by Alexa Aston
Sydney wondered what her brother might have done with his life as an adult. His interests had been so varied, from skateboarding to art to his fascination with numbers. She wished Birch could be here now and that they could work together as they used to on their father’s sets. They’d both been gophers and did whatever was asked by either the cast or crew. Birch wound up spending more and more time with the cameramen his last two years. Sydney thought he might have gone into cinematography.
She reached for the burner phone. At least that’s how she thought of it. She’d bought it and a prescribed number of minutes after she left Ramon’s salon last week. She didn’t like being without a phone. She’d left hers on the plane. Soaked it in the sink and then threw it into the restroom trash bin as soon as the fasten seatbelt sign went off. She’d flushed the battery, hoping now that she’d left Boston, she’d be untraceable.
Sydney wished she knew how Wake had accessed her number each time. How he found out she quit her Boston legal firm only hours after she’d turned in her notice. It had to be someone in the office that he’d paid to keep an eye on her and report back anything unusual. She hated that a person she’d worked with had spied on her.
If it proved to be Rick from her car service, which she doubted, the driver only knew that he dropped Sydney at the airport. Wake wouldn’t know what airline she took or what flight she got on.
At least she hoped not.
She’d never sensed anyone following her but, then again, if that person were good at his job, she’d have no idea he was around, much less stalking her every move. Maybe it had been her building’s superintendent. Stu always seemed a little shady to her. She could see him being the type of person that would accept a payoff to track her comings and goings and not think twice about whether or not his actions invaded her privacy.
Sydney decided to text Cassie and let her know she’d completed the massive project. They’d met every morning since they’d been in Malibu and walked several miles. It surprised her how much they had in common despite their different backgrounds. While Sydney’s had been one of privilege, Cassie had grown up in a blue collar home in Texas and followed her dreams by coming to California. Though she’d never become the actress she thought she would, Cassie found a good man and a talent for screenwriting and created new dreams for herself.
Sydney hoped she could do the same.
Her phone rang. Relief swept through her as she recognized the number and answered.
“Hi, Cassie. Guess what? I just finished the last scene. The whole screenplay is now storyboarded.”
“That’s great news, Sydney. I’d love to see everything you’ve come up with.”
“I’m driving back into town tomorrow. I told Dad I’d be home early afternoon, whether I was done or not, because of the auditions starting up on Thursday. You’re welcome to ride back with me. You could look everything over in the car.”
“You’re on. I need to get back anyway because Monty also wants me to sit in for the major roles being cast. Why I’m calling, though, is to invite you to a cookout. Rhett’s kept eating red meat to once a week and he’s hankering for a big, juicy burger. He did some crazy new workout today with Leo and a few of his other clients and he tells me only a burger will satisfy him.”
“Sounds great. Can I bring anything?”
“Just yourself. The guys are still hanging around. They’ve collapsed and are scattered on the deck. I don’t know if any of them are staying for dinner or not. My friend, Melanie Cameron, is here. The one I’ve been wanting you to meet.”
“I’d love to meet a few new people,” Sydney said. “What time?”
“Six.”
“I’ll see you then.”
Sydney hung up and glanced at her watch. She had twenty minutes before her attorney arrived. She gathered all her templates and made sure they were in the correct order before she ran copies in her dad’s office. She punched holes into the originals and placed them in a notebook that she left on the table next to her laptop. She’d see if Cassie wanted a copy as a reference. If not, Sydney would keep it in case her dad spilled something on the other set. He was notorious for eating and working—and leaving bits of whatever he ate behind. His copy of the script was usually sticky and muddled by the time shooting was completed.
She heard the noise of a car turning into the driveway off the highway and glanced out the front window. Marvin Trumble had arrived. Sydney watched him climb out of the black Mercedes Benz. She hadn’t trusted many people in her life but Marvin was one of them. She went to the door and threw it open.
“Hi, Marvin!” she called.
“Sydney. So good to see you.” She was enveloped in a bear hug and smelled his usual spicy cologne.
“Come in. Thanks for coming out to Malibu.”
He winked at her. “You know I’d go to the moon and back for you, Kid.”
Sydney ushered him in and he settled on the sofa. He opened his briefcase and began pulling out the forms she would need to reclaim her original name.
“You should be familiar with this by now, Sydney,” the balding attorney said. “I’d say third time’s the charm, but this’ll be your fifth. And who knows? You might get married again someday and need to do it again.”
She sighed. She’d gone through the process so many times, she could probably do it in her sleep. She’d changed her last name from Revere to Thompson shortly after she married Craig. Then when she decided to disappear, she’d legally changed Thompson to Brown. After marrying Wake, she’d become a Marshall and had to name change again. She’d actually thought about keeping Brown for professional reasons, but Wake had acted hurt that she’d even consider such a thing. After her divorce, the Marshall name brought such terrible memories that she went back to Sydney Brown.
Now she’d be a Revere again. Her life, in short, was complicated.
“Let’s go over the basics again, Sydney, since this is a request through the courts and not a simple marriage name change. A few documents have been altered since the last time you did this in California. California law is slightly different than state law in New York and Massachusetts.”
“I want to go through official channels and do it right, Marvin. That’s why you’re here to guide me every step of the way.”
“You can fill all of these out and either messenger them back to me, or make two copies and bring them with you when it’s time.”
He handed her the Petition for Change of Name. “This will ask for your present name, what your proposed name will be, and the reason why you want the name change.” He passed over another document. “Here’s the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name. You’ll need to bring both of these when we file. Although California’s a state that actually allows you the legal right to change your name by simply starting to use the new name in all aspects, government agencies require the court order. With all your investments, we want the right, legal name on those, as well.”
She nodded. “I want it all above board and official.”
“Once you’ve completed these, be sure you also make copies of your Social Security card, birth certificate, and that you have a photo ID when we file with the clerk of courts.”
“What about posting the change in a local newspaper? Is that still a requirement here?”
He nodded. “You need to place the ad ASAP. It’s got to run once a week for four consecutive weeks. I’d suggest the LA Times, as we did before. Smaller papers don’t run as many ads as they used to. I know you don’t want this to stand out.”
“I’ll set up the posting as soon as we’re done.”
“Good. Today’s Tuesday, so let’s file with the clerk a week from today.” Marvin pulled out his phone and consulted his schedule. “Any time after one is good for me.”
“Then I’ll be at your office at one, and we can go straight from there.”
“Come a few minutes early. That way we can get everything signed and notarized before we leave. The filing fee’s a little over four hundred d
ollars.”
“It’ll be four hundred well spent,” Sydney assured him, as she put the appointment on her phone’s calendar.
“We’ll get our court date when we file. Then you know the rest. The judge’ll hold a hearing and review your petition and decide whether or not to grant it. We should be in and out, short and sweet.”
“Okay. I’ll work on getting the paperwork filled out.”
Marvin closed his briefcase and rose. “I’ll be ready on my end. We’ll transfer all your investments into Sydney Revere after that. My admin can help you with all the other things, from insurance to Social Security card. Getting a new driver’s license. The whole kit and caboodle.”
Sydney stood. “Thanks again for everything, Marvin. You were a rock for me after Craig died. You’ve managed everything for me all these years. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“I was happy to do it, Sydney. Craig was a good man and he wanted you taken care of, with no worries.” He paused. “I’m sorry your second marriage didn’t work out.”
She shrugged. “Me, too. Actually, I have one more thing to ask you.”
“Anything for you, sweetheart.”
“If—this is a big if—the time comes that I need a restraining order against Wake, I’d like it to already be drawn up.”
His brow creased in concern. “Your ex is giving you trouble?”
“Not in person. He’s called me a few times. I’ve changed my number after each incident. He sent me flowers at work. On my birthday and our anniversary. He wasn’t happy about the divorce, Marvin. He said that Marshalls didn’t get divorced. They soldiered on. His exact words, I kid you not.”
“You were supposed to soldier on while he screwed anything in a skirt?”
She chuckled. “Apparently so. I guess it was a family tradition. Wake’s mom read me the riot act the minute she learned I’d filed for divorce. Said that her husband and every other Marshall man did as he pleased. I was to turn a blind eye to any affair, have a few babies, preferably males to keep the Marshall name going, and keep my chin up and my mouth shut.” Sydney shook her head. “That wasn’t in my blood.”
The lawyer hugged her. “I’ll see that we have that paperwork ready to go in case it’s ever needed. Take care, Sydney. I’ll see you next week in the office.”
She saw him out and glanced at the clock. She had time to jump in the shower before she headed over to the house the Corrigans were renting for the summer.
The hot shower perked her up. She decided since it was an informal affair, she could get by with mascara and lipstick. She applied them quickly and then pulled the topknot from her head, bending over and shaking her hair out. Sydney brushed it with care. She wasn’t vain about her looks but she was happy to glance in the mirror and have her real hair back. It spilled just past her shoulders, the color rich and vibrant once again, thanks to Ramon’s magic touch and the glaze he’d sent home with her.
Sydney pulled on one of her mother’s sundresses. She’d moved all of mom’s clothes at the Malibu house into her bedroom once the first stepmother arrived and tried to give away Monica’s clothing. No one had emptied Sydney’s closet during all the years she’d been away. It pleased her that she still had a small part of her mom and that everything fit. She’d been able to wear her mom’s shorts and T-shirts and other beach clothes this week while she worked. She’d even put on a couple of her swimsuits and taken a dip in the cold ocean at the end of each day’s work. Sydney still had to buy some new clothes but she would never get rid of what remained at the Malibu house. It made her feel closer to her mom simply by wearing things that had belonged to the woman she’d loved so much.
Time to head down the beach. Sydney grabbed a pair of sandals to put on once she arrived. As she walked through the sand, she inhaled deeply. The smell of the salty sea air always revitalized her. She was glad her dad had kept the beach house as a retreat.
“Sydney!”
She held a hand up to shade her eyes and saw Cassie waving up ahead. Next to her stood a stunning, petite woman with shoulder-length brunette hair. Sydney waved back.
Cassie introduced them after she arrived. “This is Melanie Cameron, who’s one of my closest friends. Melanie, this is Sydney Revere, and you’re going to love her. We’re already like sisters.”
“I’m so happy to meet you, Sydney. I was the only girl in the midst of four brothers so I love to collect sisters of choice any time I can.” Melanie gave her a sweet smile. “I hope we’ll become good friends.”
“I’d like that,” Sydney said, already warming to Melanie.
Melanie shared a little bit about herself so Sydney did the same, leaving out her missing years as she had with Cassie. She knew the day would come when she’d explain her past to Cassie and probably Melanie. Already, she was charmed by Cassie’s friend, who was funny and easygoing.
“Hey, it’s getting close,” Rhett called out from the deck above. He waved, a long spatula in his hand.
“I’ve already sliced up fruit and made a spinach salad with feta cheese,” Cassie said. “All we’ll need to do is put it on the table and make sure everyone has a drink. Come on, let’s head in.”
Sydney let the water lap around her ankles a last time before she followed the two women. They rinsed the sand off their feet at an outdoor shower and then entered the house. Cassie told Sydney to leave her sandals because she wouldn’t need them, then she led them up the stairs.
Melanie said, “I can’t wait for you to meet Ken.”
“Ken Cameron?” Sydney asked. “He’s your husband?”
Melanie smiled. “Ken’s my baby, all right. He’s a real sweetheart. He and Rhett go way back. They’ve played poker together for years.”
Sydney already thought Rhett Corrigan was charming. She’d spoken with him a few times during this past week. For a star of his magnitude, Rhett was refreshingly candid and down-to-earth. She couldn’t see Rhett wasting time around phony people so she knew Melanie wasn’t exaggerating and that Ken must be a great guy.
They stepped into the large living room. Cassie and Melanie made their way into the kitchen. Sydney paused to enjoy the amazing view. A glass wall exposed the Pacific Ocean in all its glory. Four men were on the deck. Sydney saw Rhett flipping burgers and talking with Ken Cameron, who looked even more handsome in person. Two others stood with their backs to her, both resting their arms on the deck’s railing as they stared out at the water.
Sydney went into the kitchen. Cassie handed her the salad bowl.
“Would you take this out on the deck? I think we should eat outside since the weather’s so nice.”
“Sure.”
Sydney crossed the living room and stepped through the open door.
Rhett greeted her. “Hey, Sydney. Glad you could make it.” He motioned to his left. “This is Ken. I’m sure you’ve already met Melanie.”
Ken shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Sydney.” He hollered to the other men standing at the rail. “Hey, guys. Come meet Sydney.”
The first man turned and started toward her. He had to be the trainer from the way he walked and the way he was built.
“Leo,” he told her as he offered his hand. Sydney concentrating on balancing the bowl against her hip with one hand and trying to shake with the other. “I try to keep these guys in tiptop shape.”
Then the other man turned and made his way over. “Hi, Sydney. Nice to see you again,” he drawled.
It was Dash DeLauria.
CHAPTER 7
Dash couldn’t believe Sydney Revere was standing on the deck a few feet in front of him. He’d dreamed about this woman for a week straight, waking up each morning feeling more unfulfilled than when he went to sleep. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen—and Hollywood was full of pretty faces.
Her hair finally matched the pictures from her past. The lifeless, mousy brown shade had become a glorious auburn that skimmed the tops of her bare shoulders. The bright sunlight falling on it brought out a
rainbow of rich reds. It was the perfect shade—for the perfect woman.
“Hello,” Sydney said primly, her eyes falling to her feet.
Was she shy?
“Hey, I didn’t know you two knew each other,” Rhett said as he began sliding burgers from the grill onto an oblong platter.
“We met at Monty Revere’s house,” Dash revealed as Cassie and Melanie appeared with other dishes for the meal. “I wanted to talk to Monty and let him know I was interested in auditioning for No Regrets.”
Cassie set a large bowl of fruit on the picnic table. “How did you even know about it?”
Leo raised a hand, a sheepish smile on his face. “I’ll take the blame for that one. You were so excited about the screenplay, Cassie, and double excited when Monty signed on. I mentioned it—in passing—to Dash.”
“So a trainer isn’t like a stylist?” Melanie asked. “You know, the secrets women reveal to their hairdresser never get out. It’s like Vegas, only ten times more.”
“I’m not usually a blabbermouth,” Leo protested. “And I know zero about the script. Just that Monty agreed to direct for your production company.”
“I’ll give you a pass, Leo,” Cassie told him. Then she scrutinized Dash for a minute. “I know we just met for the first time today. But . . .” Her voice trailed off and then her eyes cut to Sydney.
Dash watched a look pass between the two women. He hoped it meant something good. “I do have to thank Leo for the tip. I guess Monty is intrigued enough to have me read because I’m auditioning on Thursday at ten.”
He watched Sydney mouth “Paul” to Cassie. Both women nodded.
Cassie turned back to Dash. He dragged his eyes from Sydney to concentrate on his hostess. “I’ve only seen one movie you’ve been in so I don’t want to make a judgment call here. Or give you false hope. I’ll just say good luck to you, Dash. I hope you knock the audition out of the park.”
“Thanks.”
