Course of Action

by Gun Brooke

  “But I’m not dressed,” the actress objected as Annelie took her by the hand again. “Where are we going?”

  “I want to show you something. Don’t worry, it’s not far.”

  Not letting go of the small hand, Annelie again led Carolyn through the kitchen door, into the garage. Carolyn quirked an inquisitive eyebrow at her. Annelie smiled broadly at her and opened the garage door. Outside she took a left turn and climbed a narrow staircase. Pulling out a key card, she pulled it through the reader next to the white door at the top of the stairs.

  “There you go, please step inside,” she invited her surprised guest.

  Carolyn hesitated for a moment, giving Annelie a cautious smile. “Should I be concerned?”

  “Don’t be silly. Go on.”

  They entered the small garage apartment, and Annelie watched Carolyn walk from the tastefully decorated living room into the small kitchenette and then examine the bathroom and two small bedrooms.

  “Do you like it?” Annelie asked.

  “Yes, it’s wonderful. What a lovely little apartment.”

  “Can you see yourself spending a couple of nights here?”

  There was a stunned silence. Annelie knew she had to convince Carolyn this was a good idea. “Look at it this way,” she continued. “I know you have some family issues going on—and I’m not prying—and you’re about to be swamped by opinionated relations of a friend. Here you can relax, just hang out, and take your swim. The place is fully equipped. You can make calls…and there’s a computer installed in the niche over there—” Annelie’s voice broke off, and she had to laugh at the disgust on Carolyn’s face. “Okay, so you don’t have to use the computer—just the phone, then.”

  “You wouldn’t mind me staying so close to you?”

  Annelie opened her mouth to answer but closed it again. Was there something more behind Carolyn’s question? “It’s just for a few nights, so I’m sure we wouldn’t crowd each other. You’d be my guest.”

  Carolyn turned around, looking the elegant apartment over again. “I’d be a fool not to accept,” she replied, her voice soft. “Thank you, Annelie. I appreciate your offer.”

  “You’re welcome. You can just pick up a few of your things at Jared’s. I’m sure he’ll understand.”

  “I don’t keep many personal belongings at his condo.” Carolyn walked toward the bedroom overlooking the patio. “I think I’ll sleep in here, away from the driveway.”

  “Good point. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help.”

  Carolyn pivoted and walked up to Annelie. Looking up, her eyes calmer than before, she said, “You’ve done so much already. Today’s been…different. I’m not used to anyone taking care of me like this.”

  Annelie was stunned to hear this. Somehow she had pictured someone as renowned as Carolyn being fawned over everywhere she went. Furtively, she studied the other woman as she moved around the living room, looking at the delicate figurines on a shelf. Instead of pushing her shoulders up and hunching over as before, Carolyn now seemed more relaxed.

  “Then I’m glad I can offer a refuge of sorts.” Annelie flipped her ponytail back over her shoulder. “Take your time looking around. I’ll be in my study working if there’s anything you need.”

  To Annelie’s surprise, Carolyn raised her hand and quickly brushed two fingers along her benefactor’s cheek. “You’re truly a kind person.”

  Trying to swallow past the sudden lump in her throat and feeling her skin tingle, Annelie only nodded. She gave Carolyn a quick smile and then disappeared down the stairs.

  *

  After watching Annelie leave, Carolyn slowly turned around, taking in her surroundings. The living room was tastefully decorated in the same earthy tones as the main house—browns, blues, and yellows. The leather couches faced a large window, to the left of which stood an open fireplace.

  The bedroom, decorated in different shades of white, featured a queen-size bed and a fully stocked linen cabinet. As she glanced out the window, Carolyn saw her bag still sitting by the pool. Feeling energized, she walked through the apartment and down the stairs to retrieve it.

  She had brought a change of clothes and would only need to pick up a few things from the condo for her brief stay. Returning to the apartment with the bag, she walked into the bathroom. As she checked her reflection in the mirror, Carolyn saw her hair fall in tousled waves around her shoulders.

  In the drawers next to the sink, she found a hairdryer, which she plugged in and used with her hairbrush to form her trademark shiny, straight hair. Her makeup kit held everything she needed to emphasize her eyes, and Carolyn expertly hid the dark circles beneath them.

  She hung up the bathrobe and wandered into the kitchenette. Though the cabinets held most items needed in a kitchen, she would need to stop at the grocery store before stopping at Jared’s. She thought of buying something she would be able to share with Annelie. Carolyn didn’t cook, but she knew where to get excellent takeout.

  She grabbed the car keys and left the apartment, making sure the door was locked before she left. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she met Annelie.

  “You look much better. My magic omelet, no doubt.”

  “No doubt. I’m off to do some shopping and pick up my things.”

  “Good. Can I help you with anything?”

  Resisting the urge to say yes, Carolyn shook her head. “No, thank you, Annelie. It’s really nice of you to have me over. I appreciate it. So let me buy us some takeout tonight, as a sign of my appreciation.”

  Annelie seemed to mull her offer over for a moment and then smiled broadly, transforming her features completely. Carolyn was suddenly aware how seldom Annelie smiled like this. “I’d love that.”

  “What kind of food would you like?”

  “I get to pick?” The younger woman pursed her lips, drawing Carolyn’s attention to their fullness. “I don’t mean to sound predictable, but what about Chinese?”

  Carolyn laughed. “I don’t think anyone can accuse you of being predictable. I love Asian food, so Chinese it is. I should be back around seven or eight. See you then?”

  “I’ll be here.”

  *

  To Carolyn’s surprise and dismay, Jared had not yet left for the airport to pick up his family and now questioned her motives for accepting Annelie’s offer.

  “Why would you want to stay there when you have access to everything right here?” he demanded. “Or are there additional perks to staying at her place?”

  Carolyn stared at him, not sure what he was referring to.

  “Don’t give me that well-rehearsed look of innocence. I’m not buying it,” Jared growled. “You’re up to something, no doubt something that’ll get you ahead in the game.”

  Refusing to take the bait, she fought to remain calm. “What on earth are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about you staying at Annelie Peterson’s home! I don’t know how you did it, but you must have pulled some pretty amazing stunts to get under the skin of someone like her.”

  Carolyn’s temper flared. “What’s wrong with you? What the hell are you implying?”

  “You’re up to your usual tricks and schemes. Annelie obviously thinks you need rescuing. What’s the next step? Climbing into her bed?”

  Feeling herself go pale, Carolyn stepped back, staring at Jared. “You bastard,” she managed, her mind whirling back to last Friday and the near kiss in Annelie’s kitchen. She thought of Jared’s urge to tell her about Annelie’s lesbianism. Inhaling deeply, she saw what she hadn’t seen before.

  “You’re jealous! That’s what this is all about. For years you’ve been my only friend, apart from Beth and Joe. And I just don’t get it! I thought you’d be pleased not to have to sit through your mother’s and sister’s endless arguments about my place in your life. Annelie is someone who might become a friend one day. How can you ask me to back away from that? This isn’t like you, Jared.” Hurt constricted Carolyn’
s throat, making her cough.

  “But it is so like you! You’ve never hesitated to use whatever means to suit your needs. Me included.”

  “True. I go after what I want. I never hide who I am. But I can tell you this, once and for all. I don’t intend to sleep with Annelie, nor is that why she made this offer.”

  She pulled away from me and made it pretty clear why. Taken aback by the sudden thought, Carolyn frowned at the unexpected twitch in her chest.

  Jared paced back and forth, staring at the large roller suitcase at her feet. “So you’re not even going to stay and say hello to my parents? They love you.”

  “Your father likes me. Your mother barely tolerates me because she’s afraid I may turn our friendship into something else—even outright seduce you. Your sister is an avid fan who’d like nothing better than to brag to her friends about being closely related to a celebrity.” Flinging her hands in the air, Carolyn took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “I don’t want us to part this way. We’re supposed to be friends—and you’re not being my friend right now.”

  Stopping in front of her, Jared looked tired and suddenly shamefaced. “I know. Listen, I’m sorry. I just want you to be clear over your own motives.”

  “Are you clear about yours?”

  “Point taken.”

  Her pulse as well as her breathing calming, Carolyn held out her hand. “Jared, please, this isn’t about not needing you as my friend. This is about finding some peace of mind, being able to call Beth and not be interrupted, and planning what to do next from a professional standpoint. I still haven’t given up hope of playing Maddox. I guess I won’t throw in the towel until they actually sign someone else.” Clenching her hands, she forced back tears. “To tell the truth, I don’t have anything lined up right now except a Volvo commercial, and…I’m terrified.” She offered a halfhearted smile.

  “Don’t be. You’re too talented and sought after to go without work. In the meantime, no doubt, you’ll be performing your favorite character—yourself.” Only the fact that he winked at her and wriggled his eyebrows removed some of the sting in his words.

  “Bastard,” she accused softly.

  “Bitch,” he retaliated, pulling her into his arms.

  “Friends?” Carolyn’s voice broke, and she buried her face against his shoulder.

  “Friends.”

  They remained still for a moment, and then she disentangled herself to grab the handle of her rolling bag. “Say hi to everyone for me?”

  “Of course.” Jared smiled. “Drive carefully.”

  Swiftly kissing his cheek before stepping out into the corridor, Carolyn nodded. “Don’t I always?”

  At the elevator, Carolyn glanced back toward Jared’s door. He had already gone back inside.

  *

  Carolyn put down the novel after finishing the last chapter, her mind reeling from the twists and turns the author had taken her on. Delia Carlton’s tale was a spellbinder, her characters’ interactions full of deep emotions. She had read the book quickly, but she found herself wishing it would never end. Though Carolyn had not read the second and third Maddox books before doing the audio versions, it seemed like a good idea to familiarize herself with all of the stories since she was now planning to invite herself to the convention.

  The last few days in Annelie’s small garage apartment had been peaceful. Carolyn, emotionally exhausted, had slept the entire afternoon once she returned from Jared’s condo and had been catching up on rest ever since. She would be sorry to leave.

  Stretching, she decided it was time for her swim. She changed into her swimsuit, pondering if she should go out for a late lunch after her exercise—perhaps a quick trip to the nearby coffee shop. Tossing a short bathrobe over her shoulders, she strolled through the garden to the swimming pool, dropped the robe on a deck chair, and dived into the deep end.

  Enjoying the cool, satiny feeling against her body, she swam one lap after another until the tension in the back of her neck and shoulders had disappeared. Then she turned over on her back and floated as she caught her breath. The sun was hot and unforgiving, and she realized she needed to be careful to not burn herself.

  “That looks relaxing,” a familiar voice said, startling Carolyn and making her cough as she sank half-below the surface.

  “Annelie!” she gasped. “God, woman, you surprised me. I didn’t know you were home. Where’s the Mustang?”

  “The staff down at the clubhouse picked it up. They clean it inside and out every two weeks.” Annelie was wearing dark blue shorts and a white tank top, with her hair in the usual low ponytail. She extended a hand as Carolyn swam toward the ladder. “You’re getting a little pink around the shoulders. Better watch out.”

  “I know. I burn easily even if I’ve managed to get a little tan. I need to be more careful. The swim just felt so good.” Carolyn walked over to the deck chair and pulled her bathrobe on, tying the belt around her waist. “I’m getting hungry. Join me for a late lunch? Maybe do takeout, like last time?”

  Annelie cocked her head. “Hm, we’ve done Chinese so why not—oh, you know something? I’d love a family-size pizza with everything on it, and perhaps chicken wings on the side!”

  Unable to resist the eager look in the other woman’s eyes, Carolyn laughed and nodded. “Why not? I haven’t had pizza in a long time. I’ll just go take a quick shower. We could have it out here.”

  “I’ll call the Pizza Parlor,” Annelie offered. “They have the most divine supersize pizzas. Hurry back, because they’re quick.”

  Carolyn promised and walked back toward the garage. At the corner of the house, she turned around with a grin and wrinkled her nose. “Just hold the anchovies, okay?”

  Chapter Six

  The hotel was buzzing with activity. Marble floors, white and golden walls, and blue furniture gave a luxurious impression. Located not far from Disney World, it was full of Maddox fans of all ages and from all walks of life instead of the usual families and senior citizens this weekend.

  Jem walked in front of the group of Key Line women who had just stepped out of the airport shuttle. Several bellboys handled their luggage.

  “I’m glad Gregory decided to come a day early,” Jem said, turning to face Annelie. “This is a madhouse! Do you see him anywhere?”

  Annelie rose on her toes, trying to find Gregory’s tall, lanky form in the crowd of people. Relieved to see him standing by the desk, she waved him over. “Greg, great to see you. What’s going on here? I thought if we came a day early we could avoid all this.”

  Gregory ushered them to the side of the check-in counter. Pulling Annelie aside, he lowered his voice. “I’ve taken care of most of the details. However, we have a bit of a problem.”

  “Shoot.”

  “We had to do some rearranging. The hotel doesn’t have any vacancies, as you know, and we wanted to keep all the stars and your personal guests on the same floor.”

  “So, give me the bottom line.”

  “Carolyn Black arrived here last night.”

  “Carolyn?” Annelie felt blood receding from her cheeks. The actress had already left yesterday when Annelie came home from work. She had assumed Carolyn was back at Jared’s place.

  “It gets worse. They put her in the Presidential Suite.”

  “What are you talking about? We reserved that months ago.”

  “They seem to be under the impression that she’s your personal guest.”

  Annelie stifled a gasp. The nerve of the woman was monumental. Was this her way of paying Annelie back for not giving her the reading last week? Very nice, after I made her welcome in my home! “Well, tell them she’s not.”

  Gregory lifted an eyebrow. “See all these people? They know she’s here. And not just that, they think she’s your last-minute celebrity speaker. Do you really want to have her thrown out of your room in front of a legion of fans?”

  Annelie muttered a rare expletive. Carolyn had backed them into a corner with expert ease. �
��What do you mean they think she’s a speaker?”

  Gregory opened a copy of the Orlando Sentinel he had tucked under one arm. On the front page of the entertainment section was a photo of Carolyn looking like a goddess. The article next to it was headlined Carolyn Black to Speak at Maddox Convention.

  Annelie couldn’t believe her eyes. “When did you know about this?”

  Gregory looked embarrassed. “There was a lot of chatter on the message boards, but I didn’t think anything of it. You know how the rumors have been.”

  “Yes, rumors circulated by Grey Parker,” Annelie hissed. “This must have been his idea. A huge publicity stunt.”

  “It’s working.” Gregory swept a glance around the lobby. “And now that the story has hit the papers, it’ll be everywhere by registration time. This explains the last-minute surge in ticket sales.”

  “We’ll have to give her the stage,” Annelie concluded. Unbelievable.

  “And you won’t have a room unless you want to share with one of the staff,” Gregory pointed out. “But most of theirs are full.”

  Annelie’s mind ran riot. “I’m going to kill Grey Parker.”

  “That won’t get you comfortable accommodations.” In a tentative tone, he said, “The Presidential Suite has four bedrooms.”

  “You want me to ask Carolyn Black if I can camp in the suite she stole from me? You must be joking.”

  “You can take my room,” he offered. “I can get something at a Motel 6 down the road.”

  Annelie took a deep, steadying breath. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll sort this out with her.”

  She willed herself to calm down and think rationally. Perhaps she could turn this disaster to her advantage. No one could deny the presence of Carolyn Black would attract media. It would generate a lot of extra exposure for Diana Maddox, even if it did mean Carolyn’s name was associated more emphatically with the character.

  “There’s one more thing,” Gregory said, looking like a man eating his last meal before execution.