Hollywood Princess (18 page)
Read Hollywood Princess Online
Authors: Dana Aynn Levin
I yawned
and Danny reached for my hand, kissing it.
“Get some sleep, babe,” he said.
Before drifting off, I thought of what a remarkable few months it had been. When I left home last August, a boyfriend was not on my to-do list. But here I was, on a cross-country flight with Danny. Who would have thought it?
Assuming
Lincoln Boulevard is clear, it takes no more than 25 minutes to get home from LAX. For the first time, I found myself wishing I lived in the valley instead of Santa Monica. The advantages of the neighborhood paled in comparison to extending my time with Danny.
All too soon
the driver entered the gates to the Jacobs’ San Vicente compound.
Surprisin
gly my mother opened the door. Miranda Jordan never answered the door. “They’re here!” she screamed and Mom embraced us both warmly.
“
Elizabeth!” Dad exclaimed. He hugged me, excited that his little girl was home.
“Daniel,” Dad embraced Danny
. “It’s always good to see you, son.”
“Good to see you too, Mike,” Da
nny replied. “I’ll take Eli’s bags upstairs.” Then he went to retrieve my suitcases from the chauffeur.
O
n his second trip, I followed Danny up the long curving staircase and down the lengthy hallway to the end. My bedroom seemed as though it belonged to someone else. I felt so removed from the girl who only a few years earlier had worked with the decorator to create a dream teen sanctuary.
“Elizabeth, y
ou look lost,” Danny interrupted my thoughts.
“I feel lost,” I answered.
Danny took my hands. “It’ll pass.” He’d been through this while attending prep school.
“This
is different. Danny, you won’t be at breakfast with me.”
Danny took me in his arms
, brushed my hair off my face, and kissed me.
“
The car is waiting. I’ll call you in the morning, but I’m seeing Chad and Eliot tomorrow night before they leave for Hawaii,” Danny said apologetically.
Danny’s Brentwood posse. I shuddered thinking what he might do out with them.
“When will I see you?” I hated having to ask.
“Saturd
ay. And I know the perfect place to spend the afternoon before we go to Ali’s.”
“I was hoping you’d forget. Ali
never invited me.”
“I’m sure i
t was just an oversight. Besides, you’re my girl, so who cares.”
Danny kiss
ed me, holding me as tightly as he could. Every insecurity vanished.
Mom
knocked on the open door. I turned crimson.
“Daniel, the driver is waiting
.” Mom scowled.
“I’ll be right down, Randi,” Danny answered calmly
. Then Mom left.
Danny turned back to me.
“I’ll speak to you tomorrow. I love you, baby,” he smiled and kissed my forehead.
A few steps from the bottom of the staircase and we we
re face-to-face. Danny had cleaned up nicely, wearing freshly pressed chino shorts and a polo shirt. His shaggy hair was brushed perfectly into place. My hair was wet from having just stepped out of the shower and I was wearing nothing but my short terry robe.
Joy
ously I threw my arms around Danny’s neck and kissed him.
“What are you doing
here?” I asked breathlessly.
“You said you’d miss not having breakfast with me,” he answered with
a twinkle in his eyes and an impish grin on his lips.
“You’re here for breakfast?” I laughed.
“Why not?” Danny shrugged. “I missed you.”
“So you
said to Ellen ‘bye Mom, I’m eating at Eli’s?’ What? Do we have better eggs?”
Danny laughed.
“More or less. Mom wants you happy and so do I. View’s better here too.” He fingered the neckline of my robe to sneak a peek.
“Daniel!” I playfully scolded as I swatted his fingers away.
“What’s for breakfast, anyway?” Danny asked.
“I don’t know
.” I hadn’t even thought about it.
“Maybe you are.” Danny
drew me into his arms for a kiss.
“Good morning, Daniel.
” Dad interrupted, surprised to find an unexpected guest.
“Hey, Mike,” Danny answered as though it were normal for him to be here
, holding me in a clinch.
“Danny
’s here for breakfast,” I chirped.
“Eliz
abeth, put some clothing on,” Dad sternly ordered.
I blushed as I
noticed my robe had slipped and was half-opened. I yanked it closed while Danny’s eyes and beaming smile never left me.
Dad shook his head. “I hope you’re being smart,” he called as he passed. “I’m too young to be a grandfather.”
Once upstairs, I quickly threw on sweats, a v-necked tee, and flip-flops, finger-fluffed my hair and hurried down to the patio.
Flora had already serve
d my parents and Danny. She offered me fluffy scrambled eggs while Danny rose and pulled out a chair for me to sit between him and Dad.
I
helped myself to a croissant from the basket while Danny poured me fresh-squeezed orange juice from the crystal pitcher. It was a beautiful day; warmer than one would expect this late in December.
I smiled at
my parents, hoping that would diffuse the tension threatening to envelope us like the June fog. It didn’t.
Danny
reached for a second croissant. Otherwise the silence was deafening. If breakfast at the Jacobs’ home was like this, I would seriously consider dining at the Newman’s tomorrow.
“Daniel, are you moving in?”
Mom finally broke the silence. I stared, first at her and then at Danny. Dad nearly choked on his coffee.
“No,” Danny stammered. Even
he was flustered.
“It’s my fault, Mom,” I started
, “We always have breakfast together and…” Too late I realized how that must sound. “… and I told Danny I would miss him,” I hurried to complete before I stuck my foot further into my mouth.
“Yeah, Randi,” Danny added,
“I thought I would surprise Eli since I can’t see her today. I didn’t mean to be presumptuous.”
Mom sighed
, exasperated. “Daniel, you know you’re always welcome here.”
Danny didn’t stay much longer.
He had golf with Steve and the Newmans take their golf very seriously. Disappointed, I walked Danny to his car.
“Be good
,” Danny teased while standing by the side of his shiny, black Porsche convertible. Our arms wrapped around each other and we kissed before Danny climbed in and sped away.
I spent the
remainder of the day with Dad at his office on the Sony Pictures lot. Later Mom joined us to attend Dad’s annual corporate Christmas party.
The well-attended gala was intended for families. T
here were activities for all ages, including a hill of trucked-in snow to play on. The caterers were the best in Hollywood and a popular DJ provided the entertainment.
Mom, as always, looked chic in designer trousers, a sweater, and black leather boots with stiletto heels that made her taller than Dad.
The evening was immensely enjoyable. Dad could relax now. He was closing the office until after New Year’s. Enjoying family time was all that mattered now.
The weather had turned cloudy and co
oler, but Danny greeted me in the carpark with a warm embrace, stroking my cashmere V-necked sweater.
“Eli! I missed you, babe,” Danny said before kissing me.
“It didn’t feel right. A whole day without you.” I sounded like an addict and I didn’t care.
Danny opened the
passenger door to the Porsche and helped me in before climbing into the driver’s seat and turning the ignition.
“I
brought a picnic basket. We’re going to the beach,” he said.
What a delightful choice! The
Newman house in Malibu was so obvious. Less than an hour away, it was like going to another world; our own private idyllic world.
As
children, Danny and I had spent a considerable amount of time there. Summer days found us under the watchful eyes of our nannies, building sand castles and frolicking in the surf. Our families sometimes even spent weekends together.
I giggled at
the fond memories. Danny gave me a sideways glance, and having reached the straighter Pacific Coast Highway, he took my hand again.
Soon
enough, we turned onto Malibu Road. The exteriors of the older beach houses are unimpressive and the Newman’s fit the rule. Architectural conformity made the house difficult to find unless you’d visited before. It was ordinary light blue clapboard with a level of porthole-sized windows rising above the three-car garage.
Danny punched in the security code on the keypad by the door
leading into the house from the garage. My heart fluttered in anticipation. It had been so long.
“You are such an incredible
romantic,” I said as we entered the house with Danny carrying the wicker picnic basket. “I always hoped I’d find a man who was romantic.”
The
brief hallway from the garage led to the Great Room, a combination living/dining room and sizable open kitchen. The pickled hardwood floors were just as I remembered. The furniture I was less certain of.
“Has Ellen redecorated?” I asked.
“New sofas,” Danny answered. “E, you never heard about the infamous party my first year at Bromley when I invited five classmates for Christmas?”
“I must have missed that one
.”
“You were definitely not on the guest list
. Six preps, a keg of beer and uh, other stuff,” Danny admitted sheepishly. “Not the place for a ‘nice girl’ like Elizabeth Jacobs.”
“
Not fair! I miss all the fun.” I pouted.
“Yo
u would not have found it fun. Trust me, E. It was not the place for you. When my parents arrived the next morning,” Danny shook his head, embarrassed. “Let’s just say, I’ve never seen them so angry. It was ugly.”
The new sofa was a pale turquoise sectional with
matching pillows. The seating areas were quite deep. Snuggling with Danny would be cozy indeed. Getting up would be impossibly difficult.
Through the wall
of glass sliders was an enclosed deck leading to the beach. The perimeter enclosure served as a barricade between the Newman’s private paradise and the public. Designed with several seating/dining areas, chaise lounges, and an outdoor kitchen, there was even a hot tub and a gas powered brick fireplace.
“
Let’s have our picnic,” Danny suggested.
Then he grabbed a chenille throw from the sofa and we strode through the doors,
to the patio and beyond to the empty beach, hand-in-hand with our basket.
Reaching
a flat piece of sand, Danny laid out the blanket, and we sat down to enjoy our lunch. Danny had packed simple fare; strawberries, wrap sandwiches, chips and cookies. He had even packed two champagne flutes and a bottle of sparkling cider.
“I would have brought champagne but I
couldn’t take a chance,” Danny teased.
“Am I ever going to live that down?” I asked.
“Probably not,” and he kissed me. “You’re an adorable drunk,” Danny added, “Even when you get sick.”
“
Thanks. I think.”
Danny laughed and poured
the cider and handed me a flute. Then we lifted our glasses, and he toasted me.
“To the girl who
always puts a smile on my face.” And of course, I smiled.
Then I kissed Danny’s
cheek, and we drank to his toast.
“My turn
,” I declared. “Danny, you’ve made me so happy. I love you. Always.”
After
eating, I nestled into Danny’s strong arms and we sat silently watching the waves. The warmth radiating between us as Danny held me against his chest was as relaxing as a day at the spa. We were so content.
My
thoughts drifted. Was there a connection between tonight’s party and that party from year’s ago? Had Ali been a guest? Could jealousy be the reason for her snub?
“Danny,” I hated interrupting our mood
. “Was Ali at that party?” I stammered. I didn’t know if I wanted to learn the truth.
“Yeah,
Ali was there,” Danny said contritely.
That
sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach formed.
“Did anything happen between you and Ali?”
“I was so wasted. All I remember is my parents arriving in the morning.”
Danny held me tighter and gently stroked my shoulder.
“Must we discuss this? It’s in the past, baby.” Danny sighed uncomfortably.
Even I wasn’t that naïve.
“Danny, you slept with Ali!” I gasped, horrified.
This
bothered me a great deal though I knew it shouldn’t. It had happened five years ago. I knew Danny had been with other girls. It wasn’t as though I’d thought he’d been a virgin. But Ali Hayes! Ali was vile!
Danny
felt my revulsion. I couldn’t look at him.
“
Eli,” he spoke softly. “It was years ago. I was only fifteen. I’ve never gone near Ali again. This has nothing to do with us.”
“
This probably explains Ali’s animosity toward me.” I frowned.
“You don’t r
eally think that, do you?”
“I don’t know. I’m the only one she didn’t invite.”
Danny was silent. Finally I sighed. It was up to me to rescue our day from this funk. I smiled into Danny’s sparkling sapphire eyes. He lifted my chin and kissed me.
The sun was setting now, creating a glorious display of pink, purple and
gray across the horizon. There was a chill in the air.
“Let’s go inside,” Danny
whispered.
I nodded an
d picked up the picnic basket. Danny slung the throw over his shoulder. Then he picked me up by my waist, swinging me in a circle.
“Danny,” I laughed.
“Eli,” he smirked.
Danny carried
me all the way to the house before setting me on my feet.
“Now I’ll show you your old room,” Danny said after he laid the throw back on the sofa and I placed the basket on the kitchen counter.
“I’d like that,” I responded
breathlessly.
I grabbed Danny’s hand and pulled him up the stairs. My old room was the back
one. It had a large window on the side where if you stood just-so you could catch a glimpse of the Pacific. Smaller, portholes looked out on the road. The master was the only upstairs room with an ocean front balcony and full view.
I s
topped short in the doorway. Ellen had been at work here too.
“It’s so different,” I
said, surprised to find navy-bordered Frette linens on an untouched king-sized bed.
“Mom wan
ted a change,” Danny answered. The room was so pristine it looked as though no one lived there.
“
Has anyone ever slept here?” I wondered aloud.
“I have.
A few times,” Danny replied.
“Alone?”
“Yes, alone. I’m banned from having overnight guests.”
I laughed.
“Are you kidding?”
“Actually, no. I need explicit permission before I can bring friends and then a parent or Graci stays over
.”
I giggled. How embarrassing.
“What about me? Do they know we’re here?”
“No,” Danny answered sheepishly. “I didn’t tell them.”
Hiding my smirk, I jumped backwards onto the bed. My body enjoyed the luxurious mattress and extra plump down pillows. I reached out my arms to Danny and he gently jumped on top of me. I giggled and we kissed.
“You’re sure you can have guests who are girls?” I asked with a
wry smile.
“Probably not.
But you, yeah,” Danny answered, “After all, you’re not a real girl. You’re only Eli.”
Dan
ny grinned, and I kissed him. Then he urgently removed my clothes. Danny enjoyed letting me show him that I was indeed a very real girl.
Snuggled in Danny’s arms,
my hand tracing patterns on his taut shoulder, I sighed, content from our lovemaking. Danny’s scent, a heady mixture of salt air, perspiration and faded cologne was intoxicating. The strength of his muscles provided a masculine counterpoint to my soft femininity. I looked up at him and couldn’t help but smile.
“Maybe
we could skip Ali’s party and stay here,” I thought but I didn’t dare voice. I knew I would lose the argument, so why bother.
“What’s up, baby
?” Danny asked softly.
“Y
ou. You and how happy you’ve made me.” I pressed my body into him. Danny took a handful of my hair and tickled my cheek with it.
“Stop that!” I playfully protested.
“Not until you tell me what you’re thinking.”
Danny kept tickling me.
I squirmed and giggled until I couldn’t take it any more.
“All right, already!”
I exclaimed and Danny dropped my hair. “I’m uncomfortable about tonight.”
“Ali’s not going to throw you out
or cause a scene. You’re with me.” The most popular guy in Brentwood whom the social scene revolved around, that fact went unspoken.
“It’s not
just Ali. I haven’t told Steff and Emma about us.”
“How do your best friends not know who your boyfriend is?”
“I’m shy?”
Danny stopped, and stared at my naked body.
“Shy? I don’t think so, Eli,” he laughed.
“
Not with you,” I giggled. “With showing up in Brentwood with you. Everyone always thought I was your pet, following you around.”
“You’re an adorable pet and you c
an follow me anywhere you want. Elizabeth, you’re being really weird. What is your problem?”
I shrugged, embarrassed. “I am being weird, aren’t I?”
“Yes. But you’re cute, sexy
and I love you, so snap out of it.”
“Danny, how do you think
our friends will react when we walk in together?”
“The girls will turn green with envy and claw your eyes out. The guys will gawk and say, ‘What a hot babe! Lucky Newman,’” he responded flippantly.
“I’m serious, Danny.”
“I
don’t care what anyone thinks. I’m confident that I’m with the most desirable girl on earth. If someone doesn’t like it, that’s their problem, not mine.”
I
studied the perfect mouth these words had come from. More importantly, I thought of the loving heart beating against my palm and its genuineness.
This crowd
considered me an awkward geek and Danny the coolest guy in town. Arriving at Ali’s with Danny would be my vindication. If Danny could be this confident, so could I.
I threw my arms around his neck
and enthusiastically kissed him. Danny crushed me into the pillows and devoured my lips. My body tingled as I felt him harden against me. We were drunk with love.