by Alexa Aston
Worse, Marker hadn’t been able to find out where she’d gone.
The door opened. The burly PI came in and headed straight to Wake’s table.
“You’re fifteen minutes late.”
“I had to finish checking something out.” The ex-cop sat and leaned beefy arms on the tiny round table.
“Did you find where she’s gone?”
Marker gave him a tight smile. “Getting there. She called her PA a few hours ago.”
“Could you trace the call?”
“She offered Brenda a job. Near LA.”
“She’s in California?” Wake couldn’t imagine Sydney there. She always bundled up in turtlenecks or heavy sweaters and slacks. Thinking of her in the land of endless sunshine didn’t fit.
“Brenda turned in her notice. She’s already booked a flight to LAX next weekend.” Marker told him the airline and time.
“I want you on that plane. If Sydney doesn’t meet her at the airport, you can find her through Brenda.”
“I’ve already made my reservation. I can slip a tracking device in the assistant’s handbag, either at the airport when she’s boarding or on the plane.”
Wake made a quick decision. “Let me do it.”
“You?” Marker chuckled. “I don’t think so.”
Wake gritted his teeth. “I’m the one paying you. I want to go. I want to see her in person.”
“Show up out of nowhere? You’ll scare her shitless, Wake.” He paused. “You want to win her back? You’ve gotta finesse your way in this kind of situation.”
Marker was right. Dejectedly, he said, “Okay. You follow Brenda. Find out where she goes. Discover Sydney’s address and new phone number. She’s ditched her phone. Again.”
“Have I let you down so far? No. Trust me, Wake. I’ll take care of this. As soon as I know, I’ll pass along everything I can about Sydney’s new life.”
That would have to do. For now.
CHAPTER 17
Sydney froze. The bottom of her stomach crashed. Panic surged through her like an electrical current.
Dash loved her?
It wasn’t possible. She hadn’t heard him right. Or he’d just been caught up in the moment as they told Herc goodnight.
But his eyes burned into her soul. He’d meant exactly what he’d said.
He caught her wrist with firm fingers and led her down the hallway to another bedroom and closed the door.
“I know you’re shocked to your core hearing those words from me, Sydney, but I don’t regret saying them.”
“You don’t know me, Dash. You have no idea about the baggage I’m carrying around.”
He captured her other wrist and gazed at her a long moment. “I don’t care what’s in your past, Syd. Whatever happened or didn’t. Whatever you struggled with or you’re hiding or you’ve tried to forget, it’s made you the strong, confident woman I see before me now. You don’t ever have to tell me anything that’s already occurred. We’re here, together, right here and now. The present—and our future—that’s what I’m interested in.”
“You don’t know me,” she pleaded.
“You’re wrong.” His thumbs slowly started moving in circles against the underside of her wrists, causing her to tighten as he if he’d entered her. Sydney couldn’t think when he touched her like this. When he touched her, period.
“I know you’re passionate and compassionate. That you’re loyal to your friends and they’re loyal back—which says a lot. You’re intelligent and funny and kind. Sydney, I’ll be thirty this summer. I’ve never been in love in all that time. I’ve never said those words to any woman. I don’t even think I believed love really existed. I haven’t trusted a woman since my mom left. I didn’t need her and I’ve never needed any woman since.” He smiled. “Then you showed up unexpectedly and turned my world upside down.”
No, he was making a mistake. She had to prove him wrong. “I think you’re connecting getting the role in No Regrets with me. You’re tying those two things together in your mind. You’re on a natural high landing the role of Paul. Yes, we seem to have crazy, off the charts chemistry, but that’s lust, Dash. Love is way different.”
His fingers tightened on her. “I’ll admit I’m wildly attracted to you. I can’t seem to get enough of you. You’re a remarkable person, Sydney. I’m drawn to all of you, not just the physical you. In my bones, I know it’s love. It’s what I feel for Herc—this fierce, protective wave of unexplainable emotion. I want to support you in whatever you do. Guard you from any pain or hurt. I’d like to spend every waking moment with you. Keep you safe.”
Dash paused. “And I know this is real because I want to be a better man for you. Be the man you deserve. Be the one I know I can be—if I’m with you.”
It was as if he’d punched her. Sydney couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t fathom how he’d fallen in love with her so quickly, so certainly.
Except for the fact that she felt the exact same way.
His hands slid up her arms and kneaded her shoulders. “I probably should’ve kept my mouth shut. Waited three months. Six months. A year. However long I thought it would take for you to feel comfortable hearing those words from me.” He shook his head. “It’s as if the blood racing through my veins sings your name. I had to tell you I love you. I want you to see I’m committed to you. And I don’t expect to hear it back anytime soon. Just know that’s how I feel. I’ll wait as long as it takes, Sydney. Even if it’s forever.”
Her eyes flooded with tears, so thick she couldn’t see him.
“It’s okay, babe. I know it’s a lot to take in. It is for me, too.” Dash dabbed at her eyes with the pads of his thumbs.
“I love you, too,” Sydney blurted out.
He grew still, then his warm palms encircled her neck and massaged it lightly. “For real?” he asked softly.
Sydney nodded. No words were needed. Dash enfolded her in an embrace and held her against him for a long time. Utter peace blanketed her. She closed her eyes and drifted away.
Finally, he released her. “I need to get you home.”
Disappointment flooded her. Her eyes must have revealed her feelings.
Dash said, “You have a lot to process, babe. It’s been a long day. Let me take you home.”
Instead of driving, Dash walked her home. They held hands as they slowly walked the few blocks to her dad’s place. Sydney knew Dash did so in order for them to spend more time together.
As they approached the porch, his hand tightened on hers. A rush of love poured through her for this man.
Her man.
Dash gave her a long, sweet kiss goodnight.
“I’d call you in the morning but I don’t have your number,” he said with a straight face.
That caused her to laugh. She retrieved her phone from her purse and handed it to him. “Punch in your digits, DeLauria. I’ll call you so you have my number. Maybe I’ll answer it when you call.”
He handed the phone back to her. “It’s still a piece of crap throwaway. We need to get you a new phone tomorrow.”
“Like you can stroll into Apple with me and not cause a scene.”
He chuckled. “I have more disguises in my repertoire than a Dodgers cap and sunglasses, you know.”
“If you say so. I’ve got to meet with Dad tomorrow morning. Also, Regina might’ve lined up a few auditions for Rachel so the phone store will have to wait.”
“Then call me after you meet with Monty. Let me know how your day’s shaping up.”
“Okay.”
Dash hugged her close to him. “I love you, Syd.” He kissed her cheek. “Go inside or we’ll be saying goodnight until the sun comes up. The famously moody Diamond will arrive tomorrow morning and give me an earful for making out with you all night long.”
“Diamond will come around. She’s always had a soft spot for me. If she sees I’m happy, she may give you a chance. Even if you are an actor.”
Sydney kissed Dash again and went inside the house
. She leaned against the door for support because she thought her legs might buckle underneath her.
She loved Dash. He returned that love. Sydney was the luckiest female on the planet.
As long as Wake didn’t find out where she was.
◆◆◆
Sydney sucked in deep breaths of salted air as she bent and placed her hands to her knees.
“Am I killing you, Revere?”
She slowly raised up and then punched Dash in the arm. “Yes. I’m not a runner. On the beach or anywhere else. I do Tae Kwon Do. That’s about speed and agility. Not endurance like running. Which I detest.”
“Really—Tae Kwon Do?” His eyes lit with interest as he stared at her legs. “I can see those long legs doing the head-high and spin kicks. That’s so cool. My girl does martial arts.” He gave her a crooked smile.
Sydney dropped her head and wrapped her hands around the backs of her ankles to stretch her leg muscles. She didn’t want Dash to see the blush she could feel heating her cheeks. Little things, such as him calling her his girl, made her absurdly giddy.
It had been a week since he’d told her he loved her and Sydney couldn’t have been happier. They’d gone to dinner at Ken and Melanie’s house, along with Rhett and Cassie. The three couples had enjoyed each other’s company during an afternoon of swimming, followed by dinner and a game night. Ken was crazy about Win, Lose, or Draw so they broke into male and female teams. It had come down to the last clue and Sydney was pleased that Dash won the game for the men. She grumbled along with her teammates but she was glad how well she and Dash fit in with the other two couples.
Auditions had begun in earnest for Rachel. Regina liked one actress that Cassie and Sydney couldn’t picture in the role but they agreed on two others for the callback. Dash would test with all three women on Monday. She would have to be at her most objective when she watched those actresses interact with Dash.
“I’m going to hit the shower,” she told him. “I don’t want to be late picking up Brenda.”
Dash followed her inside. They both stripped off their sweaty clothes. She caught the hungry look in his eyes.
“No,” she said firmly. “Go use Dad’s shower. If I let you in mine, I’ll definitely be late. I don’t want Brenda standing around, worrying about me.”
He gave her a wolfish grin. “As long as you make it up to me tonight. See you back at my place.”
Sydney showered and dressed and drove to LAX. Jayla had found Brenda the perfect apartment, while Sydney had stocked it with food and other necessities such as paper towels and toilet paper. Brenda’s furniture was on its way. In the meantime, Sydney had purchased a blow-up air mattress that Brenda could sleep on for a couple of nights.
She checked her phone again at a light and saw the plane had landed. She located a parking spot and went to baggage claim to wait. Her phone chimed. Brenda texted she had disembarked and would be there soon. Sydney griped the new phone. She’d destroyed the throwaway that she’d bought. She was three thousand miles from Wake. She had a new phone number. She’d put the postings in the newspaper and had her court date for her legal name change to take place. In the meantime, everything she did was in her Sydney Revere name. Her ex-husband had no idea who that was.
Sydney wanted to keep it that way.
She spotted a beaming Brenda weaving her way through the throng gathered around the conveyor belt spitting out luggage. As they hugged, Sydney was relieved that Brenda had decided to come to LA. She’d been the only friend Sydney had made during her time in Boston and she hated leaving her behind.
“You look amazing. You almost don’t look like you because you look so fantastic.” Brenda inspected her carefully. “I always knew the good bone structure was there. Auburn has to be your natural color. It belongs on you. And you’re wearing lipstick. And mascara! No wonder you snagged Mr. Wonderful.” Brenda’s eyes twinkled. “Yes, I’m quick enough not to use real names in public but I can’t wait to get in the car and let you spill.”
Brenda had only checked a single suitcase. Sydney offered to take her carry-on. Brenda explained that the rest of her clothes would be coming with her furniture. They rolled the bag to Sydney’s car and put it in the trunk. Brenda hugged her again.
“It’s great to be here. Even if I’ve heard the traffic sucks.”
“You’ll need to get a car,” Sydney said as they got in. “Dash rented you one for now. It was delivered to his place yesterday.”
“Tell me everything, Sydney. How on earth did you hook up with a famous movie star? I mean, even if you are gorgeous, you have to meet them first, right?”
Sydney put her blinker on and pulled out into traffic. She explained to Brenda who her parents were and that she’d left LA a long time ago, trying to find herself.
“In the end, I was ready to come home.”
“At least it’ll put more miles between you and The Creep.”
That was Brenda’s pet name for Wake. “Did he send anything after I left? Or call?”
“Not a peep from The Creep. I didn’t tell the firm where I was going. I did call my parents and let them know I was moving cross country. They’re so busy playing bridge and dancing the conga and swinging golf clubs that all I got was, ‘Oh, that’s nice dear.’”
Sydney laughed. “At least you won’t be running into your ex here.”
“That’s a huge advantage. I’ll admit I’m still reeling over dating a guy six years and him not wanting to ever get married—and then he turns up engaged weeks after we break up.”
“He probably had her on the side the whole time, Brenda. You’re better off without him.”
“So, tell me about Dash DeLauria.”
“He’ll be a good boss. He’ll be hands off so you can do your thing. Dash is funny. A little messy.” Sydney paused. “And I love him.”
She stole a glance at Brenda and saw her baby blue eyes go round like a doll’s. “And?”
“He loves me back. He actually told me first.”
Sydney explained about Herc and Tim. “Herc, I found out, is named for Hercule Poirot, a famous detective in fiction. Tim is his full-time caregiver. When Tim goes out or has a day off, a guy named Don takes over. Dash and Herc have a really tight bond. It’s awesome to watch them together.”
“Herc will always live with Dash? You’re okay with that?”
“I am. Herc is incredible. He gets excited about all the small things we’ve forgotten as adults. Both Dash and Tim make sure that he stays active and continues to learn as much as he can. He’s got beautiful manners, always saying please and thank you.”
“You sound like you love him, too.”
They pulled into Brenda’s apartment complex. “I do care for Herc. He’s a special guy.” Sydney parked the car. “This is your new place.”
Brenda retrieved her suitcase and Sydney gave her the keys to the apartment. She dropped the carry-on on the breakfast bar as Brenda wandered around. She kept raving about how light and airy the apartment was.
“You’re sure I can afford this?”
“With what Dash is paying you? Absolutely. It’s about a ten-minute drive to his house in Santa Monica. I’ve been staying at my dad’s, which is a few blocks from Dash.”
“Then it’s probably time for me to meet my new boss.” Brenda unzipped her carry-on and pulled out her iPad and purse. “Let’s hit the road.”
◆◆◆
The transmitter had come to a halt fifteen minutes ago. Marker had taken time to rent a car before he followed them. Now, he was only a few blocks away. He decided to cruise by and see where Brenda Pearson and Sydney Brown had stopped. He waited as a gray BMW pulled out before he turned into an apartment complex. He found the exact apartment, thanks to the minute device he’d slipped into the outside pocket of Brenda Pearson’s carry-on luggage.
Marker backed into a spot that gave him a good view of the apartment. He’d wait for Sydney to leave and follow her from there.
CHAPTER 18
; “I’d ask if you’re ready for today but I don’t think anyone is ready to watch their boyfriend kiss another woman. Even if it’s only acting,” Cassie said as she entered the audition room.
“Does it bother you when Rhett has a scene where he has to pretend to be in love with someone else?” Sydney asked.
“Of course. You’d have to have a heart of stone not to let it upset you.” Cassie thought a moment. “I won’t say you get used to it but you learn how to compartmentalize it.”
“I’ll let you in on a secret. Though I know it’ll bother me, I think Dash is more upset about it than I am.”
“Really? Do tell.”
Sydney took the seat to Cassie’s right. “We had a long talk about it last night. He told me how nervous he was. He’s never been in a serious relationship before, much less with a woman who’ll be watching him kiss multiple other women and judging how good their chemistry is together. He started talking about asking you to do rewrites so the love story wasn’t so prominent.”
Cassie’s jaw dropped.
Before the Texan could erupt in anger, Sydney reassured her. “Don’t worry. I talked him off the ledge. I made him realize the feelings that develop between Paul and Rachel while they’re on the run are a huge part of the storyline.”
“Bless you,” Cassie said, relief evident on her face. “I couldn’t begin to wrap my head around changing the plot. I know it happens all the time, especially with demanding, temperamental actors, but I’m not known to be one to budge.” She grinned. “And I’d have to send Rhett over to straighten Dash out.”
Sydney laughed. “I guess I’m glad I did that all on my own. I’d hate to see either of their handsome faces sporting a black eye. No, I convinced Dash that he landed the part because he’s such a terrific actor. It’s actually Paul kissing someone—not Dash. He got it. He told me he would probably stay in character on set to keep that separation. He doesn’t want any blurred lines.”
At that moment, Dash stuck his head in the room. “Mind if I come in?”
