Mr. Hollywood (Celebrity #1) (15 page)

Two could play this game. Glancing at Aubrey, I
grinned.
“
Getting reacquainted with an old
friend.
”

Margo stared at Aubrey with a smile, though it was
faltering a bit as she struggled to keep it in place.
“
Well, we can certainly see why you
’
d want to do that. Your date is a
vision. What
’
s your name and who are you
wearing, dear?
”
Margo asked, turning the
microphone to Aubrey.

“
Thank
you. My name is Aubrey, and my lovely dress is made by Dominic Florin,
”
Aubrey stated, smiling and looking
as cool as a cucumber, even though I could feel her hand trembling in mine.

“
Lucky
girl! I
’
m sure there are many ladies here
wishing they could be wearing Dominic Florin. I must say it suits you well.
”

I leaned forward.
“
Nothing
but the best for the best.
”
I wanted Margo to know that
there was nothing going on between her and me anymore.

Eyes flitting between the two of us, I knew she was
trying to ascertain what exactly was going on between us.
“
Are the two of you dating?
”

“
We
are tonight.
”
I answered easily.
“
As for future dates, that
’
s up to Aubrey, but I
’
m game.
”

Aubrey flashed me a nervous smile, and I knew I
’
d put her on the spot in front of
the whole world, but I was willing to do whatever I had to do to keep her in my
life.

“
What
about it?
”
Margo asked, choking slightly
on the question.
“
Are you up for a second date?
”

I had to do my best not to laugh. What else could she
say?

Glancing at me, I thought I noticed her eyes
glistening, as if they were a little teary.
“
I
couldn
’
t imagine dating anyone else,
”
she said smoothly, but I didn
’
t fail to notice she hadn
’
t actually said yes.

“
Move
it along,
”
I whispered into Penelope
’
s ear wanting to get out of here.
“
Aubrey seems upset.
”

“
Last
question,
”
Penelope said without
hesitation.

“
Rumors
state your next picture, Soldier Force, has been delayed for production. Is
this true?
”

“
It
is. There were still a few details we needed to get squared away, but
production will be back on track in a few short weeks. I
’
m excited and ready to get started.
”

“
Time
to go,
”
Penelope said, staring at Margo.

“
Will
you both be at the after party tonight at the Roosevelt Hotel?
”
Margo asked, squeezing one more
question in.

“
We
plan to attend all the festivities tonight,
”
I
replied.

“
Wonderful,
we
’
ll try to catch up with the two of
you again there. Mr. Hollywood, everyone! He
’
s
alive and well!
”

God, I hoped not. The last thing I wanted was more
conversation with Margo while Aubrey was standing right there.

 The crowd cheered its approval as Penelope ushered us
forward and down the steps of the platform.

“
How
’
d you end up with that moniker, by
the way?
”
Aubrey asked, leaning closer
so I could hear her.

“
Mr.
Hollywood?
”
I questioned, just to be sure
we were talking about the same thing, and she nodded.
“
Mr. Hollywood Magazine ran a
contest a few years ago where readers could vote for their favorite actors to
receive the title of Mr. Hollywood. I guess I won the vote by a landslide.
People took notice and started calling me that. It just sort of stuck.
”

“
It
must feel like a lot to live up to.
”
Her words struck me as odd,
but I didn
’
t get a chance to ask her about
them.

“
Time
for pictures,
”
Penelope said, guiding us
toward a particular strip of carpet where photographers were lined up to
capture the latest fashions the stars were wearing.

“
Mr.
McCartney! Who
’
s your gorgeous date?
”
someone shouted again as we stepped
in front of the lenses and blinding white lights flashed all around us.

“
How
about I just step out of the way and let you get pictures of the real star here
tonight.
”
Releasing Aubrey
’
s hand, I gently pushed her forward
into the limelight. She shot me a half second look of desperation, before
smiling widely and letting everyone take her picture.

“
I
can
’
t see,
”
she said after about thirty seconds
of posing, holding her hand out, and I took it in mine, tucking it in the crook
of my arm. We continued along together, making our way farther down the carpet
and I felt inordinately pleased that she
’
d reached out for me.

“
It
helps to try and stare above the cameras, so you aren
’
t looking directly at them.
”

“
Now
you tell me.
”
She gave a short laugh.
“
I really can
’
t see a damn thing.
”

“
Don
’
t worry. I
’
ve got you.
”
And if she were willing, I
’
d never let her go. Just the short
time I
’
d been with her tonight was some of
the happiest moments I
’
d felt in .
 
.
 
. well, in about ten years.

“
Kiss
her!
”
someone shouted and everyone
laughed. Happily, I obliged them, placing a kiss on the side of her cheek as
she blushed prettily.

“
I
hope that was okay,
”
I whispered next to her ear.

“
Perfectly
fine,
”
she replied, her hand tightening on
my arm.

“
You
’
re doing great, by the way. We
’
re almost halfway down the carpet
now. Just a couple more interviews and some signings with the crowd and we will
be done.
”

“
Do
your thing,
”
she said with a smile.
“
I
’
m
just here for the ride.
”

Immediately my body reacted, putting an entirely
different spin on her words. My earlier musings over my previous time with her
were still burning too hot in my imagination. Thank goodness for my suit coat.

Even so, I couldn
’
t help my smile. I was pretty sure
this was the best night I
’
d ever had on the Red Carpet. I
couldn
’
t wait to see what the rest of the
evening unfolded.

“Mr. Hollywood,
Z McCartney Stuns All with His Red Carpet Appearance Amidst Swirling Rumors.”

 
~
Hype~

Chapter Eleven

Aubrey

“
Here
you go,
”
Penelope said, shoving two
champagne glasses into our hands the moment we stepped into the glitz and
glamour of the after party.
“
It
’
s
sparkling cider, so drink to your heart
’
s content. We are trying to keep up
appearance and stave off speculation. All I ask is that you let me know when
you want a refill. I
’
ll make sure you get the right
stuff.
”

“
Thanks,
Penny. You
’
re the best,
”
Zane said, smiling.

“
Anything
for you,
”
she replied with a smile,
before moving off to mingle in the crowd.

 It was obvious to anyone with eyes that the two of
them cared a great deal for one another. I hated that it made me wonder if
there had been more between them. Had Penelope ever warmed Zane
’
s bed? Glancing around the party,
my insecurities got the better of me. There was probably a good chance that he
’
d bedded several of the women here.

Forcefully trying to push those thoughts from my mind,
I attempted to focus on the glittering event going on around me. Clusters of
people gathered together here and there visiting loudly as they tried to be
heard over the thumping music. The guests were a collection of some of the
biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood, and I still had the desire to pinch
myself, just to see if it was real.

“
Anyone
you want to meet while we
’
re here?
”
Zane asked, turning to me, and I
noticed he still didn
’
t release my hand. For some reason
I couldn
’
t force myself to pull away.

I shook my head.
“
I don
’
t
think so. You
’
ve always been my favorite movie
star.
”
I couldn
’
t help coloring even as the words
left my mouth, leaving me wishing I could blame it on the drink, but knowing I
couldn
’
t.
“
Although,
if Sandi Lubbock is here, I
’
d love to meet her. She
’
s amazing.
”

Quickly Z scanned the crowd.
“
I
’
m fairly certain she won
’
t be here. She rarely stays for
these things anymore. She likes to hurry home now that she
’
s a momma.
”

I could totally relate to that. In fact I was missing
my little tiger right now. The best part of my day was coming home from work
and getting hugs from Dustin. He made it all worthwhile.
“
That
’
s
sweet of her. Kids are important.
”

“
Do
you want kids someday?
”
His question completely
caught me off guard.

“
Um
.
 
.
 
. of course I do,
”
I faltered, not sure how to answer.
“
Look. Could we maybe go for a drive
or something? I mean, unless you need to stay at the party. There are just some
things I
’
d like to talk to you about
privately still, without any interruptions
—
if you don
’
t mind, that is. I
’
m just worried we might run out of
time before we need to get you .
 
.
 
. home.
”
I figured that word was a better
choice in case anyone was eavesdropping.

“
I
don
’
t mind at all. How would you like
to go back to my place? I know the staff at Sunnybrook isn
’
t expecting me back until early in
the morning. As long as you
’
re with me, I
’
m not breaking any rules. What do
you say?
”

I nodded, swallowing hard. Just the idea of being
alone with him in his house felt so intimate. It scared me a little. He
’
d been nothing but charming
tonight, on his best behavior, and despite the walls I
’
d erected against him, he seemed to
easily be able to slip his way inside.

“
Let
’
s find Penelope. She can call for
the car.
”

“
She
won
’
t be angry that we
’
re leaving early? I thought they
wanted to interview you because you were one of the winners.
”

“
I
did those few interviews after the show as we were leaving. That should be
plenty. Let the press speculate over why I left early, toting the most
beautiful woman at the party with me.
”

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head.
“
Stop. Have you seen where we are? I
’
m definitely not the most beautiful
woman here.
”

“
Are
there other women here? I didn
’
t notice,
”
he replied, his eyes never leaving
mine.
“
I
’
ve
been completely mesmerized by the vision of loveliness beside me all evening.
”

“
You
’
re a charmer, Mr. McCartney.
”
Whether he was trying to be
charming or not, his words pleased me way too much. I needed to keep my head
—
and my heart
—
together better.

Smiling, he shook his head, and then grew more
serious.
“
No, I
’
m
not. I just can
’
t believe I
’
ve been lucky enough to spend an
entire evening with the girl of my dreams. Look, there
’
s Penelope.
”

Dragging me through the crowd behind him, he
maneuvered the two of us over to Penelope
’
s side and whispered in her ear.
Glancing at me, she nodded and then disappeared.

I wasn
’
t really paying attention, still
caught up on Zane
’
s previous comment about me being
the girl of his dreams. It had my heart racing way too fast, and I realized
that despite our tortured past, I wanted to be the girl of his dreams. Heaven
knew he was still the man of mine, despite the hell he
’
d put us both through.

No matter how angry I
’
d
been with him, he was still the one I dreamed about. I
’
d compared every other man I
’
d tried to date against him, and
found them all sadly lacking. I used to fantasize that Zane would find out
about Dustin, and one day come to sweep me off my feet, but as time passed,
reality set in. He wasn
’
t coming for me. I doubted he even
remembered I existed.

Then the bitterness set in, knowing it was all a pipe
dream and he would never show. Of course he had no idea I
’
d even been living here in LA. I
wondered if he
’
d have come for me if he knew. But
I convinced myself I didn
’
t want him to
—
that he wasn
’
t the same guy
—
that he was too messed up by the
seduction of the fame and glory of Hollywood.

But I was wrong. He was the same guy. Underneath the
wild partier still existed the boy I
’
d fallen in love with
—
the boy I was still in love with
—
only he was a man now. And what a
fine man he was.

Yes, he
’
d fallen victim to the dangers
around him, but his heart was still there. It was easy to see the regret that
lay hidden behind his eyes. I knew he
’
d change things if he could. I knew
without a doubt he still had feelings for me. The real question was would he
still after he found out what I
’
d hidden from him?

“
We
’
re all set. Let
’
s go.
”

I said nothing as we wove our way back through the
crowd. Pausing here and there as we greeted different celebrities and several
other people that I had no idea who they were. Finally, we reached the door and
I could see the driver waiting beside our limo.

Zane led me to it without speaking, and helped me
climb inside, following after me.

“
What
about Penelope?
”
I asked, not seeing her.

“
She
’
s staying. The car will come back
for her and take her home when she
’
s ready.
”

“
And
what about us?
”

“
We
’
ll take one of my vehicles back to
the facility, or call a driver to take us.
”

“
If
we take your car, how will we get it back to your place?
”

He shrugged.
“
I figured we could just leave it in
the lot at Sunnybrook. Or better yet, you could take it home and keep it until
I
’
m released.
”

I gave a slight snort.
“
Yeah,
I could see trying to explain that to my parents.
”

He chuckled.
“
Would that be so bad? Or do they
still hate me for leaving their daughter behind?
”

“
They
were pretty angry.
”
That was the understatement
of the year. I believed my father had mentioned a possible castration if he
ever laid eyes on Zane again. They
’
d felt betrayed in the worst way
possible. It had taken a lot of begging and pleading on my part to make them
realize I didn
’
t want them to try and find him. I
wasn
’
t ready to face him yet, the memory
of his betrayal too fresh in my mind.

Zane slipped his hand inside mine, lacing our fingers
together.
“
I wish I knew how to make it up to
you, and to them.
”

My pulse rate quickened as I stared at our linked
hands. I
’
d dreamed about a moment like this
for the last ten years. Now it was happening and I couldn
’
t stop feeling guilty about it. He
was in therapy. For him to have any kind of relationship with me would
compromise that therapy. I couldn
’
t knowingly do that to him, no
matter how much I wanted to be a part of his life.

It scared me, too. What if he walked away again? What
if after therapy he realized that I wasn
’
t enough for him? He
’
d left me before and I survived,
but what about Dustin? I couldn
’
t bring his father into his life
and then have him leave again.