by Thea Dawson
“All right, we’ve done our time.” He hooked Joy’s arm into his again. “Now we get to go relax.”
Sherri waved them off and turned her attention to Vanessa Swink and her date who were right behind them. Joy tried to get a better look at Vanessa, but was left only with the impression that she was surprisingly short before Chris directed her into the theater and they were shown to their seats. After a few minutes, the doors closed. The director and the producer made speeches then finally, the lights dimmed and the film began.
Although big budget blockbusters weren’t usually her thing, Joy enjoyed the movie immensely. It was funny, with plenty of slapstick and snappy one-liners, but there was also a romantic poignancy to it that had her blinking back tears at the climax of the movie.
When the house lights went up again, Chris looked at her. “What did you think?”
To her surprise, she detected a little anxiety in his voice. “I loved it,” she whispered back reassuringly, giving his hand an encouraging squeeze. “It’s going to be a huge hit, I know it. And you are totally worthy of bringing Marlon Brando coffee.”
He laughed and threw an arm around her in a bearish half-hug. “After party at Doug’s house? No press, I promise. Should be fun.”
“Let’s go!” she said brightly.
25
It was by far the most glamorous evening of her life. As an assistant director in development, she’d been to more than her share of receptions and dinners with wealthy, successful donors, but nothing could come close to walking down a red carpet on Chris McPherson’s arm followed by champagne and hors d’oeuvres at a Beverly Hills mansion.
She’d braced herself to feel like an outsider—which, after all, she was—but there were enough spouses and partners there that it felt less like an insider cast party and more like a class reunion. It had been several months since the actual shooting had wrapped up, and most of the cast and crew had moved on to other projects, personal and professional, so she was able to follow the conversations more easily than she’d thought as they caught up with each other.
After Chris had introduced her to their hosts, Doug Sampson and his wife Suzanne, a glamorous woman in her early fifties, he steered her toward a small group of actors who were hovering near the bar on the patio. Vanessa Swink, much tinier than she had looked in the movie, was holding court in a very short sequined dress, tossing her long, dark, curly hair around as she gestured animatedly, clearly in the middle of telling a story.
The minute she saw them, Vanessa gave a shriek of excitement and jumped into Chris’s arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. Before Joy had a chance to fully absorb the sight of the petite twenty-seven-year-old former porn star in her boyfriend’s arms, Vanessa disengaged from Chris and gave her a hearty hug, too.
“I knew it! I knew there was a woman!” she declared triumphantly. “When I saw this asshole in Chicago—” she jerked a thumb at Chris, “—he had that glow. I could tell he was getting laid, and getting laid good, but he was being all gentlemanly about it and wouldn’t spill any dirt.” She lowered her voice. “Just between us girls, I bet he’s a real animal in bed, isn’t he? Is he into all sorts of kinky shit? I’d totally put money on it.”
Chris scratched his beard. “I may have forgotten to tell you that Vanessa has all the refinement of a sailor on leave, and if she calls you an asshole, it’s her way of saying she cares.”
Vanessa slapped him gently on the stomach. “You asshole,” she replied with a grin. She had a strong New Jersey accent—which had definitely not been in the movie—and a zingy energy that convinced Joy to be amused rather than offended.
“He’s into all sorts of kinky shit,” she confided. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Chris scratch his beard again in embarrassment.
Vanessa howled with laughter. “I love her. C’mon, let’s get you two some drinks.”
The evening swam along on champagne and laughter. Joy met Vanessa’s fiancé, a fellow New Jersey-ite named Vince who specialized in CGI effects, Chris’s other co-star, Jordan Rhimes, and many others. Despite the designer clothes and the multimillion-dollar surroundings, the atmosphere was friendly and casual. Joy had been afraid that she’d feel out of place, but it was actually the most fun she’d had at a social event in years.
It was almost three when the limo dropped them back at Chris’s house.
“You up for a walk on the beach?” he asked.
“Are you serious? It’s going to be morning soon.”
“Sure. It’s a beautiful night.”
“I should probably change.” She looked doubtfully down at the gorgeous—and no doubt expensive—dress.
“Just take off those silly shoes and pick up the skirt. I won’t throw you into the water or anything.
“Deal.”
She left the high-heeled sandals on the lowest step of his house and together they walked hand in hand to the beach.
“Thank you,” she said. “This has been the most amazing evening. I really like your friends. And I loved the movie. It’s going to be a huge hit.”
“Thanks. I got lucky with this one.”
“You know, you always talk about luck, but do you ever think that maybe you attract luck because you’re really talented? Or that maybe you attract nice people because you’re really nice?”
“You sound a little like Tracie.”
“Tracie’s kooky, but she’s … not wrong. You bring good things into your life because you deserve them, Chris McPherson.” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him lightly.
He put his hands on her waist. “Did you really like the movie?” he asked, and again she detected that hint of anxiety.
She laughed. “Are you kidding? I loved it. It was funny and exciting, and that part where you thought the princess had died—that was really moving. I had tears in my eyes. Oh! And you know how I know you’re an amazing actor?”
“How?”
“That scene where you kissed Vanessa. I wasn’t even jealous.”
He frowned a little in the moonlight. “And that’s ... good?”
“I mean I wasn’t jealous because you were acting so well. I didn’t even see you as Chris McPherson anymore. I thought you were Andrew Spark, galactic rogue.”
His voice dropped a little. “So, would you be jealous under other circumstances?”
“You mean, like seeing a beautiful twenty-seven-year-old with her legs wrapped around your waist?”
“Yeah, like that.”
“Mm, I could probably get jealous if it happened too often.”
“Does that mean ... you like me?” he said, in a playfully hopeful voice.
She considered. “You know, I think it means I like you quite a lot.”
“That’s good.” He kissed her, a tender lingering kiss. “Because I like you a lot, too. And I assure you, you have nothing to be jealous about.” Another kiss, longer and more passionate this time, followed his statement.
“If we stay here, there’s a good chance this dress will get ruined,” she whispered. She kissed him again. “I want to get you back inside, Mr. Movie Star. I hear you’re into all sorts of kinky shit.”
The next day was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable that Chris could remember, a decadent, delightful combination of sleep, sex and swimming.
The only hitch was that Sherri called midday to tell him he needed to tape an interview on Sunday evening.
“Are you serious?” he groused.
“They want to air it on their morning entertainment segment. Five pm at the TV station, downtown LA.”
“Why does it have to be five pm? How about earlier and I could still catch my flight?”
He could imagine Sherri shaking her head. “This is their earliest availability. You can do it later in the evening or do it live at seven in the morning.”
“Can’t you get me out it?” he grumbled. He was supposed to be halfway back to Portland on a flight with Joy at the time the interview was scheduled.
“Contract
ual obligations, Chris,” she reminded him. “Galactic Crusaders is blowing up. Last night’s box office might even have broken some records, they’re still getting the numbers in. You’re going to be in high demand for the next several weeks, so get used to it. I’ll schedule around your little play as much as I can, but you’re under contract to do as much promotion as you reasonably can.”
He sighed looking at Joy who was wearing a bikini and looking at him curiously. He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile.
“Email me the details,” he conceded. “And have Jenny get me on the earliest reasonable flight back to Portland.”
“Wear a suit,” she said and hung up.
He turned off the phone and explained the situation to Joy, who frowned slightly.
“You won’t be late for the auction, will you?”
He shook his head. “There are flights out to Portland all the time. I’ll just be a couple hours behind you.”
“I was looking forward to flying with you,” she pouted.
“Thinking about the mile-high club?” he teased.
She looked thoughtful. “Well, I wasn’t, but I am now.”
“We’ll just have to see what we can do at sea level,” he said, pulling her onto his lap and kissing her.
Finally, early in the evening, he insisted that they get dressed.
“There’s a restaurant about twenty miles from here, just outside Long Beach, right on the harbor. You’re going to love it, and I’m not going to miss the opportunity to take you there.”
“Well, I guess if you insist on taking me out to dinner, I’ll humor you.” She gave him a kiss on the nose.
An hour later, they were seated on the patio of The Reef, a seafood restaurant that looked out over the Pacific. They had just ordered and Chris was about to tell Joy how beautiful she looked in the white linen sundress that she was wearing when his phone rang with his mother’s ringtone.
“It’s my mom,” he said apologetically. “Do you mind if I take it?”
“Of course not,” Joy murmured.
He pressed the answer button. “Hey, Mom.”
“Chris! Steve and I went to see Galactic Crusaders last night. We had such a good time. You were so funny and so good. Everyone in the audience laughed and cheered in all the right places. I’m so proud of you, sweetheart!”
Chris grinned. “Thanks, Mom. I’m glad you liked it.”
“Liked it? I loved it! It was all I could do to keep from screaming ‘That’s my son!’ every time you were on screen!”
He chuckled. “I hope you didn’t, because I’m in just about every scene.”
She laughed. “Steve kept me under control, but it wasn’t easy. Hey, hang on a sec. He wants to say something.”
There was a shuffling noise, then Steve’s deep voice came on the line. “Hey, there, Chris. We really enjoyed your movie. Your mama’s real proud of you, and so am I.”
“Thanks, Steve. I wish you guys could have come out here for the premier.” Steve had had his hip replaced the week before and had not been up for the flight to LA.
“Yeah, I’m real sorry we couldn’t make it. I told your mama to go without me, but she seems to think I’m helpless without her.”
Chris heard his mother’s voice again. “That’s because you are,” she said with a laugh. She came on the phone again.
“I know it’s going to be a huge hit. We just looked it up online and it sounds like it’s already doing amazing at the box office. I can’t believe my little boy is a legitimate movie star!”
Chris smiled at the emotion in her voice, wishing they could have had this conversation face to face. “You know what they say: behind every great man, there’s a pushy mother.”
She laughed and sniffed a little at the same time. “Oh, nonsense! I was never a pushy mother. You can take credit for all your success yourself.” She paused and when she spoke again, he could hear the crack in her voice. “Your dad would have been so proud of you.”
A surge of emotion surged through Chris’s chest and for a moment he didn’t trust himself to speak. “Yeah, thanks, Mom,” he said quietly. He was aware of Joy looking at him, tender concern in her big green eyes, and he shifted to look out over the ocean.
“What was that, sweetheart? You’re fading out.”
“Uh yeah.” He cleared his voice and spoke more loudly. “Listen, Mom, I need to go. I’m …” He hesitated a moment, not sure if he should tell her about Joy. “I’m actually on a date.” He caught Joy’s eye and smiled. She smiled back.
“Oh! Well, I won’t keep you!”
He knew he’d just let himself in for a lot more questions on the next call, but he’d be ready for them. “Can I call you later in the weekend?”
“Only if you want to, sweetheart. I just wanted to tell you how excited we are for you and how much we loved the movie.”
“Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it. I’ll call you soon. Love you.”
“Love you too, baby.”
He hung up just as the food arrived. Joy was grinning at him.
He met her gaze with mock defiance. “Now you know I’m a mama’s boy. Gonna hold it against me?”
“I think it’s sweet. It sounds like you have a nice relationship with your mom.”
He nodded and was silent for a moment.
“Thinking about your dad?” she asked softly.
He nodded again. “Yeah … If he’d lived, I think he would have been a big star in his own right. I wish he’d had that chance, you know?”
Joy slipped her hand over his and gave it a gentle squeeze. He closed his eyes for a moment and focused on being grateful for what he had now.
When he opened them, her beautiful face was still smiling gently at him, and he knew he was falling in love.
26
Too soon, he was dropping her back off at the airport on Sunday afternoon.
“I wish you were staying just a little longer,” he said in a low voice as they stopped at the end of the security line. “I should have had you stay so we could go back together.” His new flight left at 8:20, meaning he’d get back to Silverweed Falls around midnight and wouldn’t see Joy until the following day. He missed her already.
“I’ll see you tomorrow!” she laughed. “You’re busy anyway, and I need to get back. I’m anxious about the auction.”
“It’ll be fine,” he promised. “You’re the most organized person I know.”
“Just don’t be late!” She tapped him on the chest. “I’m counting on you.”
“I’ll be in the air before you’re on the ground,” he promised her.
She sighed. “I’d still feel better if you were going with me.”
He kissed her forehead. “I know, and I’m really sorry. But I’ll get there and it’ll be fun, don’t worry.”
“Okay.” She tilted her head up and let him kiss her, a sexy kiss, full of promise, then took the handle of her bag from him. He gave her one last squeeze, then walked away.
The interview had been taped. He’d done his best to look presentable, act humble, express gratitude, and politely deflect questions about his personal life. He shook hands with the interviewer and the producer and made for the elevator as quickly he could without being rude. He glanced at his watch. His carry-on was in the car, and thanks to his TSA Precheck status, he could skip the security line. Even allowing a little time for bad traffic, he’d be able to make it.
Once he was in the elevator, he turned his phone back on, which he’d kept off for the interview. No sooner was it on than it rang. He sighed, fishing his car keys out of his pocket as he answered it.
“Hey, Noel,” he said to the phone.
“Chris!” Noel’s voice was eager. “Have you been keeping an eye on the box office reports?”
“Not really, no.” He thought of Joy and smiled. He’d had much better things to keep an eye on this weekend.
“Galactic Crusaders hit $140 million just over Friday and Saturday. It’s crazy! I mean, we knew it would do
well, but that’s like, Harry Potter well. Like, Hunger Games well. It’s fantastic! Once tonight’s totals are in, we’ll probably be looking at one of the top five opening weekends for the entire year.”
Chris tried to collect his thoughts. $140 million was such a huge number that it didn’t really register with him. “Wow,” he managed, trying to match Noel’s enthusiasm. “That’s great!”
Noel chuckled at Chris’s obtuse reaction. “It means,” he said patiently, “that you’re going to make a lot of money. Millions. You’ll probably be getting royalty checks on this for the rest of your life. Especially after the sequel’s out.”
The elevator door slid open and Chris walked out into the lobby. He could see the sun through the glass plate windows, could almost see it sinking toward the horizon. He strode across the lobby, anxious to get to his car, and then the airport. Right now he was thinking of the plane he needed to catch, not the box office receipts. Of course, Noel, as his agent, stood to make a small fortune out of this as well, so it was no wonder he was excited.
He forced himself to speak. “Noel, that’s awesome, man. Thanks for letting me know. And thank you for everything. I’d never have gotten this role without you. I really appreciate all your help.”
“Still humble, I love it.” Noel laughed. “Okay, I’ll let you get back to whatever you’re doing. Just wanted to be the first to give you the good news.”
“Thanks, man,” Chris mumbled.
Pocketing the phone, he pushed his way through the glass doors and glanced around. There were more people around than he would have expected for late in the day on a Sunday, but his car was parked on the street barely a block away. He noticed the occasional stare in his direction and avoided eye contact; he hated to be rude to fans, but he really didn’t have time for autographs. With his free hand, he pulled his sunglasses out of his breast pocket and put them on.
$140 million … You’ll be getting royalty checks for the rest of your life …
