Hollywood Ever After (17 page)

The daily chaperoning of the kids took up most of the afternoons. Weekend sporting events, birthday parties, and concerts kept everyone happy and busy.

And I was writing. A lot.

Bedtime stories had been replaced with travel books. Each one of us picked out places we had to visit. By the morning of our departure, the book was full of colored tags and ribbon stickers.

The day we boarded the plane, I was so excited I thought my heart was going to beat its way out of my chest.

Our flight was long but surprisingly pleasant. Thank goodness for patient airline stewards, in-flight movies, and coloring books. With a sliver of my book-signing bonus, I finally gave in and purchased each of the kids a handheld gaming system. After a fellow six-year-old passenger happily taught them how they worked, the flight was relatively peaceful.

My heart seemed to accelerate with each mile travelled.

Stepping into London’s Heathrow Airport was like stepping back in time for me. The last time I’d been in London, I’d been a college student. It was one of those instant changes, from the smell of the air to the sound of the accents. We were far from home.

The kids were wide-eyed and chattering, staring around the airport. Will was awestruck by the different candy and began begging for “just a couple”. I bought a package of fruit pastilles and made them share.

Shannon was waiting with a large super-shuttle to transport us to the hotel. Once everyone and everything was loaded into the shuttle, we set off for the hotel.

“You look
terrible
.” Shannon shook her head. “You looked so great two weeks ago. Now you look sick.”

My mom whispered, “Being attacked by your ex-husband, filing for a restraining order, and putting your house on the market does a number on a gal’s stress level, Shannon.”

“Mom.” I’d forgotten how good Shannon and Mom were at tag-teaming.

I glanced at the kids in the back seat of the van. Will was still happily blowing up aliens while Natalie was plugged into her MP3, staring excitedly out the window. I relaxed. No harm had been done.

“What’s the agenda?” I asked.

“Well, we have a couple of days here in London. Today is a free day. I didn’t know how exhausted you and your
mafia
would be. I didn’t know if naps would be in order.”

My mother laughed. “Unfortunately, naps in the Collins household are a thing of the past.”

“I’m so glad you’re here, Marty!” Shannon smiled at her. “I haven’t seen you in forever!”

“I’ve been in Texas for so long I almost forgot there was a whole other world out there.” My mother was clearly thrilled. “I missed the travel that came with Sidney’s time in the military.”

“I was sorry to hear about Sidney. He was such a sweet, sweet man.”

“He was. I was a blessed woman to have him for forty years.” I squeezed Mom’s hand, knowing she missed him more than she admitted to.

“How has retirement been?” Shannon asked.

“I don’t think she’s had much of a chance to really start feeling retired yet. I had to go all needy on her,” I said.

Mom shrugged. “It’s nice to feel needed, sweetie.”

We arrived at the hotel, the Ritz, and I suffered a minor panic attack.

“Really, Shannon?” I stared at the elegant front doors with complete incredulity. “Will is five years old. His staying at the Ritz is like the proverbial bull in a china shop.”

“Only Will is adorable. Anyway, you’ll have to complain to Arthur. He knows how to work the whole Hollywood connection thing and apparently this is where we ended up.” She wasn’t fazed.

Will was in awe. “Mom, is this the queen’s house?”

“No, silly, this is where we’re going to be staying.” Natalie was obviously more than happy with the arrangement. “I bet you can get your spa treatment here, Grams.”

My mother smiled. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

The look of sublime anticipation on my mother’s face made me swallow my reticence about our lodging. They hadn’t just had the California vacation I had; they deserved something fantastic. And I needed to relax.

After checking in, and holding Will’s hand at all times, we made our way to our rooms. Our suite had a gorgeous view of Green Park, plenty of bedrooms, and a bathroom I didn’t have to share with the kids. Maybe staying at the Ritz wasn’t going to be too bad after all.

Once we were relatively settled, our travel books emerged. Cameras and jackets in hand, we were ready to begin our adventure.

“Off to the Tower of London!” Will could hardly wait. He hoped to find a man in chains in the dungeon, or the skeleton of a man in chains in the dungeon. I promised him we would check all of the chains.

An afternoon of happy mayhem commenced.

***

That night was the London premiere of
Stellar Siege
.

Surrounded by three coiffed and beautified ladies, I sat contemplating my exhausted appearance in the mirror. I could barely wait to get there, to see Josh. But I looked horrid.

“Well, Arthur is thrilled he gets to skip out on tonight.” Shannon patted my shoulder, looking at me in the mirror. “You made his day, seriously. So stop worrying. You don’t have to get a sitter.”

“Don’t you want Arthur to go with you?” I chewed my lip and regarded her in the mirror. I didn’t want to look at my reflection. I had terrible bags under my eyes.

Shannon laughed. “Arthur hates these kinds of things.
Hates
them. He came for the trip, not this.”

“I can stay.” Mom was brushing Natalie’s hair. “I’m pretty tired.”

Natalie used her most pleading voice. “Grams, you have to come.”

“Marty, Nat’s right. You do have to go.” Shannon applied some lip gloss. “If I admit that Arthur’s idea of a cool evening is playing Guitar Hero with a five-year-old, does he lose some respectability?”

“No, actually, he gets more,” I said.

Natalie spun in front of the full-length mirror, delighted. She looked beautiful. It was hard to see her like this, tall and willowy, almost a woman. Except that most adults don’t bounce up and down or clap their hands in excitement. Natalie had been doing just that for the last hour. And she was twitching with excitement over the impending glitz and glamour.

“What are you wearing?” Shannon asked me. She looked pointedly at my jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt. “I mean, you
are
planning to change?”

“Really? I’m so comfortable…” I arched an eyebrow.

Natalie stared in horror. “Mom, that’s so not cool.”

“I’m changing, I’m changing.” I pinched Natalie’s cheek. “I have the black dress we bought together. Will that work?”

“Sounds good.” Shannon nodded. “And I have a black velvet wrap so you won’t freeze.”

“I’ll go change.” The three of them had had a wonderful spa treatment, manicures, and pedicures while I took Will to the park to run. Between his youthful energy and my nerves, it made more sense to play and run than sit still for pampering. Then it was my turn to get ready.

I applied my makeup carefully, clipping on some dangling golden chandelier earrings and lightly spraying my perfume. My hair hung down my back in thick, silken curls.

Josh liked my curls.

As I stared at myself, I saw a flush creep over my skin. I touched the golden disk on its black cord, tied around my neck.

Soon.
My heart began to thump.

I finished dressing then joined them in the common room. Arthur and Will were already digging into a cheese pizza, eyes glued on the large TV screen and their game choices.

Will’s eyes were red-rimmed, but the promise of hours of video games was too much to pass up. I kissed him on the top of the head. “Not too late, Will. You look pretty tired, kiddo.”

“Aw, Mom,” Will started, but I cocked my imperious mom eyebrow and he nodded.

Arthur eyed us appreciatively. “You ladies look fantastic.”

Shannon winked at him. “We do, don’t we?”

“That’s sweet of you, Uncle Arthur.” Natalie tried to sound cool, but her nerves made her squeak.

“Arthur, would you mind taking a picture?” Mom handed Arthur her camera, we posed, and he clicked.

“Here.” I took Nat’s phone. “Just you, for your dad.” I took the picture and handed the phone back to Natalie.

I kissed Will, giving him a goodnight hug. He informed me I was interrupting his gaming flow, which made Arthur burst out laughing. I wished him luck. They didn’t look up as we left the room.

Bundled up and chattering excitedly, we made our way to the lobby and the black taxicab waiting for us.

Nat’s eyes looked like they would pop from her head at any minute. “Is anyone majorly famous going to be there, Shannon?”

“Everyone should be.” Shannon shot me a look, butterflies filling my stomach at her words. “But I’m not one hundred percent.”

When we arrived, it was like déjà vu—the flashes, the screams, the press. “We’ll meet you inside,” I told Shannon, deciding it was best to forgo the red carpet this time, though I wasn’t in stilettos either.

“Okay, but let me take Nat with me. I won’t leave her, no worries!” She took Nat’s arm in the crook of hers, whispering in the girl’s ear. Natalie giggled, holding tightly to Shannon as they blended into the crowd.

Mom said, “This is crazy.”

“I know. We can coast along behind them.” I pointed to Shannon and Natalie forging ahead. “Unless you want to be interviewed?”

“Coasting, quickly. Please.”

We made it to the front doors and waited in the lobby for Nat and Shannon.

So far I was managing not to hyperventilate. I shifted from one foot to the next, fidgeting with the compass tied around my neck. I felt fairly confident I wouldn’t attack him when he arrived, as long as he didn’t smile his dazzling smile or look exceptionally gorgeous.

I sighed. The odds were against me.

“Claire?” My mother regarded me, suspicious. “Is there something I need to know?”

I felt a telltale heat flood my cheeks. “I don’t know yet.”

She arched an eyebrow. “But there might be?”

I took a deep breath. “There might be.” I waited, knowing she would badger me into telling her more than I was ready to share. But she didn’t.

She was staring past me, over my shoulder, at the front door.

I knew.

“Mom?” Natalie’s voice reached me. She sounded ready to burst.

And as I turned around, I saw why.

Chapter Nine

Hazel eyes met mine, heavy and warm. Without reservation or uncertainty or embarrassment, without wavering, Josh stared at me.

I was done for. There were over two hundred people milling about, but I saw only him.

Every inch of me tensed, stretching to meet him. As uncertain as I felt, I found myself moving toward him. There was no way I was not going to him.

He met me halfway. His throat constricted as he swallowed. His eyes traveled over my hair, my face, my dress, but he didn’t say anything. His hand came up, one finger touching the compass. His smile knocked the breath from my lungs.

I bit my lip, flooded with pure happiness. And love.

He was gorgeous. His black sports coat hung just right over a blinding white dress shirt. He wore no tie, so his neck was exposed. I let my eyes linger on the rapid pulse in his throat.

His knee-weakening smile appeared, and I honestly thought my knees might give way. But his hands found mine, clasping them firmly in his.

My hold tightened around his.

He took a deep breath. “Hello.” His voice was husky, sending shivers over my skin.

“Hi.” I could hear the smile in my voice.

His hands squeezed mine. The lights in the lobby flickered on and off. Or I was about to pass out. Either option was a possibility at the moment.

“That’s their subtle way of telling us we need to go find our seats,” Shannon said. “We’ll meet you inside?”

I took a deep breath and tore my gaze away from his, nodding my head. This wasn’t California. I wasn’t alone. I turned to find my daughter staring at us in complete shock. Her blue eyes were almost as huge as the smile on her face.

At least she’s smiling.

I cast a quick glance at my mother. She was quiet, her expression mixed.

I pulled one hand from him but held on to the other. I had to keep it together. I had to act like a mature woman, not a girl crazy in love. But I wasn’t ready to let go of him.

His hand squeezed mine, encouraging me. “We’ll come too,” he spoke quickly. His voice broke the spell.

I sounded calm as I made introductions. “Mom, this Josh Wiley. Josh, this is my mother, Marty Foster. Nat, I’m guessing you were already introduced?”

Natalie nodded. Her blue eyes bounced between me and Josh as she pondered what this might mean.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He turned a charming smile on my mother and offered his free hand. His sincere warmth melted her trepidation. “And this is my sister, Helen.”

Helen Wiley, like the other three women present, was watching the exchange with genuine curiosity. Her hazel eyes, similar to her brother’s, regarded me with affection as she hugged me quickly. “I’ve heard so much about you, Claire.”

I recognized her. The beautiful blonde from the magazine—she was his sister. “Really?” My voice still sounded funny.

He squeezed my hand again and I cast a glance at him. He winked.

“So you’re our date tonight?” Shannon asked him.

“If you don’t mind?” he asked.

“Do we?” Shannon looked at Natalie, waiting. Natalie shook her head, blushing furiously.

My mother arched an eyebrow. “Not at all.”

Josh smiled at her. “Then we should find our seats.” He held the door and found seats for us all–quite a gallant escort. His hand never let go of mine. Or I never let go of his. I’m not sure which.

I don’t remember a single thing about the film. Sitting beside him in the dark was a lesson in restraint. I wanted to talk to him, to stare at him and listen to the sound of his voice. Instead I had to sit, growing more and more aware of his physical presence—and my instant response.

He’d pulled my arm through his once we sat, enabling us to lean close together. For almost two hours, he filled my senses. His scent was intoxicating, a mix of shaving cream, the musk of his soap, and him. Every time he shifted, his scent would stir and fill my nostrils, making me list toward him. His long fingers twined between mine, drawing light caresses across the back of my hand.