by Mari Byrne
The phone rang as Stephanie looked through the cupboard for something to make for dinner.
Since the men had come into her life, they had done everything for her. Tonight she wanted to cook something nice for them, and it looked as if she would have to go shopping again. Shaking her head at the amount of food Mitch and Kristain consumed, she picked up the phone and rummaged through a drawer for pen and paper.
“Hello?” She grabbed the items she had been looking for as her sister’s voice came over the line.
“Steph? It’s Jan.” Although she could hear her sister, there was a lot of static, as if she was on a cell phone.
“Hey, Jan. I can barely hear you. Where are you?” Even as she sat at the table to make her list, she could picture her sister zooming toward some exotic locale.
“I’m headed for Catalina Island to do a catalogue shoot. Where—back? Homer has been in dire—when you’ll be back?”
No matter how hard Stephanie tried, she couldn’t understand what her sister was saying. Yelling over the static, she told her sister to call back when she could get a landline.
Not sure if Jan had heard her, Stephanie made a note to call Jan’s agent and find out where her sister had gone. She’d get hold of her later.
When she finished with the shopping list, she went to find Mitch and Kristain to see if there was anything either of them wanted from the store.
Finding chocolate syrup and whipping cream at the top of Mitch’s list, Stephanie rolled her eyes and jotted another note to pick up some extra stain remover.
Oh, she enjoyed what they did with the syrup and whipped cream, but getting the chocolate stains out of sheets could be a pain.
She’d managed to convince both Kristain and Mitch that should could handle the shopping by herself. Smiling, she thought of the looks both men had given her as they grudgingly agreed she was a ’big girl’ who could handle herself.
Stephanie parked her Mazda in the supermarket lot and made her way inside. She grabbed a cart and quickly picked up the items on her list, stopping only in one extra section.
It didn’t matter what store she entered, if it had a book section, she had to look. Some could call it an obsession, but Stephanie thought of it as very inexpensive therapy. Books to her were a kind of mini mind vacation. She thoroughly recommended it for everyone!
She ran her gaze down the available books to see if there were any new ones that hadn’t been there last week. Finding none she didn’t already have, she went to the checkout to pay for her purchases.
After she had emptied her cart, she scrounged through her purse looking for her cash and came upon the hastily made up wrap party invitation she had received from the last film she worked on.
A mental groan sounded in her head as she remembered she had already RSVP'd. She wouldn’t be able to get out of this one. She had promised a few of the lighting and sound folks she would meet them there.
Hastily taking out the money she found, she counted out the bills and handed them to the cashier. Her mind raced to come up with any last minute excuse she could think of.
Think, Stephanie!
By the time she was halfway home, she still hadn’t come up with anything not involving either a lengthy hospital stay, or some member of her distant family dead.
She pulled into her apartment’s parking lot and parked her car. She finally gave up on finding an appropriate excuse and resigned herself to having fun. She wondered if Kristain and Mitch would like to go with her or if they would rather stay home tonight.
She grabbed her purse and prepared to get out of her car. She turned to reach for the door handle and found both Mitch and Kristain next to her car.
Holding back the scream locked in her throat, she hastily opened her door and got out.
“What? Is something wrong?” She quickly skimmed their thoughts and found they had come out to help her with the groceries.
Stephanie’s smile could have toppled a government. It was what Kristain thought. Mitch concurred, and went a step further.
No, my brother, a Queendom. She will set the inhabitants of Aranak on their collective kujohs.
Kristain gave a tiny nod in agreement and gently took the keys from Stephanie’s fingers. Both men went around to the trunk and quickly loaded their arms with grocery bags.
Stephanie had to stop and admire the complete maleness of the two men carrying her groceries. They took her breath away. Their bodies were everything a woman could ask for in a man. They both treated her as if she was their only concern, and they knew when not to intrude.
She vowed she would find a way to thank her sister in a very special way.
She took off to catch up with them and to ask if they might like to go out tonight. And after they got home, she would see if she couldn’t find a special gift for them!
* * * * *
Stanley sat in his car and held the tiny device up as he strained to listen.
These gadgets always seemed to work in the movies and television, but when they were used in the real world, it was hit and miss. He only caught five or six words of what was said between the three, and they weren’t any help at all.
He would have to sit here for the rest of the day and hope something else brought Stephanie out again.
The Slut, as he had come to call Babbet, had decided it was time to move.
He wanted to see just what else she really had in mind for Stephanie. Stanley thought a moment and decided he would only go so far for this woman, and as long as it didn’t involve Stephanie Armand’s death, he was open to most anything.
He took off the headphones and got comfortable. It could be a long night.
* * * * *
All three were putting away the groceries when Stephanie mentioned the party. The boys were enthusiastic and didn’t mind at all. They teased her about wanting to show off her husbands.
Stephanie wondered just what they would wear. Both Kristain and Mitch had to have gone out at some point and brought back clothing to her—
She stopped the thought. She had been about to say her apartment when she realized it was now their apartment.
It took a second to sink in, but once it was there, it felt right. Yes, everything was theirs. At some point she would have to ask if the three of them might want to consider getting a house.
She put the thought away for now and went on with her speculation about clothing.
She had no more than started the thought when Kristain spoke into her mind.
We had a friend bring a few things while you slept Saturday. Stephanie heard him thinking. Or maybe it was Sunday morning.
Stephanie felt his mental shrug. At any rate, we have proper dress. We won’t embarrass you.
Stephanie was shocked either one of the men sharing her life would think she was so shallow as to care about how they dressed.
Kristain. I can’t believe you would think that! Stephanie didn’t feel hurt so much as she was made to remember the three of them hardly knew each other.
With a thought she assured both Kristain and Mitch it wouldn’t matter if they both wore diapers to the party, she had just wondered if they had any other clothes in the apartment or if they needed to go get some.
And after tonight, we’re going to have to sit down and talk about more than me being Queen. We need to talk about where you guys come from, and how you use telepathy with great regularity. I know so little about the two of you, and I think we need to get to know each other a little better. Stephanie waited for a reply. None came, and she left it at that.
She hadn’t meant to offend, or upset either of them, but she knew they needed to be face to face when the three of them talked this out.
Stephanie went to get ready. When she put her make-up on and did her hair, it was with the thought of wanting to look good for her men, rather than for herself.
When she was finally ready, she went out to the living room to find her purse and keys. She made another mental note to herself to get a few copies of he
r house and car keys made for Mitch and Kristain.
She was so lost in thought it took her a minute to realize Mitch and Kristain were already there and waiting.
She stopped in her tracks and gaped. They were absolutely gorgeous.
Both Mitch and Kristain had chosen to wear matching double-breasted suits. Their slacks were crisply creased and hit the tops of their spit-shined shoes just so. Their ties matched her midnight blue eyes, and blended well with the dress she had chosen to wear.
Either they were psychic, or they had “peeked”. There had never been a worry in her mind they would have shamed her. Seeing them here together only confirmed this.
She continued to stare at the picture the two men made. She knew of more than a few people who would attend this party who would try their best to engage either or both of them in more than conversation.
When she thought more than a choked sound would come out of her mouth, she spoke.
“You look good enough to eat.” Stephanie’s eyes widened when she realized what she had said. She looked at the two men, who smiled with wicked intent, and continued on. “And as much as I’d love to indulge that statement, if we don’t leave now, we’re going to be more than fashionably late.”
Stephanie picked up her purse and rummaged for her keys. She looked up when she heard a set jingle.
Mitch held up a set of keys as if to say “here they are.”
“If you don’t mind, we’ve taken care of the transportation.” Mitch strode toward her and took her arm.
“Yes. Let us show you a little of what you can expect from now on.” Kristain strode over to and took hold of her other arm. “You did mention you wanted to know more about us, didn’t you?”
Stephanie nodded. “Sure. You’re more than welcome to drive tonight.”
With that said, the three went out the door.
Chapter 15
Stephanie mingled with a silly grin on her face as she remembered the ride from her apartment to here.
Mitch and Kristain owned a truck. A really souped up kind of guy truck, and she had thoroughly enjoyed the smooth ride here. It shouldn’t have surprised her they would own such a vehicle. They were, after all, men.
It was a truck with incredible power behind it and seemed to be comfortable to drive. Kind of like its owners.
Stephanie waved to a few acquaintances and had bumped into the director of the movie. She found out the film had apparently done well in selected theaters and been assured it would do even better when it went nationwide.
“STEPH!” The cry of her name at the man’s highest decibels had Stephanie both cringing and smiling. Frank, the director of another of her shoots, was inebriated and thoroughly excited.
Turning to face Frank as both Kristain and Mitch’s bodies whirled to face what they must perceive as a threat, she laid soothing hands on them both and smiled in genuine pleasure at the robust man coming toward her.
Easy guys. I think for the sake of my career, I’m going to have to disengage the mental connection for the party. Don’t freak, okay.
Both men gave slight nods to her as she looked between them.
She cocked her head slightly as she heard Mitch answer.
If you perceive yourself in danger, it should automatically engage.
Sending mental thanks, Stephanie gave her complete attention back to Frank.
“Frank. I take it the masks did the trick?” Stephanie asked as Frank came directly up to her and enveloped her in a bone-jarring hug.
“You goddess, you! They worked! The masks worked! The moviegoers screamed in hilarity when the scene came up! Jesus on a crutch, they howled like friggin’ banshees. It was exactly what the movie cried out for and shame on my cynical ass for ever doubting you!”
“Hey, you listened to my side of it. That in itself is a huge boost to my ego.”
“Don’t count yourself out. I’d had the thought and discarded it. You must have been in my subconscious and plucked it back out. I know others have said so, but you really can read minds, can’t you!”
Even as the director laughed at what he thought was a joke, Stephanie looked to Mitch and Kristain and smiled. Frank was closer to the truth than he knew.
She felt pride in the job she had done and marveled at the truth others had liked her work. She knew it could have been a completely different story if the film had been a flop.
It was true. Sometimes in the film industry, all aspects revolved around the actual success of the picture rather than gaining merits for individual accomplishments.
They talked for a bit longer and both parted after promises to go to a theater and Stephanie could watch the reaction of the crowd herself.
Stephanie thanked him for giving her the great news and moved on.
Stopping soon after, she turned to both Mitch and Kristain.
“Actually,” Mitch interrupted her, “I have seen a few people we know.”
“Great. There are a few people I want to talk to, so don’t feel you have to stick next to me like glue. Besides, it’ll be shoptalk. Probably bore you both to tears.”
Kristain smoothed a hand down her arm while answering.
“Nothing you do or say would bore us. We live to hear your every breath.”
Melting, Stephanie reached out and stroked her hand down the side of his face, then reached out to grasp the hand Mitch stretched toward her.
“You two will turn my head if you’re not careful.” Stephanie teased.
Bringing her hand to his lips and kissing it before he spoke, Mitch chimed in.
“I want to turn more than just your head Kasha.”
My love. It hit straight to her romantic meter and knocked the needle off the charts.
“Go. Go say hello to your friends.”
Smiling gently at the look of love in Stephanie’s eyes, the two men left.
It was some time later that Stephanie realized she’d been socializing for longer then usual. So many of the crew had shown up believing that this was the film that would make their careers. Stephanie could agree that the crew was indeed right if the director had interpreted the audiences correctly.
She made a quick glance around the room for Kristain or Mitch and when she didn’t spot them decided it was time to find some food to offset the champagne she had been consuming.
She wove her way through the tightly packed bodies near the refreshments and made a plate of goodies to nibble. She imagined either one of the men in her lives would have happily waited on her, but she had told them to mingle.
Stephanie smiled to herself when she noticed the olives on the table and then grinned foolishly at the memory of how Kristain had put them to use.
A feeling of near contentment spread over her and gave her a very encouraging picture of just what the future could be like with Mitch and Kristain.
She took her food to the nearest available empty surface and prepared to dig in. She had just started a fork full of chicken pasta salad to her mouth when she noticed someone standing in front of her.
“Hello Ms. Armand. It’s a pleasure to see you again.” He held out his hand as he spoke.
Stephanie automatically reached out and shook hands with him. It was a normal practice in Hollywood to interrupt someone in hope you could get a pitch in before you were dismissed.
The man looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t quite place him, and she told him so.
He sat down as he explained to her he was a friend of one of the people who had worked on the film, and he had been admiring her work for some time.
He went on to explain he had visited the set a few times and seen her working. Not wanting to interrupt her, he had asked his friend to introduce him to Stephanie, but the opportunity had never presented itself.
He smiled sheepishly at this. “I must confess the only reason I attended this shindig tonight was to perhaps be able to meet you at last.” He looked down at the table and then back up at her. “Please don’t think me forward, but I couldn’t wait f
or Renee to pull himself away from his date, so I came over to introduce myself.”
Stephanie smiled with a mixture of relief and understanding. The relief came with the name Renee as someone she recognized. The understanding came with the sympathy she felt for this man. She herself had met Renee on the set of one of her first movies and found quickly enough he went through the men in his life like they were tissues. Use them a time or two, then discard.
It happened more often than not on a set, and everyone overlooked it as an alternate lifestyle.
“Forgive me,” she started, “but you never told me your name.”
At this, he looked startled. Then a slight flush came over his face. He smiled sheepishly and gave a small laugh.
“No. It’s you who must forgive me.” He grinned and introduced himself. “My name is Stanley.”
Stephanie gave a quick thought to the food that still lay untouched in front of her and matched his smile.
“It’s nice to meet you, Stanley. What do you do for a living?” Conversation in Hollywood was more than a staple of life, it was a sparring match that could get out of hand if not steered in a proper direction. Stephanie kept up a steady flow and managed to find out Stanley was an aspiring actor himself.
He had done a bit of stage, and come out to see if he could make it in what he called ‘The Big Time’. Complete with air quotes and all.
They spoke for a good twenty minutes when Stanley finally looked at her plate and realized she had barely touched her food.
“Forgive me again. I do ramble.” He gestured to her untouched meal and gave a look of contrition. “Your food is waiting there, and I’ve gone on long enough.”
Stephanie waved it away and told him sincerely it had been her pleasure to sit and talk with him.
“Really, it wasn’t a hardship. There’s always more food, and it’s rare to be able to sit and talk with someone as eloquent as you.”
The look of pleasure, which came over his face at her words almost made her blush.
He watched her with a look Stephanie could only term as one of glee.
