by Trisha Grace
“I’m sorry,” Sarah said. “He must’ve been annoying.”
“Hey!”
Sarah and Elena laughed.
“Are you sure it’s all right for me to stay at your place?” Sarah asked. “I don’t mind staying at a hotel.”
Elena gave a casual wave of her hand. “There’s room at my place. Besides, I’ve given my minion” —she gave Keith a pat on the head— “my word.”
Keith slapped her hand off, and Sarah gasped.
“Ouch!” Elena rubbed her hand. “That actually hurts.” She stuck a leg out and kicked Keith in the shin.
Sarah glanced at Elena, then at Keith. Though Elena’s honey blond hair was a huge contrast to Keith’s black hair, their green eyes—and their behavior with each other—made it seem as if they could be siblings.
She pursed her lips to stop herself from laughing.
Elena rolled her eyes and waved someone over. “This is my assistant, Gina.”
A woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair and equally brown eyes smiled and extended her hand. “You must be Sarah.”
“Yes.”
“No more coffee today?” Gina asked Elena.
Elena pushed her lips into an upside down U. “Nope. How practical.”
“Looks like I’ll have to start working again.” Gina shrugged. “It was nice while it lasted.”
“I can get coffee,” Sarah said.
“But you won’t.” Keith snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “Ignore them. If they bully—”
“Bully?” Elena narrowed her eyes. “I’m giving you a chance to apologize now before you throw your entire month of effort down the drain.”
Keith cleared his throat. “Fine. I’m sorry.” He turned back to Sarah. “But you still don’t have to do anything for them.”
“And we weren’t going to ask you to do anything either.” Elena rolled her eyes before sending a quick glance over at Keith.
It was a short glance that lasted all of one second, but there was something in that look that conveyed a message. Sarah just wasn’t sure what the message was. But in that second, she sensed an immediate awkwardness enveloping the group.
“I told her everything,” Keith said.
Elena and Gina sighed together. “Okay,” Elena continued. “So if my minion slash your boyfriend isn’t free to accompany you, stay close to me. If we’re both busy, stay with Gina.”
“About that …” Keith said.
“I don't want to hide from Miriam.” Whoever she was. Sarah quickly scanned the studio. There were several people getting ready on set, and Sarah recognized them as the characters they played. But she didn't know their real names.
Besides Keith and Elena, who were the main stars and whose names were plastered everywhere, she didn't know the names of the other actors or actresses.
Gina frowned, but Elena didn't reveal any hint of her thoughts or feelings. Elena merely stared at her for a few moments before nodding. “Okay.”
“Besides, I’m here to be his assistant.” Sarah looked up at Keith and grinned. “I can’t possibly hide from Miriam the whole time.”
“While they’re busy,” Gina said, “you can stay with me. I can answer all the questions you have about being a good assistant.”
“She’s good,” Elena added.
Sarah blinked at a sudden change in Elena’s expression. The corners of Elena’s eyes tightened while looking over her shoulder. “What—” Sarah was about to turn and see what Elena was looking at when Elena grabbed her hand, pulling Sarah’s attention back to her.
“Not now,” Elena said with a bright smile, as if they were sharing a joke. Her gaze returned to Sarah, but Elena wasn’t really looking at her. “She’s looking, and I’d rather not give her an invitation to come over.”
“Okay.” Sarah dragged out the last syllable. “I suppose we’re talking about Miriam?” She suddenly felt as if she had to prepare for battle, but she wasn’t even sure what she was supposed to do.
“Yes. Now,” Gina said, and Sarah shot a quick glance over before turning back to Elena. “That’s Miriam.”
The quick glance was enough for Sarah to see the raven-haired beauty, and she realized who Miriam was. “She’s going to die in this movie? How?”
Her reaction made Elena laugh.
“If you want to find out the story before trying to put bits and pieces together here, I suggest you read the book.” Elena picked up the script on her chair and handed it to Gina.
“I wanted to see the movie before reading the book. I think I’ll enjoy the movie more that way.”
“Spoken like someone who thinks movies ruin the real deal.” Elena laughed when Sarah pursed her lips. “I was joking.” She turned to the production crew member who had appeared next to them.
“We’re ready for you.”
Elena nodded and stood before leaning toward Sarah. “I hope you’re ready for your first face-off.”
“Why?”
“Because Miriam’s making her way over here right now.” Elena followed the production crew member onto the set. A makeup artist rushed forward and swept a brush across Elena’s forehead while another woman with a can of hairspray clipped between her arm and body adjusted Elena’s hair.
Keith’s sigh brought her thoughts back to Miriam.
Sarah squared her shoulders. How difficult could this be? She’d faced down bullies when she was in school, and she’d constantly had to deal with bullies as a teacher. She could handle this.
“You can still run if you want.” Despite saying that, Keith tugged Sarah closer and gave her a peck on the hair.
L.A. was his home. He spent most of his time here. But after five months in New York with Sarah, L.A. just didn’t feel right. Now with Sarah by his side, he realized there wasn’t anything wrong with L.A.; it was just wrong because she wasn’t here.
So the last thing he was about to do was let Sarah go just because Miriam was heading toward them.
With squared shoulders, Sarah looked up at him. “Do I look like someone who will run?”
His lips hooked into a smile. “No.” Which was what made him proud to be standing next to her, but it was also what worried him. “I love you,” he said as a weight of dread grew in his chest.
She grinned, but didn’t get a chance to answer him.
“I see you have a new girl in your arm,” Miriam said.
Keith and Sarah turned. “Sarah, this is Miriam Ricci. And Miriam, my girlfriend, Sarah Carter.”
“I didn’t think you’d choose to introduce her to Elena. Isn’t it weird for your girlfriends to meet each other?” Miriam said in a sweet voice, topped with an innocent smile and a blink of the eyes. “You should’ve introduced her to me first. After all, I’m just an ex-girlfriend.”
Sarah took the hand Miriam extended. “There’s nothing going on between Elena and Keith.”
“Is that what he told you?” Miriam’s eyes twinkled as she leaned forward. “You should never trust a playboy’s words.”
“He may be Mr. Playboy to you.” Sarah’s gaze returned to Keith, and her head tilted to the side as she studied him. “But to me, he’s just Keith. The awesome uncle my favorite student loves; the man who bought me a chocolate milkshake to cheer me up after I got dumped.” Her lips curled into a beautiful smile, one that almost made him forget where he was, one that made him want to bend forward and kiss her.
“I hope you’ll still say such sweet stuff about him after he’s broken your heart.”
Keith clenched his jaws. Miriam might just be trying to goad Sarah into a reaction, but her accusation wasn’t baseless. He wasn’t sure if he’d broken any hearts. He probably had, but he’d never cared. He’d always been clear to every woman he’d ever slept with: it was a one-off event; he wasn’t interested in relationships.
If anyone had gotten hurt, he didn’t care.
It was selfish. No, he was a complete jerk. If his niece ever dated someone like him, he would throttle the guy.
But he’d always pacified his conscience with the fact that he never led any of the women on. He’d always been clear about what he was offering right from the start. A night of fun. That was it. It wasn’t his fault that every once in a while, someone would think she was special enough for him to change.
But that change had happened. It happened when he met Sarah.
Away from Hollywood and the never-ending parties, he was able to lead a relatively normal life in New York. He didn’t have to worry about Sarah bumping into actresses he’d slept with, and he wasn’t constantly reminded of the person he used to be.
Being back in the studio and having to turn down the streams of parties had been tough. He no longer desired to go back to the lifestyle he used to have, but he could see the shadow of the old-him in his friends. And without Sarah by his side, Keith was afraid he would slip back into that world and do something stupid, something that could hurt Sarah.
All his money in the bank, all the fame he’d attained, was nothing compared to the laughter and joy he’d found since she’d dropped into his life. Even in the month when they were apart, or in the moments when they weren’t together, he was happy because of her. Life was finally … enough.
There was no need for him to chase the wild delirious nights brought on by alcohol and warmed up by women. All of that had somehow lost its luster since Sarah entered his life.
Sarah’s smiles and laughter were warm enough. Being able to pick her up from work felt like more of a privilege than the right to enter any club or event just because he was Keith Sutton. And annoying Sarah by hovering over her while she made dinner had him laughing harder than he’d ever laughed.
“I trust him,” Sarah said, and he grinned.
“Of all the things I’ve been called, nothing feels better than being called your boyfriend.”
“He always knows what to say.” Miriam ran her hand down Keith’s arm, and he took a step back before her fingers could make it halfway down.
If that move annoyed Miriam, she didn’t show it.
“Well hon, I hope you’ve haven’t given up everything to come here. Because good luck trying to hold on to this one.” Miriam winked, then turned and sashayed away.
He swallowed the lump of frustration trapped in his throat. He shouldn’t be this bothered by Miriam’s words. Sarah hadn’t cared; she didn’t believe a word Miriam had said—and that should have been all that mattered.
“Did we win our first face-off?” Sarah asked.
“What is this?” Miriam shouted at a young woman in a loose light gray T-shirt and beige capri pants.
“Espresso. It’s from the café you like,” the young woman replied.
Miriam opened the cover of the cup and glared at the contents. “It tastes disgusting.” She shoved the cup back—without the cover—toward the young woman, spilling the espresso onto her.
Sarah gasped and stepped forward, but Keith pulled her back.
“Get this out of my sight.” Miriam rolled her eyes when the young woman tugged at her T-shirt. “And go change. You’re such a mess. I can’t stand that smell on you.”
“Don’t,” Keith said.
Sarah’s brows lifted. “So we just stand here and watch?”
He couldn’t quite understand the anger in Sarah’s tone. That was what people did around here. Stepping in would just further anger whoever was yelling, and the assistant would end up suffering more. Not many people in the studio dared to stand up to the actors and actresses anyway—not unless they didn’t mind risking their jobs.
“You can’t be serious,” Sarah said when he didn’t answer her. She turned toward the young woman again, who was walking away in the opposite direction to where Miriam was headed.
“I just didn’t want you clashing with Miriam.” He let go of Sarah’s hand and trotted behind her as she hurried over to the young woman.
“Are you all right?”
The young woman turned to Sarah and pointed to herself. “Are you talking to me?”
Sarah nodded. “Are you all right? Here.” She took the cup from the young woman’s hand. “I’ll get rid of this for you. Why don’t you go wash up?”
The young woman’s eyes reddened.
“Oh, it’s okay.” Sarah gave the young woman a squeeze on her arm. “Things will get better. Do you have a spare shirt? I just got here and my luggage is in Keith’s car.”
The young woman glanced over at him once, then quickly shook her head. “I’m fine. Thanks.” Then she half ran away from them.
Sarah turned back to him with a frown. “Is she one of your ex-girlfriends?”
“What? No.”
“Then why did she run away the moment she noticed you?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess she’s just afraid to get you into trouble or something.”
“Is this how all actors and actresses behave?”
“Hey,” he said. “I’ve always been nice and polite.”
“Except when someone’s in trouble. Then you just turn a blind eye.”
“It isn’t that. It’s just how things are around here.” He took a deep breath. “If you’d gone over just now, it would only make Miriam more frustrated. You might’ve helped the assistant then, but don’t you think Miriam would just find another time to vent her anger?”
Sarah pursed her lips.
“I know you want to help her, but things are … different around here.”
“Doesn’t seem fair that just because you guys earn so much, you can treat people this terribly.”
If Sarah thought this was terrible, she would find herself shocked several more times over the coming month. Keith flashed a boyish grin. “I promise I’ll never treat you that way.” He hoped this was enough to distract Sarah from her anger.
He’d missed her so much, and he didn’t want their first day in L.A. to end in a fight.
“I’d probably pour the rest of the coffee over your head if you did that to me.”
“Are you sure you’re an elementary school teacher?”
“You’re not an elementary student.”
Keith narrowed his eyes. “I think you may have anger issues.” Then he pulled her into his arms and gave her a tight squeeze. “But don’t worry. I won’t leave you because of that.”
She laughed. “Stop it,” she said and struggled to get out of his hold. “Are you going to show me around?”
“I’ll show you where my dressing room is.” He released her from the hug and draped an arm over her shoulders. “That’s the only place you need to know.”
“What about the bathroom?”
“There’s one in my dressing room.”
“Cafeteria?”
He rolled his eyes. “There’s food over there.” He pointed to the long table they’d passed just now. “Take whatever you want.”
“Am I allowed to do that?”
“Let me know if anyone says otherwise.”
She stared at him, seemingly studying his expression.
“What?”
“I’m trying to decide if I like you being this protective.”
He tugged her closer. “You don’t have much of a choice. That’s just who I am.” Just as it was Sarah to want to step in and help someone when she saw injustice. He gave her a peck on the hair.
“Keith!”
Keith turned. “Hey, Lia,” he said to the studio executive heading toward him in her black pantsuit.
Lia Howard’s short, wavy silver hair was tucked neatly behind her ears. She said something to the woman next to her, then waved it off when the woman replied.
Sarah gasped. “Samantha Levette,” she said, looking at the woman with light chestnut brown hair, in dark blue skinny jeans and a white T-shirt.
“Who?”
“The ex-FBI agent turned private investigator. You know, the show I’m always chasing: Private Investigations.”
“Oh, yeah.” Keith nodded. No wonder the woman next to Lia looked familiar. “Lia, my girlfriend Sarah.
” He turned to Sarah. “And Lia’s actually one of the few studio executives I like.”
Lia shook Sarah’s hand, then rolled her eyes. “He says that to all the executives.”
Keith grinned.
“And I’d like you to meet Samantha Levette,” Lia said. “She’s in town for a few interviews, and I thought I’d show her around.”
“I’m such a fan.” Sarah shook Samantha’s hand. “I love your show.”
“Thanks.” Samantha glanced around the set. “So this is where the magic happens.”
Lia squeezed between Sarah and Keith, and hooked her arm around Sarah’s. “So, Sarah, I’ve been bugging your boyfriend here to work on another movie—”
“Lia,” Keith warned.
“But …” Lia waved him off. “He kept saying he has to go back to New York. I was wondering why New York, so I did a little research. You live in New York, don’t you?”
Sarah glanced over at Keith with an awkward smile.
“Lia, drop it.” Keith reached toward Sarah, but Lia nudged her further away.
“So Sarah, tell me. What can I do to make you stay?” Lia dragged Sarah over to Samantha. “Will a photograph with Samantha suffice?”
“Wow,” Samantha said. “Why does that sound like you’re pimping me out?”
Lia grinned at Samantha, then turned back to Sarah. “Tell me, what can I do—”
Keith pulled Lia’s arm away from Sarah and moved Sarah behind him. “Enough.”
“Ooh …” Lia leaned to the side and smiled at Sarah. “So protective, isn’t he? Think about what I said.”
Samantha shook her head.
“Nice to meet you, Samantha,” Keith said. “But your friend’s a little annoying today, so we’re going to head off first.”
Samantha waved.
“Come on, Keith.” Lia threw her hands in the air. “It’s a good movie. At least read the screenplay.”
Keith turned and showed the back of his hand to Lia.
“It was nice to meet you, Samantha.” Sarah waved while he pulled her along.
Keith shook his head. “I think I’d better keep my eyes on you.”
Chapter Three
With her phone pressed against her ear, Sarah exhaled heavily through her nose and tipped her head back against the headrest. She gave Gina a wry smile when their gazes met. “I know, mom. I’m fine. Everything’s good. Not yet, but I’m sure it’ll be a great place to stay.”
