Sunrise (16 page)

On the way out, as they were walking on the concourse toward the main doors, Katy noticed Dayne being less careful about keeping his face low. She was catching Reagan up on the wedding and the latest information from Wilma Waters.

Meanwhile, the guys were in front of them talking about how Indiana had a shot at the title. “I thought that assistant coach was going to come onto the court after that third quarter call.”

“Traveling doesn’t get any more obvious than that.” Dayne laughed and tipped his head back.

Katy saw it coming before Dayne did. As he lifted his head, a group of college-age girls was walking toward them. Two of them stopped at the same time, and one of them pointed at him. “Dayne Matthews!” she shrieked. “Hey, that’s Dayne Matthews.”

Katy checked behind them and farther down the way. They were trapped, but at least there were no photographers anywhere. The camera crews were on the court.

Dayne turned to Luke and tried to ignore the girls, but they weren’t about to be denied. The entire group was bouncing up and down now, clustering in toward Dayne. He stopped and fiddled with the bill of his hat.

“Dayne . . . Dayne, can we get your picture?” One of the girls ran up and took hold of his arm. She handed her miniature camera to her friend. Her entire body was shaking. “Take it. Quick, take the picture.”

Dayne looked over his shoulder and cast a helpless look at Katy.

She smiled as if to say it didn’t matter. They could handle this distraction. Katy led Reagan a few feet away and waited.

The girl was still bouncing. She steadied herself long enough to put her arm around Dayne’s waist and smile while her friend snapped the photo. This started a round of picture taking and finally a group photo. As they were finishing, one of the girls took a notebook from her bag. Another found a pen in her purse.

“Can we have your autograph, Dayne?” A brunette moved in as close as she could. “You’re better-looking in person. But you hear that all the time, right?”

One of the girls ran her hands over his arms. “I didn’t think you’d be so built.”

Dayne kept taking steps back, creating space between him and the girls. Katy noticed, and she was silently grateful. She trusted Dayne, but it was nice to see he didn’t enjoy this kind of attention. It came with the territory, but that was all. He would always do his part to keep his distance.

One of the girls took hold of Luke’s arm. “Hey, you’re his brother! The one in the magazines.” She squealed. “Girls, this is his brother!”

Luke looked uncomfortable. He glanced at Reagan, but he seemed to realize that it wouldn’t be smart to break away from Dayne and join the two of them. This way at least Katy could avoid getting attention. Her face would definitely be familiar to girls like these, girls who probably read the tabloids.

Reagan chuckled. “Easy, girls. They’re both taken.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Katy laughed quietly. It made her realize how much she was already used to the strange life of being in love with Dayne Matthews. “They’ll be gone in a minute.”

“I know.” Reagan’s tone dripped with disbelief. “I mean, I can’t believe you have to deal with this all the time.”

“I don’t. Dayne’s usually pretty careful.” She watched him, the way he signed his autograph, keeping room between him and the closest girl. Katy looked at Reagan. “Guys can’t stand girls like that. They like the ones that are hard to get.” She grinned. “Like us.”

“True.”

The trouble was, the girls had created a level of excitement, and now other groups of people were walking by, noticing that Hollywood’s Dayne Matthews was in their midst. Couples and groups of guys stopped only for a moment, then went on their way.

But just as Dayne was finishing, another group of girls approached. They squealed and laughed and bounced and pulled out their camera phones. One girl fell to her knees and covered her mouth, too shocked to take another step. She kept shouting, “Dayne Matthews! . . . I can’t believe it’s Dayne Matthews.”

“Oh, brother.” Reagan laughed again and rolled her eyes in Katy’s direction. “I’m not sure I could take it.”

“It isn’t his fault.” Katy folded her arms. Her heart went out to Dayne. He had almost been killed by the paparazzi, by the public’s fascination with celebrity. Even so, he wouldn’t turn away a fan the way some actors would. He could very easily hold up his hand, look away, and keep walking. People would think he was a jerk, but he could do it if he wanted to. Lots of celebrities did.

But not Dayne. He understood the fascination, and though he didn’t want to feed it, he respected and cared about his fans enough to give them this time.

“These are his fans. They’re the ones who buy the tickets to the movies.” Katy leaned against the cool brick wall. “He wouldn’t have a job without them.”

Reagan nodded. “I never thought about it that way.”

Katy looked at Dayne just as he gave her another helpless look. She waved, wanting him to know she was fine. He could do what he needed to do and then they could leave.

Finally, after signing maybe thirty autographs and taking at least that many pictures, Dayne ducked close to Katy and took her hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

The thing with Dayne’s celebrity was that he was ridiculously famous. So though the crowd of girls had passed, they were moving on to tell their friends about him, and if he wasn’t careful, there could be a crowd looking for him.

Dayne pulled his baseball cap low and walked as fast as he could while allowing Katy and Reagan to keep up. He still had Katy’s hand in his, but he turned his attention to Luke. “If a mob shows up, I’ll make a dash for it. You stay with Katy and Reagan.”

Luke didn’t look surprised. After all, he’d been with Dayne during the trial in LA. He’d seen the tricks Dayne had to pull to make a getaway. He saluted Dayne. “Got it, Bro.”

They managed to get to the parking lot without attracting any other fans, and when they reached their cars, everyone agreed it had been a great night.

Before they left, Dayne hugged Luke. “Let’s do it again soon, okay?”

Their conversation was quiet, and Reagan was already in the car, so she heard none of it. But Katy was still standing near the passenger door.

“I’d like that.” Luke held Dayne’s gaze. “Hey . . . I’m glad we found each other. If I don’t say it often enough, I’m thinking it.”

Dayne smiled. “I know, Luke.” He pressed his fist to his chest. “I can feel it.” He waved and walked around to open Katy’s door.

Never mind the inconvenience of an occasional outburst of fan adoration. Katy would’ve stood there all night if it meant being with Dayne Matthews. His fans only knew what he was capable of on the screen—the bigger-than-life persona. The tough guy and tender lover that he could become on film. They knew his look and his walk and his voice. They knew the heartthrob Dayne Matthews.

But they didn’t know the sound of his laugh as he watched Cole chase a frog down the driveway or how he teared up when he talked about Elizabeth Baxter, the birth mother he’d known for only an hour before she died. They didn’t know his dream of living in the lake house and having family barbecues and raising a houseful of children. And they certainly didn’t know how much he loved his family. His new family. The fans didn’t really know Dayne, and they didn’t know his heart.

Only Katy knew that. And she would keep knowing him a little better—the way she had tonight, watching him with Luke—as long as she lived.

Dayne couldn’t wait to be alone with Katy. Not in the car driving and not distracted by talk of the game and the good time they’d had with Luke and Reagan. All that was wonderful. But he had an idea, and all night he’d forced himself to wait until they were alone so he could tell her about it.

Not that the idea was new. But this time it was serious. Very serious. He’d spoken with his agent and the director of his next film. Now he needed to talk to Katy.

When they got to the Flanigans’, Bailey was out front talking to some guy standing near a small car. She seemed to jump when they pulled into the driveway, and by the time they reached the circular drive at the front of the house, the guy had climbed into his car and was pulling away.

“Quick good-bye.” Dayne peered through his window, trying to make out the driver. “Who’s the guy?”

“Bryan Smythe.” Katy’s tone told him she was leery of the kid. “He’s been coming on strong to Bailey, but Jenny and I don’t think he’s for real. He talks big about God and God’s will and the Bible. But he wants to spend most of his time outside talking to Bailey by his car.”

“Hmmm. Beware of guys who spend too much time outside.” He nodded for emphasis. “Up to no good. Especially around a cutie like Bailey.”

“It’s hard, too, because usually Jenny and Bailey talk about everything.” Katy frowned. “But Cody is taking up a lot of Jenny and Jim’s spare time. It’s almost like they’re forgetting about Bailey.”

“They probably think everything’s fine with her. Cody’s the one with the crisis.”

“For now.” Katy sighed. “I have a bad feeling about Bryan.”

“He’s one of the CKT kids, right?” It was coming back to Dayne.

“He’s great onstage. I guess I just worry that he’s a player. He says a lot of smooth things, but I’m not sure he’s sincere. Bailey talked to me about him the other day, and some of what he told her sounds like nothing but a bunch of lines.”

They went inside, and Dayne saw Bailey dart down the hallway, give a quick wave in their direction, and disappear up the stairs. Like Katy said, Jenny and Jim were talking with Cody in the family room. The boys must’ve been in bed already.

Dayne nudged her arm as they walked through the family room into the kitchen. “Wanna sit outside?”

She teased him with her eyes. “Didn’t you just say beware of guys who spend too much time outside?”

“Except me.” He gave her his best schoolboy smile. “You can trust me.”

“Not without a cup of coffee.” Katy took two mugs from the cupboard and tossed a bag of instant coffee into each. She used the hot tap to fill the cups. She added cream to hers and a spoonful of sugar to Dayne’s.

They walked to the closet and grabbed an extra layer of coats and scarves and a stadium blanket. Then they went outside and sat on the porch glider. Dayne was practically bursting with his idea. He only hoped Katy would be as excited about it.

When they were side by side, Katy spread the blanket over their laps. “The snow’s so pretty. I love how it shines in the moonlight.”

“It’s pretty cold for this LA boy.” He shivered and slid closer to her. “I’m hoping I’ll get used to it. Maybe in five years.”

“Faster than that.” She giggled and turned to face him. “Like I’ve already gotten used to all the girls.”

“It isn’t just girls. It’s fans.” The line was something he’d said before, but they both knew it wasn’t true. He couldn’t keep a straight face. “Okay. You’re right.”

She made her eyes big. “Dayne . . . Dayne . . .” She was teasing him, using the high-pitched voice of the girls at the basketball game earlier. “I can’t believe it!” She put her hands over her mouth. “You’re Dayne Matthews!”

“Okay, okay.” He eased her hands down from her face and leaned in to kiss her.

“Mmmm.” She met his eyes. “Imagine their reaction if you would’ve done that to one of them.”

“Never.” Dayne kissed her again. “And you’re right. If you can get used to a scene like that one, I can get used to some snow.”

A light laugh came from Katy. “You haven’t seen anything. This puny snowfall’s just the beginning.”

Dayne pulled the blanket higher on his lap and put his arm around her. “As long as I’ve got you to keep me warm.”

“That . . . or we could have our talks inside.” She brushed her cheek against his. “Of course . . . it might not be this fun.”

He was quiet, drawn by the nearness of her. But he couldn’t let himself get distracted. He needed to talk to her. The director wanted an answer in the next day or so.

“Dayne?” She tilted her head up to him.

“What?”

“Why do I have the feeling you have something to tell me?” Katy looked deeply at him, past the teasing and lightheartedness of the moment to the place where only she was allowed. “Something on your mind?”

“Me?” He kissed her slower this time, then feigned an innocent look. “Nah. I’ve just been waiting the whole night for this moment; that’s all.”

A slightly worried look darkened her features. “Something wrong?”

“Not at all.” Dayne put his hand alongside her face. “Everything’s more perfect than I ever dreamed, Katy. I mean it.”

“Good.” She searched his eyes. “I have to agree with you on the perfect part.”

He couldn’t wait another minute. “I talked to the director the other day, the one doing my next film.”

“You told me.” Katy raised the corners of her mouth. “Remember?”

“I didn’t tell you what we talked about.” Dayne touched his knuckles to her cheek. “’Cause we talked about you.”

“Really?” She wrinkled her nose. “About the wedding, you mean?”

“No. About how I’ve found a solution to the issues I’m having with on-screen love scenes.”

Katy squinted at him. “You’re not serious.”

“I am.” He started at the beginning. “The director’s a great friend of the guy you read for, the director of
Dream On
.”

No question he had her attention now. She pulled the blanket up close to her chin and let him explain.

Since the leading lady who’d originally been cast opposite Dayne had checked into rehab and was asking for a year off, the role was still open.

“What about Katy Hart?” Dayne had asked the director. His name was Stephen Petrel, a former screenwriter whose Academy Award–winning scripts eventually earned him the chance to direct his own films. Now he was a legend. America lined up to see his films. Dayne was actually nervous bringing up Katy to him. He usually had very specific ideas about who could and couldn’t play a certain role.

But as soon as Stephen heard Katy’s name, his tone changed. “You think she’d do it?”

Dayne wasn’t sure, and he told Stephen as much. All he could do was ask, and if Katy said no . . . he could beg. Because after marrying her and sharing a honeymoon with her, he could think of a dozen reasons why he’d want to spend every waking moment on a set with her. That she was genuine and honest and breathtaking in front of the camera were only a few of them.

“So it’s up to you.” Dayne held his breath. “Star in it with me, Katy. It’d be the perfect way to start out—side by side on the screen.”

Her eyes were wide, and she lowered her chin into the blanket. She was clearly considering the possibility. “What’s the plot?”

Dayne reached for her hands. “It’s a love story.” He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them. “But not as good as ours.”

“Oh, brother.” Katy laughed. “Now you sound like Bryan Smythe.”

He made a face. “That bad?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “Seriously, Dayne. Tell me.”

“It really is a love story.”

“Obviously.” She gave him the sweetest slightly sarcastic smile. “You’re starring in it. Of course it’s a love story. It’s girls like the ones we saw tonight who pay to see your films.”

A laugh caught in his throat, and he couldn’t hold it in. “Sorry.” He took a deep breath and launched into the story. “It’s called
But Then Again No
. It’s about a guy and a girl who had been inseparable in high school. She gets pregnant, but they’re young, so they put the baby up for adoption and wind up on opposite sides of the country.”

“End of story?”

“Beginning.” Dayne wanted to make her fall for the project the way he had. “It starts when their daughter takes an internship at a magazine only to find that her managing editor’s her mother. She becomes driven to get her parents back together.”

“And she does.” The sparkle was back in Katy’s eyes.

“She does but it’s complicated.”

Katy raised her eyebrows. “Complicated can be good.”

“Yes, it can.” His tone softened. “Two people falling in love even though they couldn’t be any more different.”

“So the movie tells us whether love’s enough to bring them back together. . . .”

“Exactly.”

She pursed her lips. “I like it.”

“You’ll love the script. It’s brilliant. Stephen wrote it himself.”

Katy tilted her head. Doubt crept into her eyes. “He really wants to consider me?”

Dayne didn’t want to tell her exactly what the director had said, because it would scare her. He’d basically said that based on the rave reviews he’d heard about her and the fact that her chemistry with Dayne would be impeccable, if Katy impressed him on the first audition, the part was hers. Dayne held on to that information for another time. “We’ll be in LA in January for the magazine interview anyway. We could stop by the studio, and you could read for him.” Dayne lifted his hands. “Nothing more than that.”

“He won’t want me.” Katy pulled one knee up and hugged it. “I have no real experience.”

“For this part, that could be a good thing. Because there’s a side to the female lead that’s hard and jaded. But when she’s with her love, she’s as guileless as—” he let himself get lost in her eyes—“as guileless as you.”

For a minute they said nothing. Katy rested her head on his shoulder, and he was drawn into the steady rhythm of her breathing.

After a while she looked up at him. “What about working together? I mean, if by a long shot I won the part?”

Dayne shifted so his face was closer to hers, and he kissed her. “I can’t imagine anything better. The film’s a must. I’ll be in Los Angeles for six weeks and three more in Arizona for the location scenes.” He ran his fingers down the length of her arm. “We have three choices. You stay here, and I leave for more than two months. Or you follow me around, staying with me in the Malibu house and hanging out on the set. Watching me do a thousand love scenes with someone else. Spending all those weeks on the sidelines.”

“Not bad.” Katy nuzzled her face against his. “Anytime I’m near you I’m happy.”

His lips found hers, and it took a few seconds to remember what he’d been saying. “The third option is that we—” he kissed her once more—“get to do this—” another kiss—“and call it work.”

“One problem.” She worked her fingers into the roots of his hair and back along his neck.

“What?” His voice had fallen to a throaty whisper. Desire filled him.

Katy released her leg and slid closer to him. “I couldn’t possibly take money for doing something I love so much.”

Dayne moved so there were a few inches between them. He steadied himself. “I think you have the lovin’ part down.”

Her eyes held an innocence he doubted she was feeling. “Practice is always a good thing.”

“Not always.” Dayne wagged his finger at her. She was only teasing him, stretching out their pending good-bye. He kissed his fingers and pressed them to her lips. “It’s late; I have to go.” He stood. “Can I tell the director you’ll read for the part when we’re out there in January?”

Katy didn’t look ready for Dayne to leave, but she moved slowly to her feet. “Yes. I’ll do it for you.” She smiled, clearly struggling the same as him. Saying good-bye was never easy, but in three months they’d never have to say good-bye again. Not like this.

Suddenly her words registered inside him. “You’ll do it?” He’d expected her to say no, to tell him that she would be there and watch from the outside, but that after the stalker and the way the paparazzi had nearly killed him, she couldn’t put herself square in the limelight.

What had come over her? Dayne hugged her but not with the passion of a moment ago. Rather with a grateful heart, because the young woman in his arms was willing to climb out of her Bloomington box and take a step that could change her life. Forever. As long as she took the step next to him, it could only change things for the better.

As Katy held on to him, he found his answer. The reason she was willing to read for the director or take a part in a movie even though she was nervous around the press. He knew what had come over her, because it filled her voice and her touch and her eyes as deep as her soul.

Katy loved him, and he loved her. Period. And no movie, no audition, no stalker, and no amount of fame could ever do anything to change that.