Wicked Heart (15 page)

When the shadows start to lengthen and the streetlights flicker on, I stand and slowly head toward home.

At least having my heart broken by Liam Quinn taught me one thing. It’s taught me that I never want to feel this way about a man ever again.

Present Day

Pier 23 Rehearsal Rooms

New York City

The morning after I spill the beans about Liam to Josh, I feel better. Until then, I’d never let myself mourn losing Liam, and maybe that’s why I couldn’t
let him go. Perhaps Josh was right. I should have confided in him about all of this years ago. He remains dubious about my ability to keep my personal and professional lives separate, but I
reassure him I’ve been subjected to countless pictures of Liam and Angel over the years. I’m practically desensitized to their coupledom by now.

I’m still setting up the rehearsal room when noise from the fans downstairs escalates. Just like yesterday, the golden couple’s arrival is heralded by a cavalcade of earsplitting
screams. The difference is that when they stride into the room today, they’re accompanied by a whole slew of extra people. Two camera crews, a sound guy, a pimply production runner, and a
hassled female producer who looks like she hasn’t slept in three days trail after them. They circle the stars like anxious human planets. Marco hurries over to the production desk, followed
closely by our publicist, Mary. The tiny Botoxed woman looks like the cat who swallowed the canary, while Marco looks like a serial killer who’s about to flay people alive.

“Great news, team!” Mary says with her trademark enthusiasm. “As previously discussed, from today until the show opens, Liam and Angel will be filming their upcoming reality
show,
Angeliam: A Fairy Tale Romance
.”

I cringe over the hideous moniker the pulp media have named them.
Angeliam
? Is that necessary? It sounds like an antifungal cream:
“My crotch rot used to get super-itchy, but
now, with a generous application of Angeliam, I barely notice it.”

Mary turns to me. “Elissa, can you make sure you stay on top of their filming schedule? You have the list of the setups they need, right?”

“Yes. All fine.”

“Marco will rely on you and Josh to ensure rehearsal disruption is kept to a minimum.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

We’ve known for a couple of weeks this reality show would intersect with our rehearsals, and even though Marco hates the idea, he’s grudgingly agreed it’s great publicity.
Unlike most reality shows, which are produced months in advance, this one is televised the weekend after it’s shot. I suspect that’s why the producer looks so frazzled. Piecing together
dozens of hours of footage into some sort of interesting narrative must be a nightmare.

Amidst all the mayhem, Liam and Angel chat quietly in the corner, arms around each other. How they can look so natural and unaffected when there are cameras two feet away, I’ll never
know.

I hear Angel say, “I love you, baby, and I can’t wait to finally be Mrs. Quinn.” Liam gives her an adoring smile, then kisses her gently. The part of me that still loves him
swoons. I remember what it was like to be kissed like that.

“Elissa?” Mary says.

“Hmmm?”

“I also need you to make sure everyone in the rehearsal room has signed the release forms. That includes you guys.”

Beside me, Marco groans. As flamboyant as he is, he has no desire to be on TV. I know how he feels. Josh, on the other hand, can’t wait. He believes his natural charisma and winning
personality (his words) are going to make him a fan favorite. Knowing Josh, he’s probably right.

As soon as everyone has signed in, I round up the cast so Marco can start. For the most part, the TV crew stays out of the way, but whenever we have breaks, they follow Angel and Liam around
like shadows.

At lunchtime, I’m pinning the shooting schedule to the notice board when I feel a presence behind me. I turn to see Angel there, smiling sweetly. A film crew hovers beside her.

“Hey, Elissa.”

I glance at the camera. God, this feels weird. We’ve all been told to ignore the camera and act natural, but that’s easier said than done. “Uh . . . yes, Miss Bell. Can I help
you?”

She glances over her shoulder. “Sorry about the tagalong. You get used to it after a while.”

“I’m going to take your word on that. What can I do for you?”

“Oh, nothing, really. I just came over to say hi. Yesterday was such a blur, I didn’t get to talk to anyone. But I figure we’re all in this together for the next few months, so
we should at least try to get to know each other.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Liam standing near the water cooler. He looks concerned. I’ve already reassured him I’m not going to tell her about us. What does he have to be
worried about?

I plaster on a smile. “Of course. Feel free to ask me anything, Miss Bell.”

“Oh, please. It’s Angel. Well, it’s Angela, but only my father calls me that. So tell me, what exactly does a stage manager do?”

“She runs the whole show,” Liam says as he walks over to us with his own camera crew in tow. “Every single stage direction, costume change, set piece, prop, lighting cue, sound
cue—all of it is overseen by the stage manager. After Marco finishes directing the show, it’s going to be up to Elissa to make it happen every night.”

Angel links her arm through Liam’s but keeps her eyes on me. “Wow, sounds like a lot of responsibility. You must have to work under a lot of pressure.”

I nod. “I don’t mind pressure.”

“Don’t be modest,” Liam says. “Elissa thrives under pressure. I’ve never seen someone become so focused while everyone else loses their minds.”

Angel puts a hand on his bicep. “Sweetie, we should take Elissa out for dinner one night, yes? You two probably have some amazing stories from the show you did together. I’d love to
hear about your early days. You never talk about them.”

Before Liam can say anything, Angel turns to me. “What do you say, Elissa? It’d be fun, right? Plus, any friend of Liam’s is a friend of mine.”

I open my mouth to say that Liam and I have never been friends, but the look on his face stops me. Instead I say, “Sure. That would be great.”

Considering Marco’s directive to keep our leads happy no matter what, I figure I have no choice but to agree.

“Mr. Quinn?” Josh steps beside me. “Marco is ready for you.” His tone is less friendly than usual, but if Liam notices, he doesn’t let it show. Josh turns to Angel.
“Miss Bell, I’ll be back to collect you in a few minutes.”

Angel beams at him. “Thanks, Josh.”

Josh’s ears turn pink. I wonder if that’s going to happen every time he talks to her.

Liam starts to leave, but before he can, Angel grabs his arm and pulls him over. “See you soon, honey.” She stands on her toes to give him a light kiss. The camera crews jostle to
get the best shot of the lip-lock.

When Liam pulls back, he looks over at me for a millisecond before returning his attention to her. “See you soon.”

Josh escorts Liam and his entourage into the rehearsal room, leaving me and Angel alone. “So, Elissa, how long have you and Josh been together?”

“Ten years.”

Her mouth drops open. “Whoa. Did you start dating when you were toddlers?”

I laugh. “We’ve been best friends since high school. We’re not romantically involved.”

“Really? But Denise said you live together.”

“We do. But we don’t sleep together.”

“Oh. Sorry. I just assumed . . .” She waves her hand. “Never mind. It’s great you two are able to work and live together. Having someone who can sympathize with the
stress of your job is invaluable, right? I’d be a total basket case if I didn’t have Liam to keep me grounded. When the crazy train gets to be too much, he knows just how to talk me
down.”

Of course he does. He’s that kind of man.

“I can imagine your world would be pretty insane at times. I’m sure you help him just as much as he helps you. It’s great you have each other.” I almost get through the
entire sentence without choking on my jealousy.

Angel smiles at me, and when I smile back, she surprises me by wrapping her arms around me and giving me a tight hug. “You’re the sweetest. Thank you.” She gives me a final
squeeze, then Josh is there to take her back into rehearsals.

Once she’s gone, I run my hands through my hair.

Well, that was surreal.

As much as I’d love to hate Angel Bell, there’s something appealing about her. She’s warm, friendly, and looks at me in a way that makes me believe she’s interested in
what I have to say.

As if this situation with Liam wasn’t already weird, liking his fiancée has taken it to the next level.

“So, then,” Angel says, and leans forward in the chair beside my desk. “As we’re leaving the club, this idiot starts harassing Liam. I mean, the guy
only came up to the middle of Liam’s chest and would blow away in a strong wind, but he was drunk, so I guess he thought talking smack to someone twice his size was a good idea.”
I’m supposed to be working, but Angel’s made a habit of sitting in my office every lunch hour and distracting me with stories. I both hate and love these little insights into her life
with Liam. My life seems completely boring in comparison.

“What did Liam do?” I ask.

“Well, he tried to walk away, but the little shit just kept getting in his face, and by now, he’s just hurling abuse about how much
Rageheart
sucks and what a pussy Liam is.
Now, Liam’s a pretty patient guy most of the time, but I could see him simmering. Then the guy starts insulting me, calling me a talentless bimbo and whatever, and going on about my fake
boobs, and that’s when Liam snaps. He picks up the dude by his shirtfront and gets this murderous look on his face. Then he pulls the guy right up to his face and whispers, ‘Feel free
to ignore this, considering I’m such a pussy, but if you say one more word about Angel, I’m going to tear off your arms. Understand?’ ” She laughs and leans back in her
chair. “The guy went white as a sheet, and when Liam lowered him to his feet, he almost fell over. Liam helped him regain his balance, then gave him a wad of cash and apologized for ruining
his shirt. Dude just stood there with his mouth hanging open before he burst into tears.”

“Oh my God.”

“Yep. And I’d like to say that was a weird night for us, but it really wasn’t. Seems like a whole lot of folks either love us or hate us. Or hate to love us, and love to hate
us. It’s a thing. We’re used to it.”

I shake my head. “I don’t know how you cope.”

She shrugs. “Practice. And hard drugs.” When she sees my face drop, she laughs. “Kidding.” I sigh in relief before she adds, “I’ve been off the crack for
ninety days now. It’s all good. Barely miss it anymore.”

The sincerity with which she says it makes me laugh. I’m surprised how often I do that around her. I really do enjoy her company. I’ve been best friends with Josh for so long,
I’ve forgotten what it’s like to have a female friend.

She crosses her legs and cocks her head. “So, I was thinking . . .”

I flash her a look of concern. “Should I be worried?”

“You’re hilarious.” She rolls her eyes. “I was thinking we should have dinner together. Tonight.”

“Ah, Angel . . .” I cringe. “I don’t think—”

“Come on, Elissa, please. I’ve arranged a private table for us at Lumiere, and considering that place usually requires bookings months in advance with proof of your bank balance, it
wasn’t easy to achieve. We really want you to come.”

“We?”

“Me and Liam.” Clearly, she’s failed to notice her man avoiding me all week.

“Liam agreed to this?”

“Of course. Oh, and bring your boyfriend.” I make a surprised sound. “Liam said you were dating someone. Bring him. Please. Liam and I are sick of each other’s company.
We’ll go insane if we don’t interact with real people for a change.”

“So you usually hang out with imaginary friends?”

She shakes her head. “Real, as in
normal
. Not actors, or ass-kissers, or Hollywood fakers.”

I’m about to try to come up with a believable excuse when there’s a knock at the door. “Come in.”

Liam steps into the room, and does a double take when he sees Angel.

“Uh . . . hey. I thought I heard your voice.”

She gives him a formal nod. “Love of my life. Hello.”

He looks at me, then back to her. “What are you doing in here?”

“Chatting. Bragging about you. Torturing Elissa. You know, the usual. I’m trying to convince her to have dinner with us.” She stands and goes over to him. “Please tell
her there’s no use resisting. She seems to think she has a choice in the matter.”

Before he can say anything, Angel’s phone rings. She looks at it, then at me. “I have to take this. Be right back. Liam, give her your puppy-dog eyes and tell her she needs to join
us.” She swipes her phone. “Daddy! How are you?”

She takes the call out into the hallway, leaving Liam and me staring awkwardly at each other. He glances away and shoves his hands in his pockets. This is how he’s been all week. He avoids
looking at me whenever possible, and goes through Josh for questions and notes to avoid addressing me directly. Probably for the best. I seem to have a
Best of Liam Quinn
pornographic show
reel on standby in my brain, and whenever we’re alone together, it starts playing.

“Insistent little thing, isn’t she?” I say, and smooth back the wisps of hair that have escaped my ponytail. True to form, images of him and me making love flash through my
brain. I try to keep my expression neutral as my body tingles with the phantom graze of his hands.

As for Liam, I have no idea what’s going through his mind, but the way he’s looking at me isn’t helping. After a few seconds, he breaks eye contact to stare at the floor.

“Angel likes you. So you should just agree to come to dinner and be done with it. Lord knows, I haven’t yet found a way to win an argument with her.”

I look down and shuffle some papers in front of me. “Angel and I can just go by ourselves. You don’t have to come.”