Love Reconnected (Hollywood Series Book 1)

by Michaels, Avery

  I think about you a lot. I hope you’ve found someone. I hope you have a family. I hope you’re happy. And I hope, sometimes, you think of me. I ask after you but Mom just says I should respect your privacy. I’m trying.

  I hope this address is still good. I hope this card finds you well. I know you’re probably a successful radiologist by now, and you don’t need it, but please cash the check. I want you to have it. Happy Birthday, Katiebug. I miss you.

  Yours,

  Jake

  I pulled the next card from the stack.

  Dear Katie,

  Sometimes I just sit and think, what can I do to make things right? How can I persuade you to be a part of my life again? I close my eyes and imagine you’re beside me on the couch or on the set or wherever I am. A part of me is missing without you. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve never been as close to anyone as I was with you. I mean I have friends, but I can’t seem to replicate what we had.

  You know that saying, “It’s lonely at the top”? It’s true. I have everything I’ve ever wanted, but it doesn’t seem to mean all that much without you. Your friendship means everything. Please let me see you this year.

  I’m sending this through my mom. She refuses to tell me anything about you except that you’re okay, but she promised to deliver this card to you. I don’t know if you got the one I sent this past year, but I wrote about your laugh. I miss it. I miss you. I miss having someone with whom to share my defeats and successes.

  You know, I still pick up the phone to call you when something good happens?

  You’re my best friend, whether you feel the same way or not. I’m here when you’re ready. Happy Birthday.

  Yours,

  Jake

  He was lonely, and I hadn’t been there for him. I was so selfish.

  Dear Katie,

  It’s been six years since we’ve spoken, and four since I let you down. I can’t hear your voice anymore or your laughter. Call me. Tell me to fuck off. Tell me you hate me. I won’t try to change your mind, but just call, please. Happy Birthday.

  Jake

  A lone tear traced a line down my face. Four down, only this year’s card to go.

  Katie,

  Sometimes I think if I’d never known you, I could accept the people who claim to be my friends as friends. They are friends, but not like you. Something’s missing. Because of you, I know that a friendship like ours isn’t something that comes around often. That’s why I have such a hard time believing that you would throw it away so easily.

  I admit I was shocked that you let George come between us, but something in me understood that. I saw that he made you choose, and of course, you had to choose your marriage. But now? He’s gone, and you still don’t want me in your life. I don’t understand that, Katie. I know I messed up, but come on! It’s been five years. You’ve always been such a forgiving person. What’s changed? I just don’t get it.

  Maybe I’ve been holding on to something that was never there. Maybe you don’t think of me at all anymore. Maybe you don’t need me like I need you. I hate the thought of it, but it’s probably true.

  I’ll be in town a whole week next month. If you choose not to see me, I’ll let you go.

  Jake

  I held the cards to my chest and cried. It was normal for childhood friends to grow apart, but Jake hadn’t wanted that to happen to us.

  Even though it hurt, I couldn’t regret getting close to him again. I regretted falling in love with him and hurting him, but I couldn’t regret seeing him.

  By reading these notes, I could see that he needed closure.

  I guess he got it.

  Chapter 17

  It had been a month since Jake left. I had fully intended on going over to see him on Christmas morning. I had actually been looking forward to it, because no matter the outcome, I could tell him that he was important to me, so very important, and he could’ve decided what that meant.

  Joan had called on Christmas Eve morning from a private number. She’d said that Jake was coming to town for the night, like he’d been doing for years. I was nearly vibrating with excitement. Like Jake had written in the cards he’d sent, I didn’t care if he told me to fuck off so long as he said something. The silence between us had been deafening.

  But then Joan had laid out the real reason she’d called. “Jackson doesn’t want to see you,” she’d said. “He feels that, since he has respected your wishes for the past several years, you owe him this.” I had been quiet for a long minute as the words settled in my mind. “Will you respect that?” I had nodded because I couldn’t find my words. “Kate?”

  “Yes,” I had told her shakily. She’d thanked me and hung up. I’d stood there for several minutes holding the phone, waiting for him to call and say it himself, but of course, he hadn’t. I hadn’t extended him that courtesy either. I didn’t know why I’d expected him to do the right thing when I hadn’t.

  Momma Lewis had spoken of Jake once to me since then. She’d said that he hadn’t looked good when he came for Christmas and she was worried about him. She’d asked if I had spoken to him, and I’d told her no. I had explained that it would take some time for us to find a common ground. Since then, rather than pry, she’d chosen to make pleasant conversation, which was an attribute that I loved about her.

  Of course, I’d cried a lot the first weeks after Jake left, but then I decided it was enough. I had to get back into the swing of things. Even though it hurt, even though I missed him, I had to move on. And so I did. I went back to work at Joe’s, and things just resolved back into routine.

  About two weeks ago, I had gotten called in to interview for the position that I had applied for online. I was elated. I couldn’t believe, in this economy, that it could be so easy to get an interview for such a sought-after position, especially since I knew I wasn’t the most qualified candidate.

  During the interview though, I had connected with the physician whom I would be assisting and had been offered the job on the spot. I just couldn’t believe how easy it had been. The doctor explained that she’d wanted someone she could train to do things “her way” and that she’d liked my attitude.

  I then put in notice with Joe immediately. He’d half-heartedly asked me to stay, but he wanted what was best for me, and he knew working for him wasn’t it.

  Julie came to the house tonight to watch Ty because my co-workers wanted to throw me a going-away party. I was both happy and sad as I checked my makeup in the mirror. I was happy to get back to helping people but sad that I wasn’t getting dressed for the Oscars right now, which was probably what I would be doing if I hadn’t messed things up with Jake. Tonight was his big night. It was just as well. His mom should be the one to be there with him.

  I slipped in the diamond studs that my mom had left me. I might not be going to the Oscars, but I wanted to look good for the fresh start I was making for Ty and myself.

  As I dressed in the outfit Jake had bought for me during our trip to Las Vegas, I remembered that I still hadn’t washed our dirty clothes. The bag still sat in the corner of my room. I grabbed it to take it to the wash and noticed the People magazine, from our dinner that evening, that had started us taking photos and goofing off, which had led to much more.

  I flipped through to the spread of Jake and looked into those beautiful eyes. “You’ve got this, babe. It’s all you,” I told him, running my fingers over his picture. The quote at the bottom of the page beckoned me to read the article. “Love is impenetrable. It’s unbreakable. It’s forever.”

  I scanned the article for that quote and found it. They’d asked Jake if he had a special lady in his life. He’d replied, “There’s something special about every woman I’ve had in my life, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t love. I’ve only been in love once, so I’m no expert, but when you find it, it’s just, wow! Love is impenetrable. It’s unbreakable. It’s forever. It’s worth fighting for, and I’ll never give up.” I closed the magazine. I decided I didn’t want to read a
bout Jake’s love interests.

  A piece of paper fell out of the pocket of the pants he had been wearing when we left for Vegas. I recognized it as the note he’d slipped the cab driver on the way to the airport. I opened it. Birmingham International Airport, please. I’m surprising my girl with a trip to Las Vegas. Be cool. Thanks, man.

  His girl? We hadn’t even done anything yet. We hadn’t slept together. Not to mention we hadn’t yet decided to go to Vegas. I clutched the note to my chest. He’d known that was where I would want to go. He knew me so well. I closed my eyes and pulled myself together, not wanting to smear my makeup.

  “Oh, honey, you look just like your mother,” Aunt Julie said when I walked out of my room. It was a compliment I could never hear enough.

  “Thank you. So are you all set? Remember that I’m recording the Oscars so please don’t let Ty turn off the DVR.”

  “I know, I know. Go on now, have fun. I’ve got this under control.”

  I kissed my baby bug and walked out, feeling like a million bucks, despite wishing I hadn’t read the article or the note. The outfit I was wearing probably cost more than my Honda, and I looked hot. I refused to let the sadness creep back in tonight.

  Joe’s was closed for business in the evenings, so the party was being held there. I was a bit torn because I really wanted to watch the Oscars live but remembered that we did have a television at the diner. If my former co-workers wouldn’t be offended, I would turn it on and let it play in the background. I knew Jake’s category would be almost next to last on the program, so maybe I could catch it.

  When I pulled up, everyone was there, even Lauren. Jo Ann had brought potential husband number six, or was it seven? I couldn’t remember, and didn’t care, as long as she was happy. Lauren had also brought a date.

  I hadn’t had a “Walking on Sunshine” worthy moment since Jake left, but my work family asked me to do the routine for old time’s sake. I just laughed bashfully.

  I spent the next two hours mingling with my co-workers while chatting up both Lauren and Jo Ann’s prospects to see if they were worthy. I caught myself occasionally glancing at the television to see if they’d made it to the Best Actor category yet.

  Lauren’s beau would be a good influence on her. He was in school studying economics. I was sure her parents loved him. “He’s a keeper,” I whispered to her. She smiled from ear to ear, nodding. I didn’t get a good feel for Jo Ann’s man, so I just smiled at her without comment.

  After we’d enjoyed the meal Joe cooked for us, he walked out holding a cake big enough to feed the whole town.

  The cake said: “Congratulations, Harvard. Good Luck!”

  “Thank y’all so much!”

  Everyone was digging into the cake when I heard Kate Hudson’s voice faintly over the crowd. “And the nominees for best actor in a motion picture are…”

  “Shhh!” I said, running to turn up the television. “This is Jake’s category!” A sudden hush fell over the diner as the nominees were announced individually.

  Everyone in the diner joined hands as if they held a stake in this. I imagined everyone in the city was doing the same thing in that moment since Jake was one of us. “And the Oscar goes to…Jackson Jacobs for…” And that’s all I heard over the roaring screams all around me.

  Everyone was hooting and hollering, but my eyes are glued to the TV as the camera panned over to Jake. He dropped his head in his hands then hugged his mom, who looked absolutely beautiful in her beige gown. Jake was a vision in his tux.

  He made his way to the podium, kissed Kate Hudson’s cheek, and took the golden statue. “Wow, this is amazing. Thanks to everyone who participated on the film. It was an experience.” Everyone laughed because they had seen it and knew the working conditions were terrible due to the bitter cold and snow.

  “Thanks to the casting director for choosing me, and thanks to my director who put up with take after take of me absolutely butchering the German language.” There was another laugh from the crowd. He was captivating.

  “Mom, thank you for believing in me and teaching me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 is something I repeat to myself every day. Thank you for instilling that in me, Mom, because, with God, all things are possible. I wouldn’t be standing here if that weren’t true.”

  The camera showed Momma Lewis blowing Jake a tearful kiss from her seat in the crowd. Jake stood there looking down at the statue, seemingly stuck in thought. The producers were obviously confused, so they started the music to cue him to exit the stage, but he looked up, so they cut it.

  “You know, for the past month, I’ve wondered what I would say if I won. There are at least a hundred people, if not a thousand, I should thank for making this possible, but in this magnificent moment, I can only think of one thing I want to share with the world…

  “I’m in love, and as wonderful as this night is, it’s not complete without the woman who has captured my heart.” A collective “aww” rose over the crowd, but something inside me just sank. He’s found someone.

  “As most of you know, when you’re in love, you want to shout it, sing it, dance it, spread it.”

  Jo Ann rubbed my shoulders as a tear dropped into my lap. I had to look away from the television before I burst into tears.

  “The only problem is that my love…well, I don’t know if she loves me back.” Another “aww” across the board.

  “Things just keep coming between us. Every time I think I’m ready to tell her, something pulls us apart, and I’ve been thinking maybe it’s just not meant to be.” He paused again but picked back up. “But how can I say that if I haven’t even told her? I don’t even know how she feels. I’m tired of waiting. I have to know. I can’t think of a better way to find out than to put her on the spot, right now.”

  The camera found Lacy Waters in the crowd, and she appeared on screen, smiling as bright as ever.

  “Katie…”

  I jerked my head up.

  “Katie Masters, I’ve loved you since I was fourteen years old. Everything I’ve accomplished, everything I do is to win your affection. There’s not another woman on this earth like you. You’re my best friend. You make me a better man.

  “I’ve waited for you to come around for over fifteen years, but I stand here tonight, in front of the world, and ask you…Do you love me? Could you love me, Katie?” He held up his cell phone. “If you’re watching, call me right now and tell me because I can’t wait another minute.”

  I was shell-shocked for a moment, but luckily Jo Ann was not. She dug my phone out of my purse and threw it at me.

  “Call him!”

  My hands shook as I dialed his number. The same recording came over the line, and the call didn’t go through. I tried again and again as I watched him on the television.

  Jake shrugged. “You can’t blame a guy for trying.” Everyone on stage hugged him, and the crowd began to chatter.

  Desperate, I grabbed the landline in the diner and dialed again frantically as the get off the stage music began to play. Jake took his Oscar and held it high. “Thank you again; I’m truly honored.”

  I waited as the call connected and rang. It RANG! I could hear it in my ear and on television. Everything on stage stopped as Jake looked at his phone. “It’s her! Katie!” I saw him hold out the phone on speaker. “Katie, is it you?”

  “It’s me,” I said, my voice brimming with emotion.

  “Did you hear what I said?”

  “Yes.” You could hear a pin drop both in the diner and on the television. All that was heard was our voices.

  “Well…” He laughed awkwardly.

  “I do love you, Jake! I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it!”

  I watched him on stage from 3000 miles away. He pinched the bridge of his nose then pointed to the camera and said, “I’m coming for you, baby. Right now, I’m coming.”

  “Okay,” I said through tears.

  “I love you.”

/>   “I love you, too,” I said again, and he disconnected the call. The camera panned through the crowd. Everyone was on their feet clapping, except for Lacy. They skipped over her. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. I turned and fell into Jo Ann’s arms. Everyone here was clapping too.

  I don’t know how they did it, but the media moved faster than the cops. They surrounded the building within minutes. I didn’t care. I faced them with my head held high as I walked out to my car, holding my high-heeled shoes in my hand.

  “Ms. Masters, how do you feel about Jackson Jacob’s declaration on national television?”

  “I feel like I’m walking on sunshine! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m expecting company!” I took off running to my car. Everyone in the diner ran out, blocking the news vans, keeping them from following me.

  I ran in the house. “Aunt Julie, did you hear?”

  She hugged me. “I’m so happy for you, honey.”

  I was so caught up that I almost forgot why I’d pushed him away to begin with…almost. “Aunt Julie”—I pulled back—“Jake’s assistant said the press would find out about George, and when they did…”

  “You and Jake will work through it together,” she assured. She wiped the tears from my face. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you cry so much!”

  “Yeah, well, at least these are happy tears. So what should I do? Should I meet him at the airport? Wait here?”

  “Calm down, honey. It’s really late so it’ll probably be tomorrow before he gets here.”

  I looked at the clock, and it was almost midnight. “You’re right.”

  “Just go to bed. I’m sure he’ll call when he gets here.”

  “Go to bed? Are you kidding? I’m as high as a kite!” I nearly jumped up and down, and she laughed.

  “At least try to get some sleep. I’m sure you’ll need your strength—”

  “Aunt Julie!”

  “Well, I’m sure he isn’t flying all this way for a snuggle!” I couldn’t help but laugh at her. She headed off to climb in bed with Ty, and I went to my room to get ready for bed.