When Dreams Come True (The Star Series Book 1) (22 page)

It seemed like everyone was talking at the same time about a dozen different topics. There was a lot of laughter and smiles. Royce made everyone feel at home, going around from group to group making conversation. Lissa knew Hannah would have been doing the same thing but she was sticking close to her. If she hadn’t, Lissa would have found some excuse or some way to sneak out. As it was, she stood as far away from the hustle and bustle as she could.

She tried not to stare but they were all so beautiful and seemed so intelligent, based on what she could overhear. Lissa was sure they’d all think she was a stupid American. Will came over with two glasses of wine and handed her and Hannah each one. It was all Lissa could do not to chug it all down at once, hoping for some liquid courage.

“Darling, come meet the family.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek, whispering, “Don’t worry. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

Lissa closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She knew he would be, because she knew the man he was and his family were the ones who had helped shape him. She loved him and he loved her; with him by her side, she could do this. She’d lean on him, depend on him, and ask him for help.

She slid her hand into his, squeezing gently while looking into his eyes as she said, “I’m really nervous, and I don’t want to make a fool out of myself. Can you help me?”

His famous grin spread across his face. “I’m always here for you, darling. I won’t let you fall.”

Lissa placed her hand over her stomach as they sat in the front row, waiting for the show to begin. She’d always loved going to the theater; there was usually an electricity in the air, like something magical was going to happen. She had Hannah on one side of her and Royce on the other. After the past twenty-four hours with Will’s family around, she was happy to be surrounded by something familiar. She liked his family, even if she was shy and nervous around them. She wanted to make a good impression on them, and Will had helped a lot the day before. However, she didn’t want to be alone with them, still afraid she was going to make a fool of herself.

When the lights dimmed and the curtains opened, she forgot to breathe. There he was, standing—no, commanding—the stage. He wasn’t saying a word, yet everyone in the theater was focused directly on him, waiting for his mouth to open and captivate them.

He strode across the stage, his long, powerful legs easily traveling from one side to the other, his passion coming through with every step. When he opened his lips and spoke, Lissa released the breath she was holding in a sigh. The deep richness of his voice lent perfectly to the prose.

Hannah leaned over to whisper in her ear. “See, ear porn.”

“Yeah, and I get to hear it every night.”

“Bitch,” Hannah replied.

The next two hours went quickly and she stood with the rest of the audience, clapping for his performance. They had planned ahead of time to meet up at the cast party after the show. His parents were going back to the rental to watch the children so the rest of the adults could have a night out together.

Once again Lissa tried to blend into the background, but Will and his family wouldn’t allow it. If he couldn’t be by her side then one or both of his sisters and their husbands would be. It was a strange feeling having not only Hannah and Royce there for her, but suddenly four more people who seemed to understand that while
they
might be outgoing, she was shy and more than happy to stand in the shadows.

A few cast and crew members who had read her books came up to her. It felt odd signing autographs for them. She knew the numbers, so she knew people read her books, but to have people come up to her, and it not be at an author signing was out of the ordinary, let alone stars of the London stage.

When the music started playing, Will came over and all her fears were put aside. On the dance floor, she’d lose herself in the music and him. Moving together, the world disappeared and their bodies stirred in the promise of what was to come.

Lissa woke to a soft knocking on the door. Stretching, she was surprised not only that Will was still there but that it was also daylight. It was the first night she’d slept through without waking. Wanting to make sure he stayed sleeping, she quickly got out of bed and opened the door to see Hannah on the other side.

“What’s up?” she whispered.

“Conference call. Christine and Angelica are both on the phone.”

“Shit, why?”

“Melissa Loring, I can hear you. You get on this phone right now.” Christine’s voice came through the phone, sounding slightly more irritated than usual.

“Hold on,” Lissa whispered and quickly ducked back inside the room to grab her slippers and robe before heading back out. She led Hannah to the roof, hoping no one else would be up there. They were lucky; it was empty.

Hannah put the call on speaker. “Okay, we’re both here. Now, what’s up?”

“
What’s up?
Like you need to ask? Why do I even bother, boo?” Christine sighed on the other end of the phone. “I thought after last time, when you were in L.A., we’d cleared everything up. Then there was Paris, and I understand why you couldn’t say anything right away, but still, there was a delay.”

“What’s going on?” Lissa frowned at Hannah who shrugged.

“I take it you haven’t been online this morning?” Angelica queried.

“No, Hannah just woke me up.” Lissa looked up at Hannah who was blushing. “Hannah?”

“Umm… no, I hadn’t looked at anything online yet.” Hannah wouldn’t look Lissa in the eye.

“Pictures of you and Will are all over the place. Again,” Christine informed them.

“Really, it shouldn’t be that big of a deal anymore. After everything that happened in Paris, it’s pretty clear we’re together.”

“Yes, but think about it,” Angelica stated. “You are a new couple, so people want to know more information about the two of you. Then you add in the fact you’ve been shacking up together in London for over a week now—”

“Oh, come on. He’s doing a show here. We’ll be gone next weekend.”

“Yes,” Angelica continued, “and he’s starring in a movie based on a book you wrote. Then you add in the fact you have now met his family. Everyone knows how important his family is to him.”

“None of us knew they were going to be here until they rang the doorbell,” Hannah butted in.

“Oh, and let’s talk about
you
, young lady,” Christine exclaimed. “You want to fill us in?”

“Fill us in about what, Hannah?” Lissa asked.

“It’s nothing, really.”

Lissa stared at Hannah who was looking anywhere but into her eyes. “What happened last night?”

“Based on the photos which are being shown, she ended up pretty cozy with a certain movie star who’s been traveling with you guys,” Christine said.

“Royce?” Lissa frowned, trying to remember. “Last night?”

“It sure
looked
like Royce,” Angelica chimed in. “They were
very
cozy.”

Hannah moved from one foot to the other, not saying anything.

“Do what you have to do,” Lissa started. “Consider Hannah a new client, Christine.” Hannah’s head whipped up and she finally looked Lissa in the eye. “As of right now, our stance is they are friends. Don’t confirm or deny anything. What else?”

“Just wondering if any of the schedule for the next week has changed any.”

“Not that I know of.” When Hannah nodded, confirming that fact, Lissa continued. “Yeah, everything’s the same. If I know of any changes, one of us will let you know. Now both of you get some sleep; it’s the middle of the night for you guys.”

“Someone wanted to call you hours ago. You can thank me next time I see you,” Angelica teased.

“You’re my hero. Good-bye, ladies.” Lissa disconnected the call and blocked Hannah from moving past her toward the door. “Not so fast, Bucky. Spill.”

“There’s nothing
to
spill.” Hannah still wouldn’t look at Lissa and tried to walk around her.

“Bullshit. We can do this now, or on the plane where you can’t run.”

Hannah sighed. “Fine, what do you want to know?”

Lissa rolled her eyes. “Gee, I don’t know, how are you liking London? What was your favorite part? How cold have you been?”

“Yes, I’m liking London. Ear porn. Freezing.”

“Hannah Beatrice Mills…”

“Fine… we did it.”

“No! Royce? You? Really? How? When?”

“Is that all you can come up with?” Hannah asked. “Aren’t you an author or something?”

Lissa gently shoved her shoulder. “Shut up. Are you okay?” That was really all Lissa was worried about. She wanted to make sure her friend was fine.

“Yes, I’m good. Listen, Lissa, we’ve stayed in contact since L.A. We’ve become friends, and nothing is going to change that. You know me, and you know my past. While I might want the hearts and flowers, the happily ever after, I know it’s not in the cards for me.” She started pacing around the roof. “Lis, I trust him, and I care for him. I don’t know what he’s battling, but whatever it is, we both are in the same boat. We both want the same thing: no commitments.”

“If you’re both in the same boat…”

Hannah shook her head. “Not
that
boat. The boat of no illusions. We were both clear on where we’re headed: no surprises, no strings.”

Lissa looked at her friend; she only wanted the best for her. Knowing how far Hannah had come in overcoming her past, she didn’t want to see her hurt again. “If he hurts you, I’ll kill him.”

Hannah gave her a small smile. “Don’t you know? You have to open your heart to begin with in order for it to be hurt. Mine’s been closed for years; there’s no way to open it now.”

Lissa had wanted Will to go on ahead to the SUV waiting for them when they landed at O’Hare, but he wouldn’t hear of it. Instead, they walked hand in hand through the airport as people yelled his name and asked questions, with camera flashes continuously going off in front of them. There was one point where a young lady tried taking a picture with him while they were walking. Unfortunately, Lissa also happened to be on the same side and the girl ran into her. It was the only time she’d ever seen Will short-tempered with a fan.

The ride from O’Hare to Lake Forest was short considering the traffic, and soon enough they were settled in. The first thing Lissa did was open all the windows. Having grown up in the desert she loved the water, and being able to see and smell the lake was wonderful.

Beau was on one of the lower levels and Hannah was off walking on the beach. While she told Lissa Royce wasn’t going to be able to hurt her, somehow she thought he might have already worked his way into her heart, even just a little bit. Hannah seemed a bit sad after they had to say good-bye at the airport.

Kicking back in a double lounge cuddled next to Will, Lissa relaxed and let her skin soak up the warm sunshine, trying not to obsess that they were going to start filming her movie soon. She’d caught Will a few times going over lines and every time it gave her the chills, hearing him say the words she had written.

“Stop,” Will mumbled.

“Stop what?”

“You know.”

Lissa sighed. “But what if it’s a bomb? What if everyone thinks it sucks ass?”