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Chapter 32
Sunset Strip
VANESSA
I peek around the cupid statue, sighing in irritation. Keenan is still on the phone! We’re supposed to leave. The limo arrived twenty minutes ago to pick us up. My glam team has already cleaned up and cleared out after spending hours turning me into a red-headed Marilyn Monroe. All I have left is my grand entrance, and Keenan is being uncooperative. Frowning, I try to hear what he’s saying as he paces the foyer, agitation coming off him in waves.
“You assured me security would show up with the limo, Rachel, and I don’t see them. I’m not taking Vanessa to a public event where she’s the main focus of screaming humans without a security contingent.” He pauses, listening before snarling, “I don’t care if it is the premier, she’s not going.”
Oh, I don’t think so! He is not about to cancel my very first movie premier ever.
Lifting the voluminous skirt of my gown, I step out from behind the Cupid statue and clear my throat. “If you refuse to take me to my red carpet, I’ll call Pinky. She’s all the protection I need.”
Keenan looks up, his frown disappearing as his mouth falls open.
I smile like a satisfied cat who got her mouse. Now this is the reaction I was hoping for.
I drop my skirt and pose against Cupid, giving him the full effect. My new stylist thought we should go with a show-stopping look for my introduction to the world, choosing a plunging tulle and emerald green gown. The peekaboo skirt gives hints of my bare legs and the halter top leaves the space from my neck to my belly bare. I feel like a goddess.
“You are a goddess.” He presses the end button on his phone, shoves it into his pocket and rushes up the stairs toward me, nearly knocking me over as he wraps his hands around my waist.
“Careful,” I whisper. “Don’t crush the dress.”
He groans. “I want to touch you all over.” Bending his head, he inhales. “Fuck, you smell like rare prime rib cooked by the best royal chef.”
Giggling, I say, “Thanks, now let’s go.”
His gaze is worried. “I hate exposing you to so much risk. It goes against my nature to allow you to walk into a crowd of people where anyone can get to you.”
I palm his cheek, savouring the softness of his beard. “My love, you are an amazing husband and protector, but this is what I’ve spent a lifetime working toward. This night, this moment, is my dream, and I’m not missing it. In order to find my place in this industry I’ve had to read a lot of terrible scripts, try out for a lot of terrible parts, try out for some great parts and watch them go to other actors. I’ve avoided the seedier side of the industry, which meant giving up on parts that I would’ve been perfect for. Now, I’m connected to something spectacular, a Wesselman film, and I can’t let this opportunity pass. My entire career is on that red carpet tonight, I have to go.”
I read the understanding in his head, but he still resists the thought of leaving the house. “What about your life, Vanessa? Isn’t that more important? I love your passion for acting, but I love you more and I can’t control a crowd.”
I go up on my toes and press my lips to his, whispering, “You don’t have to control anything, Keenan. You’re my husband, not security for the event. You just have to be with me at my first movie premier.” I lean back, admiring him. “We can’t let tuxedo Keenan go to waste, he’s too delicious.”
He shakes his head, but he’s softening. He wants me to have my every heart’s desire, which means I get my red-carpet moment. I hate that he’s worried, that he won’t be able to relax until we’re home, but I can’t live my life locked in a mansion. Okay, well, I can live my life locked in a mansion, and would if it were up to him, but I don’t want to! I want to shine and I want Keenan to shine with me.
Gripping his hand, I pull him down the stairs. “Let’s go see what kind of a limo Rachel sent. I asked for one with a hot tub, but I don’t think she took me seriously.” I yank open the front door and step outside, catching sight of a sleek black limousine. “Wow, it’s so big!”
I climb in the back while Keenan speaks with the driver, asking him for credentials, giving him instructions on what route to take to the venue and what speed he should drive at.
“There’s a mini bar in here and everything!” I open the skylight and stand up, waving a bag of premium salted peanuts at Keenan. “No hot tub, but I think we’ll be comfortable. Come check it out.”
Keenan waves at me, then stares down the driver. “One tick above the speed limit and we’ll be talking.” He bares his teeth before climbing into the back with me.
“Don’t mind him,” I say to the driver through the open partition as he settles into the driver’s seat. “He used to be my bodyguard, which makes him pretty strict about security.”
The driver is a man in his mid-twenties, wearing a classic black suit, sunglasses and a hat. “No problem, Ms. Bedalia. I’ll get you there safely.” He hesitates before adding in a rush, “It’s really nice to meet you. I’m a huge Zach Wesselman fan and I can’t wait to see the movie.”
“Really?” Excitement bubbles up inside me at getting to meet another Wesselman fan. I move to the seat behind the cab so I can hear him better. “Did you see Vendor’s Gold? It’s my favourite.”
He nods emphatically, taking his sunglasses off and turning to face me. “Vendor’s Gold is awesome. I loved the ending where Adele jumps off the cliff and the audience is left hanging. Did she live or did she die? That’s what I love about Wesselman. He makes you think.”
My mind races as I try to figure out how to get him tickets to the premier. “What’s your name?”
He extends his hand through the partition. “I’m Ryder. Limo driver and aspiring –”
Before he can finish, the partition moves, sliding up and breaking our handshake. I turn a glare on my wolf whose finger is depressing the button.
