the distance.

  “Britt, I promise. All I had in mind was a date. That’s it.”

  “Why? You don’t even know me.”

  “Exactly. Which is why dating was invented. So people can get to know each other. Which I’d love to do, with you.”

  “Why?”

  “Is that your favorite word?”

  Suddenly, her eyes grew wide. That’s when he noticed they were green. No, not green. Emerald. Shining, gorgeous emeralds.

  “Umm . . . Luke, it was nice to meet you. But I need to go back to the ladies’ room.”

  “Are you sick?”

  “No, I just . . . excuse me.”

  She took off, walking as fast as she could through the lobby. It was difficult, considering she was in heels and had one hand behind her back.

  Why is she walking like that? Is she in pain?

  “Sir, we should probably get inside,” Maddox said softly but firmly.

  Luke ignored his bodyguard and raced toward her, finally reaching her just as she stepped inside the restroom.

  “Britt, wait!”

  She spun around. Her arm that had been twisted around her back was now on her chest.

  “Did you seriously just follow me into the ladies’ room? What is wrong with you?”

  Luke froze in his tracks. She looked terrified. Had he frightened her? The thought sobered him and filled him with shame.

  Without thinking, he reached for her hand that was resting against the front of her dress.

  “Britt, I’m sorr—”

  She gasped loudly as her red gown pooled at her feet.

  Time stood still.

  Luke closed his eyes.

  He counted to ten.

  He tried. He really, really tried.

  But he couldn’t help himself.

  He looked.

  “God, you’re stunning.”

  Huffing adorably, Britt jerked her hand out of his and reached down for her dress. She covered herself and glared at him with so much fury that he nearly laughed.

  But he didn’t dare.

  Britt sagged against the wall. “Please go away.”

  “So gorgeous.”

  “Seriously, get the hell out.”

  “Let me guess. Wardrobe malfunction?”

  “Stupid zipper. I’ve fought with it all night. It finally busted.”

  “Is your stylist here?”

  “I don’t have a styli
st, Luke.”

  “Oh.”

  “I mean, the studio sent one to help me get ready, but I don’t have her on speed dial. I’ve tried texting my friend. Jerk deserted me.”

  “Is she in the theater? I can go find her.”

  “He’s in the theater. He won’t answer my texts.”

  “Theaters typically have lousy reception. What’s his name and I’ll have Maddox get him.”

  “Maddox?”

  “My bodyguard. He’s just outside the door.”

  Britt’s eyes widened in fear. “Oh my God, did he see?”

  “I don’t think so. And even if he did, he’d pretend he didn’t. Maddox is cool.”

  She sighed heavily. “No, it’s okay. I don’t want to ruin Jon’s night. I’ll just call a cab.”

  “Jon?”

  “Jon Reynolds. My best friend. Maybe. Stupid jerk deserted me. He knew I was battling with this zipper and still he . . .”

  As she continued to ramble, Luke connected the dots. He was standing in the ladies’ room with Britt Daniels—Jon’s writing partner and one of Hollywood’s most popular screenwriters.

  And he’d just seen her naked.

  Practically.

  “I can take you home,” he heard himself say.

  Britt narrowed her eyes. “You? Seriously?”

  “Why not?”

  “What about the movie?”

  “Not my movie. I don’t care.”

  “No, it’s my movie. Our movie. I should be in there.”

  He could tell by the tone of her voice that she’d rather be anywhere but sitting in that theater. The sentiment was easy to recognize, considering that’s how he felt almost every night of his life.

  “Britt, if you really want to go in there, I can get my publicist to find someone to fix your zipper. Or find you another dress. Seriously, it’s not a problem. But do you want to be in there?”

  Britt considered that.

  “No, not really. I just want to go home.”

  “Then I’ll take you home.”

  Luke stepped out to find Maddox just outside the entrance.

  “Sorry about this, Maddox.”

  “Your publicist is popping a Xanax as we speak, sir. And threatening me with bodily harm.”

  Luke grinned. “You’re scared of Val? Really?”