A Captivating Conundrum (41 page)

I watched a shadow pass over Matt's face as he scanned the streets. "I hope Chris remembers to wait for me," he mumbled.

"For what?"

He took a deep breath. "We're going to pick something up this afternoon…for the show."

God, he was a rotten liar, but I let him have it. Apparently, I just didn't want to ask any question that would make Matt disappear even quicker than I already knew he would.

I took Amber's hand. "You excited?"

She nodded so fast that it looked like her neck had come detached from her head; her excitement seemed to mix with mine and fill the car to the roof with female giddiness.

"I can't wait for the Prescott's to come and see me. They'll love me in the play."

"I'm sure they already do, kiddo. The play will just be icing on the cake." I winked.

Matthew snorted, "Figures I'd be working with a girl who will totally upstage me."

I rested my hand on his leg. "Well, when the show comes to Broadway you can have all the accolades for yourself. Amber will be far too busy for the stage once she becomes a Prescott."

"I will?" Her face dropped a bit.

"Well, not forever. But I would assume family, school—all that stuff is something to concentrate on for a while."

She nodded. "Okay. BUT, you come too!"

I nodded. "I will. I'll be the visitor they can't get rid of!" 

She smiled wide.

"Besides, you and I have to go to Opening Night and cheer for old Matt, here."

"My two favorite ladies watching me?" He put on his Hollywood smile. "Now that sounds like a very good night."

Suddenly the SUV came to a rapid stop sending us flying into the front seat. Rolling my eyes and trying to calm my jumping stomach, I stepped out in front of my apartment and realized that the SUV was actually on the sidewalk, not next to it. 

"Here we are!"

"Jesus, Nicole," I groaned. "You're gonna kill someone."

I turned to see Bobby's angry face as he pulled up fast and stepped from his car. Chris was just a tad paler, clutching his chest as if the heart attack was coming at any minute.

"Oh, there you are," Nicole said. "About time."

Bobby shook his head. "Why is there never a cop out when you're driving? Hell, when I go ten miles over the speed limit in the middle of bloody nowhere they're all over the place."

Nicole reached up and pinched his cheek. "I have a gift."

"Yeah, the gift of manslaughter."

Laughing, Nicole turned and gave me a hug. "Get back to work up there. I still need Book Two, you know," said the New York literary agent.
Yup…I'm home again.

"Ma'am, Yes, Ma'am!" I saluted my drill sergeant.

"Chris and I are headed out," Matt said.

I looked at Chris who was leaning up against the SUV as Bobby spoke in calm, soothing tones. It was true. Getting to know Nicole was frightening.

"Have a blast," I said, leaning in and giving him a kiss. The kiss was stronger than I assumed it would be, as Matt's hand went behind my neck and held me in place.

"She has to WORK!"

I giggled against his lips, as Matt sighed.

"You've had her for yourself and it's back to work now. Books don't write themselves, you KNOW!" 

Stepping away from me, Matt bowed at the waist and turned to Chris.

Chris stared wide-eyed at the SUV, as Nicole jumped back in and, without giving me any time to say goodbye to Amber, hit the gas pedal and received a one-finger salute from what seemed like all the city dwellers within twenty blocks. 

Chris stared at the back of her completely un-dented SUV and looked at Matt. "Can we walk?"

"It's blocks away," Matt replied.

Chris nodded. "That's okay. You're always telling me that exercise is good." Turning slowly, still a bit green, Chris kissed Bobby goodbye and my partner and I watched them stroll down the street.

Suddenly Chris turned around and waved back. "Love you."

I smiled up at a blushing Bobby. "I think he means you."

"Get your ass upstairs and go to work." He straightened his back and waved his finger in my face. "Books don't write themselves, you KNOW!" 

Thirty-Two

~ His ~

I don't think I can describe
Tiffany's
to a person who has never been inside its doors. To me, the instant sparkle makes you feel as you've entered the palace of Zeus.

Chris walked almost as fast as Nicole drove once we entered the legendary store, as if he already knew exactly what item had been created to represent his love for Bobby. When I saw the piece he picked, I was surprised. Nothing ornate, nothing flashy—just simple, elegant and understated. A lot like Bobby, in fact. 

"What do you think?" Chris held up the ring.

"I think that's Bobby."

Chris smiled. "Me too."

The lady looked at us as if I was the recipient of Chris's choice. I shook my head and her smile seemed to grow wider. "If there's anything I can help you with, please let me know," she said, in a throaty voice.

I nodded, disliking the suggestive tone. Moving slowly away from the case, she glanced back over her shoulder and sent me a 'come hither' look which made her immediately pale in my eyes. Of course, after Beth, even the diamonds seemed dull.

"You're lucky, you know." Chris laughed, staring at the back of the saleswoman.

"Why's that?"

"Beth."

"I'd say she's a freakin miracle."

Patting me on the arm, we strolled from cabinet to cabinet. "No, I mean," Chris pointed at the woman who was now staring at me from her place across the room as if she was about to fly into my arms. "Beth is so relaxed about things like this—fans, adoring chicks, annoying women who hit on you."

"What makes you say that?"

"Beth's independent and has her own stellar career, but it just happens to be a career that would allow her to stand beside you when you need her. She's not one of those women who would be attached to your hip pocket, or holding on to your rising star." Chris laughed, as I remembered a few relationships that did have that vibe I really didn't like. "And she's secure in herself, I'll give her that."

"She has no reason not to be," I said, wondering if—with her beauty—
my
jealous streak would rear its ugly head just a time or two more.

Chris knew what I was thinking and laughed. "When you were dancing with her in that bar and watching the other men looking at her, you were relaxed, too."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Well," he added. "Proprietary, but relaxed."

I laughed. "Hard not to be. Beth…"

"Doesn't look like anyone else." Chris nodded. "But I would think her being so relaxed and not one of those actress/model/showgirls, who want the camera, would be nice for you. Especially considering the fact that your star is going to rise much higher."

My heart beat a tad faster, hoping he was right. I still had so many goals I wanted to reach. "I wouldn't mind Beth being a little proprietary once in a while." I smirked, coming to rest in front of the emerald shining among the sparkling diamonds.

Chris laughed. "She's a Scorpio, dear. Proprietary is something that's in there…as you should know. But she wouldn't be all bossy and naggy."

"Yeah," I laughed. "Bossy and naggy is a pain."

"I'm just saying." Chris nodded at the ring. "Beth is different…in all categories. You've hit the jackpot." He offered me a small, odd stare. "Unless you screw it up, of course."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

~***~

As we walked back to Beth's apartment I tried the cell, noticing for the first time that I had way too many unreturned messages. I suppose this was payback for having the time of my life and ignoring the rest of the world.

Chris shrugged. "Well, when you're a star, you're a star." He looked at the list. "This Chance, guy has called like a billion times in the last three days. Who's he? Your doctor?"

I shook my head. "Just part of the crew." I chose to ignore the messages for the moment, not wanting to deal with some silly story about girls or sports. Dialing Beth, it went straight to voicemail and I began to laugh, listening to Amber's strong voice inform the caller that 'Star' was not there at the moment and I should just leave my name and number. When the beep resounded, I told Beth we were on our way back, knowing she was already locked behind a door putting the finishing touches to the next story that would have the world talking.

Chris stared at the bag in my hand. "When are you going to say it? I already know you love her. So?"

I took a deep breath. "Tomorrow night. After the show." 

"Good choice." Chris nodded. "All work will be over, and magic will be in the air in this grand city." He clapped his hands. "I wish I could be there. What are you wearing, by the way?"

"A tuxedo."

Chris put his hand on his hip. "Please tell me it's Armani?"

"Yes, sir," I answered quickly; knowing that if Chris found out it wasn't I would soon be wishing that Nicole had hit me with her SUV.

~ Hers ~

Everyone in the world will tell you about a day in their lives where they seriously had their mind on one thing and one thing only—sex. They wanted the incredible hands they remembered to touch them, and the incredible lips they were dying to kiss appear out of thin air. Of course, irony being what it is, Fate always picks that one day to make sure you are overloaded with work. Fate picks that day to make sure a small 'Hitler' with a loud voice barrages you with constant calls, faxes and texts, trying to get everything ready. 

Nicole was excited, and I assumed I should've been nervous about dropping the veil of Lily Stone and becoming just plain, old me in front of the world. But I wasn't. Lily Stone had served her purpose, and I was actually kind of happy about being able to meet fans, go to book signings and not have to live as a conundrum—a puzzle for the world to figure out. I so loved the letters I received from readers that I was truly thrilled to finally have a chance to speak with them in person. 

I buried the 'one bad moment,' leaving it far behind. Staring out at the city I loved so much, I thought about Matt and how my 'coming out' may or may not affect him. In his position there were already stories, cameras—even lies and innuendo that were spread like manure. But my background was clean, so any tabloids would have to work hard to make things up if they wanted to make me look bad. I still remembered that when Nicole had mentioned the unveiling Matt had lit up, as if he wanted to stand beside me as I said goodbye to Lily Stone once and for all.

I took a deep breath. It was so nice to have someone who wanted to support me. Odd, really. It was almost as if we fell into some kind of partnership that came with all the other billions of amazing things he'd brought into my life.

As I began the ending for Book Two and set my characters in their places for what would lead to the final tale of a trilogy that hopefully no one would soon forget, I heard the key in the lock. "Bobby, seriously, I'm almost finished."