“I’ll handle the godmothers just fine. That wasn’t what I was responding to.”
“Hellooo,” Aurora trilled as the driver rounded the front of the car.
Valerie waved and forced a breezy, confident smile. “What are you talking about, then?” she asked out of the side of her mouth.
“Whether or not I’m ready to get on with my life,” he responded calmly. “I’m sort of enjoying this one at the moment.”
Impulses
Even the most commitment-phobic guy will occasionally leap before he looks. Of course, this is rarely relationship-related. It’s usually an attempt to prove some misguided manly point. You’ll earn points by not rushing to point that out.
Chapter 13
Tea was postponed until after Jack completed his phone-in interview to San Francisco. It was admittedly more nerve-racking shooting the bull with the afternoon-drive boys while the godmothers looked on. All in all, he thought it had gone well. In fact, somewhat surprisingly, for a guy who preferred to write the story rather than be the story, he was having a pretty good time.
He looked over at Valerie, scribbling notes on her ever-present pad of paper, and wondered how much of that good time was due to his growing fascination with a certain wry, aggressive, workaholic publicist.
“Tea is served on the rear veranda, Ms. Browning,” a young man in a lemon-sherbet-colored linen blazer—a Glass Slipper, Inc. trademark, Jack had quickly discovered—announced from the doorway.
“Shall we?” Aurora asked brightly.
Valerie finished whatever notes she was taking, probably a critique of his performance, with a sidebar of suggestions for any future interviews he might give. He didn’t know what it said about his burgeoning feelings that he was actually looking forward to whatever private harangue she was preparing to deliver. As long as he got the private part. Whatever the reason for this attraction, he knew one thing: Now that he was done mopping up his mess, he intended to start working on those hair-trigger defenses of hers. He wanted some alone time with Valerie. No notepads, no schedules, no rules. No Prince Charming.
Which meant he had to work fast. If she was right, and his function in their little deception was due to end shortly, he’d be catching a flight out of here as soon as he could book himself some work. EuroSport was pushing for more from him and he was fairly certain he could end up with a full-time gig there if he played his cards right. He’d probably end up giving up his apartment in Alexandria, find more permanent digs on the other side of the pond, but hell, why not? He had no business or family ties in the States. Eric certainly had the means to travel. That is, if he could fit in a visit to an old friend around his newfound social life.
Jack had considered relocating overseas before, but figured it was a knee-jerk reaction to his divorce. Pride had kept him from tucking his tail and hiding in another country. That was Shelby’s way, not his.
Had Jack dated her longer than a nanosecond before marrying her, he’d have learned that and more about his ex-wife. They were both the same age, but Shelby’s childhood in Peru had been a far cry from his own. Her father was fairly well-to-do and she’d led a very sheltered life, used to being given everything she wanted. When she’d been discovered by a talent scout for a European modeling agency, her family had ordered her to refuse the contract. She was supposed to stay home, marry, begin a family. Headstrong and not used to being told no, Shelby had taken off and had quickly found work all over Europe. But where she’d triumphed on the runways, she’d failed spectacularly in understanding the ways of the world.
She knew nothing of managing money and had no head for business, nor did she care to learn. She missed being taken care of, but she was stubborn enough that she refused to run home to Papa. So she did the next best thing: She found someone else who would take care of her and make her the center of his world. A string of them, Jack later learned. But he was the only one fool enough—or drunk enough—to actually marry her.
Thinking about it usually pissed him off, renewed those feelings of remorse and guilt. Remorse, for being so foolish and leaping before he looked. Guilt, no matter how misplaced, that he hadn’t been able to do right by Shelby and make her happy, even though he knew she’d never worried that much about his happiness, or doing right by him. He’d like to think he was over it because he’d matured, moved on. Not because another woman had entered the picture and he was fool enough to forget the lessons he’d learned. Number one being that you never knew what you had truly gotten yourself into until it was too late.
Valerie wasn’t going to be part of any big picture where his life was concerned. They were quite literally heading in two different directions. But a snapshot in the big picture? Well, he didn’t see how that could hurt anything. His eyes were wide open this time. There would be no foolish mistakes. He could certainly look without leaping.
“You were quite fabulous, darling,” Vivian purred, linking her arm through his and steering him from the small office they’d been using and out toward the rear veranda. She squeezed his bicep and sighed a little. “Have I thanked you for saving your little coming-out party for us? We’re truly appreciative, you know.”
“I’m being fairly compensated,” he managed.
“I must admit, I still don’t understand why you waited so long.” She gave him a quick once-over, lingering momentarily on his backside before smiling up at him again as he paused to let her step out onto the veranda.
“Marketing. Habit,” he said easily. She’d heard all the answers during this latest interview, so he didn’t elaborate.
“Still, you must realize how much stronger your impact is going to be on sales now that you’ve emerged from your cocoon to show the world that Prince Charming is truly a prince in every way.”
Jack flashed her a grin. “I wouldn’t say every way.”
Vivian hooted. “And you prove my point. No woman wants a prince who’s not capable of being a rogue on occasion.”
Fortunately Jack was saved from responding to that when Aurora floated through the door on a cloud of flowery perfume. She paused long enough to buss him on the cheek. “You’ll have to pardon the familiarity, but you are just so adorable, I had to express my affection for you.” She wiped off the lipstick smudge with heavily ringed fingers. “Besides,” she added with a surprisingly sly wink, “I’m simply not forward enough, or young enough, to try anything else.” She shot a look at Vivian. “Unlike some others, I try to maintain at least a modicum of decency.”
“Indecency has its incentives,” Vivian shot back with a sly smile of her own. She moved to the edge of the awning-covered veranda and carefully wedged a cigarette into a slim-stemmed, ebony holder that Bette Davis would have wept for. Knowing Vivian and her Hollywood connection, it just might be Bette’s, Jack thought.
“Must you, dear?” Aurora asked her disdainfully.
Vivian blew out a long stream of smoke, then sighed appreciatively. “Absolutely.”
Aurora gave a little sniff, then surprised Jack with a private wink. “I can hardly blame her really,” she whispered. “Great sex is a lovely way to spend the afternoon.”
Jack choked on a shocked laugh.
Aurora’s cheeks pinked quite becomingly as her eyes twinkled. “I said I believe in decency, but I’m hardly dead.”
“No, ma’am,” he agreed. “You most certainly are not.”
Aurora flicked the silk scarf she held toward him, then went over to examine the display of fresh fruit that had been laid out on a side table along with a variety of breads, crackers, cheeses, and cut vegetables.
“Quite a spread,” Jack said, maintaining his post at the door as Valerie finally made her way in.
“At Glass Slipper, afternoon tea is an event.”
“So I see. Where is Mercedes?”
“She was waylaid by one of the staff. Something to do with a guest having a conflict with her linguistics coach.”
“I hate it when that happens,” he deadpanned, happy to see the dry
smile replace the worried frown she’d been sporting since their arrival. “So, how long do you expect this to last?”
“I have no idea. Not too long. Why? Hot date?”
His lips quirked. “I don’t know. What are you doing later?”
She rolled her eyes. “Please. We’ve just spent all day killing rumors.”
“Actually, we killed rumors about how I got the job. Not whether or not we are an item. It was you who said not to try to deny what the pictures clearly showed.”
“To the uninformed. They didn’t clearly show what was really happening. Only you and I know that was just a ruse on your part.”
“And yet, I think the media seemed to like the idea that there might be something going on between us. Of a romantic, not salacious, nature.”
“Rather ironic, isn’t it? Given your views on romance. Honestly, though, they just like the idea that Prince Charming is on the prowl, because they know their readers will like it. We’ve done what we set out to do. I’m not about to provoke another firestorm.”
“Valerie? Jack? What’s got your heads together?” Vivian called out. “Come share with the group. Mercedes can catch up when she gets here.”
Valerie looked past Jack, a smile on her face. Only Jack was close enough to see the tic in her jaw. “We’re just waiting for Eric. He should be here momentarily. I’m not sure what delayed him.” So only Jack could hear her, she added, “Although I’m sure the key word there is laid.”
“At least somebody is allowed to have some fun.”
She smiled more naturally now. “Well, he’s been waiting a hell of a lot longer than you have. Besides, I figured you’d be happy for him. It can’t have been easy on him all these years.”
“No, I don’t imagine it was.”
Her smile faltered. “You’ve known he’s gay for a long time, right?”
Jack shook his head. “Found out the same day you did.”
“Wow. I would have thought—” She stopped, shook her head. “Never mind.”
It pricked a little, her assumption. Probably because it was still a bit of a sore spot with him. “Yeah, well, I would have thought so, too. He had his reasons.”
Her expression turned as serious as his tone. “I guess so. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for either of you.”
Her understanding shouldn’t have made an impact one way or the other. Maybe it was because he hadn’t been able to tell anyone, to discuss the shock waves that were still rippling through him over his best friend’s stunning revelation. He really had thought he was handling it pretty damn well. Who the hell needed to talk about it? It was what it was, right? Deal with it. Move on. End of story. Kind of like his divorce.
Which did little to explain why he held on to her compassionate gaze, and said, “No, it wasn’t. It’s still not. But I’m working on it.”
“You’re doing an amazing job, then. I’d have never guessed you hadn’t known all along. You’re a good friend, Jack. Anyone can see it.”
“Thanks. He’s earned whatever I have.”
“You’ve referred to that before. That you owe him. Are you—don’t take this wrong—but are you sure there isn’t something else I might need to know?”
He sighed, wishing he’d never said anything. Would he ever learn? “Are you ever not working?”
He went to move away, but she took his wrist and tugged him back inside the house and away from two very avid pairs of eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said, sounding both contrite and sincere.
“It doesn’t matter,” he told her, though it did. He just didn’t want it to. He wanted to get her into bed, sure. But that was the only place he wanted her. Not in his head, and sure as hell not mixed up in any other part of his life. “You said this was probably all over, anyway. Since I don’t plan to stick around any longer than I have to, you have nothing to worry about.”
“What do you mean? Did you get a job already? Because—” Just then her cell phone went off. “Dammit.” She unclipped it and read the text screen. “Wait just a second, don’t go back out there.” She flipped it open. “This is Valerie,” she said, all professionalism. “Yes. Right.” There was a pause, then her gaze shot to his, eyes wide. “You’re kidding!”
Jack turned to go back outside and leave her to business. He had no desire to pursue this conversation any further. In fact, if he was smart, he’d get this meeting done, then start to concentrate on getting the hell out of Dodge. Permanently. Valerie Wagner was too much trouble. He’d known that from the start. A good reminder never to ignore the Jack Lambert Ranking System.
“Holy shit,” Valerie breathed. “No, no, I’m right here. Static. Yes, go ahead. When? They want to do this when?” She snatched his arm and held on, shaking her head furiously at him. “Don’t go,” she mouthed.
Just then Eric strolled up, mercifully Brice-free.
Jack extricated his arm from her grip. “We’ll talk when you’re done.” He didn’t wait for a reply, but ushered Eric out to the veranda.
“So, what did I miss?” Eric asked jovially.
Jack spied what looked like razor burn on Eric’s neck and throat. “I don’t know,” Jack said, motioning to the open neck of Eric’s polo shirt. “Not much from the looks of it.”
“Yeah, well, we, uh, took the scenic route through Potomac and . . .”
“God, you’re such a tramp,” Jack exclaimed in mock disgust.
“Hello, Pot, meet Kettle,” Eric shot back. “I have years of catching up to do before I can even begin to compete with your vaunted past.”
“Well, you might want to button up the shirt and keep your face in the shade. Those two don’t miss much. And I’m sure they would be quite happy discussing every last detail.”
Eric had just done the last button and flipped his collar up a little when Mercedes joined them. “Sorry for the delay.” She looked at Vivian and Aurora and made a small moue. “Celeste.”
The other two made faces. Clearly Celeste, whoever she was, had had problems with more than just her linguistics coach.
Smoothing her face into a polite, social smile, Mercedes turned to Jack and Eric. “Nice to see you both. I trust the day went smoothly?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jack responded. “I think we can safely assume we worked things to your—our—advantage.”
“Why don’t we all have a seat. Valerie should be done with her business call in a moment.” She gestured to the spread. “Help yourselves. Would you rather have tea or a glass of wine?”
“Nothing for me,” Jack said.
“I’ll have wine. White,” Eric said. “This looks wonderful.”
Jack plucked a fat strawberry from the mound and popped it into his mouth as Eric loaded up a small salad plate.
He noticed Jack noticing his growing heap and smiled, unrepentant. “Refueling is important, I’m discovering.”
Jack held his hand up as he forced the lump of strawberry down his throat. “Thanks.”
Eric just chuckled, and reached for a strawberry, or three.
Valerie stepped onto the veranda just then, easily drawing Jack’s complete attention. He told himself it was the nervous smile she shot him that did it. But he was starting to suspect it wouldn’t have mattered. Definitely need to see about that job with EuroSport. ASAP.
“Why, Valerie, dear, you look like a cat who’s not quite sure about the canary she just swallowed.” Aurora motioned to the table. “Would you like some tea? Wine?”
She shook her head. “I—actually, I have some news. Why don’t we all sit down.”
The godmothers gathered at the lemon-yellow, linen-covered table, each perching in one of the white wicker chairs.
“What is it?” Vivian asked.
“Pray God, it’s not another horrid tabloid story, is it?” Mercedes asked.
“No.” She shot a quick glance at Eric and Jack, who had taken positions against the white pillars that fronted the covered veranda, then put on her best publicist face and smiled at the godmothers. “It seems
our media blitz this morning accomplished even more than we’d hoped.”
Uh-oh, Jack thought. This could not mean good things for him. It was only a matter of how badly he was about to get screwed. He felt Eric tense beside him, but didn’t say anything.
“US Weekly had planned a small sidebar in their Faces and Places column. We were just hoping for a picture. Well, it seems that one of the editors from People was in town today and caught part of Jack’s radio show this morning. They discussed doing a small tidbit on him for their Insider column, then somehow got wind that US had beaten them to it. Never to be outdone, they’ve asked if they can do a feature.”
Jack noticed she didn’t look at him or Eric.
“Well, that’s fabulous, dear!” Aurora exclaimed.
“There’s something else, isn’t there?” Mercedes asked.
Valerie nodded. “A couple of things, actually.”
Aurora clapped her hands together. “Isn’t this exciting, Vivi?”
“Tell us the rest,” Mercedes directed.
“The entertainment business is a small world, as you all probably know. Well, somebody’s assistant from People told somebody on Live with Chuck and Vicki.” Now she looked at Jack, a quick beseeching look. “They contacted Elaine an hour ago, trying to get in touch with me or Eric. They want you on the show. This coming week.”
Vivian hooted. Aurora clapped again. Mercedes frowned, as if she couldn’t quite let herself believe it was good news.
Jack understood that sentiment entirely.
Valerie took a seat and opened her notebook. “Before we get ahead of ourselves, we need to talk about this.” She motioned to Jack and Eric. “Our agreement is that Prince Charming’s exposure be limited. We’ve already pushed our contractual boundaries in one day. We also have to be careful of overexposure. We don’t want people to tire of seeing him.”
“Surely a spot on a highly rated talk show would be good exposure?” Aurora shifted in her seat to look up at Jack and Eric. “You wouldn’t mind a few more little interviews, would you? You’ve done so magnificently, it’s a surprise you haven’t gone before the camera sooner.”
Dear Prince Charming Page 19
