A Captivating Conundrum (9 page)

I stood up and offered Nicole a hand, as she stepped forward and walked by my side out the door. "It's really boring up in Connecticut, by the way."

"Boring is just what I need," I replied honestly. "I like being a homebody. I've been going full-tilt for the past three years and I need some relaxation." 

"
Relaxation
?" Nicole laughed out loud and elbowed me in the side. "Well, good luck with that…Romeo."

Six

~ Hers ~

I was beyond happy. Exhausted, of course, but that's what time with Nicole can do to a girl.

I had been so excited after Matt McKenna had said 'yes' that for the first time I ran right past my favorite place, patted Patience and Fortitude on the head, and raced back to the theatre to tell Amber—who was also beyond excited. I swear, it was as if I'd just given her Barney's home address and she was off to party with the purple and green 'beastie boy.'

Even the car ride, which is usually incredibly long and boring, was fun. Bobby, as always, kept the pedal to the floor on the endless maze of back roads. Singing songs on the radio, moving with the beat, Bobby and I even stopped at The Tavern on the way back to have some brews with the crew.

I sang my favorites, got the crowd riled up, gyrated my hips to get rid of all the extra caffeine I downed at lunch and had a ball. When Bobby belted out the last chord with Lady Gaga, we said our goodbyes and headed down the hill for home. 

"Well, you got him!" Bobby laughed.

"I know. I'm so excited, I can't even tell you."

He gazed out the window, slowing just a tad as twilight turned to darkness and the deer came out to play on the vicious curves. "And you don't think he'll run to a tabloid, or something?"

I swallowed my beer. Bobby wasn't drinking; we were always careful. "No. He's like us. Well, let's face it; he's way more famous than I so he knows what it would do. Besides, he seems like he has a kind heart. He was really nice to Amber,
and
that waitress. Did you see him stop before he got to the table and try to steady her to keep her from falling? That's a kind person right there."

Bobby began to laugh. "God, you are so naive. The guy was trying to help her, yes, but the only reason he stopped in his tracks is because he took his eyes off her and saw you." 

I sighed. "Not this again. Come on…he was a gentleman the entire time—even asked me questions about sports. Totally not into me at all."

Bobby glanced my way. "He didn't make
one
single comment about your looks?"

I shrugged. "The standard stuff that all guys say to be nice. He wasn't icky, though. Besides, he was probably thinking about Nicole. God knows that woman is hell on wheels. He might have dead-stopped to look for the exits so he could make a clean getaway if she pulled out a revolver."

Bobby shook his head. "Yeah, I'm sure that was it."

I punched him in the shoulder. "Amber really likes him, and you know that girl is a harder judge of character than our precious Nicole."

"That's true. And you're not into him in the least, I suppose?"

I practically choked on the brew. "
Duh
. This guy's face is perfect; he has handsome down-pat, but the lines that come out on his forehead and how his eyes crinkle when he laughs? That is pure human expression. Hollywood hasn't ripped that from this one yet. He looks mature but totally swoon worthy, which will have the ladies in the audience lovin' me to death."

I giggled, as I continued, "And the body of a dancer…
hello
? All firm and muscled—the package is perfect. But this guy has way more than that. With his talent, he could very well be Amber's knight in shining armor!"

"And that would be great," Bobby agreed. "But I meant, are
you
into him?" He threw me a wink.

I could feel a strange jolt in my heart. "I have too much on my plate, Bobby. I would be horrific girlfriend material, especially for a guy who's probably part of the big Hollywood clubbing scene, or whatever. You know I want a homebody—someone to cook with, watch sports with, play with, and joke around with. "I looked over at him and smiled.  "You know,
you
, just into girls. Besides, can you imagine
me
in a ball gown at a big Hollywood red carpet event? Absolutely laughable."

Bobby sighed. "Actually, I could very much see that. It would be nice to see an actual beautiful woman on one of those men's arms and not a spray-painted model who can only put a hand on her hip and smile when you wind her up."

I was surprised at the tone. "Why so angry, mister? What's up with you?"

"Nothing," he sighed. "I just think you should take care of
you
sometimes, you know? Not all guys out there are slime. There are some with really good hearts." 

"Jesus, you just met the guy four hours ago," I said, rolling my eyes. "Aren't you the guy who took almost six months just to have a conversation with our local dry cleaner?"

"I still say there's something odd about that guy," he announced. Keeping his eyes on the road, Bobby's voice fell an octave, "Sometimes you just know. I talked to the guy. I think he's real."

A light clicked on in my head as a young, handsome face pushed the picture of Amber running into her new parent's arms aside. "Wait a minute. This isn't about McKenna. This is about Christopher Haven."

Sending me a glare, he pressed down on the gas pedal. 

"Slow down, Superfoot." I smiled at the suddenly rigid profile. "You like him."

"Don't be ridiculous, I met the guy for like two seconds."

I shot his words back at him. "Shouldn't
you
be taking care of
you
, Bobby? I'm pretty sure that hiding in a cabin in the woods with a female writer who's a real pain in the ass isn't where you're going to find the love of your life."

He shrugged. "We go into the city all the time."

"Yes, and you know you'd rather spend time there. So why come out here with me? I love you. You're my best friend. But you should have a life." I continued, trying to get my point into that stubborn head, "I say, head back into the city tomorrow, find Mr. Haven and go on a date."

"A date?" Bobby sat back like I'd slapped him across the face.

"Yeah. You know, one of those things where two people get dressed up, go out and talk and stuff?"

He raised his finger in the air. "Don't start with me. When was your last date night?"

I drank down the rest of the beer, completely ignoring the words that were flowing from his mouth. "Come on…Christopher was cute.
Seriously
cute. And he was intelligent. Hello? That's a two for one that doesn't come around very often."

The big body squirmed in his seat. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"Your favorite line," I mumbled.

"And your gift is flying out doors."

"Well," I laughed. "We could call ourselves,
The League of Deflection
."

"That could be a good book."

"Hell with a book—I say big screen all the way!"

Bobby laughed, as we turned onto the long gravel drive that would take us back to the lovely cottage in the woods. 

"Oh," Bobby added. "You do make damn fine cookies, woman. So that is definitely another reason to stick here with you."

I lowered my eyelids and gave him my best attempt at a sexy stare. "That's my diabolical plan, man. Draw them in with cookies and they never leave."

The gasp he released made me sit up and look around, wondering if some creepy guy had come out of the woods.

"So God
does
hear the gay man's prayers," he whispered.

"What?"

The gravel spewed out behind my car's tires as it suddenly jerked forward and came to a sudden stop. Following Bobby's gaze, I looked up at the porch that I knew so well, never expecting that two extremely handsome men would be sitting there waiting.

~ His ~

"Maybe your friend Nicole gave us the wrong address on purpose. She didn't seem all that amiable."

I shook my head at Christopher, trying not to feel like a voyeur staring into the windows of the beautiful home. "No. This is it." It was the perfect setting for the perfect female.

"Why are we here again?" Chris asked.

I sighed. "I told you. You need some rest and relaxation, and I need some help with the job I've taken on."

"Help from the hot writer?" His light voice became a bit higher as the sarcastic note shone through. "Aren't directors supposed to do that?"

I rolled my eyes and focused on the beautiful picture sitting on the huge mantle inside the comfortable living room. I could see Beth and Bobby's faces framed in the silver ornament, smiling as they held up a copy of her book. They were surrounded by a group of friends that looked like they were celebrating in a cozy bar. I smiled. It almost resembled a scene from
Cheers
, with all the happy faces and beers in hand saluting the unknown cameraman. "Looks like a fun crew."

"Hello?" Chris shouted at me.

I sighed. "Yes, a director is supposed to do that. But Beth's in charge of her own work and I want to make sure I know exactly what she's looking for from the performance." 

He grinned. "And you need help acting?"

I sat down beside him on the porch, trying not to send out a chuckle as I focused on the bowtie he wore that looked as if it'd survived the days of ragtime. "This role will make people really see what I have to offer; sometimes I hide behind the 'song and dance man' and I want to show more."

Chris nodded and patted my shoulder, always offering the supportive ear. "It's good to see you, you know. Hollywood must get to you after a while."

I shrugged. "Some of its fun. I mean, the sun, the beaches—life is pretty mellow and relaxed after the pace of New York, but I do miss things like this."

"Trees?" Chris laughed. 

"Silence, peace, anonymity, I guess." I looked around at the humongous trees and watched the fireflies blink in the warm air. "Nature…the wild is stunning."

Chris grinned. "I don't think wealthy Connecticut is exactly the wild."

"I know," I shot a glance over my shoulder into the dimly-lit living room. "But it seems like a really peaceful place."

Chris tilted his head to the side. "You like her." His voice was completely serious.

"She's beautiful," I agreed.

"Noooo." Chris studied my face. "You like her, like her." 

My heart sped up in my chest. "She's got a kind heart. I mean, she's doing a great deal for a child who isn't even related to her. And think about it, she could have all the fame we do but chooses to stay out of the spotlight so that the focus remains on these kids. I think that's amazing." 

Chris sent me an odd look. "I thought you were dating someone. Didn't I read in the press that you were dating…some actress?"

A slight stab of guilt hit my chest. "I am…casually. I mean, we're not exclusive or anything. She has her life and career and I have mine. I never thought about 'settling down,' you know? At least, not yet."

Chris grinned. "And after meeting Beth Carrier, marrying this casual girlfriend would feel more like 'settling' than actually 'settling down?'"