Hollywood Wives - the New Generation (31 page)

'I know - but, still, it
is
a famous story.'

'Well, now you've heard the correct version,' Montana said briskly.
'It certainly doesn't bother me. I've managed to have a pretty nice
career.'

'Is there a man in your life now?'

'Man? Woman?' Montana said casually. 'I travel both roads.'

'Oh?' Taylor said, slightly shocked. 'I didn't know.'

'It makes life
so
much less complicated,' Montana said
with a slight smile. 'Still want to go to the party with me?'

'Can't wait,' Taylor said.

Saffron and Nicci cruised the party.

'I feel like a snake died in my stomach.' Nicci groaned. 'And you
know what? I haven't spoken to Evan since yesterday.'

'You mean a whole day has gone by and you haven't called him?'
Saffron said. 'Now
that'll
make him
major
suspicious.'

'What do I say to him?' Nicci wailed. 'I'm like
so
not a
good liar.'

'Tell him you've been having an awesome time without him,' Saffron
suggested. 'Oh, yeah,
then
tell him you screwed his brother.'

'Shut
up
,' Nicci said crossly. 'I'm upset enough.'

'No, you're not,' Saffron argued. 'You're hung-over. Hey - what's a
fuck between friends?'

'We're
not
friends, and I keep on reminding you, I'm
marrying
Brian's brother. Anyway - nothing happened.'

'Was nothing good?' Saffron asked slyly.

'For God's sake, Saff,' Nicci said, taking out her cellphone. 'I'd
better call him now. He's left me six messages.'

'Isn't that like
obsessive
?'

'No. When he's in L.A. he speaks to his mother all the time.'

'So now you're mommy number two, is that it?'

'He likes to keep in touch.'

'Doncha mean keep tabs on you?' Saffron said.

'It's not that way.'

'I'll tell you somethin', Nic. From what I've seen of him, Evan
seems kinda uptight.'

'What do you mean?' she asked, staring at her friend.

'C'mon, you
know
what I mean. The dude's only thirty, an'
acts like he's sixty!'

'No, he doesn't,' she said, defending the man she planned to marry.

'Yeah, he
does,'
Saffron insisted. 'He never wants to hit
the clubs, or hang with our friends. I'm always inviting you, and you
always say, "Evan's not up to it. Evan doesn't feel like it. Evan's
busy working." I mean, what
is
that? Are you gonna shut
yourself away when you're married to him? You're nineteen, not some old
lady.'

'It's 'cause our relationship is new,' Nicci explained. 'Evan
prefers to spend time with me alone.'

'Yeah,' Saffron said disbelievingly. 'Keep on foolin' yourself,
girl.'

Nicci found a quiet corner and made the call. Evan answered his
cellphone on the second ring. 'Where the
hell
have you
been?'
he demanded.

'I was busy,' she said, feeling incredibly guilty. 'Uh… y'know, like
with wedding arrangements and stuff.'

'And you couldn't keep your phone on?'

'Didn't realize it was off.'

'I tried you all night, and God knows how many times today. You've
ruined my day, you know that?'

'Sorry.'

'Why didn't you call me when you got up this morning?'

'I was going to, then I figured you were busy on the set.'

'I don't appreciate this behaviour, Nicci,' he said sternly. 'I
don't like it at all.'

'Sorry,' she repeated sulkily. He might not like her behaviour, but
she was getting real pissed at the way he was speaking to her.

'Is that all you've got to say for yourself?' he demanded.

'You're not my freakin
' father
, Evan!' she said, suddenly
losing it. 'And while we're questioning each other, I heard a rumour
you were engaged before me, is that true?'

'Who told you
that
?'

'I'm asking you if it's true.'

'It wasn't really an engagement.'

'Did you give her a ring?'

'Yes,' he answered reluctantly.

'Then you
were
engaged?'

'I didn't marry her, did I?' he said belligerently.

'No, and you also didn't tell me about it, did you?' she responded.
'When I asked you if there had been anyone serious before me, you told
me, "Absolutely not." '

'This is not something to be discussed over the phone,' he said.

'No, it's not,' she said. 'And I don't like being spoken to as if
I'm a fucking
child.'
She punched the off button.

Now he was going to think that Brian had told her. She'd better warn
him. She quickly punched out his number. Thank God for cellphones!'

Brian's voice. 'Yeah?'

'It's me.'

'Hello, me.'

'You back at the location?'

'Yup.'

'Did you give Evan the envelope?'

'Yup.'

'You're gonna hate me.'

'What have you done now?'

'I think I blew it.'

'How?'

'Evan and I had a fight on the phone, and I told him I knew he'd
been engaged before.'

'
Shit
, Nic'

'I didn't say it was
you
who told me. Only in case he
accuses you, deny it. What d'you think?'

'I think you're a crazy girl who I never should have gotten involved
with.'

'I'm
not
a
girl!
she said furiously. 'I'm
not
crazy, and we're certainly
not
involved.'

'What are you - a boy?' he teased.

'Suck it up, Brian. I've taken enough crap for one night.'

'How d'you feel?'

'Lousy. And you?'

'Worse.'

'Good.'

'Good,' she says. 'Thanks.'

'I just wanted to warn you.'

'I'm duly warned.' And he clicked off.

Quite frankly, if she never spoke to either of the Richter brothers
again, she'd be a happy person.

It was eleven o'clock and the Domingos' party was still going
strong, which was unusual for Hollywood, as most people scampered home
at ten, claiming they had to be up early, even
if they didn't. In L.A. the impression of being incredibly busy was
most important, and there were certain rules to adhere to.

Lissa wanted to go home, she'd had enough. She'd sat through dinner
making polite conversation, but now Vegas was on her mind and she knew
she should get an early night. When Nicci came over, she was delighted
to see her.

'How're you doin', Mom?' Nicci asked.

'Surprisingly well,' Lissa replied, thinking how pretty her daughter
looked. 'Off to Vegas on Thursday.'

'I know.'

'Sorry you're not coming with me, but you know how I feel about
exposing you to the whole publicity circus, and no doubt they'll be out
in force.'

'Saff's arranged my bachelorette party on Saturday, so I couldn't've
come anyway,' Nicci said.

'I'm sorry I'll miss that.'

'C'mon, Mom,' Nicci said, grinning. 'You wouldn't've been invited
anyway.'

'Thanks.'

'Like I hardly think naked male strippers and macho studs dangling
it in front of your nose would be your scene.'

'That might be exactly what I need right now,' Lissa said, laughing
ruefully.

'No way,' Nicci said. 'Oh, yeah, and like before I forget, Evan's
mom is flying in. She wants to meet you.'

'Arrange something for when I get back. How soon is the wedding now?'

'Two weeks,' Nicci said, trying not to mind that her mother had
forgotten the date of her only daughter's wedding. 'And I'm nervous.'

'It'll be wonderful,' Lissa assured her, determined to be more
involved. 'Can I come and see your dress next week?'

'If you want to.'

'Of
course
I want to.'

They kissed and hugged. Nicci wished her luck with her show, and
Lissa said she hoped the bachelorette night was a blast.

'I'll call you Sunday morning, find out all about the dangling macho
studs,' Lissa said, with a smile.

'Thanks, Mom,' Nicci said, grinning. 'I'll be sure to take notes
especially for you!'

By the time Lissa tracked James down, he was ready to go, although
Claude seemed to be having an excellent time catching up with all his
pals in the music business, listening to the Latino band, and admiring
the two gorgeous Latino singers, male
and
female.

'I'm gonna stay a while,' Claude announced. 'You an' Lissa take the
car an' send it back for me.'

'Very well,' James replied, somewhat tight-lipped.

'Come, Lissa.'

'You're an amazing couple,' Lissa remarked, as they stood outside
the front door waiting for the Rolls.

'What do you mean?' James said.

'The two of you are complete opposites. You're so English and
proper. Well,' she said, laughing lightly, 'not exactly
proper
,
but you know what I mean. And Claude is Mister Music Biz.'

'Sometimes those are the relationships that work the best,' James
said mysteriously. 'Although I'm not at all thrilled about Claude
wanting to stay. He has eyes for the sleazy singer in the tight pants,
the one with the eyebrows and the attitude. The poor dear is
experiencing a slut night!'

'Are you faithful to each other?' Lissa asked curiously.

'If you're inquiring as to whether we're always true to each other,
the answer is… sometimes.'

'Sometimes?'

'Yes, dear. Do not question me further. It's a gay thing.'

Montana drove her sleek black Ferrari extremely fast. She roared up
to the front of the Domingo estate, pulling up just as Lissa and James
were about to get into Claude's Rolls.

'Lissa!' Taylor said, frantically waving. 'My best friend! How
are
you?' She jumped out of the Ferrari, ran over to Lissa and gave her a
big hug. 'I know you must think I'm the disloyal friend of all time,
but I'm working. Isn't
that
something?'

'Larry told me.'

'Lissa, do you know Montana Gray?' Taylor asked as Montana walked
over.

Lissa turned and extended her hand to the tall, striking-looking
woman. 'It's a pleasure to meet you,' she said. 'I've heard many good
things about you.'

'Thanks,' Montana replied, smiling. 'The admiration's mutual.'

'I hope
we
get to work together one day.'

'Talk to your agent, I'm available,' Montana said.

'Right now she's mine!' Taylor interrupted. 'And I'm having the
best
time.'

'See you inside,' Montana said, still smiling. 'Nice meeting you,
Lissa.'

'Can you believe I'm working with her?' Taylor said excitedly, as
Montana entered the house.

'She seems great,' Lissa remarked.

'Not great - amazing!' Taylor enthused. 'It's only a cable movie,
but it's
such
a moving script. Today we shot my love scene
with - guess who?'

'Can't wait to hear.'

'Sonja Lucerne.'

'Really?'

'The movie's about two women in love. And it's powerful - especially
the love scenes. Oh, God, Lissa, I am
so
happy to be back in
action. Why did I ever stop?'

'You
stopped
to be there for Larry,' Lissa reminded her.

'And, speaking of Larry,' James said, joining in, 'he's inside, and
extremely pissed you're not here.'

'Oh dear. I suppose I should've called.'

'That would've been a good idea,' James said.

'I'd better go see
him. Is it a good party?'

'If you're into the music scene you'll be here all night,' Lissa
said. 'They've got a sensational Latino band.'

'Not
that
good.' James sniffed.

'The actors are fleeing now,' Lissa said, 'getting ready for their
early calls.'

'Sure,' Taylor said, laughing. 'Like some of them haven't had an
early call in years, right?'

Everyone laughed.

'As soon as I'm through with this movie, I'll come over and you can
fill me in on everything,' Taylor said, hugging Lissa. 'Of course, you
do
know that I never liked Gregg.'

'Who did?' James said,
sotto voce
.

'How come everyone's telling me now?' Lissa said irritably. 'I can't
understand why nobody mentioned it
before
I married him.'

'We did, only you weren't listening.' James nodded. 'Blinded by
love, dear.'

'And probably incredible sex,' Taylor added.

Lissa shook her head.
'See you in Vegas,' she said. 'And for your information, the sex was
not
that incredible.'

'Maybe I'll ask Montana if she wants to come to Vegas,' Taylor said.

'I'm sure Larry will be ecstatic,' James drawled. 'You know how he
adores
sharing your company.'

'He'll have to get used to it,' Taylor said crisply. 'I've decided
to change my lifestyle.'

'That'll be amusing to watch,' James said, getting in the car with
Lissa. 'You mark my words,' he said, wagging a long, thin index finger.
'There'll be nothing but trouble in the Oscar winner's paradise. Those
two are on a collision course, and it won't be pretty.'

By the time Amber and Quincy left Carol's apartment, it was past
ten. Michael stretched and yawned, he was dying to leave too. 'I got a
real busy day tomorrow,' he said to Carol, who didn't seem to be
listening.

'I was thinking,' she said, picking a rose out of a vase and
sniffing it.

'About what?'

'I was thinking that you might want to stay over tonight,' she said,
handing him the rose.

'Y'know, I'd love to,' he said, already on his feet. 'Only I've got
one of those days tomorrow, an' Q's kinda putting in half-days. So, you
know what it's like, everything's left to me.'

She put her arms around him, running her fingers through the hair at
the back of his neck. 'Michael, Michael,' she murmured dreamily, 'I'm
falling more in love with you every day. You do know that, don't you?'