Married Lovers (21 page)

T
wo hours into the party, Don finally showed, making a grand entrance with Mary Ellen. Following right behind him were Mandy and Ryan Richards.

Noting his arrival from across the room, Cameron felt her heart-rate accelerate. Why hadn’t Don told her he was bringing Mandy and Ryan? At least if she’d been forewarned she could have prepared herself.

Grabbing Cole away from his major mogul, she dragged him over to Don and the Richards, and made introductions all round.

“Hey–you’ve got yourself quite a turn-out,” Don said, glancing around. “And I must say the place looks fantastic, better than I expected.”

“Thanks,” Cameron murmured, determined not to look at Ryan.

“You remember Mandy and Ryan, don’t you?” Don said.

Oh yes, I remember them all right
.

“Sure,” she answered casually, still trying not to look. But then she couldn’t resist, and she was shocked to realize that Ryan’s eyes were as blue as ever, his long hair was tousled and slightly mussed, and the small indentation in the middle of his chin sent shivers up her spine.

She felt a stab of hopeless longing for this man she barely knew.

“Hi,” Mary Ellen said, all bright and chirpy because this was her fourth date with Don, and the press were writing about them as if they were a couple. She hoped that her former husband was reading about them and choking over his coffee and his man-stealing movie-star girlfriend.

“Hey–” Cameron said, dragging her eyes away from the object of her desire.

“You’d better be nice to Mandy,” Don said. “If she gets behind this place, you’re all set.”

“I think we’re kind of set already,” Cameron said, green eyes narrowing. “My schedule is fully booked, how about you, Cole?”

“All booked,” he said, playing along.

“But you’ll fit
me
in, won’t you?” Mary Ellen bubbled. “I start back on my series soon, so I was thinking early morning.”

“I can take care of you,” Cole promised, putting his hand on her arm. “It’ll be my pleasure.”

“That would be so great,” Mary Ellen said, hoping that attention from this extremely handsome African-American man would make Don jealous.

“Here’s my card,” Cole said, fishing in his pocket. “Call me, an’ we’ll set something up.”

“Oh, I will,” Mary Ellen said, shooting Don a quick look to make sure he noticed.

“Yoga’s
my
thing,” Mandy observed, clinging onto Ryan’s arm. “I’m trying to get my husband into it, but he’s so stubborn, aren’t you, sweetie?”

Christ! Ryan hated it when she called him sweetie. And he hated it when she clung onto him. It wasn’t like Mandy to play the little woman, and that’s exactly what she was doing. Had she sensed that he was hopelessly attracted to Cameron?

“Yoga’s very satisfying for some people,” Cameron said
evenly, attempting to stay cool and businesslike. “I prefer a more vigorous work-out.”

“Tell me about it,” Don joked. “She works me so hard I can barely stagger to the studio.”

“But it’s worth it,” Mary Ellen said, gazing at him all starry-eyed. “Your body’s ripped.”

“You can thank Cameron for that,” Don said. “She’s the best.”

“If you’re the best, then perhaps I should try you,” Mandy said, completely ignoring the fact that Cameron had informed her she was fully booked.

“I’m sure we can set you up with one of our trainers, Mrs Richards,” Cameron said.

“Touché!”
Don laughed.

Mandy pulled on Ryan’s arm, she didn’t quite get what was going on. Don had insisted they come with him to the opening of this new sports club, and he’d brought Mary Ellen as his date. Now it turned out that the girl he’d been with at Ryan’s birthday dinner was one of the partners at this place.

Hmm,
Mandy thought.
Perhaps he’s looking for a threesome, that would be about Don’s style
.

“I need a drink,” she announced. “Our house is full of screaming kids. I cannot tell you what a
relief
it is to get away from the annoying little brats.”

What kids?
Cameron thought. Ryan had told her that since Mandy couldn’t have children of her own she didn’t allow anyone else’s in the house.

“My sister and her boys are staying with us,” Ryan explained, as if reading her mind. “Three little guys under eight, I have to admit they’re quite a handful, but they’re certainly entertaining.”

“I’m sure nobody’s interested in our domestic situation,” Mandy said, spotting the well-heralded arrival of Birdy Marvel. “Come on, Ryan, we should go over and say hello to Birdy.”

“You go,” he said. “I need to talk to Don about something.”

Mandy was torn. Should she stay with her husband or should she go speak to the very famous pop tart whom she was after to appear at her next big charity event?

Pop tart won, and she was off, which left Mary Ellen, Don, Cole, Ryan and Cameron.

“How about I give everyone a tour?” Cole suggested. “We got a state-of-the-art steam room, and vibrating massage chairs in what we call our relaxing room. You’re gonna love it.”

“Yes, please,” Mary Ellen said. “Coming, Don?”

“Later,” he said, waving her off. “Ryan and I have to talk.”

And then there were three.

“Satisfied?” Don said, looking straight at Cameron. “I had to drag myself through paparazzi hell getting in here tonight. You’ll have all the coverage you want, and I’ll be Mister Mary Ellen Evans for the next six weeks. Exactly what I don’t need.”

“I do appreciate it,” she managed. Her throat was dry and she couldn’t bring herself to look at Ryan again. This was ridiculous!

“Cameron forced me to bring Mary Ellen tonight for the P.R. explosion,” Don explained to Ryan. “Can you imagine? This is what I have to go through to get a date with this woman! She’s a hard taskmaster, but an amazing one.” He grinned at Cameron and took her hand. “Did I tell you how spectacular you look tonight?”

“Thanks,” she murmured, feeling the heat–and it wasn’t coming from Don’s hand.

“Isn’t she something?” he said–once again to Ryan, who nodded silently.

Natalie de Barge drifted over, looking somewhat spectacular herself in a lime-green Versace creation with plenty of daring cleavage. “Don,” she said, greeting him with a kiss on both
cheeks, “may I steal you for a moment? Don’t worry, kids, I’ll bring him right back.”

“You’d better!” Don joked. “Otherwise my best friend is likely to run off with my girl!”

“I thought Mary Ellen Evans was your girl?” Natalie said.

Don winked at her. “Long story.”

Linking her arm through his, Natalie led him away.

And then there were two. Cameron and Ryan.

Cameron experienced an insane urge to bolt, but she didn’t; instead she said–genuinely concerned, “Is your sister okay?”

“Right now she is,” Ryan replied. “We had to get a Restraining Order against Marty.”

“You did?”

“He went on another rampage, so I brought Evie and the boys over to my house. I’m not comfortable sending them home yet. Marty’s too unpredictable.”

“How is Mandy handling everyone being at your house?”

“I guess you could say she’s trying.”

“Uh huh.”

An awkward silence.

Ryan broke it. “Uh…Cameron, I didn’t call,” he said hesitantly, stating the obvious.

“I noticed,” she said, swallowing hard.

“I wanted to, but I figured my timing was off, what with you and Don, and then of course my home situation.”

“You don’t have to explain,” she said, searching for a waiter so she could grab another drink, which she desperately needed.

“Yes I do,” he said earnestly. “I said I’d call and I didn’t. That’s not like me; when I say I’ll do something it usually happens.”

“No worries,” she said, spotting a waiter and frantically waving. “I get it. You’re a married man, and I’m seeing your best friend. Besides, nothing happened between us, so no big deal, right?”

Wrong!
screamed in her head.
Something did happen between us, a connection I’ve never experienced before
.

“Then it’s true, you are seeing Don?” he said, willing her to say–
No, he’s not for me. He just thinks he is
.

“Uh…yes.”

“Well, that’s nice,” he said stiffly.

“It is,” she said, lifting a glass of whatever from the waiter’s tray. She didn’t care what it was, she simply needed a drink.

“You know,” Ryan ventured, unable to help himself, “Don’s a great guy, but he’s been divorced twice, and he does have a love ’em an’ leave ’em reputation.”

“Is that a warning?” she asked coolly. “Because if it is, I’m sure Don wouldn’t be thrilled to hear it, especially as you say he’s your best friend.”

“You’re pissed at me, aren’t you?” Ryan said, suddenly getting it.

“Why would I be?” she said, gulping down her drink–which was one of the
Paradise
specials and quite potent. “I mean, I agreed to be your trainer at a time you chose, and I moved a regular client to accommodate you, but that’s okay. Although it would’ve been nice if you’d called to let me know that you wouldn’t be keeping your appointments.”

“I’m sorry. You’re right. I should’ve—”

“Hey–” she interrupted. “No problem.”

“The thing is—”

“You’ll have to excuse me, Ryan,” she said, realizing that she couldn’t stand another moment of this torture. “There’s a thousand things I have to take care of.”

Forcing herself to move, she took off before she changed her mind or said something she would regret, such as–
I was desperately waiting for your call. I’ve been thinking about you every day. Surely you know there’s something going on between us? Surely you feel it too?

Ryan watched her walk away, out of his life again and into
Don’s. And there was nothing he could do about it, except leave Mandy–which right now was too complicated, with Evie and the kids ensconced in their house.

A feeling of deep frustration gnawed at the pit of his stomach. Was she sleeping with Don yet?

Oh Jesus, he didn’t want to know.

“I
love that it’s so star-studded here,” Katie confided, cornering Cameron by the bar where she was downing yet another
Paradise
. “And gimme the inside, what’s the deal with you and the incredibly hot Don Verona?”

“Huh?” Cameron said, feeling somewhat light-headed because one drink was usually her limit and now she was on her fourth.

“He’s gorgeous!” Katie exclaimed. “And he hasn’t stopped watching you all night.”

“Don’t be crazy, he’s with Mary Ellen Evans.”

“You could’ve fooled me,” Katie said knowingly. “There’s something going on between you two–I can smell it!”

“Actually,” Cameron said, keeping it vague, “I guess Don
is
kind of chasing me.”

“I told you!” Katie crowed. “How cool is
that
.”

“But it’s no big deal, he’s my client. We work out every morning.”

“And?” Katie questioned, eyes gleaming with the anticipation of juicy gossip to come.

Cameron shrugged. “Nothing. He’s just another guy.”

“Don’t give me that,” Katie scoffed. “You’re the girl who used to tell me everything.”

“Ah yes, when we were young and restless.”

“
Young and Restless
is a TV soap.”

“I know.”

“So?”

“So…” Cameron said, desperately feeling the need to share. “If I tell you something you have to swear to keep it to yourself.”

“Like who am I gonna tell?”

“Jinx.”

“Ha!” Katie snorted. “As if.”

“Well…you see that guy over there, the one standing next to Don.”

“Yes,” Katie said, peering across the room. “Got him in my sights.”

“He’s the one,” Cameron sighed.

“The one what?” Katie asked, perplexed.

Downing her drink, Cameron signaled the barman for another. “He’s married,” she said glumly.

“Who’s married?”

“God, Katie!” she said, suppressing an unexpected hiccup. “Why are you being so dense? The guy standing next to Don.”

“Oh!” Katie said. “I get it. You’re into the married one. And from what I can see–he’s pretty cute himself. Man, they grow ’em tall and handsome in Hollywood.”

“He’s married,” Cameron repeated glumly. “Married, married, married.”

“So are you,” Katie pointed out.

“What?” Cameron frowned, hiccupped again. “I’m
married?”

“Oh man,” Katie said, laughing. “I think you’ve had enough.”

“Enough what?”

“Enough
booze
,” Katie said. “And here we go. Mr Verona is on his way over–bee-lining straight for you.”

Cameron leaned against the bar to steady herself.

“Hi,” Katie said to Don as soon as he came over. “I’m Katie, Cameron’s best friend, and—”

“I feel dizzy,” Cameron interjected. “Think I’d better lie down.”

“She’s had a few too many,” Katie explained.

“I can see that,” Don said. “Can you help me get her into the office?”

“Love to,” Katie said. “And may I say that you’re much more handsome than on TV. And taller. Do you get that a lot?”

“Why don’t we concentrate on Cameron before she falls down,” he said, putting his arm around Cameron’s shoulder.

“Hey, Don, wassup?” Cameron mumbled, dissolving into a full giggling fit.

“Hey, Cam,” he answered, raising an amused eyebrow. “Anyone mentioned that you’re bombed?”

“Bombed?” she questioned. “Who bombed?”

He attempted to remove the drink from her hand, but she held on so tightly that the liquid shot out of the glass, splashing down the front of her dress.

“Ooops!” she giggled again. “Nipple alert!”

“Take her other arm and we’ll move her nice and slowly,” Don instructed.

“Got it,” Katie said, impressed with his take-control attitude.

Together they maneuvered Cameron into the office.

“Now what?” Katie inquired, shutting the door.

“You’ll go summon up a cup of strong black coffee while I stay here with her.”

Katie nodded. Tall, dark, famous, rich, caring and handsome. Was Cameron nuts? If what she said was true, she was turning down this one and going for Mister Married. The woman was insane!

“I’ll be right back,” Katie said.

“She’ll be right back,” Cameron giggled, suddenly flinging her arms around his neck and pressing her lips against his.

Summoning major willpower, he gently extracted himself.

“Wassamatter?” she questioned. “Thought you
liked
kissing me.”

“You know,” he said, guiding her to a chair, “if I wasn’t a gentleman, I could take big advantage of you tonight.”

She smiled at him, a somewhat boozy smile. “Go ahead, big boy, take advantage.”

“Oh man,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re so going to regret this in the morning.”

“Rugrat who?” she asked, widening her eyes.

“Cameron, Cameron,” he said, laughing softly. “I can’t wait for our date tomorrow night so I can tell you all about this, ’cause if I know you, you’ll be mortified!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she said, leaning back in the chair, her breasts falling out of her dress. “Mort E. Fied. What a name!”

He quickly adjusted the top of her dress so that she was covered.

“Thank you, Mister Policeman,” she said, as a wave of dizziness enveloped her. “A flash in time saves nine.”

“Huh?”

She closed her eyes, then quickly opened them. “Are we on a boat?” she asked, perfectly serious.

“No, we’re not on a boat,” he said patiently. “Why would you think we are?”

“’Cause everything’s
really
spinning.”

He stared at her thinking how beautiful she was–even in her drunken state she was a knock-out. And no–he would not touch her while she was incapacitated, it wouldn’t be right. Although it was sure as hell tempting.

Katie returned with the coffee. “Your girlfriend’s searching for you,” she remarked. “Asking everyone where you are. I didn’t say anything.”

“I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“I read the tabloids, y’know. Mary Ellen Evans.”

“Oh,
her
.”

“Yes,
her
.”

Pulling out his cell phone, he made a quick call to Ryan.

“Where are you?” Ryan asked. “Mandy wants to leave.”

“Don’t repeat what I’m saying,” Don said, lowering his voice. “I’m with Cameron, she’s having some kind of crisis, so do me a big one–make my excuses and drop Mary Ellen home for me.”

“Jesus, Don!”

“Yeah, I know, but Cam needs me, so I’m here for her.”

“What am I supposed to tell Mary Ellen and Mandy?”

“Tell ’em I got called back to the studio, had to re-tape a segment. Big emergency.”

Ryan couldn’t help himself, he had to ask. “Is Cameron all right?”

“She’s better than all right.”

Ryan clicked off his phone in a foul mood. This thing with Don and Cameron was not going to be easy for him to deal with. But he knew that he’d have to face up to it. There was no other way.