Lying Love (Lazy Love Book 3) (6 page)

“Will they hate me?”

The question made Amber sad. “No, they won’t hate you. They’ll be very kind to you.” She’d call them and make sure they’d be kind. It would be part of the wedding invitation.

John squeezed her hand, letting her know that he understood. Her relationship with her parents couldn’t get in the way of their marriage or her new relationship with Nicki. Neither of them would let it happen.

Nicki gave them each one of the cookies, and they talked softly while they ate them. Amber was thinking about all the little details that needed to be taken care of before Saturday. “Maybe we should wait four weeks until the next week off before we marry.”

John shook his head. “Absolutely not.” He was afraid she’d back out before they even had a chance to marry if he gave her that much time. No, Amber was going to finally be his wife, and nothing was going to keep it from happening. Not her parents, not her work schedule, and especially not Anthony Murrah, whoever he was.

He couldn’t believe how jealous he felt of her new coworker. The two of them hadn’t even met yet, and already he was freaking out a little. “I’m going to come by tomorrow evening with a ring.”

Amber frowned, thinking about how busy her schedule would be the next day. “I’m going to have a long, hard day tomorrow. Tuesday would be better.”

“They’re going to give you breaks to eat though, right? You’ll have some time.”

She nodded. “I’ll be eating between six and seven. I guess you could come by then.”

“I’ll be there with a ring. What’s your size?”

After she gave it to him, he nodded. “I’ll find something pretty.”

She pulled her phone from her pocket and looked at the time. “It’s getting late. We should probably head back. I have to be up really early, and I’m not a huge fan of mornings.” She was better at mornings than May, of course, because everyone in the world was. Valerie wasn’t a morning person either, and was very grumpy before her first two cups of coffee.

She was sure May’s problem with mornings stemmed from the fact that she didn’t drink coffee. If she’d just drink a cup or two in the morning, she’d be energized and ready to go. Instead, she slept weird hours.

John nodded, getting to his feet and helping Amber to hers. “Let’s pack this up and head back.”

They were silent during the drive back to the set, and once they got there, he told Nicki to wait in the truck. He’d be able to see her from the trailer, now that he knew which one it was. “I’ll be right back! I can see you from Amber’s trailer,” he told her reassuringly. Nicki was obsessed with being safe.

“Wait, let’s let her come! I want you two to meet Jesse and Valerie tonight. It would be nice if you knew the people I love before the wedding.”

John nodded reluctantly. “I met Jesse when I came to pick you up.” He wasn’t in a hurry to see the older man again.

“Yes, and Jesse’s my friend, but you didn’t meet Valerie. Valerie is my best friend in the entire world. I need you to meet her.”

“Okay, let’s get this over with.” He opened Nicki’s door for her. “Let’s go meet Amber’s friends.”

J
ohn held
one of Amber’s hands with his right hand and one of Nicki’s hands with his left. The three of them approached Jesse and Valerie’s trailer together, and John was surprised at how nervous he felt. He wanted her friends to like him and not to worry about her.

Amber knocked on the door, and Valerie came to it, opening it wide. “Amber!” She looked at John and then down at Nicki. “You must be John and Nicki. Come in!”

She moved aside and the three of them climbed the stairs into the double-wide trailer the two stars of the show shared during filming. Valerie then walked over to a couch and invited everyone to sit. “Is anyone thirsty? We have soft drinks and water.”

“Water’s fine for me,” Amber said, sitting close to John on the couch, so that Valerie would see that they were all right with each other.

“I’d like water if you don’t mind,” John added.

“I’m not thirsty,” Nicki said, “but I need to go potty. Do you have a potty?”

Amber grinned. “I’ll show you where the potty is.”

“Thank you. You’re going to be a good mama. I’m glad you and Daddy are getting married.”

“Me too,” Amber said, glancing over at the grin on Valerie’s face. She turned on the light for the girl and then shut the door behind her.

Walking over to the counter, she helped Valerie with the glasses. “Where’s Jesse?”

“He’s out meeting Tony and helping him get settled in.”

“He’s here?” Amber asked, wondering what her new co-star would be like.

“Yeah, he came about an hour ago. He wanted to meet you right away.” Valerie gave her a look that told Amber there was more to be said, but not with John listening. “We’ll talk,” she whispered softly.

Amber nodded, carrying John’s glass to him and sitting beside him. “So do you want to be my matron of honor?”

Valerie nodded. “When’s the wedding? And if you tell me you’re waiting until the spring, I’ll be the first to tell you that’s a crazy idea, and you should marry tomorrow instead.”

Amber laughed. “Glad to know you don’t regret your quick wedding to Jesse. We’re planning to marry on Saturday. That gives me a few days to plan something small, and then we’ll have a week off before we start filming again.”

“I approve.” She looked over at John. “What do you do? I know your history with Amber, but I don’t know what you’ve done for the past five years, other than have a kid, so tell me about John.”

He looked down at his water, wondering just how much she knew. On the one hand, he was embarrassed that she was familiar with their past, but on the other, he was glad he’d made enough of an impact on Amber that she’d talked about him. “I’m a horse trainer. Two of the horses you use for the show were trained by me.”

“Really? I had no idea.”

He nodded. “The gelding you ride and the mare they have Jesse ride were mine.”

“How old is Nicki? She’s a pretty little thing.”

Nicki came out of the bathroom in time to hear the question. “I’m four, and I’m not pretty. I’m beautiful!”

Valerie laughed, nodding. “You are absolutely right! I’m so sorry I misspoke that way.”

“Amber’s going to be my new mama. Her picture from prob is hanging in Daddy’s bedroom.”

“I think Amber’s going to be a wonderful mama to you. Are you excited?”

“I’m going to be the flower girl!” Nicki announced excitedly. “I get to throw flowers at everyone, and no one can yell if I hit them in the head with them.”

Valerie covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. “That sounds like a very important job.”

“It is. I’m sorry there’s only one flower girl, because I’d let you be my flower girl friend if you wanted.”

Amber shook her head, trying to picture the flower petals after the little girl had thrown them everywhere. “Miss Valerie is going to be my matron of honor at the wedding. That means she’ll stand up front with me and poke me if I get nervous.”

“Will you get nervous?” Nicki asked.

“Probably. It’s kind of scary to marry someone, because you’re agreeing to love that person forever and ever.” Of course, she’d known for years she would love him forever. Nicki didn’t need to know that, though.

The door opened and Jesse came in. “I thought I’d bring Tony in, welcome him to the
Lazy Love
family. I called Bob, and he and May are on their way.”

Tony was a handsome man, a little older than Amber and John. John was immediately threatened. He got to his feet, holding out his hand to shake. “I’m John Baynard, Amber’s fiancé.”

The man nodded, his eyes shuttered. “I’m Tony Murrah, new actor on the show.” His eyes traveled to Amber’s. “It’s nice to meet you, Amber.”

Amber smiled, getting up to shake his hand. “I didn’t expect to meet you before tomorrow morning.” She could tell that John wasn’t thrilled that she’d have a love interest in the show, and he seemed even more annoyed now that he was meeting the man playing that love interest.

Tony smiled. “Jesse was kind enough to invite me over to get to know everyone this evening. It’s hard coming into a show that’s as well-established as this one. You’ve had the same four main stars since the first day.”

Amber nodded. “We have, and we’re all very close.” She resumed her seat on the couch, and John sat beside her, even closer than he’d been before. Amber gave him a look, wondering if he was going to let everyone see just how jealous he was.

The door opened again, and Bob and May came in. May’s eyes widened as she saw there were two men she didn’t know and a little girl. Amber smiled at her friend. “I want you to meet John and Nicki, May. John and I just decided we’re going to get married on Saturday.”

May let out a squeal and hurried over to hug Amber. “I’m so happy for you!” She looked at John and smiled. “Be good to her.”

“I don’t know any other way to be,” he said softly. “Nicki, say hi to Miss May. She’s one of Amber’s best friends.”

“Hi, Miss May.”

“Hi, Nicki.”

May sat down on the other side of Nicki, while Bob introduced himself to Tony.

“I ordered pizzas,” Jesse said to Valerie. “I ordered from the little place in town that does the taco pizzas, so you and May can get your taco cravings satisfied.”

Amber shook her head, looking at John. “No one should have let these two be pregnant at the same time. They’re both talking about tacos non-stop and have been for a while. If I have to eat another taco, they’re going to start growing out of my ears.”

Valerie made a face. “Baby boy wants tacos. Not me! It’s not my fault!” She rubbed her belly with a grin.

May shrugged. “Baby Bobby wants tacos too.”

John looked at May. “You already know you’re having a boy?”

“Nope. But Bob has declared we’re naming him Robert if it’s a boy and Bobbette if it’s a girl. Either way it will end up being Bobby.”

“Bobbette?” John asked. He couldn’t imagine a loving parent naming their baby Bobbette.

“Just don’t even go there,” Amber whispered.

Bob and Jesse were still talking to Tony, but after a minute, Bob turned to look at John. He walked over and held his hand out to shake. John immediately jumped to his feet to greet the older man. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Bob nodded. “You too. I saw you at the signing yesterday. Amber has obviously known you for a very long time.”

“We were high school sweethearts,” John said. “I have regretted the day we split up for over five years. I’m not letting her go again.” He knew he was being sized up by the two most important men in her life, and he needed to make a good impression.

“Be good to her. We all think of Amber as a little sister around here, and we don’t want her hurt.”

“I won’t hurt her.” John wondered at the loyalty Amber had brought out in her two male co-workers. They obviously cared for her a great deal.

Bob smiled, the smile slightly predatory. “No, you won’t.” He turned back to Tony to talk a little more.

Amber bit her lip to stifle her laugh. She couldn’t believe Bob was threatening John, but she found it very amusing. She’d been friends with both of her co-workers since their first day on set, but they’d always seen her as a little sister to be protected. She hated it just as much as she loved it.

She looked over at May, who was talking quietly with Nicki. “I’d like you to stand up with me. You and Valerie, of course.”

May nodded, a smile lighting up her face. “I’d love to!”

“We’re going to have to pick a day to go dress shopping, because I need to get you both attendant dresses and little miss Nicki needs a flower girl dress. And a basket and flowers, of course.”

May frowned at that. “And the wedding is Saturday? How about Tuesday?”

Amber shook her head. “I’m not filming that afternoon, but I do need to go with John to get our marriage license.”

“Okay. You pick then, because all the other days are equally bad for me.”

Amber looked at Valerie. “Do you have a schedule for the week? I want to find a time when we can both be there. And it needs to be afternoon, so we don’t interrupt May’s sleep schedule too much.”

Valerie jumped up as fast as she could with her extra baby weight and went to get the schedule she’d stuck to her refrigerator with a magnet. She handed it to Amber, who scanned the page. “How about Thursday afternoon, May?”

May nodded slowly. “I have a new release coming out on Thursday, but Sara can handle it for me.”

“When are we going to get to meet the phenomenal Sara?” Amber asked, handing the schedule back to Valerie.

May shrugged. “I don’t know. Soon, I hope. I’m really hoping she’ll come down when the baby’s born. I’d love for you two to meet her.”

“Sometimes I think she’s a figment of your imagination,” Valerie told May.

May laughed. “I wouldn’t be able to accomplish half what I do without her, so she must not be imaginary. Not that I’m opposed to having imaginary friends, because I think they’re a very important part of everyone’s life. Without my imaginary friends, I’d never write another book.”

At the confused look on John’s face, Amber leaned over and whispered, “May’s more than a little insane. We like her this way.”

John just nodded, not sure what else to say. The whole lot of them seemed crazy to him, but as long as they didn’t affect his daughter adversely, he wouldn’t complain a bit. “That works.”

Bob kept looking over at John on the couch, and John was starting to feel uncomfortable. “Bob, do you want to go for a walk and talk?” John asked.

Bob nodded. “Yeah, I think that would be good.”

Amber closed her eyes for a moment, not wanting to even think about what they’d discuss. She wasn’t going to let it bother her.

Bob and John headed to the door, and Jesse looked up. “Tony, talk to the girls. I need to walk too.”

A moment later, Tony was standing alone in the middle of the floor, looking over at the couch. “Sit down,” Valerie invited. “We all need to get to know you better.”

The couch was a sectional with space for seven, and May moved over between Amber and Nicki, leaving Tony a large section of the couch by himself.

“Tell us what you’ve done before,” Amber invited, wondering about the man. They were going to be filming their first kiss that week, so she wanted to know what he was like.

Tony smiled. “I’ve been working on Broadway for years, but I wanted to try working in Hollywood for a while. I’ve been auditioning for about three months, and I landed the roll of Jackson.” He looked at Amber. “I’m really looking forward to playing opposite you. I’ve been a big fan of the show since it started.”

Amber smiled. “Sounds good. We’re going to meet on the show in the first scene we film tomorrow, if I’m right. I’m going out for a sunrise ride, and I’ll find you hurt. Dylan will play big brother and not want me to get too involved with you.” Kind of like Jesse and Bob were playing big brother with John at that very moment.

Tony nodded. “I’m really looking forward to filming all that tomorrow. I think I’m going to enjoy playing opposite you.”

Amber smiled, wondering what else to say. “I think the whole cast will be at my wedding on Saturday, so if you’re not going back to Hollywood for the week off, you’re welcome to come.”

Tony shrugged. “I can do that. I’m not planning on flying back and forth during time off just yet. I want to get to know the area and the set better first.”

Amber looked at the door, glancing at the clock on the wall. She wondered how long the men were going to keep John. She was going to have to go to bed soon if she wanted to look human for her scene in the morning. She looked at May. “They won’t hit him, will they?”

May shook her head. “I think they’re just trying to scare him.”

Amber nodded, biting her lip. “Did you say something to them about John?”

“Not at all. They knew there was someone in your past, and you show up engaged when you haven’t been dating, and they put two and two together. Neither of them are stupid.”

Amber sighed. “I know. I just wish they didn’t always feel the need to play big brothers. I’m an adult.”

Valerie laughed. “An adult who has no big brothers, but she does have two big strong men who have been acting with her for four years.”

“I guess I should be grateful and not freaking out, huh?”

Valerie shrugged. “Your response to their nonsense is up to you. I’m just explaining the way they think.”

Nicki walked over to climb onto Amber’s lap. “Where’d Daddy go?”

“He went for a walk with my friends, Jesse and Bob.”

“Will he be back soon?”

“I sure hope so.” Amber stroked the little girl’s hair as she held her.

May looked at Amber, obviously trying to distract her. “What color are you thinking for the wedding?”

Amber shrugged. “I’m thinking whatever we can find that will fit everyone. Having two pregnant attendants doesn’t make it easy to find the right dresses.”

“We’ll figure it out together then,” Valerie said with a shrug. “I love this baby too much to care a lot about what I’m going to wear to your wedding.”

Amber smiled at that. “I figured you’d feel that way. As long as I serve tacos at the reception, right?”

May squealed, bouncing a little. “Could you? I hate going to the Mexican place in town, but I do love tacos. And it’s not like I’m going to cook them!”