What it Takes (20 page)

“Oh, yeah.” Veronica abruptly stopped. “I almost forgot.” She grabbed her towel and ran to Kelsey. “See you later,” she said, waving as she and Kelsey left the gym.

After they’d finished their workout, Grayson and Patrick returned to their own rooms to shower. Grayson agreed to meet in Patrick’s room for lunch, but when Patrick opened the door, Grayson’s forehead was wrinkled with irritation.

“Kelsey and Veronica went shopping,” he grumbled as he walked past Patrick.

Slowly swallowing his disappointment, Patrick closed the door and followed. He couldn’t say he was surprised. His interactions with Kelsey had been limited since their conversation in the car. After she had effectively, and quite literally, closed the door in his face, he could only guess the limitation was purposeful on her part.

He shouldn’t have said what he’d said. He wasn’t sure what had possessed him to try making a move on her in the car.

Actually, he knew exactly what had possessed him.

He wanted her.

He wanted Kelsey Morgan more than he’d ever wanted any woman. The love scene they’d filmed had surpassed any before. He’d felt certain she’d been just as aroused as he’d been.

He’d obviously been wrong. She was apparently a better actress than he’d thought she was. And, as a result of his stupidity, she’d completely shut him out. He wasn’t sure what he could do to get back in Kelsey’s good graces. She was keeping her distance. She and Veronica had gone to dinner together the night before, without him and Grayson. This morning, she’d barely looked at him before she’d bolted from the gym. Now, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Kelsey was spending the day away from the hotel so she could be away from him.

“Dude, what do you want to eat?” Grayson asked, drawing Patrick back to the present.

“Is food all you ever think about?”

Grayson shrugged and handed Patrick the menu. They ordered lunch before turning on the television so Grayson could watch football. Patrick let the noise of the game wash over him as he tried not to dwell on the sudden loneliness he felt. He’d gotten used to spending a good portion of his day with Kelsey. Is this what it would be like when they were done filming in a few days’ time? He didn’t think he’d be able to live like that.

After lunch, Grayson called Kelsey and put her on speaker phone.

“Hello,” she answered.

“Where are you?” Grayson asked playfully.

“I told you.” She laughed and told Veronica who she was talking to. “Do you need something? We’re in the middle of finding some awesome deals and can’t afford to be distracted.”

“You
can
afford to miss the deals,” Grayson scoffed. “It’s not like you don’t have the money.”

“Yes, but why should we?”

“Because we’re bored and we miss you,” Grayson replied.

“We?” Kelsey’s voice broke slightly. There was a long pause before she spoke again. “We’ll be . . .” she began unsteadily, then cleared her throat and tried again. “We’ll be back in a few hours, Grayson. I’m sure you can manage to entertain yourselves until then.”

Patrick’s ears perked up slightly at the uncertainty he’d heard. What had caused that? Was it knowing that he was with Grayson? It wasn’t like he had anything else to do. And why would that bother her so much?

Grayson rolled his eyes. “Fine, but I was wondering if you could bring me dinner.” He described a small BBQ place in the area. Kelsey knew of it and agreed to his request.

A few hours later, Grayson called her again, even after Patrick warned him not to.

“What, Grayson?” she answered sharply.

“I’m hungry,” he whined.

Patrick shook his head and turned his eyes to the television while keeping his ears on the conversation.

“We’re not on our way back yet. I promised I’d get your dinner and I’ll call you the second I step off the elevator.”

Patrick smirked. He could clearly picture Kelsey’s face as he heard her voice dripping with irritation. He imagined her narrowed eyes and clenched jaw. He had to admit, it felt good to have that irritation directed at someone else.

“You’d better get back soon or I might waste away,” Grayson groaned and sank down on the couch.

“I could live with that.”

Patrick stifled a laugh until he saw Grayson’s chin on his chest. Then he laughed out loud.

“Do you have me on speaker?” Kelsey snapped. “I told you, I’ll call you when we get back. Good-bye.” She hung up and Grayson sat motionless.

“That was
so
not nice,” Grayson said to his phone before he tossed it on the coffee table.

“You deserved it,” Patrick said through his laughter. “She obviously wants to be left alone. I warned you.”

“Yeah, you did,” Grayson mumbled. “But, I really
am
hungry.”

Patrick shrugged and tried to turn his attention back to the television. He wasn’t that interested in the football game, but it served as enough of a distraction for Grayson to leave Patrick alone with his thoughts.

Two hours later, as their stomachs started to rumble, Kelsey finally called Grayson and told him that she and Veronica were back. He rushed out of Patrick’s room and met her at her door. Patrick waved to Veronica as she passed, on her way to her own room, and stepped into the hallway. He watched as Grayson tried, albeit unsuccessfully this time, to get Kelsey to dance with him again.

“Just take the damn dinner, Grayson. My arms are full, the bags are heavy, and I’m tired,” she snapped at him.

“Need help?” Patrick asked, taking a step in her direction.

She glanced at him and shook her head as Grayson relieved her of his dinner. With a weak smile she went into her room and Grayson looked at him with a huge grin on his face. He walked straight past Patrick, to the table in the room, and pulled out two small containers.

“Oh, awesome,” Grayson said as he opened the first one, in which he found a chocolate cake. “Dessert!” He opened the second container and frowned. “Bleh, it’s fruit.”

Patrick pulled the cobbler closer and inhaled deeply. Blackberries. His favorite. He stared at the open container, trying to remember when he’d told Kelsey that he liked blackberries. The memory came to him in a flash. He hadn’t told her. While they’d been grabbing food between sets one day, they’d eaten together. There had been a fruit tray on the buffet, and he’d taken almost all of the blackberries on it.

Kelsey hadn’t said anything, but she’d obviously noticed. The corners of his lips threatened to turn up even as Grayson slid an open dinner toward him. She may have been trying to avoid him, but she’d obviously been thinking about him. His chest swelled with a pleasantness he wasn’t accustomed to but was getting more used to where Kelsey was concerned. It made the meal she’d brought him one of the best he’d ever eaten.

At three o’clock the next afternoon, Veronica and Kelsey left the hotel for the set. Filming wouldn’t begin until five o’clock, but they had to spend extra time in hair and make-up before the scene, a semi-formal reunion dance. Veronica talked almost the entire time they were getting ready. Kelsey was happy that a few “um-hms” and “yeahs” were enough participation to satisfy Veronica, thus giving her the time to consider the situation with Patrick.

If Veronica had picked up on the fact that Kelsey had used the shopping trip as a way to avoid him, she hadn’t said anything. Unfortunately, Kelsey hadn’t been able to forget about him. Quite the opposite, even without Grayson’s phone calls. Patrick had dominated her thoughts. She’d found herself scanning the men’s clothing stores, contemplating what would look good on him. Even worse, she’d considered purchases for herself based on what he might like.

The red rose in front of her door this morning had come with a “thank-you” note. She’d nearly broken into tears when she’d seen it.

Luckily, they were on their last day of filming, and Kelsey would get to spend most of it by Grayson’s side. The dance was actually one of the earlier scenes in the movie, soon after the characters arrived back in town. The story went that even though they had arrived with their spouses, Julia and David were distracted and longing for each other.

How ironic.

When the dresses for the scene were brought in, Kelsey shook her thoughts away. Her dress was long and green, with an empire waist and a single wide strap on the left shoulder. Green sequins formed a wavy pattern that started at one hip and curved over her legs to the opposite ankle. Her make-up was subdued and her light brown hair was swept up in an updo. A few stray curls framed her face and escaped along her neck. As the hairdresser retouched her hair, Veronica walked into the room and beamed at Kelsey.

“You look beautiful,” Veronica said, stepping up beside Kelsey.

Veronica was stunning in a strapless, knee-length red dress with a faux leather red belt. Her hair was down, her eyes were smoky, her lips bright, and her heels high.

“So do you,” Kelsey returned the compliment.

“Aw, thanks.” Veronica put her arm around Kelsey for a brief hug as they looked at each other in the mirror. “So, do you get to kiss Patrick tonight?”

“No,” Kelsey murmured. She almost wished they would get to kiss; at least then she’d have an excuse.

“Why not?” Veronica looked at her.

Kelsey looked at her in the mirror. “Because the kiss we filmed last week is the first in the movie and this scene happens before that.” Veronica’s mouth formed an “O” and she nodded thoughtfully. “Shouldn’t you know that?” Kelsey caught movement out of the corner of her eye and looked up to see Grayson and Patrick’s reflections as they stepped into the room. She barely spared a glance for Grayson in his black pants and white polo shirt under a black sport coat.

Her attention was almost entirely focused on Patrick in his khaki pants, pale blue shirt, and navy blue jacket. Her heart leapt to her throat when his eyes met hers in the mirror. Watching him peruse the length of her body, she felt a warm rush. How did he do that from across the room?

“I guess. I just haven’t paid close attention to it, that’s all,” Veronica stated, drawing Kelsey’s attention away from Patrick.

“Paid attention to what?” Grayson asked.

“Where this scene falls in relation to Kelsey and Patrick’s kiss,” Veronica answered, leaning closer to the mirror to wipe the corner of her mouth with her pinkie.

“It’s Julia and David’s kiss,” Kelsey said quietly.

“Whatever.” Veronica shrugged. “So, are David and Julia in love with each other at this point?”

Kelsey glanced at Patrick’s reflection in the mirror as he stood by the door, arms crossed in front of him. He was staring at her with an intensity that made her feel giddy. “I think they are,” she replied quietly. Did he just nod slightly?

“Then why are they married to other people?” Veronica asked.

“You really don’t pay attention do you?” Grayson piped up from his chair by the wall, and Kelsey felt her lips twitch.

Patrick’s expression didn’t change. His eyes didn’t leave Kelsey’s when he said, “They were college sweethearts.”

“But he broke up with her,” Kelsey added, mesmerized. “So she’s afraid of being hurt again.”

Patrick tilted his head slightly, acknowledging her argument. “But she shouldn’t be. He won’t hurt her.” His voice had a steely undertone.

“She can’t be sure of that.” Her eyes still on Patrick’s face, she saw his jaw clench as he turned away.

“Well, if she loves him, she just has to trust him,” Veronica pointed out, seemingly oblivious to the subtle conversation Patrick and Kelsey were having.

Kelsey turned to Veronica with a smile. “She’s trying to,” she said earnestly as she cast a sideways glance at Patrick. He was looking out the door, but she saw his shoulders relax slightly. The corner of his mouth turned up just a little and Kelsey looked down to hide her grin.

Kelsey walked away from the mirror, leaving Veronica making adjustments to her hair. She picked a spot against the wall and was just settling her shoulders against it when Patrick turned. His eyes met hers and she was tempted to quickly close the distance between them. He held the connection for only a moment before he turned away. “C’mon, Veronica, they’re ready for us.”

Veronica joined him and they left the room. Kelsey slowly walked to the door to watch them go.