Best of Luck

by Jill Sanders

  He chuckled. “Yes.”

  “Um, they usually have some sort of food on the set.” He waited. “But, if you want, there’s some stuff in the kitchen to make spaghetti. If you want.”

  “Spaghetti it is.” He leaned up, holding himself up with his arms as she bent down and placed a kiss on his lips. “Be safe.”

  “I will.” She watched as he slid back into the water. “Enjoy the pool.”

  “I will.” He smiled and then dove back into the water. When he surfaced again, she was gone. He had some time before he set his and Aiden’s secret plan in motion. He knew that his best friend would already be on the set, watching over his little sister without her knowledge.

  As he stepped out of the hot shower a few minutes later, he glanced at the clock and gauged that he had less than an hour before he was supposed to relieve Aiden and take his spot protecting Amber.

  He dressed in dark colors and threw on an old ball cap and a pair of dark sunglasses. But when he stepped out, he knew the sunglasses would make him look suspicious, since it was too cloudy at the moment. Tucking the shades into his pocket, he grabbed a sandwich from the corner shop and a cup of coffee and made his way the dozen or so blocks until he hit a brick wall of security.

  The closest he could get to her was half a block away. Where he happened to stumble into Aiden.

  “How’s it going?” he asked, coming up behind him.

  Aiden didn’t look surprised; instead, he leaned against the stone wall. “Fine, you know, it’s kind of amazing what she does. I mean, I never really thought about it. She has to do the same thing over and over. And, be convincing every single time.” Aiden shook his head and took his coffee from his hands.

  “Hey,” he started to protest, but then realized that Aiden must be freezing after standing in the cold for the last few hours, watching his sister. “Enjoy.” He followed as he watched Aiden down the rest of his coffee.

  “Too much sugar,” he complained, then stepped back. “Well, I’d better get home. Kristen doesn’t know what I’ve spent my day doing.” He frowned, and then sighed. “We’ve got a doctor’s appointment tomorrow.”

  “Everything okay?” he asked, seeing the worry on his friend’s face.

  Aiden shrugged. “I guess. I’ve never had a kid before. Her feet are swollen, she has to use the bathroom every other minute, and”—he shook his head— “she hasn’t complained once.”

  Tom chuckled. “Like I said, you lucked out there.”

  Aiden’s frown turned into a smile quickly. Then he slapped Tom on the shoulder. “Don’t I know it.”

  After Aiden left, Tom made himself comfortable in the corner Aiden had occupied. He thought he was doing a pretty good job of staying out of the way and more importantly out of Amber’s eyesight. But, less than two hours later, Marcus walked over to him. Marched over was more like it.

  “She doesn’t need you here,” he said, his eyes narrowing as he looked at him.

  Tom made sure to keep his relaxed stance while thoughts of punching the man crossed his mind.

  “I’ll be the judge of what she needs,” he said softly. Causing the man’s face to turn a brighter shade of red. Really, he’d seen Marcus Burgess on the covers of magazines, watched him in interviews on television, and had even thoroughly enjoyed a lot of the man’s movies. But, he’d yet to actually speak to him. Sure, he’d seen him the other night when he’d picked up Amber, but they hadn’t actually talked. “Did she tell you about the threats?”

  Marcus’s face paled a little before he nodded, then took a step closer. “I’ve got it handled.”

  Tom’s eyebrows drew up quickly. “You?” He almost chuckled. “Considering I’m living with Amber now; it seems like—”

  “You’re what?” Marcus almost growled out.

  Tom didn’t hide his smile. “Living with her.” He stood up slightly, ready for anything. “Which makes it my job to make sure she okay.”

  “Listen, we’ve hired extra security both here and at her place. We don’t need you pushing your nose into this. We’ve got it handled.” Marcus took a step closer to him.

  “If you two are done arguing over who’s going to protect me? I’d like to go home now.” Amber had snuck up on them. Turning around, Tom realized that she was mad. Okay, not just mad, but pissed. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she was actually tapping her toe as she looked between the pair of them.

  Without saying a word, he rushed over and took her arm, and started walking towards her building.

  “Hey, I thought I’d come and—”

  “Don’t”—she cut him off— “I saw you relieve my brother a few hours ago.” She yanked her arm free from his and he felt his stomach lurch.

  “We’re just worried,” he started as his mind raced for a way out of the argument he knew was coming.

  She continued to walk at a very brisk pace. He almost had to jog to catch up with her.

  “You okay?” he asked, trying once more to take her hand. Instead of yanking it free, she let him hold her very limp fingers. She shrugged, so he tried to change his tactics. “How was filming?”

  She rolled her eyes and continued to give him the silent treatment, so he decided that silence was possibly a good thing, and just remained next to her. He scanned the busy streets as they walked.

  When they got into her place, she mumbled about taking a shower then disappeared into her bathroom. When he went to check up on her, the bathroom door was locked and he knew he was in big trouble.

  So, he got to work on their dinner. Then took his time and set the table, pulling out the candles and dimming the lights.

  After changing into clean clothes, he tucked the small box into his pocket and finished setting the scene by turning on the fireplace.

  She came out wearing a pair of worn jeans, with a long flowing white top. His mouth watered just looking at her.

  “Something smells good.” She moved to the bar area and he noticed her glancing towards the dining room. “What’s all this?” She asked, heading into the room as he followed her.

  “Dinner.” He moved up behind her, taking her into his arms. She stiffened slightly, but turned her around. “Okay, let’s get this last apology out of the way. I’m sorry.”

  “Last?” Her eyebrows shot up.

  “I can’t promise I won’t make any more mistakes, but I can promise that I won’t make this same mistake. If you don’t want us watching you during the day, we’ll back off.” He brushed his lips against hers and felt her relax slightly.

  “I think security on the set has it handled.”

  “Fair enough. Can I still pick you up every day?”

  She thought about it then nodded.

  “Good, now ...” He pulled out a chair for her. When she sat, he set the box in front of her.

  “What’s this?” she said, reaching out and running a finger over the box.

  “Well, I figured since that was three apologies in a row—that I owed you.” He nodded. “Go ahead, open it.” He moved around and sat next to her.

  “Two,” she said, glancing up. “Two apologies.”

  He smiled. “Sorry. I guess I was wrong.” He reached for the box, but she took it back from him.

  “Well, now it’s three.” She laughed, and then opened the box.

  Chapter 15

  Amber’s breath hitched. There, lying in the black and silk box was the most beautiful silver bracelet. Small silver flowers and hearts covered in tiny diamonds circled it. She remembered seeing it for the first time, and dreaming of the day Tom would give it to her. Pulling it out, she ran a finger over each petal and heart.

  “It was my gran’s.” He took it from her and started putting it around her wrist.

  “I know.” She smiled up at him.

  He finished clasping it together. “That’s why it’s an older style.”

  “It’s wonderful.” Words couldn’t describe how she felt knowing he was giving her part of his family’s history and what it meant. She
doubted he knew just how much it meant to her. “Thank you.” She looked up into his eyes and realized she’d been wrong. He knew exactly what it meant to her.

  She absolutely adored Tom’s grandmother, Nora. Both of Amber’s grandmothers had already passed long before she’d been born, and Tom’s gran had filled that role for her and Ashley for as long as she could remember. She’d remembered a long talk she’d had with Nora about what the bracelet meant to her family and its long history.

  She swallowed the emotions in her throat and reached for his hand, when both of their cell phones went off at the same time.

  “Oh!” She jumped up after reading the message. “It’s time! It’s time!” she said, jumping up and down, laughing.

  Tom looked a little scared and sick after reading his message. “He wants me to be the godfather.”

  Amber laughed. “My brother is just now getting around to asking you that? The moment his wife goes into labor?”

  Tom nodded, and Amber thought it was best she drove them to the hospital. “Where are your keys?”

  He took out a small black device that reminded her of a slick toy car and handed it to her.

  “I’m driving.” She grabbed it from him and then tugged on his hand until he followed her.

  “What about dinner?” He glanced back at the beautiful table he’d set.

  “We’ll have something at the hospital,” she said, continuing to tug him along after her.

  When they got down to the parking garage, he pulled out his phone and punched a few buttons, and then she noticed his car rolling towards them.

  “That is so cool,” she squealed.

  “Yeah, I love the summons feature. It really helps when it’s raining or ...” She didn’t hear the rest because she’d jumped into the car when the door opened automatically for her. “Or,” he finished when he got in beside her. “When you forgot where you parked.”

  She was so excited; she held the key out and frowned. “How do you open this key?”

  He chuckled. “Maybe I should drive?”

  “No!” She glared at him. “Just ...”

  He shook his hand and took the key from her, then set it down. “Press the brake,” he said.

  She did so and all the lights on the computer screen came on. She felt like a child in a candy store. She even clapped before putting on her seat belt. “What else do I need to know?”

  He quickly ran through a list of things, and then sat back as she started pulling out of the parking garage. By the time they parked at the hospital, she was more determined than before to get one for herself.

  They found the entire family on the third floor in the waiting room.

  “Well?” she asked her mother.

  “No word yet. Last I heard the contractions were eight minutes apart.”

  “Is that good?” she asked, not knowing anything about childbirth.

  Her mother nodded. “It means it shouldn’t be too long.”

  “Long enough to grab some food?” Tom asked, rubbing his stomach.

  “Good idea,” her father said and slapped him on the back. “Why don’t we go grab some food for the ladies?”

  She watched her father’s hand tighten on Tom’s shoulder and knew that the “talk” couldn’t be stopped.

  In everything that had happened over the past few months, she’d forgotten to tell her father that she and Tom were, well, in love. She smiled as she watched the men walk out of the room. Just before they turned the corner, Tom glanced back and had a “help me” look in his eyes.

  She couldn’t control her laughter.

  “He’s in for it now,” Ashley said, sitting next to her. “Oh! Look, pretty sparkles.” Ashley took Amber’s wrists up to her face and looked closely at the bracelet.

  “That was Nora’s,” her mother said, after looking at it closer.

  “How did you know?” Amber asked, fingering the silver.

  “You forget, we’ve been friends for ... well, forever.” She smiled. “I’m sure she just loves that he gave it to you.”

  Amber nodded and swallowed the emotions clogging her throat.

  Her father and Tom walked back in with several bags of burgers in their hands; they were both laughing and looked very relaxed. She couldn’t see any bruises or bloody lips. Tom sat next to her, and took her hand in his and squeezed lightly. She made a mental note to ask him how the talk went. Later.

  Two hours later, her nerves were so wound up, she was actually pacing. “When’s the baby going to come?” she complained.

  Everyone in the small room glanced over at her mother, who just laughed. “Like I have a magic clock to make my first grandchild come when I snap my fingers.”

  Just then, the door opened and everyone glanced around.

  “It’s a boy!” Aiden said, walking in holding a small bundle. “We’ve named him, Camden, after Kristen’s grandfather. Camden Eric Scott.”

  She’d never seen her brother prouder in his life, as everyone gathered around him, and oohed and aahed over the little bundle.

  Her nephew had a full head of soft brown hair. He was wrapped so tight in the blanket—she wanted desperately to see his fingers and toes, but knew that she’d have to wait until the first time she could get him alone and cuddle him.

  “How’s Kristen?” Everyone asked.

  “She’s a trooper.” Aiden smiled. “She’s already asking if she can get up and walk around.” He shook his head. “Says she wants a shower and a steak.”

  Tom stayed back in the waiting room as everyone from her family took turns and went in to give their best to Kristen and see little Camden one more time.

  By the time Tom ushered her out of the hospital towards the car, she was tired. Very tired, and she glanced down at her watch.

  “How could it be one already?” She yawned. “I have to be on the set at eight.” She leaned back and relaxed as Tom drove them back to her place.

  “Babies don’t have schedules,” he joked with her.

  “He’s perfect.” She sighed.

  “Yes, he is.” He reached over, took her hand, and placed a kiss on her knuckles. Causing her heart to do one more flip.

  Tom watched her leave the next morning and wondered what he was supposed to do with the knowledge that he loved her. He’d planned it all out—last night he was going to give her the bracelet, eat dinner, then tell her how he felt. But the phone call and new baby had interrupted.

  Part of him was relieved that he could postpone telling her that he loved her. The part that was afraid of what she’d say.

  Still, looking into her eyes last night, he’d known that she loved him back.

  He watched the snowfall and wondered what he was going to do to fill his day until he could come home, back to her. When he walked into his office, even his work couldn’t keep his mind from her. He’d taken days off, watching over her. So now, his inbox was piled high.

  Wasn’t that why he paid his employees? He felt like shoving the whole pile into the trash bin, but instead, sat down and started going item by item until he was almost done.

  Jenna ordered lunch and he ate it quickly in the conference room with his staff while meeting about how to handle the holiday rush and decorations. Something most stores had to think about months in advance.

  Which had gotten him thinking about his own holiday plans. He knew Amber’s filming was ahead of schedule and due to wrap up shortly before the holiday season. Would she stick around? Would he follow her to Hollywood? Would she want him to?

  So many questions ran through his head. Causing his head to ache and his temperament to spike. He even found himself barking at Jenna, but quickly backtracked, and apologized and logged off his computer for the rest of the day.

  He spent the second half of his day walking around the sales floor until he felt a little more level-headed. He was desperate to travel back up into the mountains and spend a few days at the cabin, just so he could settle his mind. But then thoughts of seeing if Amber could go with him floode
d his mind. Causing him to be more agitated. How could a woman do this to him?

  Deciding the only person who could help him had texted him a few hours earlier and told him he and his wife had arrived home with their newborn, he packed up a large teddy bear from the sales floor and drove downtown to see his best friend.

  When he arrived, Amber was there already, holding Camden. When their eyes locked, he wondered why there was so much unsaid between them. Why he couldn’t just blurt out how he felt.

  Then he saw how wonderful she looked holding the new baby and his heart already knew the answer. He wanted this. Her, holding their child. To build a home with her. A normal life.

  What ate at him was knowing that she wanted to be in the spotlight. She’d always wanted to be a movie star. And now that she’d had a taste of it, how could he ask her to stay and have a boring life with him?

  Depression set in as he watched his friends pamper their newborn. By the time he and Amber left, he was even more depressed, knowing she would never chose him over Hollywood and he didn’t even have the right to ask her.

  He drove towards her place, then followed her up the elevator, but stopped just outside her door.

  “I have a few things I have to deal with at my place tonight.” He stopped her from walking inside.

  “Oh? Nothing that can’t wait?” Her eyes ran over him and he knew she was hoping he’d come in.

  “No,” he said, faking a smile. “Not tonight”—he leaned down and kissed her softly— “good night.” He left before he could change his mind and beg her to leave her exciting life to be the wife of a furniture salesman.

  Driving back to his place alone was the most depressing thing he’d ever had to do. When he got there, he climbed on the treadmill again, but couldn’t even muster up enough energy to run two miles. Instead, he flipped open a beer and sat in front of the television, not even watching the game that was on.

  By morning, he’d worked out a plan that would save them both. He had to get her to dump him. That was the only way she could get what she wanted in life. He had to make her not want him anymore. Which meant, breaking her heart.