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  “I could have changed your mind.”

  “I bet you thought you could.” She smiled.

  He stood by the sink with his arms folded over his broad chest. “You know what I miss the most? Your smile. It really does light up a room.”

  “And I miss seeing you out on the deck with a script in your hand. So immersed in it day would turn to night and you wouldn’t even notice.”

  “You know the worst part about all of this is? I can’t even give you a good reason why I slept with Brianna. She’d been chasing me around Hollywood for two years. As soon as I had happiness within my reach with you, I deliberately wrecked it.”

  Kate sighed and popped a grape tomato in her mouth. “At least you’re honest and finally admit you don’t know why. It’s not too late. You can talk to someone about it. Maybe it has something to do with your dad’s philandering.”

  “I promised myself I would never be like that.”

  “I can’t help you figure that out, I’m afraid. I can’t fall into the fixing-people pattern again. But I do wish you the best in your journey.”

  “What can I do to keep you in my life?”

  “You can let me go. This wasn’t meant to be. No matter how much both of wanted it in the beginning.”

  “You were right. I didn’t love you. But what I felt for you was the closest I’ve been able to get to that word in a very long time.”

  “You’re losing a wife but not a friend. Nothing could stop us from being friends.” She smiled.

  “So I refuse to sign the divorce papers, I try to get your new boy toy fired from my movie, and I may be the father of a baby conceived out of a one-night stand and you still want to be friends?”

  “This is Hollywood, remember? You just described a plot to a juicy movie. I’d go see it. As long as you have someone fabulous playing me, of course.”

  “Of course.” He paused and looked toward the hallway. “The divorce papers are in the study. I signed them this morning.”

  “What made you sign?”

  “I have done enough damage to your reputation. I have to take the baby daddy leg of the scandal train on my own.”

  “If it is yours, I hope you consider being in the baby’s life. You have a lot to offer a child. Don’t punish the baby because of your feelings toward Brianna.”

  “I’ll think about that.”

  Kate went back to the platter. She was getting hungry.

  “You want to stay for dinner? This trout is going to be awesome.”

  She smiled. “Chris is waiting for me at the hotel.”

  “I hate to ask, but what is it with the two of you? Talk about an unlikely pairing.”

  “To tell you the truth, I don’t know either. But we click. It’s hard to describe.”

  “Asshole.”

  “I have a radical idea. Why don’t I go back to the hotel and get Chris and we can eat dinner together?”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “You’ve been getting along on set.”

  “At Marvin’s insistence.”

  “It’s more than that. I think it’s time you two talked. The kind of talk you would have had with someone you saw great potential in had none of this happened.”

  “Haven’t I had enough growth for one day?”

  Kate put her hands on her hips and looked Jack in the eyes. “I have an idea to help you get ahead of the baby daddy media train wreck that’s coming your way.”

  * * *

  Chris had to hand it to Kate—she didn’t give herself enough credit for being able to diffuse volatile situations. By the time he got to the cabin, she and Jack were at peace with their divorce. They had a lovely evening with great food, and Jack even shared a few things about the movie with him. It was amazing what clearing the air could do for one’s psyche.

  Jack returned to Los Angeles the next day and they resumed taping. The cast and crew were perplexed at the kindness Jack and Chris were showing each other.

  * * *

  The Eighties Rocks benefit was being held at the Kodak Theater. For three weeks Kate practiced in the studio, at home, and even with a few boardwalk performers she knew. She and Chris were beginning to fall into a routine. He would make sure he was home in time for dinner. They took walks on the beach with Merlot and had weekly dinner dates with Marvin and Clara.

  When Kate descended from the bedroom wearing an elegant black, off the shoulder evening gown that fit her like a second skin, Chris almost choked on his drink.

  “You look gorgeous.”

  “Thank you. You look handsome in your suit.” She came over and adjusted his tie.

  “Thanks. It was almost worth getting felt up by Nico to get this made.”

  She raised an eyebrow.

  “I began getting skeptical when he measured my crotch five times.”

  She laughed. “You should have given him my cell number. I could have told him your crotch measurements.”

  Chris smiled and started to kiss her, but she put her hand up to his lips. “I am not a good makeup person so if you want me to keep looking gorgeous, I would refrain until the evening is over.”

  “Aw, man.”

  Kate’s phone rang. “Hi, Clara. Oh! I totally forgot! We’ll be right over.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Merlot is on the cover of Barker’s Monthly next month, and we were supposed to pose for a picture. The photographer is over there now.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “It was all Clara’s idea. I get the feeling me, Marvin, and Merlot are going to get cut out and Clara’s going to do naughty things with your picture.”

  “I’m going to be physically ill.”

  She laughed. “Come on.”

  * * *

  Chris was in disbelief that they were posing for a photo to be featured in Barker’s Monthly, but it did make for an awesome eclectic photo. Merlot sat perched on a table between his two sets of parents, one dressed to the nines in formalwear and the other pair in leisure jogging suits. After the photo was taken, they bid them farewell and said they would see them at the benefit.

  * * *

  The wager between Kingston Shane and Kate garnered a heavy turnout for the charity event. Everyone at her record label was there as well as several of their artists. Kate knew she was representing more than just her reputation; she was defending her love of music and what it meant to her. Chris sat in the first row, smiling. Marvin, Clara, and John were in the front row too.

  When Kingston Shane came onto the stage he received a standing ovation. He looked back to see Kate on the drums and nodded to her. The song he chose was one of his legendary classics that had a very intricate drum solo just before he was to begin the lyrics. As each instrument layered on top of the other, building to the crescendo of Kate’s drum solo, the crowd faded out and she was alone on the stage. As soon as she heard the chord cue from the bass guitarist, Kate began beating on the tom-toms and the floor tom at the same time. She kept her rhythm steady with the rest of the band and ended her solo with two more crash cymbal hits that weren’t originally in the song. Kingston, not missing a beat, bowed at Kate and then took the microphone and to sing in his authentic eighties rocker croon.

  The audience applauded. Chris jumped up to give her a standing ovation and the rest the audience followed. Kate continued to play.

  * * *

  A camera crew was waiting when they finally exited the stage.

  A reporter jostled into position in front of Kingston. “Well, Kingston, the audience seems to think Kate proved her point. What do you think?”

  “I have underestimated few people in my life, and apparently I’ve done that with Kate Garrison. She plays like a forty-five-year-old drummer trying to kick a meth habit.”

  The reporter and his soundman exchanged puzzled looks.

  “That means she kicks ass.” He rolled his eyes.

  Kate laughed and extended her hand. “I just want to say the world misses the music you create. You�
��re right. Nobody rocks like you do.”

  “A deal’s a deal. I bet Bethany if you won. Here you go.” Kingston handed her the guitar.

  “I could never make a guitarist part with a body part. Bethany is an appendage for you. Actually my deal was for Bethany and for you to get off your collective asses and make a new album.”

  “So when do you want me in the studio, boss?”

  “Two weeks from now. We’ll hash out the details later.”

  After a few more photo ops, Kingston pulled her to the side.

  “I want to thank you and Marvin for this. This is the kick in the pants I needed to get my career restarted. Marvin is a wickedly smart man, isn’t he?”

  “Yes, he is.” She had figured out what Marvin was up to as well. He needed someone to motivate an old friend to greatness again.

  “And he thinks the world of you. See you in two weeks, and I’ll try to be at the studio before noon.” He kissed her on the cheek.

  “Kingston, get your lips off my woman.”

  They both turned around to see Chris coming their way.

  “Can’t blame a man for trying.” Kingston winked. “By the way, love, I rudely cut you off at Marv’s party when you were telling me who your godfather was. The man who taught you how to play drums?”

  “Oh! My godfather is Benny Sanchez.”

  “Benny Sanchez?” Kingston took a step back and put his hand to his chest.

  Kate kept her expression calm. “He said to tell you that you are…wait a second.” Kate pulled out her cell phone to read the text. “A driveling piece of shit and it would be a cold day in Havana before his goddaughter wouldn’t able to rock out with you.”

  “Your godfather’s an asshole. A brilliant drummer, but still an asshole.” He walked away.

  “You were great!” Chris picked Kate up and whirled her around.

  “Thank you.” She kissed him without thinking too much about the million camera-wielding paparazzi surrounding them. When they pulled apart, Kate understood that neither of them had just staged that photo op.

  Chapter Nine

  Chris didn’t mind doing his own stunts. In this scene he was going to be brawling with another guy who’d stolen some money from Danny. He was generally wired for these scenes, but after making love to Kate that morning, he didn’t have the energy to do anything. He was usually able to nail most stunts on the first take. This was the third time the stunt coordinator had to talk to him about losing his footing. He had to stop thinking about Kate, which was the last thing he wanted to do.

  Jack approached him. “Wanna have lunch today?”

  “Sure. I’d like that.” Ever since the dinner at the cabin, Jack was trying his best to be friendly. Chris liked that. He admired the man, for heaven’s sake. Working with Jack Pierce had been on his career wish list. He’d achieved most of the things on his list but he didn’t have meeting a great woman like Kate on it. She was, by far, the greatest thing that had happened to him in his six years in the business.

  Now his plan to become an elusive playboy bachelor, always narrowly escaping being matrimonially chained to someone in this town seemed stupid. Kate was real. She was beautiful and smart, had her own career, and saw that he was good for more than being a pretty face. Stan had been receiving meatier scripts, and Chris was optimistic that this was the beginning of his A list ascension. But that didn’t seem so important anymore.

  * * *

  Chris was barely able to tie his tie. “Shit! This tie is crooked again.”

  Kate put her hand on his shoulder and turned him around. “Take a deep breath.”

  They both inhaled together. Chris watched as her cleavage rose. She was ravishing in her strapless, soft pink gown.

  “Do we have time to—”

  She slapped him.

  He smiled.

  “There.” She finished fixing his tie.

  “Before you see the screening, I wanted to talk to you about it.” He took a seat on the bed. “When I got the first call from Stan about the audition for this movie, I was over the moon. I just knew this was the exposure I was hoping for to send me to better places. And then when I was in the final round for the role, I took a look at the competition. I gotta tell you, a few of them were better than me. They had greater range, a better resume. I was totally surprised I got it. I asked Jack one day when we were having lunch together why he ultimately chose me. He laughed for about five minutes before he told me that you were the reason why he wanted me.”

  Kate smiled and got a faraway look in her eyes. “Jack was on the fence about you. He even watched all your movies to see if it would help him make a decision. I told Jack that behind those beautiful blue eyes was a tortured soul. And Danny was that good kid raised in the wrong situation who ended up with a hero complex. He wanted to save everyone in the movie, but he never bothered trying to save himself.”

  “You don’t how much I love you for that.” He hugged her.

  “I don’t know if you understand this, but it was important for you and Jack to meet. To have this experience with each other.”

  “I love you. For real. I know I’ve been throwing that word around since we started this charade but I mean it. When you see my performance tonight I want you to know that because of you I was able to pull out of myself the best of me and immerse in that role.”

  “I love you too.”

  “So what are we going to do about it?”

  “How about we stop pretending?”

  “Fine with me.” Chris’s gentle caress and kiss turned into a firestorm. He guided Kate to the edge of the bed.

  “You have exactly fourteen minutes to rock my world.” She giggled.

  * * *

  Chris held Kate’s hand from the time they got out of the limousine. They did a lot of photo ops and had a few brief interviews. A reporter asked what he was going to do after the press junket.

  “I was thinking of taking Kate on a much needed vacation.” He turned to Kate. “What do you think?”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Jack was making his way up the red carpet. When all this started Kate thought she’d be coming to the premiere with her brilliant director husband. Fate had a way of changing like the wind in this town. Jack had a model on his arm and looked dashing. He saw Kate and waved. She motioned for him to come over.

  Jack slowly walked over to the couple and shook Chris’s hand. “Chris, good to see you.”

  “Same here, Jack.”

  “Kate, I—”

  She grabbed him and gave him a big hug. For a moment, the entire red carpet stopped.

  “My favorite director in the whole world.” She smiled.

  Jack let out a wry laugh.

  Kate pulled both Chris and Jack to each side of her and knew she wouldn’t have to ask for anyone to take their picture. Cameras were flashing fast and furious as the three of them stood there with genuine smiles on their face. After their picture was taken, she stepped out of the way so the press could snap photos of Chris and Jack together.

  Jack leaned over to Chris, keeping the photo-op grin on his face. “She’s something else.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  Kate stepped back in between them.

  “I was thinking about your baby mama scandal and thought we’d distract the world with rumors we’re in a ménage à trois.”

  “Kinky.” Chris raised his eyebrows.

  Chapter Ten

  “Did you pack your swim trunks?” Kate yelled at Chris from the bathroom.

  “Yes.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “I got it.” Chris ran through the house.

  For a moment, the house went silent. Kate was always comforted that she could hear the ocean even through the walls of her beach house. But now, she couldn’t even hear her precious waves. She couldn’t hear Chris in the house. She was scared. Then all of a sudden the world seemed to go forward again after being on pause for that brief moment.

  “Kate!”

&nb
sp; “What?” The tears began to fall even before Chris reached the bathroom.

  “That was Connie, Clara’s housekeeper. Marvin died this morning.”

  * * *

  By the time Chris and Kate made it to their house, Clara was inconsolable. Kate tried her best to comfort her, but she was in need of some comfort herself. Chris immediately canceled their trip and informed Clara that he and Kate would be there for whatever she needed.

  Marvin had everything spelled out in his will, so all they had to do was read the instructions he’d left and follow the steps. Leave it to him to have organized his own burial. Clara spent most of her time in her bedroom crying while Kate tried to get her to eat something.

  After the funeral, Marvin’s closest friends converged on the beach house in memorial to a great man. There were people there so powerful Kate wondered how Hollywood was functioning without all the major players stapled to their desks. Kingston Shane seemed to be taking it exceptionally hard, crying one minute then laughing the next. Since working with him on his new album Kate knew this was just how the man was. Henry Weismann came and was on his best behavior for Clara. Kate remembered Marvin’s reservations about his son and vowed to take care of Clara even if Henry wouldn’t.

  It was getting late in the day when Clara finally emerged from the bedroom. She went directly to Marvin’s attorney, Joel Goshen, and asked him to begin. Joel asked for everyone’s attention and instructed them that Marvin left a video of his last will and testament and wanted it to be played.

  Marvin’s face appeared on the plasma television. He looked larger than life. “My family and friends, if you are listening to this then it means I am no longer with you. And if you’re asking yourself why I did something so corny like a taped last will and testament, then you’d know this is my way of reaching beyond the grave to touch you one last time.”