“Because Ms. Sanders wasn’t there. Instead, I have this eight-foot-tall beast scaring the shit out of my Chihuahua and handing me a plastic one-use water bottle.” She said the words in a whisper hiss as though the environment police were in earshot.
Federico stammered, unsure how to respond.
Despite the deep ache in her chest, Leslie felt a smile tug at the corner of her mouth. She hadn’t realized she’d missed this five-foot-six, hundred-pound terror until that morning when she wasn’t swearing over making the herbal tea. She hadn’t seen Selena since the press conference. She hadn’t returned the ten thousand text messages from her either, thinking it best to cut all contact.
“I apologize, Ms. Hudson, but given the circumstances...” Federico stammered.
“Circumstances? You mean, the fact that this woman saved my life?” Selena gestured to Leslie.
Technically, in the end they’d saved each other and to her surprise, Leslie had felt a small void not being in contact with her the last few days. Must be the shared life-and-death experience. That was all. A common bond of having gone through something traumatic.
“Yes, she did, but—” Federico said.
Selena waved a finger, silencing him. “I’m still breathing and bullet hole–free, so there is no ‘but.’”
Federico’s cheeks flushed and he shifted from one foot to the other. It wasn’t every day someone almost two feet shorter than him could intimidate him but Leslie could almost see his balls shrinking up into his body as he said, “Well, she also broke protocol...”
“If she hadn’t, I’d be dead—or worse,” Selena said, cranking up the drama.
Only in Hollywood...
Federico looked at a loss for further excuses or rationale, and glanced at Leslie.
Leslie remained calm and professional as she turned to her former client. “Selena, I appreciate you coming to my defense like this, but Federico is right. My actions put you in danger.”
“Bullshit,” Selena said, looking at her like she was disappointed that Leslie hadn’t already filed a lawsuit for wrongful dismissal. “Do not let these assholes gaslight you like that. You followed your instincts and you were right to do it. Unlike this agency hiring someone without completing a full credential verification. Your agency,” she said walking toward Federico, “put my life at risk by hiring a dangerous person and then allowing him access to private information. Not Ms. Sanders.”
Selena did have a point. She’d been selective about the information she’d disclosed to Eoghan, yet he knew things he shouldn’t have been privy to. Information she’d told only Federico, like when the new security system had been installed and when Selena was making public appearances. The agency really hadn’t done everything in their power to keep Selena safe. If she hadn’t taken Selena away, Eoghan would have gotten to her.
“Ms. Hudson does raise a valid point,” she said, feeling her fighting energy return. She wouldn’t ask for him to reconsider his decision about firing her because she no longer wanted to work for an agency that didn’t have her back or one she couldn’t completely trust. And she had no intentions of going to the media to blame the agency to protect or reclaim her own credentials. But at least now she was seeing this parting of ways in a different light, one where she wasn’t completely at fault. And her confidence returned slightly.
Federico looked back and forth between them. “So, you want Ms. Sanders to continue as your security detail?” he asked Selena.
“Yes,” she said. “But not through this agency. I’m terminating my contract, effective immediately.” She ripped the papers she had in her hands, which looked like a take-out menu from the sushi place down the street and not her actual agency contract, then she turned to Leslie. “I want to hire you privately.”
“Oh...um...” Did Leslie even want to continue in this line of work? She hadn’t made any real decisions regarding her future career yet.
“You can name your price,” Selena said.
Caught off guard, Leslie hesitated. Was Selena serious? For months, she’d complained about not having a big burly man protect her and now she had that and she wanted Leslie back? Or maybe this was all a show for Federico’s sake. Her way of helping Leslie regain face in front of her employer.
Selena waved a hand. “You’re right. We shouldn’t discuss business in front of your former employer. Let’s go. My driver will take us somewhere for lunch where we can discuss this privately,” she said with as much Hollywood flair as Leslie had ever seen and she hid her grin as she stood, put on her sunglasses, and followed the star out of the office.
Dramatic exits weren’t normally her thing, but when in Rome...
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Two weeks later...
THE CHIHUAHUA WAS wearing a suit.
Leslie refused to admit that Unicorn looked adorable in the black-and-white dog outfit with the fake bowtie that Selena had bought him to wear to her movie premiere that evening. She was just relieved that the dog was okay. He’d enjoyed his extended stay at Posh Puppy Spa and the reunion with his owner had been about as dramatic as possible.
Now, he ran around the posh Beverly Hills hotel room with a plastic bone in his mouth. He brought it to Leslie and dropped it at her feet. “No. I’m not touching that,” she told the dog.
Unicorn’s tail wagged so fast it blurred and he nudged the bone closer.
Leslie sighed, picked up the disgustingly wet bone and threw it across the room. Then a knock on the room door had her jumping to her feet. “Who is it?” she asked, looking through the peephole. A tall, lanky guy with a handlebar mustache who she didn’t recognize stood there with a garment bag draped over his arm.
“Antonio from Versace. I have a dress for Ms. Hudson,” he called through the door.
“She already has a dress,” Leslie said, glancing toward the bathroom, where Selena was already outfitted for the movie premiere in a dark green floor-length backless gown. Her makeup artist was finishing up and her hair stylist sat ready to do her job next.
“I was told to bring it,” the guy said.
Leslie sighed. Selena had tried on sixteen dresses the day before at the fitting and had spent hours agonizing over the right choice. If she was changing her mind again, they might make it to the theater for the movie premiere before the final credits rolled. “Hey, Selena...this guy, Anthony, says he has another dress.”
Selena nodded, smacking her lips together in the bathroom mirror. “Yes—and it’s Antonio. Let him in.”
Instead, Leslie opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. She patted the guy down and unzipped the garment bag to look inside. No concealed weapon. She went back inside the hotel room and let him in.
Selena met him with a warm smile. “Antonio! Thank you so much for bringing this last-minute.”
“No problem, darlin’, but it’s the wrong size. They said at the shop that they confirmed with you that this was the one you wanted, but it’s going to hang off you all wrong.” The guy looked sincerely distraught at the thought that the dress wouldn’t show on the red carpet properly.
And Leslie was relieved. They wouldn’t have to waste more time on another dress. She couldn’t wait to get Selena to the premiere, so she could relax in the back of a dark theater for a little while. She’d agreed to return as Selena’s security temporarily until she decided what she wanted to do moving forward...and if she was being honest, now that Eoghan had turned out to be a stalker, Selena was the only real...friend?...she had in LA. Her family were still reaching out to check on her—primarily Eddie—but she was keeping up the facade of being okay.
But the truth was, emotionally, she wasn’t sure she’d ever not feel so exhausted. Her conflicted heart had her yo-yoing between reaching out to Levi or leaving the week they’d had together in the past. She hadn’t made any promises to him when they’d said goodbye and he wasn’t expecting anyth
ing from her...
Which made things a million times worse because it was really all on her. She knew where he stood and despite him not reaching out to her, she didn’t doubt for a second that he wanted to, but she had no idea what she wanted.
“This dress is not for me.” Selena turned to grin at her and Leslie’s head was shaking.
“Absolutely not. I’m your security detail. Not your date.”
“Look, I’m still freaked out by the whole experience and I’d like you to stay close.”
Lies. The star had bounced back after the incident faster than a wrongly addressed email. “I can do that better not in a dress.” The last dress she’d worn had been to her grandmother’s wedding months ago and that had been under extreme duress and she loved her grandmother and just barely, recently started tolerating Selena.
“They only let stars on the red carpet,” Selena said, reaching toward her belt. “And their plus one.”
Leslie sighed, slapping her hands away. “I can take my own clothes off,” she mumbled. “And he has to leave.”
Selena smiled warmly at Antonio. “Thank you again,” she said, tipping him and seeing him out. He kissed both of her cheeks and wished her luck at her premiere. Then she turned back to Leslie. “Okay, well, hurry. We’re going to be late.”
This was insane. She had to be crazy for agreeing to this. But before she knew it, she was out of her pants and shirt and sliding into the long, simple black gown. Which cost more than she made in a year.
“It’s on loan. So be careful,” Selena said, helping her zip it up.
Her pulse raced. Wonderful, so not only was she going to be uncomfortable all evening, but she needed to make sure she didn’t spill anything on it or rip it?
“Wow. You look amazing. Who knew this curvy body was hidden under all those unflattering clothes you wear?” Selena said, turning her toward the full-length mirror.
The dress fit her perfectly. Actually suited her as well. Nothing too flashy or over-the-top. No sequins or bows or revealing cut-outs. She ran a hand along the soft fabric as she stared at her reflection.
What would Levi think if he saw her in it? Would it be silly to snap a selfie and send it to him with the message Help, I’ve been abducted?
Yes, it would and also, it would open up the lines of communication again and she wasn’t sure she was ready for that. Unfortunately, the more time that passed, the less ready she was.
“Some makeup and a few curls and you might actually steal some attention away from me,” Selena said.
“Yeah. Right.” It would take more than a dress for that to happen. Leslie picked up her gun and scanned the available places on her body. Where the hell could she put it?
Selena handed her a leg holster. She’d actually thought this through, meaning this hadn’t been the last-minute thing she tried to make it appear. “Strap it in here, like Angelina Jolie in...”
“Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” Leslie couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, I know.” Taking the holster, she wrapped it around her right leg through the slit in the dress and secured the gun out of sight.
“Nothing wrong with being sexy and lethal,” Selena said with a wink.
Damn, if it wasn’t actually the most empowering feeling ever.
* * *
WHAT’S SAFER THAN bringing your bodyguard as a date?
Selena’s caption on the photo had Levi smiling, while his chest tightened. Leslie looked drop-dead gorgeous in an elegant, simple tight-fitting black evening gown, despite looking completely terrified and uncomfortable standing next to the star on the red carpet. Her blond hair was hanging loose in waves around her sexy bare shoulders and she was wearing slightly more makeup than he’d ever seen her wear. She looked like she could be on the movie screen herself.
Damn she was beautiful.
And obviously staying in LA to continue working as Selena’s security.
What had he expected? That his confession of love and their time together would have been enough to make her want to come back here? Be with him?
They’d had a connection. She couldn’t deny it, but for Leslie, that would be all the more reason to stay away. Running away from the guilt and conflict that opening her heart to him would definitely cause was her self-preservation method.
He’d go to her if he thought she wanted him to. If there wasn’t a certainty that she’d push him away. He’d move halfway across the world for her—no question. His career meant a lot to him, but she meant more.
He stared at the photo of her awkward, forced-looking smile and the right thing to do hit him like déjà vu.
He’d let her go once before for her happiness; he could do it again.
Smokester sauntered over and sat at Levi’s feet. The sad expression, floppy ears and low whine from the dog echoed his sentiments. “I miss them too, buddy,” he said petting the dog’s head. It had been weeks but it seemed the dog was having as hard a time of it as he was.
His gaze landed on the photo he’d had refinished for Leslie. He should probably just send it to her in LA. That would be the easiest. Or maybe her mother might like to have it...
A knock sounded on the door before Mrs. Powell entered. “Oh...hi. I didn’t hear the front door.” He hadn’t heard from her or spoken to her directly since she’d walked in on him and Leslie together. He wasn’t sure of his responsibility to the foundation now, if she still wanted him involved.
“It was open. I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.” She was wringing her hands and struggling to make eye contact as she said, “Levi, I owe you an apology and I’m not very good at them, so um...”
He smiled and stood. “Then let’s just say that was it.” He opened his arms and she stepped into them with a sigh of relief. He hugged her tight. “And I’m sorry if I upset you.”
She pulled away and sighed. The fine lines around her eyes looked deeper that day and this conversation seemed to be taking a lot out of her. “Darling, it’s your life. You can love who you love and be involved with anyone your heart desires...” She glanced at her shoes. “And I should have been more supportive.”
He sensed she was talking about support she should have given in the past as well. To her son and maybe even Leslie. He knew from experience how regret could manifest in different ways and could be spurred from new realizations after it was too late to make amends. His had certainly resurfaced, allowing himself to open up to Leslie, but he was understanding now that guilt was just one emotion and it didn’t need to fuel his actions.
“I know you two have never really gotten along, but Leslie is a wonderful person,” he said gently, not wanting to make her feel worse.
“I know that. I do. As a mother, you want what’s best for your children and I may have been a little blinded by my own prejudices when it came to Leslie. I worshipped my son and no one is good enough for your kids.” She paused. “But she was always lucky to have you in her life. You’re quite wonderful yourself, young man.” She looked past him and, seeing the photo on his desk, she picked it up. “Her father took this?”
“Yeah. Unfortunately, it was the only thing I could save after the fire.” His grandmother had done an amazing job restoring it and he hoped it would give Leslie a little closure to have it.
Mrs. Powell studied the photo, then studied him. “You’ve always loved her, haven’t you?”
No sense denying it and he never wanted Mrs. Powell to mistake his actions in his office that day as simply lust or a physical attraction. He nodded. “With all my heart.”
She put the photo down and took his hands in hers. “My son was so lucky to have you. They both were—are,” she said. “Keeping your own feelings to yourself all these years had to be hard and even though you don’t need my permission to finally go after what you want, I’m giving it. I want to see you happy, Levi.”
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight on
his chest get that much lighter. She was right, he didn’t need her blessing, but it made him feel better to have it. She’d been like a mother to him for so long and he felt as though getting her approval was the next best thing to getting Dawson’s. “Thank you. That means more than you know,” he said.
She nodded. “I really wish I could do things differently...but I can’t change the past.”
“No one can. We just have to do the best we can going forward.”
She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “You’ll still be there at the event? You still want to be involved in the foundation?”
“Of course.”
He’d never let his best friend down before. He wouldn’t start now.
* * *
LESLIE TOOK SELENA’S laptop and plugged in the cable to the camera the next afternoon, after they’d both slept half the day away. They hadn’t gotten back to the hotel after the premiere and after-parties until almost 3:00 a.m. Her job was feeling more like hanging out with the star now—dare she even say, hanging out with a friend. Which meant it was time to move on. They could still stay in touch, but Leslie felt the lines between personal and professional blurring and ultimately that put Selena at risk. She hadn’t gotten the nerve to tell Selena yet, but she would. Soon.
“I’m not sure how great these turned out,” she said, clicking on the link to the photos she’d taken in the Alaskan wilderness three weeks before.
Three weeks. Felt like forever.
“From what I remember, they’re really great,” Selena said, bringing her chair super close and curling her legs under her as she sat.
Normally the close proximity and Selena’s disregard for personal space would annoy her, but knowing she was planning on handing in her resignation made Selena that much more tolerable. Damn it, she was going to miss the pain-in-the-ass movie star.
“Okay, here they are,” she said as the images loaded.
Selena leaned closer, examining each photo of her in the snowy woods with the mountains in the distance. “You were so right about the lighting being perfect. I barely have any makeup on and I don’t even need a filter on these.”
Stars Over Alaska Page 26
