At the airport, Matt trailed behind Lola, organizing her piles of luggage. She seemed to have accumulated a dozen more suitcases during her stay in New York.
The usual army of paparazzi were staked out at Kennedy. Lola was happy to pose with Matt. No more scandal; she was a good girl now.
Oh yes, and no more Tony, because the bastard had gone and gotten himself engaged to some Puerto Rican tramp. God! How could he walk away from her as if she meant nothing to him?
No, her inner voice informed her, you walked away from him. And it was a wise move. The man is nothing more than a dangerous thug.
He might be a dangerous thug, but that didn’t mean she was able to stop loving him.
“Over here, Lola,” called one of the photographers. “Big smile.”
She put her arm around Matt and posed, making Matt a very happy husband.
“Did you enjoy working with Linc Blackwood?” another of the photographers called out.
“Linc Blackwood is a real star,” she said graciously. “I’m sure everyone who goes to our movie will definitely enjoy it.”
Matt did not agree. He’d seen the dailies. As soon as they were settled back in L.A., he planned on resuming his acting classes. If Linc Blackwood could be a star, there was hope for anybody.
• • •
“Cut. It’s a print,” Cat called out.
The cinematographer gave her the thumbs-up sign, while the actors in the scene dispersed.
“Are you okay?” Cat asked, walking over to Shelby.
“Yes, I’m fine, why?” Shelby answered, as the wardrobe woman took her jacket and handed her a robe.
“You look awfully pale.”
“I was feeling a bit headachy this morning,” Shelby admitted.
“Go to your trailer and take a break. It’ll be at least forty minutes before we get to the next shot.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Shelby said.
“Only a few more days to go,” Cat said, grinning triumphantly. “And we’re ahead of schedule and under budget. In Merrill’s eyes I’m the girl genius.”
“That’s excellent news,” Shelby said.
“Are you bringing your parents to the wrap party?”
“I was thinking of doing so.”
“Bring ’em. It’ll be a blast.”
“I’m not so sure. They won’t know anyone. Perhaps I should take them out to dinner instead.”
“With Pete?”
“Cat,” she said warningly, “don’t cause trouble.”
“Just asking,” Cat said innocently. “I mean, I know Linc is seeing Allegra—it’s all over the papers—so you shouldn’t feel guilty.”
“You’re a fine one to talk,” Shelby responded. “What’s happening with you and Nick?”
Cat grinned again. “I’ll let you know in a couple of days.”
“Oh, I see. It’s like that, is it?”
“Yeah, it’s like that,” Cat said, suddenly feeling shy.
Shelby went to her trailer to rest. Tiger greeted her, tail wagging. He’d peed all over the floor, but she didn’t care. She scooped him up into her arms and cuddled him, still not feeling great.
She lay down on the couch and tried not to think about Linc. Then suddenly it struck her like a flash of lightning. Oh, God! She was two weeks late, and she was never late. Was it possible that she was finally pregnant?
No. Not now. The timing couldn’t be worse.
She started thinking back. The last time Linc had made love to her was that fateful weekend in New York. He’d ambushed her on the couch in his hotel, almost forcing himself upon her. And he’d not withdrawn as he usually did.
How ironic if it had happened then.
She had to find out. Unfortunately, she could hardly pop into the pharmacy and buy a pregnancy testing kit, because it would be all over the news before she got home. And if she sent someone to get it for her—same deal. So she called her gynecologist and made an emergency appointment for later that day.
She cuddled the little puppy to her. If she was pregnant, she had no idea what she’d do.
• • •
“Here’s the deal,” Nick said, unshaven, his dark, unruly hair flopping on his forehead. “After the wrap party I’ve got a surprise for you, so bring an overnight bag.”
“Are we eloping to Vegas?” Cat deadpanned. “Do you want to screw me so badly that we have to get married? I hope you’ve booked an Elvis impersonator. I refuse to do it unless you organize the full deal.”
He laughed. “Sorry to disappoint you. There’ll be no getting down on one knee, and definitely no ring.”
“Shame!” she said, mocking him. “I’m so disappointed.”
“Overnight bag. Wrap party. Don’t forget.”
“Like I would forget. I think I’m finally as horny as you!”
“My kind of girl,” he said with his usual cocky grin.
• • •
By the time Lola arrived back in L.A., stopped off at her house, and went straight to the hospital, Selma was doing more than moving her finger. Over the last few hours her eyelids had fluttered open, and she was conscious.
Lola sat by her bedside surrounded by her family, and Selma’s husband and children.
“It’s a miracle,” Claudine kept on repeating.
No, it’s not a miracle, Lola thought. It’s the result of my bargain with God. She’d given up Tony and now Selma was on the road to recovery.
Her mother took her to one side. “We’re all so happy you’re back with Matt,” she whispered. “He’s such a nice guy, and so right for you, Lucia.”
And boring! a voice screamed in her head. And a lousy lay! And a sponger! “Maybe,” she said in her best noncommittal tone.
“No, not maybe, my daughter. Matt will always be there for you. You don’t want a wild man like Tony Alvarez. He’s no good.”
I don’t? she thought. Why not? Tony Alvarez makes me feel alive.
“Besides,” Claudine continued, “Matt will make a wonderful father for your children.”
What children, Mama?
She stayed at the hospital for a couple of hours, then finally went home to bed and Matt, who was naturally watching sports on TV.
Now that Selma was going to be all right, her thoughts turned to Tony. How could she possibly survive without him?
She realized that, yes, she’d made a bargain with God. But if Selma completely recovered, didn’t that change everything?
She and Tony were so good together. Sure, she knew he was dangerous and capable of doing terrible things, but somehow it didn’t really matter. He’d never done anything terrible to her.
As far as Lola was concerned, love conquered all, good and bad.
• • •
Early the next morning, Shelby’s gynecologist called her with the news. She was a pleasant woman, young and confident.
“Shelby,” she said, her tone extremely friendly.
“Yes?” Shelby said, holding her breath.
“It’s as you thought.”
“It’s as I thought,” Shelby repeated blankly.
“Yes, I’m happy to tell you that you are indeed pregnant.”
On the one hand, Shelby was ecstatic. On the other, she was more depressed than she’d ever been in her entire life. How could it happen now, when things with Linc were so bad?
Maybe the news of her pregnancy would bring him to his senses. Maybe he’d give up the wild life that he’d decided to pursue, and be the husband she’d always wanted. Surely the thought of a baby coming into their lives would straighten him out? Didn’t he deserve one more chance?
Without giving herself time to change her mind, she picked up the phone and called him in New York.
“Who’s speaking?” the hotel operator inquired, monitoring his calls.
“Mrs. Blackwood.”
“One moment, please.”
Then another female voice, with a strong Australian accent and a sour attitude, got on the line. “Yes, what?”
“Is Linc there?”
A bad-tempered “No. Who’s this?”
“Mrs. Blackwood.”
Change of tone. “Oh yeah, Shelby. He’s mentioned you. I’m Allegra. We live together, y’know.”
“No, I didn’t know that,” she said quietly, her stomach sinking.
“I guess the divorce is coming up anytime soon, right? Is that what you’re calling about?”
“No,” Shelby said tersely. “I’d like to speak to my husband.”
“You could speak to him if he was here, but he’s not, is he?”
“Then tell him I called, and have him get back to me as soon as possible.”
“He’s busy, y’know.”
“What did you say your name was?”
“Allegra. You’ve probably seen me on the cover of Sports Illustrated.”
“Not a magazine I subscribe to.”
“Buy it,” Allegra said in a bitchy fashion. “Then you can get a gander at your competition.”
“Have Linc call me,” Shelby said, uncharacteristically slamming down the phone. It wasn’t often that she lost her temper, but who was this bitch? And what the hell was Linc doing with her?
Martha entered the room. “Your father wants me to double-check our tickets to London, darling,” she said. “Daddy and I are leaving this week. You’ll be all right here by yourself, won’t you?”
“Of course I will,” she said, attempting to calm down.
During the course of her parents’ stay they had not once discussed her separation from Linc. Her parents were determined not to bring it up until she did, and she had no desire to raise the subject.
For a moment she thought about confiding in her mother, but then she realized it was hopeless. Neither of them would understand. They were both sweet people, and they’d always been caring parents, but they were totally unsophisticated.
“I’ve left my Saks credit card on the hall table,” Shelby said. “Go there today while I’m at the studio, and buy yourself a glamorous outfit for the party. I want to be proud of you.”
“Are you saying that you wouldn’t be proud of me if I wore one of my suits?” Martha replied, sounding hurt.
“Your suits are lovely, Mum—for England. But you should buy yourself something sexy.”
“Don’t be so silly, Shelby,” Martha said, pursing her lips. “Your father would be shocked.”
“Wouldn’t it be fun to shock him sometimes?”
“No, dear,” Martha said primly. “What is the matter with you?”
“Nothing,” Shelby said, kissing her mother on the cheek.
Nothing, except that my husband is now living with a woman in New York, and I’m pregnant, and I don’t know what to do about anything. How sad is that?
“Okay,” she said. “I’ve got to go, I’ll see you later.”
Gathering up Tiger, she set off for the studio.
Pete was waiting outside her trailer with two cups of Starbucks coffee. “Morning, beautiful,” he said, handing her a paper cup.
“Hi,” she said wanly.
“Did you sleep okay?”
“Why?”
“You look tired.”
“You know, it’s so rude,” she said irritably.
“What is?”
“First of all Cat told me I didn’t look well yesterday, now you’re telling me I look tired. I’m sorry, Pete, but I don’t appreciate it.” She slammed her way past him into her trailer.
He followed her in. “You heard from Linc, didn’t you?” he said.
“No. Actually I called to speak to him, and some bitch got on the line.”
“Who was she?”
“I imagine it was his new girlfriend.”
“Shelby,” he said patiently, “I keep on telling you— hire a lawyer before he does.”
“Why? I don’t want anything from him. No alimony, nothing.”
“It’s not as simple as that, Shell. You have houses, cars, investments. It’s all community property.”
“But if I don’t want anything . . .”
“You still need a lawyer,” he insisted.
“Why can’t Linc and I work it out together? Why should a man be stuck paying the woman, unless there’s children to consider?”
“Hmm . . . you’re every man’s dream,” Pete said. “In more ways than one.”
“And another thing,” she said. “Why are you so nice to me?”
“Because, as I’ve told you repeatedly, I’m waiting in the wings.”
“It might be a long wait, Pete.”
“There’s something you should know about me.”
“What?”
“I’m a very patient man.”
Their eyes met, and she found herself weakening. Pete might not have to be as patient as he thought. After her conversation with Linc’s girlfriend, she was almost ready to move on.