THEY were in the car heading back to the house when Kirsten’s mobile phone rang.
It was Jason, and Kirsten couldn’t help feeling relieved as his friendly tone cut the tense silence that had suddenly descended since she and Cal had left the restaurant.
‘My plane has just landed and I’m heading for my hotel,’ he announced cheerfully. ‘What time should I pick you up tonight?’
‘About seven-thirty, eight o’clock?’ Kirsten suggested.
‘OK, but Kirsten…?’
‘Yes?’ She frowned as she heard the hesitation in Jason’s tone.
‘Do you think we could go somewhere quiet? I’ve got something I want to talk to you about and I’d rather do it in relative privacy.’
‘Oh!’ Kirsten felt a jolt of surprise at the request and at the sudden nervousness in her friend’s tone. It was unlike Jason; he was usually so confident and gregarious, always suggesting parties and busy, trendy restaurants when they went out. ‘Well…hold on a minute.’ Kirsten covered the mouthpiece of her phone and looked over at Cal. ‘You are going out tonight, Cal, aren’t you?’ she asked, remembering that he had told Maeve he’d see her later.
‘Why?’ Cal took his eyes off the road and glanced at her.
‘I thought I’d cook dinner for Jason at the house.’
‘I see.’ Cal transferred his attention back to the road. ‘Fine, go ahead.’ He shrugged.
‘Thanks.’ She took her hand away from the phone. ‘Come around to the house, Jason, and I’ll cook for us.’
‘Are you sure you don’t mind?’
She heard the relief in his voice and smiled. ‘No, of course not; a quiet night in will be very pleasant.’
‘Is ol’ Jason on an economy drive?’ Cal asked derisively as she put the phone back in her bag.
‘No, he’s not,’ Kirsten replied, annoyed by his tone. ‘There’s something he wants to talk to me about in private.’
‘Well, if he’s going to propose, the least he could do is take you out to a decent restaurant.’ Cal shook his head. ‘You want to ditch him, Kirsten.’
‘Propose?’ Kirsten looked across at Cal in surprise. It hadn’t occurred to her for one minute that Jason might be working himself up to propose to her! ‘I don’t think so, Cal. He’s probably been working really hard and just needs a quiet night.’ Even as she said the words, she could hear the uncertainty in her own voice.
Cal could hear it too. He pulled the car to a standstill outside the house and turned to look at her. ‘I know you don’t want to hear this from me, Kirsten, but that guy is not right for you.’
‘You’re right.’ Kirsten turned and reached for the door handle. ‘I don’t want to hear it from you.’
She marched up to the front door, her heart thundering with a mixture of apprehension and anger. Cal had no right to talk to her like that about Jason. Of course he wasn’t going to propose to her…but even if he did, it was none of Cal’s damn business. He had a nerve to preach about suitability when he was still seeing a married woman after all these years!
When Cal followed Kirsten into the house a few minutes later she was in the kitchen, going through the cupboards. ‘I’m going to have to go out to the shops to buy a few things,’ she said as she noticed him standing in the doorway watching her.
‘Are you going to tell Jason about us?’
‘Us?’ She turned away from the cupboard and flicked a nervous glance over at him.
‘Yes, “us”…our night of passion together.’ He watched as her face flooded with colour.
‘We both agreed that was a mistake, Cal, so why should I mention it to Jason?’ Her voice was unsteady.
‘What happens if you’re pregnant?’ he asked, folding his arms across his chest and fixing her with a direct look that was very unnerving.
‘I’m not pregnant, Cal.’ Her voice trembled slightly.
‘You’re sure?’
She nodded. ‘Yes, I’m sure.’ For a second she felt the weight of disappointment that had settled on her last week when she had discovered this. Then she turned away from him and tried to continue with her thoughts about dinner. It was crazy to be disappointed; she should be relieved.
We’ve had a narrow escape, she told herself briskly, sensibly. Cal didn’t love her and it would have been foolish in the extreme to go down the same path with him again.
‘I still don’t think Jason is the right person for you,’ Cal said heavily into the silence.
Was he relieved about her condition…or lack of condition? she wondered. In a way she longed for him to say something more about it…she didn’t want to talk about Jason.
‘I don’t know what makes you think you’re qualified to speak about who’s right and who’s wrong for me,’ she snapped.
‘Well, I was your husband, Kirsten, even if it was for a short space of time. I think I know you pretty well.’
‘You don’t know me at all, Cal,’ she said shakily, flashing him a furious look.
‘I think I know you well enough to discern that you wouldn’t have slept with me the other night if you were in love with Jason,’ he said quietly.
For a few seconds their eyes met and held. He was right, she acknowledged, and hated herself for the admission. Was she really so damn predictable…? Miss Goody Two Shoes—wouldn’t two-time a man she loved…and, worse, wouldn’t sleep with a man if she didn’t love him, unlike wonderfully sophisticated Maeve…
‘Well, you’re wrong, Cal,’ she said furiously, swinging away from him. ‘You couldn’t be more wrong.’
‘I think you fell into Jason’s arms on the rebound,’ Cal continued in a calm, low tone as if she hadn’t spoken.
‘What? And I’m still on the rebound from you now after two years?’ Her voice was filled with bitter derision. ‘My, but you can be arrogant sometimes.’
‘You don’t love Jason, Kirsten; I don’t care what you say to me. He may be a very pleasant guy, but if you say yes to him tonight you’ll be making the biggest mistake of your life.’
She swung her head round angrily and looked over at him. ‘Just mind your own business, Cal,’ she told him firmly. ‘If I decide to say yes to Jason, that will be my decision.’
There was silence for a few seconds…
‘I still think you should tell him that we slept together a couple of weeks ago. If he’s as nice a guy as you say he is maybe he deserves to know the truth.’
‘Yes, he’s a nice guy, but what happened between us is none of his business.’
‘If he’s coming around here to ask you to marry him it is very much his business. Maybe I should fill him in a little.’
Her eyes widened in disbelief. ‘You wouldn’t?’
Cal shrugged. ‘Sometimes us men have to look out for each other, don’t we?’
‘That’s outrageous, Cal! You wouldn’t dare!’
Kirsten didn’t like the gleam in Cal’s eyes. Saying that to him might not have been a good idea. He’d dare do anything if the mood struck him, she realised.
The telephone in the hall started to ring but neither of them made any move to answer it.
The answer machine cut in and Theo’s voice filled the air. ‘Cal, I’ve tried to ring your mobile but it’s switched off. Would you phone me, please? It’s urgent.’
Cal turned away from her and marched through to the hall to pick up the phone. Kirsten heard him say a few short words, then the front door closed behind him as he went out.
Kirsten closed her eyes in relief. Don’t come back, she wanted to shout after him. But as soon as her anger towards Cal’s high-handed attitude had disappeared she started to think about Jason. He wasn’t really going to propose to her, was he?
The table in the dining room was laid with a white damask tablecloth. Candlelight flickered over the silver cutlery and the display of pink roses. Soft music filtered out from the stereo in the lounge.
Kirsten stood back and surveyed her handiwork. She had worked very hard to get everything organised, had had to go shopping for a multitude of things and had even tried to be adventurous with the food. A Creole recipe she had found in a book in the store was now simmering heartily in the kitchen. Had she gone a bit overboard with everything? she wondered suddenly. She didn’t want to give Jason the wrong idea.
Glancing at her watch, she saw that it was almost half-past seven. He would be here any minute. She walked across to the mirror in the lounge and checked her appearance. Did the black dress dip a little too provocatively at the cleavage? she wondered, adjusting it to try and retain some modesty.
Ordinarily she wouldn’t have given a second thought to any of these things. Jason’s company was always so relaxing and undemanding, and it was pleasant to put herself out a little for him and cook something. But Cal’s assumption that he was going to propose to her had thrown her into a bit of a panic. Cal was way off track, she reassured herself. For a start, his theory that she was involved with Jason on the rebound couldn’t be further from the truth.
Jason had been there for her when Cal had left, but only as a friend; there had never been a romance. So why would he be rushing around here now to propose to her? No…Cal definitely had it wrong. Feeling a bit better, she turned away from her reflection.
At least Cal had thought better of his earlier threats and had decided to do the decent thing and stay away, she thought, pouring herself a weak gin and tonic. He was probably with Maeve…maybe even in bed with her, making the most of the time they had left before Brian arrived.
The picture this painted in her mind threw a renewed dart of anger through her body. ‘You’re better off without him, Kirsten,’ she told herself shakily.
A sound in the hallway made her put down her drink and head out to investigate. She half expected it to be Jason knocking on the door; she got a shock when she saw Cal letting himself in the front door.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked nervously.
‘I live here,’ Cal said drily.
‘Yes, but I thought you were going out tonight—’
‘I am but I’ve been stuck in a meeting with Theo for the last few hours.’ Cal’s eyes flicked over her appearance, lingering for a second too long on the heart-shaped neckline. ‘Aren’t you a bit dressed up for dinner at home?’
‘It’s just a plain black dress…’ She trailed off, wondering what the hell she was doing justifying her appearance to him! ‘Look, are you going straight back out? Because—’
‘Yeah…don’t worry. I’m not going to cramp your style.’ He walked past her, his glance taking in the beautifully laid table in the dining room. ‘You have been busy.’
‘Yes, and Jason’s going to be here in a few minutes.’ She followed him through to the lounge. ‘Cal, what are you doing?’ She watched him as he walked to the glasses and bottles she had left on the sideboard and started to pour himself a whiskey.
‘What does it look like I’m doing?’ he asked. ‘I’m tired and I’m pouring myself a drink.’ He reached out and switched off the music on the stereo. ‘It’s very dark in here, Kirsten. I can’t see a thing,’ he muttered. ‘Put the overhead light on, will you?’
‘No, I will not!’ She put her hand on her hip and glared at him. ‘I’m having a dinner party, Cal. I want the lighting low and I want the music back on.’
‘Are you trying to hide something from good ol’ Jason?’ Cal asked, a mocking gleam of humour in his eyes. ‘You know, I read somewhere that most men choose a wife in light so dim that they wouldn’t even buy a suit by it.’
Kirsten didn’t know what to say to that. ‘Is that supposed to be some kind of joke?’ she asked unsteadily. ‘Because—’
‘No, it wasn’t a joke. Just a little reassurance.’ His voice lowered huskily. ‘You don’t need the lights down low, Kirsten; you’re gorgeous.’
A molten wave of heat stole through her body as she noticed the way he was looking at her. There was something very sexual about that gleam in his eye, something almost primitively dangerous about him as he walked over towards her.
‘Jason’s going to be here in a minute,’ she said again, apprehensively wondering if she should turn and walk away, and yet…she didn’t want to. She was held captive by the almost challenging mood of excitement he conjured up in her.
‘I know, I heard you.’ He stopped a few steps away from her and surveyed her critically. ‘You should have stayed in the jeans you were wearing this afternoon. That dress is far too provocative.’
‘Cal, I…’ Her voice trailed off as she watched him put his glass down on the coffee table.
‘In fact, it’s far too good to be wasted on a night in with good ol’ Jason.’
‘I wish you’d stop calling him that.’ She took a step backwards as he came closer.
‘OK, that dress is far too sexy for any man’s peace of mind… There, is that better?’ There was a teasing light in his eyes now.
She didn’t know how to contend with Cal when he was in this kind of a mood. ‘Cal, please…you know I can’t deal with this right now…’ She took another step backwards and found herself right up against the wall.
‘Deal with what?’
‘Deal…with the level of…sensuality that you can always…always exert over me…’
‘Can I?’ He smiled at that. Then his head lowered and he kissed her. This was no gentle, sweet kiss, it was controlling and dominant and it sent Kirsten’s senses reeling. It made every nerve in her body react with vibrant, pulsating need. Instinctively she kissed him back, her heart racing, her blood pumping through her veins with a tingling ecstasy. She felt his hands on her body and suddenly she was pressing herself closer, all her self-control of the last few weeks vanishing instantly.
She felt his hands touching her breasts through the fine silk material, and she longed to be free of its constraints…longed to just give herself to him here and now…
The shrill sound of the front doorbell cut into her consciousness. Cal pulled back.
‘That’s a bit of bad timing, isn’t it?’ he remarked.
She frowned, wondering how he was able to sound so together, so cool, when she was in a state of chaos inside.
‘You shouldn’t have done that,’ she said unsteadily.
‘Maybe not.’
‘Why did you?’
His eyes lingered on her lips and she moistened them instinctively. ‘I did it to show you how wrong you are if you say yes to Jason. It would be a mistake, Kirsten, and there’s been enough of those between us.’
The doorbell rang again.
‘I’d better let him in,’ Cal said, stepping back from her. ‘Give you a chance to pull yourself together.’
‘How kind…’ she managed sardonically.
He smiled at her. ‘And you do look gorgeous,’ he said softly. ‘So I suggest out of fairness to Jason you blow out those candles and turn up the lights.’
She watched as he walked away. He was so damned arrogant, she thought. Who the heck did he think he was, telling her who was right and who was wrong for her? Cal was wrong about Jason’s intentions, but even so she did find her hand sneaking out to turn the light-dimmer switch up ever so slightly.
Then she put up a shaking hand to smooth her hair down as she heard Jason’s voice in the hall.
She shouldn’t have kissed Cal back like that…she thought angrily. What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she control herself around him when she knew damned well that all she was doing was feeding that damned ego of his? He just had to be right…didn’t he? Just breezed in and took what he wanted, making his point without regard to her feelings…
‘I didn’t realise that you were staying with Kirsten.’ Jason’s voice cut into her thoughts and she quickly moved to glance at her reflection in the mirror. She looked flushed and her lips were swollen!
Hurriedly she put the back of her hand against them in a vain attempt to cool herself again.
‘Hi, Kirsten.’ Jason stepped into the room just as she moved over to go and welcome him.
He was carrying an enormous bouquet of flowers, which he was half-hidden behind. ‘Goodness, what lovely flowers.’ She took them from him and leaned to kiss him on the cheek. ‘Thanks, Jason, that’s so sweet of you.’
Over his shoulder she saw Cal lounging against the doorframe, watching, a cynical light in his blue eyes.
Hastily she pulled her eyes away from his. ‘Aren’t you going out, Cal?’ she asked stiffly as she went to put the flowers on the table in the window.
‘I’m going up for a shower first.’ Contrary to his words, Cal walked further into the room. ‘Can I get you a drink, Jason?’ he asked jovially.
‘Thanks, I’ll have a white wine.’
If Jason thought it was strange that Cal was here playing host, he didn’t show it. ‘Lovely house, Kirsten, the studio is looking after you well.’
‘Well, that’s a big bone of contention at the moment,’ Kirsten muttered as she watched Cal handing Jason his drink.
‘Why’s that?’
‘I’ll tell you later,’ Kirsten said, looking pointedly at Cal.
‘How was your flight, Jason?’ Cal asked, totally ignoring her.
She listened as the two men chatted easily. Jason looked very smart in a dark suit and a pale green shirt. He was very good-looking, she thought, and yet, next to Cal, who was wearing jeans and his blue denim shirt, there was something almost dapper about Jason’s appearance.
‘It shouldn’t have taken that long for us to drive here, but we stopped off at Kirsten’s parents’ and they persuaded us to stay overnight,’ she heard Cal telling him, and her nerves suddenly twisted in apprehension. What the hell was he playing at? He wasn’t really contemplating telling Jason about…about what had happened between them that night, was he?
‘It was enjoyable, wasn’t it, Kirsten?’ He glanced over at her coolly and she felt anger prickle through her. How dared he do this? He had no right.
‘It was OK. Dad’s a lot better now, Jason,’ she said, trying to turn the subject safely away from whatever direction Cal was thinking of leading it.
‘Are you cooking something with fish in it?’ Cal cut across her suddenly.
‘No.’ She looked over at him, perplexed by the swift change of subject.
‘Really? I could have sworn something smelt a bit fishy.’
Kirsten’s eyes narrowed on him.
He met her cool stare with a raised eyebrow and a gleam of amusement. ‘Maybe it’s burning I can smell,’ he suggested.
Horrified, Kirsten put her drink down and with an apologetic glance at Jason rushed towards the kitchen to investigate.
‘That got her,’ Cal remarked with a smile at Jason. He finished his drink and put the glass down. ‘Well, I’d better go and get ready. I’m going to that charity do at the Excellency Hotel.’
‘Oh? Yes, I heard about that, there’s quite a few celebrities going to be there, I believe.’
‘Yes. Maeve talked me into going. But I could have done without it tonight. Why don’t you and Kirsten drop down there for a drink later?’
Jason nodded. ‘Well…I’ll suggest it to Kirsten.’
‘Was it burning?’ Jason asked Kirsten when she returned to the lounge.
‘No, it was fine.’ Kirsten glanced around the room. ‘Where did Cal go?’
‘He said he was getting ready to go out.’
Kirsten nodded. ‘Did he say anything else to you while I was out of the room?’ she asked curiously.
‘Not much…why should he?’
‘I just wondered,’ Kirsten muttered. ‘Dinner is ready, Jason, if you’d like to come through.’
They were halfway through their entrée and Cal still hadn’t gone out. Kirsten felt completely on edge, especially when the sound of rock music came blaring down the stairs, interrupting the light classical background music that she was playing.
‘Sorry about this, Jason.’ She got up to close the door.
‘That’s OK.’ Jason grinned at her and she smiled back at him thankfully. At least Jason was easy-going and didn’t seem to care too much about the interruption.
‘It must be a bit difficult sharing a house with him,’ he said sympathetically.
‘Oh, Jason, you have no idea!’ She rolled her eyes. ‘He’s the most…infuriating man.’
‘Yeah…good-looking, though, isn’t he?’ Jason said with a grin.
‘I suppose.’ Kirsten pushed the food around her plate. It tasted great but she wasn’t really hungry. ‘If you go for those overwhelmingly masculine types…which I don’t…any more.’
Why was she saying that? she wondered as she remembered the feel of Cal’s lips crushing and sensual against hers. Instantly her stomach twisted into tight knots of arousal as it screamed its rejection of her words.
‘No?’ Jason raised his eyebrow and then leaned across to refill her wine glass. ‘Listen, Kirsten, I really appreciate you going to so much trouble for me tonight.’
‘It wasn’t a lot of trouble.’
‘Don’t lie, Kirsten, you’re terrible at it,’ Jason said with a laugh.
‘Am I?’ She took a hasty sip of her wine and wondered what else he’d detected as a lie. ‘Anyway, tell me all about what’s been happening in LA.’ She smiled at him. ‘I want all the gossip, now.’
‘In a minute; first there is something I’ve got to say to you.’ Jason’s voice was suddenly and unusually nervous.
The music flicked off upstairs and in the silence Kirsten could hear her heart beating.
Please don’t let Cal be right. Please don’t propose to me, she thought wildly. I don’t want to have to hurt you, Jason…I don’t want to lose your friendship. But I’m in love with Cal.
‘Listen, Kirsten…I…’ Jason reached across the table suddenly and caught hold of her hand. ‘Hell…I don’t know how to say this to you.’
‘Then maybe you shouldn’t say it,’ Kirsten told him gently. ‘We’re good friends, Jason, and—’
‘I have to say it…I’ve been trying to get the courage up to say it to you for ages.’
Kirsten heard Cal’s footsteps upstairs and wondered if he was going to suddenly barge in on them.
‘The thing is…’
‘Yes?’ She watched Jason’s face anxiously. She couldn’t believe it, Cal had been right. After all this time…Jason was going to propose!
‘The thing is, Kirsten, I’m gay.’
‘Gay?’ Kirsten stared at him in stunned amazement.
He nodded. ‘I’ve kept it a secret because I thought it might damage my career…you know, with getting a lot of macho straight parts and—’
‘You’re gay?’
He watched her with a worried, rueful frown over his eyes. ‘Kirsten, I’m so sorry if I’ve led you to think…well, anything else. I want you to know that I value your friendship more than anyone’s and I hope you can understand and forgive me for not saying anything before now.’
‘There’s nothing to forgive…’ She shook her head. ‘But I just didn’t realise…’
‘Can we still be friends?’ She heard the anxious note in his voice and it snapped her out of her stunned state.
‘I can’t believe you’ve just asked me that,’ she said crossly, and squeezed his hand. ‘Nothing has changed. I really value your friendship, Jason. You’ve helped me through some terrible times. You’ve been a tower of strength and a wonderful friend. I couldn’t bear to lose you…’
‘Now you are going to make me cry.’ Jason sounded very emotional suddenly. He got up from the table and came around to give her a hug.
And that was how Cal found them a few moments later.
They didn’t even realise he had walked into the room until he spoke coolly. ‘Didn’t mean to interrupt such a touching scene.’
They immediately broke apart.
‘I’m going out, Kirsten.’ His eyes met hers.
She had barely time to register the fact that he had changed into a dark dinner suit and he looked spectacular.
‘See you around, Jason.’ With a curt nod in the other man’s direction, Cal went out and closed the door behind him.
Jason pulled a face at her. ‘Do you think he just got the wrong idea?’
‘It doesn’t matter what idea he got,’ Kirsten said, trying to remain indifferent.
Jason retook his seat at the other side of the table. ‘Don’t give me that line, Kirsten,’ he said briskly. ‘Of course you care.’
‘We’re just sharing the house under sufferance. It’s not what it seems.’ She looked over and met Jason’s eyes. He was grinning at her as if she had said something hysterically funny.
‘Kirsten, you couldn’t be more in love with that guy if you had a sign painted on your back. Which, incidentally…reminds me. Your zip is halfway down at the back of your dress.’
Kirsten felt her face flood with colour.
‘Interrupted something, did I?’ Jason lifted his glass in a mocking salute.
‘Let’s not talk about Cal,’ she muttered, instinctively withdrawing from the arena. ‘Let’s talk about you.’
‘Yes…but later.’ Jason laughed, his usual good humour returning. ‘First I’ve got something to tell you about Cal. Some really juicy gossip.’
‘What?’
Jason smiled and looked as if he was thoroughly enjoying himself. ‘You know that company that you were asking me about—Sugar Productions?’
‘Yes. They’re making our film.’
‘It belongs to Cal McCormick.’
Kirsten stared at him. ‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘You’ve got that wrong. Cal is working for them, same as me. We were talking about it this morning. He’s going to try and put a word in to get me moved into another house…’ Kirsten trailed away as she watched Jason shaking his head.
‘Cal is Sugar Productions…take it from me, Kirsten. The secret came out last week and now it’s all over Hollywood.’
‘But if Cal owns the production company…’ Kirsten frowned. ‘That would mean he’s in charge of everything… That would mean…’ Her voice trailed off as horrible realisation dawned. ‘That would mean that his influence got me the part in this film…’ Her eyes widened with horror. ‘And he’s chosen to work opposite me. Why would he do that…?’ Her mind started to race.
‘Because he wants you back,’ Jason said with a grin.
Kirsten shook her head. ‘Because he feels sorry for me.’ Her voice was laced with fury. Suddenly she was remembering Berni and Maeve at the restaurant. Berni had nearly let the secret out and Cal hadn’t been at all happy. And what was it Maeve had said…? ‘You must be so pleased to get such a good part…Cal’s so kind…the kindest person I know.’
The memory made her very uncomfortable. ‘I think Cal knew about Chandler all along,’ she said slowly now. ‘He knew I was ripped off and he got all protective. This is his way of compensating me for the money I lost.’
‘You’re right. Cal does know about Chandler. I told him ages ago, but—’
‘You did what?’ Kirsten got up from the table. ‘That lying, conniving…!’ Kirsten shook her head. ‘He was being all sympathetic and innocent about it this morning, pretending he didn’t know…trying to draw me out.’
‘Well, he probably felt badly about it for you…but as for it being the reason he’s doing the film…then I don’t think so, Kirsten. Because that’s one expensive trip.’
‘He’s got enough money not to care.’ Kirsten’s eyes prickled with tears.
‘Nobody has that much money!’
Kirsten shook her head. ‘I’m so confused, Jason. I thought I got this part off my own bat. I thought I’d done it myself…crikey, I went for enough auditions! To find out it might be Cal’s sympathy vote that’s landed me it makes my blood boil. I’d rather be poverty-stricken than accept a part under those terms. He’s turned me into a laughing stock!’
‘Oh, come on, Kirsten! Cal is a businessman at the end of the day. The reason you got the part is that you’re one damn fine actress.’
‘But how can I be sure of that now?’ Kirsten rounded angrily to look at him. ‘Well, there’s no way I’m continuing with this part. He can litigate if he wants, but I’m out of here.’
Jason frowned. ‘I think you’re jumping the gun. I met Jack Boyd last week. He was originally signed up for the part Cal took.’
‘No, he wasn’t. They never got around to signing him…’
‘Ah…but they did sign him,’ Jason contradicted her. ‘He told me himself. The deal was through Gold-Start originally. They signed Jack Boyd and you. Then Cal came along and optioned the movie off them. Paid a lot of money out to Jack.’
Kirsten sat back down at the table. ‘So he didn’t arrange my part in the movie?’
Jason shook his head. ‘No. You got that yourself. It was Cal’s part in the movie that was acquired…shall we say, covertly?’
‘But Cal doesn’t need to buy himself parts—Hollywood is screaming out for him.’ Kirsten met Jason’s eyes across the table. ‘What’s he playing at?’
‘Being near to you?’
Kirsten’s heart thumped unsteadily against her chest. She really wanted to believe that. ‘But he’s still seeing Maeve.’
‘Well, you’ve got me there.’ Jason shrugged and leaned back in his chair. ‘Maybe he’s in love with both of you?’
‘Then maybe it’s time he made up his mind which one of us he wants.’
Jason looked over at her and smiled. ‘That sounds like fighting talk.’
She smiled back. ‘Do you know, Jason, I think you’re right?’
‘He’s at the Excellency Hotel with her,’ Jason supplied promptly. ‘Some kind of charity party, I believe. Shall we go over there and see what’s going on?’
Kirsten nodded. ‘I think it’s about time I did.’
Jason grinned. ‘You go for it. But if you don’t mind I won’t stay around there long…I’ve got a date later.’
‘Oh?’
‘His name is Jo and it’s pretty serious, Kirsten…hell, it feels good to be able to say that.’
Kirsten smiled at him. ‘I’m so pleased for you, Jason,’ she said sincerely. ‘And I wish you all the happiness in the world.’