Hollywood Enigma: Hollywood Name Game Book 5

by Alexa Aston

  Her pained expression caused a lump to grow in his throat.

  “I’m the one who needs to ask forgiveness,” she said. “Not you.”

  “Let me explain something. It’ll help you understand me a little more. Lie back down.”

  She did, cuddling against him again. He savored her body against his.

  “Wynn?”

  “Sorry. This goes back to when I was in college. Young. In love. Pretty naive, now that I think about it. Her name was Stephanie. She was the most beautiful girl on campus. We were about to graduate and I wanted to light the world on fire for her. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t have done to make her happy.

  “Until she lied to me.”

  Wynn felt Scarlett stiffen against him. He pushed on.

  “Stephanie found out she was pregnant. She didn’t tell me. Instead, hid it from me and aborted our baby. Worse, she didn’t seem remorseful at all. I was devastated. Her keeping that secret broke something in me. Her deception shattered everything I thought we’d shared. Because of that, I turned off any feelings I had. I let the characters I played experience joy or envy or happiness or anger. Wynn Gallagher didn’t need or want anyone. I lived up to my family obligations and loved my siblings but I never showed any of that love—or any other emotion.”

  He squeezed her hand. “That all changed with you, Scarlett. It was as if I were Sleeping Beauty and you were the handsome prince who awakened me to all the good in the world. I began to enjoy being Wynn Gallagher and not burying him deep within some character in a script.”

  “I did exactly what Stephanie did,” she said dully. “I kept something from you. You lost faith in me because I didn’t come clean.”

  “That’s how I saw it. It really wasn’t that big a deal. I got how your family needed you and you took care of me as a client at the same time. I think all those years of unresolved rage exploded in that moment and that’s why I cracked. Five minutes after I erupted, I regretted how I’d behaved. The incident triggered something in me that spun out of control. I took out years of bottled up frustration on you.”

  Wynn tried to turn toward her, grunting with the effort. Frustrated, he said, “Let me see your face again.”

  Scarlett pushed up and hovered above him, looking vulnerable. His good hand went to cup her cheek.

  “We were both wrong. It’s going to happen sometimes. We’ll get mad at one another but we’ve got to remember that we love each other. Nothing is stronger than our love, Scarlett. It’s going to see us through whatever comes at us.”

  “Do you trust me?” she asked, biting her lip.

  “I do,” he assured her. “I can’t think of anyone I trust more. Or love more.”

  His hand slipped to the back of her neck and he pulled her close so her mouth could meet his. Scarlett braced her hands on both sides of him and kissed him. Softly at first, as if he were so fragile he might break. Wynn held her in place and opened his mouth. He wasn’t letting her go until they had really kissed.

  After a few minutes, she broke the kiss. Hovering above him, she said, “I have a question to ask you.”

  “Kiss me and I’ll answer it.”

  “No, answer it and then I might kiss you,” she teased.

  “Okay.”

  “Would you like to marry me?”

  “You mean spend the rest of our lives together. For better or for worse. In sickness and in health. Until death do us part.”

  “Exactly.”

  He pretended to think about it a minute and laughed at the exasperated sound that came from her. He nudged her lips back to his and enjoyed a slow, sweet kiss.

  “Is that a good answer?” he asked.

  Scarlett beamed at him. “That’s a great answer.” She paused. “There’s something else.”

  He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “What, my beautiful lady?”

  “Since you’ve agreed to marry me, I have a present to give you. Actually, it’s not just for you. It’s for us. Something that I hope you’ll really, really like.”

  Wynn smiled. “If it’s from you, I know I’ll like it.”

  “You actually gave it to me first. I plan to give it back to you.”

  He frowned. “Either that makes no sense or my thinking’s gone fuzzy again.”

  Her eyes shone with love. “Wynn, we’re going to have a baby.”

  Thoughts of seeing their baby grow within her and come spilling out had him speechless.

  “Is that . . . are you okay with that?” she asked, uncertainty shadowing her face.

  “I think that’s the most brilliant gift you could ever give me,” he told her, erasing the doubt from her face, a beautiful smile replacing it.

  Wynn kissed her, the kiss full of promise and hope for the satisfying life they would build together. For the family they would raise. For all of the love they would share in a lifetime of love.

  “What the hell?”

  Though Wynn couldn’t turn his head toward the doorway, he watched Scarlett as she looked at whoever had interrupted them.

  “It’s a new, hands-on kind of medicine I’m practicing, Dr. Thomas,” she said, mischief in her eyes. “I think our patient is going to make a full recovery.”

  ◆◆◆

  “You’re absolutely sure this is what you want to do?” Scarlett asked, looking nervous but lovely in a white sheath, her hair swept back in a simple chignon.

  Wynn reached out from where he sat in the wheelchair and clasped her hands. “You know it’s what I want. I’m not letting you off the hook now.”

  She started to smile and then turned pale. Wheeling, she sprinted into the tiny restroom and slammed the door. He heard her retching and his heart went out to her.

  He heard the flush and the sound of water running. Scarlett emerged, looking embarrassed.

  “Come here.”

  He pulled her into his lap. “It’ll all be worth it. Second tri is supposed to be better.”

  “I know. You Googled how many sites this week? I think you know more about this pregnancy than I do.”

  Wynn started to kiss her but she pushed up and stepped away. Grabbing her purse from a chair, she returned to the restroom and brushed her teeth then freshened her lipstick. While she was doing that, Dr. Thomas entered the room.

  “You’re cleared to go, Mr. Gallagher. I’ve signed off and all your paperwork has been completed.”

  “Thank you for everything,” Wynn said. “You and the staff at Cedars-Sinai have been terrific, especially helping me check out so early this morning.” He paused and then added, “Now, if we could just lose the wheelchair.”

  “Not a chance. Hospital policy.”

  Scarlett joined them. “We appreciate everything, Dr. Thomas.”

  The physician grinned. “You’ve been practicing medicine without a license, Ms. Corrigan. Just make sure your fiancé here is your only patient and I’ll let it pass.”

  Wynn watched the blush fill her face. Warmth spread through him. He loved everything about this woman.

  In an hour, she would be his wife.

  Ted joined them and pushed him to the service elevator. They rode to the bottom level, a loading dock area. As arranged last night, Del awaited them. Though it was only six-thirty, Wynn hadn’t wanted to take any chances with paparazzi that might be loitering at the main entrance at the early hour.

  Wynn stood and shook hands with Ted. “Thanks for the good care. I’ll text you when the next Carbon Man premieres. You’ll have the best seats in the house.”

  He and Scarlett climbed into Del’s car, greeting Rob, who sat in the front passenger seat.

  “Everything go okay?” his brother asked.

  Wynn nodded. “Cady’s meeting us there?”

  Del grinned. “She and Doug.”

  He’d met the army vet once after moving from intensive care to a regular room. A cavalcade of visitors had paraded through, causing even the jaded Cedars-Sinai staff to be a little dazzled by the star power. Wynn liked Cady’s new boyfr
iend. He was at ease around everyone, from Rob to the leading men of Hollywood that had been regular visitors this past week. Wynn hoped Cady had found her person. It was already obvious Del had.

  Del pulled onto the street and headed for the nearest county courthouse. No one followed them. The streets of LA were already growing busy at the early hour. Del took side streets and, half an hour later, turned onto Ramirez, where the courthouse was located. They found a nearby parking place and walked to the front. Though the facility didn’t open until eight-thirty, an armed security guard with a clipboard opened the door and greeted them.

  After they entered, the guard said, “Everyone in your party has arrived, Mr. Gallagher, if this is Mr. Youngblood and Mr. Delgado.”

  “It is.”

  The guard locked the door. “Follow me.” He led them to a bank of elevators, telling them the floor. “Someone will meet you upstairs.”

  They stepped onto the elevator. Wynn took Scarlett’s hand, his fingers lacing through hers. Her gaze met his and he almost swept her into his arms right there. Instead, he tightened his fingers around hers and mouthed, “I love you.”

  The doors opened and another security guard met them. “If you’ll come with me.”

  He led them down a long corridor, where they made several turns before he stopped at a door.

  “This is Judge McGarity’s chambers. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you,” Wynn and Scarlett said in unison.

  They entered the office, which had a small anteroom. A petite, dark-haired woman rose from behind the desk.

  “Good morning. I’m Ronda Rios. I have your marriage license. All I need to see is your driver’s license or passport.”

  Wynn had found an online marriage application for the State of California so he and Scarlett had applied for their license via the Internet. It wasn’t valid until they picked it up in person and showed proper identification. Though good for up to ninety days, he wanted to use it immediately.

  That’s when Knox stepped in. One of the actor’s biggest charity donors was Judge Hugo McGarity. Two of McGarity’s four children had dyslexia and he believed in the early intervention programs Knox’s foundation supported. When Wynn made it known he wanted to marry Scarlett as soon as he was released from the hospital, Knox took him aside and pitched the idea of a courthouse wedding—and a kickass party afterward.

  He pulled out his wallet and removed his driver’s license one-handed, glad he was right-handed since his left arm was in a cast. Scarlett had already presented hers to the clerk and was signing. Wynn did the same.

  Rios smiled. “You’re all set. Judge McGarity is in his chambers, right through there. Congratulations.”

  Wynn took Scarlett’s hand. “Ready?”

  Her eyes twinkled. “You bet I am.”

  The moment they entered the packed room, all the lively conversations died down. Del and Rob slipped past them to join Cady and Doug, who stood next to Carreen and Bob. Also present were Rhett and Cassie, Dash and Sydney, Mac and Keely, Knox and London, and Breck and Jo. Everyone welcomed them. Keely handed Scarlett a beautiful bouquet of calla lilies and took her purse.

  Judge McGarity shook Wynn’s hand and then Scarlett’s. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Knox thinks very highly of you so I was happy to accommodate your unusual request.” He chuckled. “I’ve never married any couple at seven in the morning.” He glanced at his watch. “Make that seven-fifteen.”

  “Thank you for going out of your way, Judge,” Wynn said. He glanced at Scarlett. “This woman’s worth it, though. I promise you.”

  “Let’s save the promises for Scarlett,” McGarity teased. “Now, if everyone will get situated. I know we’re in tight quarters but this won’t take long.”

  As Del and Keely took their places beside them, Wynn saw Sydney discreetly take out her phone and snap a photo. With her director’s eye, Wynn hoped she would get a few good pictures to capture the occasion.

  “Stand here,” the judge ordered. With that, he began the ceremony.

  They made all of the promises mentioned in the ceremony and exchanged rings. Then Wynn asked if he could say a few personal words to Scarlett. McGarity agreed and Wynn faced Scarlett, her hands held in his.

  “Scarlett, from the moment we met, my life changed for the better. Because of you, I have a larger family now, which includes a host of wonderful friends. You’ve taught me about love and how to open myself to it. Not just with you—but with Del and Cady. You’ve helped me start a new career trajectory and supported me in the charity I want to create. You’ve given me confidence when I didn’t even know I lacked it. I look forward to every day we’ll spend together. Laughing. Learning. Living. Loving. Not just with each other but with our children.

  “I pledge to be a man you can respect. A husband you’ll be proud of. A man who’ll do his best to keep the lines of communication always open. One who knows to admit when he’s wrong and ask for your forgiveness. I’m yours, Scarlett. Now and forever. Beyond forever.”

  Wynn would never forget her face at that moment. Even when decades had passed and they were wrinkled and gray-headed, the love shining in her eyes was sealed within his heart.

  “With that, I declare by the power invested in me by the State of California, that you are husband and wife. Wynn, you may now kiss your bride.”

  He smiled at his wife, the love of his life, and Wynn let his kiss tell Scarlett everything she needed to know.

  EPILOGUE

  Five years later . . .

  Scarlett Gallagher smoothed the skirt of her champagne-colored cocktail dress and then reached for an earring. As she fastened it, her eyes fell upon the gold-plated bronze statue that sat on a bookcase in their master bedroom. Pride filled her every time she looked at Wynn’s Best Actor award. She’d begged him to keep his Oscar in the family room on the mantle but it had gone first into his office and then somehow made its way upstairs. Her talented husband was sometimes too humble for his own good.

  She secured the second earring and then slipped into her Jimmy Choo stilettos. Glancing in the mirror, she turned and studied herself from each side. Having two babies a year apart had been tough on her body but she’d returned to her pre-baby weight. Things had shifted around some but Wynn enjoyed that her breasts never shrank back to their original size.

  “Daddy, put me down!” squealed Payne, their three-year-old.

  Wynn turned into the bedroom, carrying the toddler under his arm like a football, as Payne’s legs swung wildly, his face flushed with happiness. Wynn eased his son to the ground and quickly said, “I know. I need to get dressed. I was on Hungry Hungry Hippos duty.”

  “I want to play,” whined Payne. “They wouldn’t let me.” He wrapped his chubby arms around Scarlett’s leg.

  “Sometimes, girls only like to play with other girls,” she said, ruffling his hair. “Annie will play Hippos with you.”

  “I like Annie.”

  Scarlett did, too. The high school junior lived across the street and proved to be a godsend. Though Scarlett missed living in Malibu fulltime, she was glad she and Keely had found houses next door to one another. Their two families spent a lot of time together, running back and forth. Knox and London lived only two blocks over and they often brought their three children to play, as well.

  Wynn tossed off his golf shirt and slipped into a long-sleeved white shirt. Off went his jeans and athletic socks, quickly replaced by black tuxedo pants and dark socks. He sat a moment and pulled on the shiny black dress shoes and stood again, looking around. Locating his jacket, he threw it on and ran a hand through his hair. Picking up his tie, he handed it to her. Scarlett tied it and stepped back.

  “You look sinfully handsome. It’s totally unfair how a man can get ready in under two minutes while it takes a woman two hours.”

  He stepped close and pulled her to his chest. “You always look fabulous, Mrs. Gallagher. In or out of clothes. Makeup or no makeup. Pregnant or not.” Wynn kissed her.

&
nbsp; She wondered when she should tell him.

  Wynn peeled Payne off her leg. “Come on, tiger. Let’s see if Annie’s here.”

  “Pizza?” Payne asked hopefully.

  “It’s on the way, kid,” Wynn assured him.

  Scarlett followed her two men down the stairs. Annie had arrived and helped the girls clean up their board game.

  “Mommy!” Emma called and ran to her. She stopped, looking Scarlett up and down. “You look so pretty.”

  Darcy hurried over. “You look very pretty, Miss Scarlett.”

  Scarlett and Keely both shared a love of Jane Austen. Scarlett had named Emma after her favorite Austen book. Keely had named her daughter after Mr. Darcy. When Payne arrived, Wynn said they could keep with the Austen game plan but she told him they should name their son after the brother he’d lost to cancer. Wynn had cradled her tenderly and told her he’d never loved her more than in that moment.

  “Hi, Mrs. Gallagher,” Annie said. “Are you excited about the fundraiser? It’s on all the entertainment websites. I saw Mr. Gallagher interviewed on E! last night.”

  “We’re hoping it’ll raise a lot of money for the foundation,” she said. “Especially the silent auction items. The girls can stay up until eight but Payne needs to be in bed by seven-thirty.”

  “Will do.”

  The doorbell rang. “That’s the pizza,” Wynn said. He went to the door and collected it, saying, “Follow me into the kitchen if you want pizza!”

  Scarlett texted that they were ready and she and Wynn slipped out to meet Keely and Mac while Annie distributed pizza and milk. They met at the curb and both couples climbed into the waiting limousine.

  “Thanks for letting Darcy spend the night,” Mac said. “Keely and I are going to make this an early night and go home and sleep like the dead.”

  Keely rubbed her growing belly. “Some people take a baby moon. We’re taking tonight.”

  “How is the naming going?” Wynn asked.

  Mac sighed. “After seven months of intense discussions, we’ve narrowed it down to Knight or Bennett.” He took his wife’s hand and kissed it. “That’s from George Knightley in Emma or Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. If we go Bennett, I insist upon two T’s. It’s more manly. And I’m hoping we can shorten it to Ben.”