If I Loved You (Hollywood Hearts 1) (26 page)

“Good idea.”

“Tell Harley Brennan, that favor he owes me? I’m coming to collect.”

She hung up the phone and sank down on the sofa, sobbing. Grady curled up on the sofa next to her and rested his head on her leg.

* * * *

The next morning, Megan began packing after the headline broke. Preparing to catch the noon Metroliner to Delaware, she tried to focus on organizing her clothes for the trip, but Chaz was on her mind.
If I’m going out with Harley, I’m going to need something sexy. Ugh. Don’t feel like being sexy with Harley. Dunc…

The hardest part of the day was keeping her phone off. After ignoring the first dozen messages from Chaz, she turned off the phone completely. The incessant ringing grated against her nerves, making her anxious and forgetful.
Condoms? No. Besides, if I change my mind, Harley is sure to have plenty.
The thought of sleeping with Harley made her skin crawl.

By ten thirty she was done. She threw Grady’s food in a plastic bag and trudged downstairs. Briny greeted her. “I’m getting used to having the little fella with me,” he said as Grady jumped up on his leg to be petted. “Is the coast clear?”

“Yup. Think you did it, Missy. Once they found out you and Captain Spencer—I mean, Mr. Duncan—were through, they’ve gone away.”

“Good.”

“That’s a lie, though, right? You didn’t break up with Mr. Duncan, did you?”

“That’s the first thing they’ve printed that’s true, Briny.”

“Too bad. Great guy.” Briny took the leash from her hand.

“Yeah, I know.” Megan let out a big breath. She bent down to give Grady a kiss before picking up her suitcase. Briny held the door for her then went to the street to flag down a taxi. Megan got in and looked up at the sky. Clouds were forming for a late summer thunderstorm. They swirled and darkened, mirroring her mood.

As the train pulled out of Penn Station, the downpour began. She relaxed against the plush seat as raindrops streaked down the window faster and faster as the train picked up speed.
They look like teardrops. 
Megan’s eyes were dry, empty of tears. She couldn’t cry any more.
I have to face him at some point. I have to tell him the truth. I’ll never love anyone like I love him.

She sat back and closed her eyes, allowing images of her time with Chaz to flash through her mind. She snuggled into the seat, remembering the wonderful feel of snuggling into his body in bed. When Chaz wrapped his arms around her, nothing bad could happen. She was safe from worry, anxiety, from the world. She pushed thoughts about the loss of that sensation out of her mind and focused on the love they shared. A smile crept over her lips as she drifted off into a light sleep, half-asleep and half-awake, dreaming of happy days with Chaz.

Megan awoke with a start when the train pulled into her station. She jumped up to get her bag, but a nice-looking young man was already pulling it down from the rack for her. He gave her a long look. “Aren’t you the “Harvard—”

“Nope. Look-alike. Thanks for your help.” She snatched the bag from him and moved swiftly up the aisle.
Oh, God. Now I’m famous…infamous. A celebrity. Damn.
Once inside the station, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Close call.
Meg looked around until she spotted them—her tall, handsome brother with his arm around Penny’s shoulders, headed her way.

Her eyes began to sting, and her throat closed up with emotion when she saw Mark. He had always been there for her, her rock. Suddenly, she couldn’t continue to pretend everything was all right. He spotted her, opened his arms and she flew in, crashing against him. He closed her into his embrace as she sobbed into his chest.

A few people recognized him, but stopped before approaching to ask for an autograph, respecting his privacy. Finally, Megan stepped back, accepted the tissues Penny handed her, and blew her nose. Mark took the suitcase while Penny put her arm around Meg’s shoulders as they walked out to the parking lot.

* * * *

While Megan traveled to her brother and his wife for solace, Chaz was working and toughing it out alone in Phoenix.  He paced in his hotel room. Meg’s silence drove him crazy. He had already thrown everything that wasn’t breakable against the wall, but his frustration kept building until he thought he’d explode.
What is she doing? She’s in love with me, has she forgotten? Is she over me? Hell, I’m still in love with her and that’s not going away.

Three times during shooting today, he’d lost concentration and the director was getting annoyed. He had read the paper but kept it to himself. Still, the cast and crew kept sending Chaz sympathetic looks.
Meg, come back to me. I need you. What did I do? What happened?

The strains of “If I Loved You” interrupted his thoughts.
Meg!
He lunged for the phone on the sofa and answered it quickly.

“Meg?” He was breathless.

“Who? No, Allie.”

“Oh. Allie. What do you want?” Chaz’s shoulders slumped as he stretched out on the sofa and kicked off his shoes.

“Nice greeting for the lady who launched your career.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, Allie? I launched my own career.”

“I know, I know…just kidding.”

“I met the producer after the theater in Pine Grove, Allie. Must I remind you?” The irritation showed in Chaz’s voice.
Damn! Will she never stop claiming credit?

“True, true. But I negotiated your contract.”

“Yes, I know. What do you want? This is not a great time to chat.”

“You were having a bit of trouble on the set today. I spoke to your producer. I’m calling to see if you’re all right.”

“Did you see the paper today?” Chaz peeled his socks off.

“Yeah? So?”

“So? Megan dumped me and won’t tell me why. She won’t take my phone calls…” He ran his hand through his hair.

“I thought you’d be better off now that she’s finally taken off. Geez. Ya know…those headlines and all the negative media attention? Now you’re safe. No more talk about replacing you from the producers. Whew. We dodged that bullet…thanks to me.”

“Thanks to…
you
?” He straightened up.

“Yeah, I had a little conversation with her a few days ago. Just protecting your interests.”

“A conversation? What did you say to her?” Chaz pushed to his feet as tension crawled up his back into his neck.

“The truth. I told her the truth.”

“What truth?”

“You’d be better off without her. She was wrecking your career.”

“What did you say?”

“I told her if she really loved you, she’d get out of your life.”

“Oh my God! You’re responsible for this…this…disaster?” He hollered into the phone as he began to pace.

“What disaster?
West of the Sun
is safe. You should thank me.”

“I had already spoken with the producers. They were cool and understood. There weren’t going to be any more headlines. It’ll be a long time before this film is released anyway. I reassured them, told them the truth…it was fine with them. What have you done? You’ve wrecked my life.” Chaz put his hand over his eyes as tears formed.

“Well, I didn’t know…still, now you’re totally safe…and I—”

“You’re fired.” His tone was calm and cold.

“What?” She gasped on the other end of the phone.

“You’re fired.” Chaz clenched his jaw.

“You can’t do that.”

“Check our contract. I can. I am. I have. Get out of my life, Allie. I mean it. Get out now.”

Chaz hung up the phone. Anger seethed in his chest as he dialed Megan again, but got the recording telling him her phone was off. Sadness overwhelmed him, and he buried his face in his hands.
Two more weeks. I’ve only got two more weeks…then I can go back to New York and try to win her back…if she’s not already in love with some Neanderthal football player.
He picked up his phone and hit redial.
God I hope she doesn’t sleep with him…fall in love with him. Meg…oh God, I hope I’m not too late…please, little chick, pick up the phone.

Chapter Seventeen

After a few days with Mark and Penny, Meg began to smile again. She went to dinner once with Harley Brennan. He was a good sport and allowed the media to photograph them together even though Meg’s reputation was in the toilet. They laughed together about old times. Meg was pleased that though Harley still had a gleam in his eye for her, he didn’t make a pass. The thought of a man other than Chaz touching her made her skin crawl.
It has to be Dunc or celibacy.

After five days, she packed up and headed back to New York City. On the train ride, she made a list of things she needed to do next to get her new office up and running.
I’ll have Mark’s account anyway. Doubt Chaz will give me his…he probably isn’t even talking to me. Dumped…publicly.
A shudder flashed through her body.
I’m so sorry, honey.
Heaviness hit her heart, and her breathing slowed. She put the pen down, leaned back into the seat, and closed her eyes.
God, Dunc…I miss you so much.

The image of his smiling face
—eyes glittering with lust, perfect lips curled into a charming grin—flashed through her mind. She smiled in response.
When Chaz smiles, you must smile back.
Her fingers tingled, anticipating the pressure of his as he took her hand. Someone opened the door. The slight breeze filtering down to her seat tickled her neck, like Chaz’s lips.
Please don’t hate me.
The pen slid out of her hand as she fell into a restless, light slumber, awakening as the train pulled into Penn Station.

Megan released a long breath when she saw there were no reporters or photographers camping out on her doorstep. Briny opened the door of her taxi and she alit with a smile, her eyes searching the lobby floor for a sign of Grady. The pudgy pooch barked, wagged his tail, and panted when he saw her. She knelt down to stroke his soft fur while he licked her face with uncontained joy.

“How was he, Briny?”

“No trouble, Missy. As usual.”

Megan slipped sixty dollars into Briny’s hand and took the leash. Once in the apartment, she searched the freezer for something to defrost for dinner. She pulled out a small packet wrapped in tin foil then prepared Grady’s food. Once he was happily eating, she unwrapped the frozen package. Inside was the last small piece of meatloaf she had prepared for Chaz. She caught her breath and tears appeared before she could stop them. She clutched the small bundle to her chest then yanked it back as the cold hurt her skin.
In honor of Chaz.
She wiped her hand over her eyes and left the meatloaf on the counter to thaw.

Megan worked on her business plan through dinner. Though she needed to plug in more numbers, she had the bare bones of the plan finished by eight thirty. “Come on, Grady. Time for a walk, a long walk.”

She fastened the harness around the pug, noticing that he had lost more weight, and then they headed for the elevator. Once outside, she found herself walking toward Central Park.
I need some luck…good luck. Have had enough bad luck for a lifetime.
She directed her feet toward the Ramble as the sky began to turn toward night. Grady barked once or twice at shadows but kept pace with her, bouncing along and doing his pug swagger. The fear she once had of the Ramble left her, and she looked forward to seeing the stone arch again.

As they approached the unusual structure, the sky grew darker. Warmth crept through her body as she recalled Chaz’s words when he introduced her to this tranquil spot. Grady barked, and Meg stiffened when she spied a figure moving in the shadows. She stopped dead in the middle of the path.
Uh oh. Time to get the hell out of here. 
Before she could flee, a man stepped out of the shadows.

“Coming here to make a wish?” The man stepped into the streetlight. It was Chaz.

Her heart leapt into her throat, making speech impossible, so she simply nodded her head.

“Me, too. I got my wish last time I was here,” he said, approaching her slowly, “I won the Broadway role and the love of my girl…but now I’ve lost both.”

“Not both,” she croaked out, clearing her throat.

He cocked an eyebrow at her.

“Not me.” Her eyes drank in the sight of him in his snug jeans and clinging white t-shirt underneath an open red plaid, flannel shirt. His eyes glistened with desire, like they always did when he looked at her. Her pulse kicked up and her lips tingled.

“That’s not what the papers say.” Chaz remained a respectable distance from her.

“Newspapers lie, you should know that.” A small smile crept over her lips.

He laughed. “Oh they do, yes, they do.”

“You haven’t lost me.” She hugged herself.

“Harley Brennan might disagree with that.”