Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (31 page)

He glanced behind him to find everyone watching, and wanting to get her out of the spotlight, he guided her behind the Hollywood Stardust façade. “Here, we don’t need an audience.”

“Take your hand off me.” She shrugged him away and stared down at the dog.

“His name is Spike.” He slowly made his way toward her.

As if she were doing an experiment, she backed up.

Spike went with her.

Again, she backed up to the same results.

“He sort of adopted me the day I moved into your place. Erin had him, but with the baby and everything…” He went to her side and shrugged. “He lost his original owner and apparently he only perks up around us. He needed to find his light and I thought he wanted to be with a star, but I think he’s looking for a different kind of light, maybe a beacon.”

“Ryder.” She let out a sigh.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry about the dog, the script, the douchebag director.” No one else was around, but he still looked for the spotlight blaring down on him melting his makeup.

“Are you sorry about this?” She swiped her phone out of her purse, hit a button, and held the device up to him.

No, no, no not something else. He grabbed the phone and read what the
National Reporter
wrote about them. Nothing unusual, the same old thing about women buying him. “All right.”

“That’s all you have to say?” She turned her back to him, her shoulders slumped down.

Cora didn’t have the years of tabloids behind her. Something he needed to remember. He took her by the shoulders. “I don’t think any of what they wrote is a secret. You know what I say?”

She shrugged.

“Let’s prove them wrong.” He turned her toward him.

“I don’t understand.” For a woman who normally looked people right in the eye, she focused on his chest.

“It doesn’t matter how we got here, all that matters is that we’re here.” Once the sentence left his mouth, it felt right.

“That sounds like a line from
Hollywood Stardom
.” Her unexpected canine friend right by her side, she stepped away from him.

“Let me show you something.” Like a kid showing off his new bike, he rushed over to her, pulled her down in a little corner behind the façade, and popped open a tiny door used for electric wires. “Look, baby.”

She leaned in to the writing behind the wood panel. “You did this?”

“The four of us wrote what we wanted to be on the wrap date of
Hollywood Stardust
.” He pointed at the list. “I wanted to be a rock star, but I can’t sing a note.”

“Erin wanted to be an actress, that’s a stretch.” Cora read Erin’s entry written in her oversized bubbly writing.

His legs killing him from his funky position, he sat on the ground and pulled Cora onto his lap. Spike came over and curled up next to them. They made a bizarre grouping, but one that fit in a strange way.

“Drew wanted to be an astronomer.” Cora let out one laugh.

“The guy is smart.” Ryder pointed to Logan’s entry. “Well, he said he wanted to be a director, talk about nailing his future.”

“The two of you did well on
Hollywood Starburst
. I was advised it was better not to overwhelm you, but I should have listened to my gut.” She leaned back against him. “Thank you for showing me this. Make sure no one ruins it now that they’re using it as a set piece again.”

Should he ask about his movie? Could he after he everything? He inhaled deeply and took his time exhaling. The exercise did nothing to clear his mind. “So, besides gaining a pet and firing the director, and of course seeing me, what brought you on set today?”

She ran her nail down his arm. “Do you ever feel like people are watching you?”

“Only every second of every day, except when we’re alone.” Her attention gave him some welcome shivers, and he turned his arm over for her to get the flip side.

“Not like that.” She turned and hid her face in his chest.

It was unlike her to make such a damsel in distress move. He took her chin in his hand and gently made her face him. “Did something happen this morning?”

She brushed his hand away and shook her head. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just not used to all this attention from the media. I usually show up in business journals.”

“Why didn’t you call me?” A sick sensation overtook him.

“The old director didn’t allow phones on set.”

“Well, the new directors allow it, especially in the case of the woman who runs the show.” His instinct told him it was something more, but it also told him not to push.

“I think I better get to work and let you meet with your co-director.” She pushed herself up. “You have a movie to make.”

Speaking of movies, this was the perfect in to what he needed. Why couldn’t he say the words? “Why don’t you hang out for a while?” He took hold of her hand.

Spike wedged himself between them.

“Ryder.” She looked down at the dog.

To sweeten the pot, he nuzzled her neck. “Can we keep him?”

Spike lifted his head.

“Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Scott?”

Hand in hand, they walked with Spike trundling along with them.

Yes! Though he wanted to yell the word, he stopped. “Can I have a kiss?” Instead of asking for what he needed, he pursed his lips and went for what he wanted.

Before giving in, she wrinkled her nose. Still, she gave him a kiss, tongue and all.

He was just going to have to think of another way to appease the beast, and he hugged Cora to him.

HOLLYWOOD STARDOM

FADE IN:

INT. ARIZONA – LOCAL PUB – EVENING

STEVEN and CHARLES sit together at a table drinking a couple of beers.

CHARLES

So, when am I going to get to see some stars?

STEVEN

(Shakes his head)

I could ask you the same thing.

CHARLES

My stars are right where they belong.

(He points up.)

STEVEN

My star is determined to make me out of my mind.

CHARLES

There’s a reason you’re not taking the next step.

STEVEN gulps down his drink.

CHARLES

This has been going on since you were in high school.  She wants more, you don’t give it to her.  Then you give her a little bit, which placates her for a while before it blows up in your face.

STEVEN

(Tilts his glass in Charles’ direction)

Thank you for telling me my life.

CHARLES

That’s always been my role.  Historian, voice of reason, mediator.

STEVEN

Then mediate this.

The men look at each other.

CHARLES

Once you won her, you lost interest, but you don’t know what to do without her.  The proverbial rock and a hard place.

STEVEN raises his glass to passing waiter.

STEVEN

Is that all you have for me?  You’re not going to tell me to marry her at last?  What’s the answer?