He had to admit, he was a bit jealous. Not of Asha or her ginger boy toy, but of what they were experiencing right now. That all-consumingneedto be with another person. The sort of raging desire and attraction that meant you couldn’t—wouldn’t—be parted for long.
He hadn’t felt that for years. Maybe for more than a decade now.
“Otherwise, the big names are my cast friends who live in the area. Carah Brown. Maria Ivarsson. Peter Reedton.” He hadn’t bothered issuing an invitation to Ian, and Mackenzie had already given money on Whiskers’s behalf. “I don’t think you’ve met any of them. They’d all finished filming before you arrived.”
Marcus would have come too, but he was currently in San Francisco and utterly preoccupied with a geologist named April, and Alex wouldn’t get in the way of that.
He’d just make sure Marcus sent the charity a healthy donation later.
Lauren’s voice came from near the bed, and he startled.
“Let’s get you home,” she said quietly. “We both need lunch and a nap, and you need to work on your speech.”
She was back in a nondescript tee and jeans, lovely eyes sympathetic as she surveyed his limp, supine form. Her beaky, crooked nose caught the light from one of the casement windows, and he stared.
Maybe she was right after all.
Maybe flashier clothing would only compete with her distinctive features and frame. Maybe they’d distract from what made her interesting and unique.
Not that he’d ever tell her that.
When she held out her hand, he took it. She helped him off the bed, and he gave her fingers a little squeeze before letting go.
“Don’t think I missed the wedge heels you packed into your suitcase.” He sniffed in judgment, hoisted her luggage, and swept out her bedroom door. “Hasn’t the Killjoy Guild of America discussed the dangers of such sartorial folly and extravagance?”
She snorted, and he smiled, content.
Lauren’s Email
From: [email protected]
Subject: Weekly report and tomorrow’s event
Dear Ron—
As promised, here’s my first weekly report as to Alex’s behavior. I know you didn’t want to tell him I was sending you regular updates, but as you may recall, Ideliberately remained silent and didn’t argue, but alsodid not agree to that stricture. Thus, I informed him on our first day together that I would be writing you every week, and reminded him of that again today. He said to send“regards so warm they might as well be afire, which, now that I consider the matter, may help prepare him for the afterlife”his regards.
Thus far, his behavior has beenirritating as hell, but essentiallyunobjectionable. On set, as you know, he was hardworking and professional. Whenever and wherever we have encountered fans, he has been kind and charming and patient about selfies. He has also been very welcoming in his home.
Finally, despite your concerns, he has not shared any confidential or damaging information about the production or the final season’s scripts, and he has not consumed alcohol to excess on any occasion.Are you entirely certain he was drunk the night of the bar fight?
If you desire other information from me, please let me know, andI will consider whether your requests constitute an invasion of Alex’s privacywe can discuss the matter.
I know that I am supposed to accompany him to his red-carpet charity auction tomorrow, but I’m unclear as far as what is expected of me at the event. Do you intend for me to walk the red carpet by his side? He has indicated that he expects that, butsurely he should have someone better suited to such events accompanying himI wasn’t certain.
Also, what explanation do you wish me to give for my presence? Alex has indicated that he wouldn’t mind my telling everyone“this is Nanny Clegg, the perplexingly short albatross I must carry in penance for my previous misdeeds”the truth, but I don’t think that reflects well on either him or your production. If you can, please advise me before tomorrow night.
My mother sends her regards, which, unlike Alex’s, would be genuinely warm, because she doesn’t know you very well.
Sincerely,
Lauren
7
LATER THAT EVENING, AFTER ALEX HAD LUNCHED, NAPPED, wrestled his speech into something workable, received Ron’s approval, and eaten supper with Lauren in his dining nook, he thumped down into his office chair and made two calls he’d been avoiding.
