Unmasking Charlotte (a Taboo Love series) (31 page)

Tears automatically spring in my eyes as a half laugh, half sob burst out of me. I grab his face and kiss him so hard before I answer. “Yes, Calvin, of course I’ll marry you.”

Epilogue

Parker

I drag my ass out of bed extra early this morning because Eddie Dugan – the top talent agent in the country - told me to come in to see him today. Apparently, he has a “role of a lifetime for me.” His words, not mine. After the past few months that I have been having, between attackers, weddings, and babies, it’s time for me to refocus myself back on my career. And I need something good. Something to get my name back out in lights. I miss the rush, the excitement, and the energy of the red carpet. I even miss the paparazzi, but don’t tell anyone I said that, I would deny it if you did.

He didn’t give me any hints about the plot or the characters, but he said that I am perfect for the part. I try texting Charlie a few times about it, but she keeps changing the subject. She agrees that I am perfect for the part, but won’t tell me anymore than that. I love that girl, but…Bitch! I step off the elevator and into the outer office of the agency – Top Talent Agency. How apropos. The secretary, a young, pretty, red head smiles wide and bats her eyelashes at me as she always does.

“Hello, Mr. Hamilton,” she purrs. I can never remember her name.

“Hey, Charlie in?” I ask simply with a smile.

She nods and points in the direction of her office. I offer a “thanks” and quickly head for Charlie’s office, not giving Red a chance to ask me out.

I knock on her door before pushing it open. A beautiful, smiling, and very pregnant Charlie greets me with a huge hug.

“Sadie Sadie married lady. How
does it feel to be Mrs. Calvin King III?”

Charlie laughs and I can’t help joining in. did I really just quote a line from
Funny Girl?
I really need to stay away from Broadway for a while.

“Can you believe he dragged me straight to the courthouse from his hospital bed?”

Now it’s my turn to laugh. Calvin really was in a rush to claim Charlie as his wife. “He would have had the Justice of the Peace come down to the hospital if you would have agreed.”

“Yeah, he’s a crazy one, that husband of mine, but I think I’ll keep him.”

“Good to know.” I snicker. “How are you feeling?” I pat my hand on my own tummy, clarifying what I am asking about.

“Like I am about to burst.” She groans.

“Well, you look gorgeous,” I tell her sincerely.

“Please, next you are going to tell me that I am simply glowing,” she guffaws.

“What the hell does that mean anyway?”

“Fuck if I know. I am so ready for them to get here so we can have a proper reception with all of our family and
friends,” she answers then changes the subject. “Have you seen Eddie yet?”

“Nope. Are you going to tell me anything about this script?”

Charlie laughs mischievously and I’m a little worried. What am I getting myself into?

“Nope, but I think Eddie is ready for you if you want to go find out for yourself.”

“Bitch,” I call her affectionately.

“Pain in my ass…and I have three!” she hollers at my back, as I leave her office.

I round the corner to Eddie’s office and stick my head in to find him on the phone, as usual. He looks up and waves me in, shoving the phone between his face and shoulder, while he types on his computer. I go in and shut the door behind me, dropping down into one of the chairs in front of his desk.

Eddie hangs up the phone a minute later and smiles across the desk, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening. “Hamilton, my favorite client. How’s it hangin’?” he asks.

I narrow my eyes across the desk at the older man. For being sixty-five, he looks great. His hair is all white, but he has a full head of it, which he parts on the side and brushes over. He has a few wrinkles, mostly around his eyes and mouth, and wears squared tortoise shell glasses that make him look suave. He’s wearing his usual polo shirt and khakis.

“Whatcha got for me, Eddie?” I ask, eyebrow raised.

“Straight to business as usual, huh?” he murmurs with a soft smile before tossing a script on the desk in front of me.

I just smirk, reach for the script, and read the first few pages, glancing up at Eddie, unimpressed. I really don’t know what all
of the hub-bub has been about. “Okay, so it’s a couple of FBI agents going after a serial arsonist, what’s the catch?”

“Take the script home, read it, and let me know what you think when you’re finished,” he tells me.

“Who am I supposed to be cast as?” I ask, looking back down at the script for the two names of the lead characters.

“If you take the role, you will be playing Jackson Hart,” Eddie replies, his face impassive.

I eye him warily. Something is up and I want to know right now. “Just tell me,” I sigh in irritation.

“Read it and get back to me,” he reiterates with a mischievous smirk.

I grind my teeth in frustration. “Fine, was anyone cast as Wade Burns?”

Eddie’s grin got wider. “Declan Mont
gomery has taken the part.”

I lean back in the seat and groan. I don’t exactly get along with Declan. We’ve done a few movies together, and the movies were major hits, but behind the scenes we were anything but the best of friends that we played on screen. Declan just gets on my nerves; he is so arrogant
, kind of a douche, really.

“Why do we keep getting cast together?” I mumble, rubbing my forehead.

“You two are great together; you have fantastic chemistry even though you don’t actually get along.” Eddie shrugs.

I sigh in resignation as I shove to
my feet. “I’ll call you later,” I mutter, heading for the door with the script in hand.

Eddie chuckles as I walk to the door. I then glare at him over my shoulder, causing him to laugh even harder. Something is up with the script that Eddie thinks i
s hilarious. Maybe it’s just a funny movie. I kind of doubt that since it’s supposed to be about FBI agents going after a serial arsonist. I look at the title printed on the first page of the script. Burning Hearts.

Still Parker…

I was able to get home without any incidents from fans or paparazzi. I kick off my shoes at the door then walk into the kitchen of my penthouse suite. In the kitchen, my housekeeper, Maribel, is doing a thorough cleaning of the counters. I give her a smile and a nod then grab a bottle of water out of the fridge. I walk over to the table and sit down, cracking open the bottle and taking a sip. I flip open the script to where I left off and continue reading.

About fifty pages in, and I am getting even more suspicious. As I take another sip of water and turn the page, my eyes skim the first line of the page. Immediately, I spew the water that is still in my mouth across the table and start choking. What the fuck? My character, Jackson, just kissed Declan’s character, Wade!

“You alright, señor?” Maribel asks, as she rushes over with a towel to clean the water off the table.

“Fine.” I wheeze, as I continue to cough.

Once I get myself under control, I grab the script and flip through it a little faster. This has to be a mistake.
Eddie would never give me a gay role…would he? Not that I am homophobic or anything, but I’ve never even thought about taking on a role like that. The more I continue to read, the more kissing and sex occurs. I cringe as I read one of the sex scenes and swallow hard. I don’t think that I can do it. Can I?

I’
m not sure why everybody was telling me that I am perfect for this role. But they were right about one thing. This would be a game changer. Either it’s a genius move or career suicide.

THE END