LARA AND NIKKI SAT IN the Chinese restaurant across the street from the production offices, enjoying a sumptuous feast of wild rice, sweet-and-sour shrimp, egg rolls and wontons.
“I’ve never seen you like this, you’re positively glowing,” Nikki said, reaching for an egg roll. “And if you don’t wipe that annoying smile off your face, I’ll be forced to smack it off!”
“Isn’t he great?” Lara said dreamily. “And it’s not only his looks—God knows I’ve passed up dozens of handsome guys.”
“Silly you,” Nikki murmured.
“You’ve got to understand,” Lara said, her green eyes burning bright. “Joey is different. He’s gentle and strong, smart and undemanding . . . and sooo sexy.”
“Oh,” Nikki said, nodding wisely. “Now I get it.’ It’s a sex thing.”
“No,” Lara objected quickly. “Honestly, Nikki, it’s not just sex.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Nikki said disbelievingly. “He’s got you hooked sexually. And how is he in that department?”
Ignoring her friend, Lara continued, “It’s as if we belong together. Like we were out there alone and . . . somehow . . . we found each other.”
Nikki plucked a wonton off her plate and popped it in her mouth. “Does he have money?”
Lara frowned. “What does money have to do with anything?”
“Don’t be so naive. Let us not forget you’re a rich woman.”
“He’s not asking for anything.”
“He doesn’t have to. Not yet, anyway.”
Lara took a sip of black tea, attempting to remain calm. “Why are you being so nasty?” she asked at last. “You’re the one who kept begging me to sleep with someone.”
Nikki ran a hand through her short, dark hair. “I’m merely playing devil’s advocate. A great fuck is one thing, but if you’re falling in love, you need to know more about him. Like who he is would be a good start.”
“I know plenty.”
“Like what?”
“Like right now he’s the perfect man for me.”
“I give up!” Nikki said, throwing her hands in the air. “This is exactly what happens after a long dry spell.”
“Excuse me?”
“Getting laid again. Messes up your head quicker than anything.”
“Can’t you be happy for me?”
“I am. It’s just that this guy came out of nowhere. Dumped his fiancée and moved in on you big time.”
“He didn’t move in on me. I invited him to stay.”
“Okay, okay, as long as you know what you’re doing.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes, both busy with their own thoughts. Sometimes Lara resented Nikki’s way of saying exactly what was on her mind. It was none of her business what she did or who she did it with.
“By the way, I need a favor,” she said, breaking the silence.
“I want Joey in the movie.”
Nikki groaned and stopped eating. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“We talked about it before.”
“That was weeks ago. Every role is cast.”
“You’re the producer,” she said sharply. “Find him something. He’s an excellent actor.”
“I’m sure he is. But the truth is, you’ve left it too late.”
“Too late for what?”
“Mick’s meticulous about his casting. Every character’s set.”
“You know,” Lara said, speaking in measured tones to be sure Nikki got the message. “I’m doing this movie as a favor to you. A big favor.”
Nikki was shocked, this was not the Lara she knew and loved. “So?” she said belligerently.
“So,” Lara responded, allowing the word to hang in the air. “I’m requesting something back.”
“You’re asking for something I can’t do anything about,” Nikki said, furious at being put in such an awkward position.
“Yes you can,” Lara countered. “Be realistic.”
“I’ll talk to Mick,” Nikki said resentfully.
“I’d appreciate it.”
They finished lunch barely speaking.
• •
Summer awoke in her own bed, late. She yawned and stretched, allowing her mind to wander over the events of the previous night. First the dinner party. Boring. Then her nocturnal visit to Aiden Sean. What a big, fat disappointment he’d turned out to be. Just because her mother was Nikki Barry he hadn’t wanted anything to do with her, he’d practically thrown her out—which really sucked.
Still . . . Aiden Sean was a movie star, and that had to count for something—especially in Chicago, where she could impress everyone, including her dad’s new wife, who thought she was such a hot number. Well, not hot enough, because Rachel hadn’t almost made out with a movie star.
What would happen if she told Rachel the truth about the man she was married to?
The Monster Man.
My Daddy.
Suddenly, Summer’s eyes filled with tears as the truth came crashing back. She could never tell anyone. She was too ashamed.
Get over it, her inner voice screamed inside her head. GET OVER IT!
But it wasn’t that easy.
• •
Back at the production offices, Mick stopped by to say hello to Lara, staring at her through his strange, oversized glasses. “Lookin’ forward to tomorrow,” he said, rubbing the tips of his long bony fingers together. “The read-through’s gonna be a happenin’.”
“I’m looking forward to it, too,” she replied, wondering what working with him would be like.
Later, after Lara had gone off to meet with the wardrobe people, Nikki cornered Mick in his office. He was on the phone, having a conversation in which he appeared to be begging some woman to forgive him for a past indiscretion. “C’mon, sweetie baby-love,” he wheedled. “We’ll have dinner, sex, a few laughs. You know you get off on me.”
Apparently she didn’t, because Nikki could hear the loud dial tone as the woman hung up on him.
Mick pretended she was still on the line, mumbled a phony “Good-bye,” put the phone down and turned to Nikki. “What’s up?” he asked, slumping back in his chair.
She began pacing up and down in front of his desk, apprehensive about broaching such a delicate subject. “Uh . . . this is the deal, Mick,” she said, dreading his reaction.
“Yeah?” he mumbled, checking out her legs.
“The truth is we’re lucky to have Lara in our movie, on account of her being such a big star and all.”
“What’re you telling me?” Mick asked irritably. “She met me, doesn’t like me an’ wants to walk? Is that it?”
“No, she thought you were charming,” Nikki said. Actually they’d been so busy discussing Joey, they’d barely mentioned Mick.
“Bull’s-eye,” Mick sneered. “I score charming award of the year.” He snickered wildly. “That’s before she’s worked with me, right?”
Nikki sighed. “She wants us to give her boyfriend a part.”
“Aw, shit!” he said, sitting up straight.
“I told her everything was cast.”
“You mean that creep she was with last night?”
“He’s not a creep,” Nikki said patiently. “He’s her current boyfriend, and she wants him in the movie.”
“Who does she expect him to play? One of the freakin’ rapists for crissakes?”
“Maybe a detective?” Nikki suggested in her best please-do-this-for-me voice. “Perhaps you can write another one in.”
“When didja ever see a detective that looked like him?” Mick grumbled. “He’s freakin’ Mel Gibson twenty years ago—an’ taller, too. Bastard!”
“That doesn’t necessarily make him a bad guy,” Nikki murmured.
“It don’t make him a good actor, either.”
“The thing is, we’d like to have a happy star, wouldn’t we?” She trailed off, hoping he got it.
“This is some fuckin’ drag,” he mumbled. “I never hadda compromise before.”
Well, you’ve only been in the business five minutes, she was tempted to say. But she didn’t, knowing it wouldn’t help matters.
“Will you think about it, Mick? For me? After all, I did you a favor with Aiden last night—who, I might add, wasn’t exactly the life and soul of the party.”
“Do I at least get to read the boyfriend?” Mick asked, curling his lip.
“Of course.”
“Have him here at seven in the mornin’, before the read-through. For you, I’ll check him out.”
“Thanks, Mick,” she said gratefully. “I owe you one.”
“A blow job’ll pay me back,” he said with an insane cackle.
“I’ll tell Richard; he’ll be flattered someone else wants me.”
“Not you,” Mick said scornfully. “Your daughter.”
She gave him a long, cold look. “I take it you’re joking.”
He laughed hysterically. “Never joke about sex.”
“Then I’ll make believe I didn’t hear you,” Nikki said, thinking that sometimes his pathetic attempt at humor was way out of whack.
“Whatever gets you through the night,” he said, with a manic twitch.
Yeah, she thought, whatever gets me through the night. Richard’s turning into a cold fish, Lara’s in the throes of a love affair, Mick wants to get it on with my teenage daughter and I’m left out in the cold, trying to keep it all together.
She went into her office, closing the door behind her, and immediately began thinking about the previous night’s dinner party.
By the time everyone had left, Richard was completely drunk. He’d staggered into their bedroom and flopped on the bed, and she’d been forced to listen to his ranting and raving about Revenge and Mick and what a mistake Lara was making, before he’d finally fallen into a stuporous sleep.
She had no respect for him when he drank too much. Being loud and belligerent didn’t suit him. What was it with these old guys she married? First Sheldon, now Richard. Was this marriage starting to crumble, too?
In the morning she’d left before he got up. And now she was at the office, trying to get Lara’s boyfriend a job. Producing a movie was not going to be as easy as she’d thought. Everybody had an angle—including Lara.
• •
When Lara arrived home, she found Joey in the den, watching sports on TV and looking perfectly content.
“Hi, beautiful,” he said, barely glancing up.
“I’ve got you an appointment with Mick tomorrow morning at seven,” she announced triumphantly. “You cannot be late.”
“Seven!” he groaned. “That’s kinda early.”
She picked up the remote, clicking off the TV. “I did as you asked, Joey,” she said quietly. “I compromised myself.”
He stood up. “How’d you do that?”
“I almost threatened Nikki I’d walk off the movie, which wasn’t very nice of me.”
“Well, yeah, but we’ve both discovered you’re not as nice as everyone thinks,” he said, putting his arms around her waist, pulling her close and running his hands over her body. “You give out this aura of goodness, but underneath you’re nothin’ but a bad little sexpot!”
“Is that what you think?” she asked, shivering.
“C’mere, beautiful,” he said, bending her back and kissing her passionately on the mouth. “Gotta tell you—I missed you all day.”
“You did?” she said, luxuriating in his kisses.
“Every second.”
“What did you do?”
“Worked out, swam. Mrs. C cooked me eggs, an’ I took a look at your CD collection. You do know it’s in need of serious work?”
“As if I have time to go to Tower and browse.”
“Hey—let’s go together.”
“I get recognized in public places.”
“How ’bout we disguise you? Like Michael Jackson.”
“Michael Jackson is recognized everywhere he goes. And if I put on a white surgical mask and gloves, I’d be recognized too.”
“We’ll get you a short, black wig an’ big shades. Or maybe we’ll dress you up as a little boy.”
“A little boy?” she asked, laughing.
“Naw, a teenager. You could pass for a teenager, you’re kinda flat chested.”
“So now I’m flat chested, am I?” she said, pretending to be exasperated.
“Not exactly.” He laughed, tweaking her nipples. “They’re big enough for me.”
She picked up a magazine and slammed him on the head.
He held up his hands, protecting himself. They both collapsed laughing on the couch.
He enfolded her in his arms, holding her close against him. He’d never had a relationship like this with anyone, and he liked it. Not only was Lara staggeringly beautiful and famous, she was genuinely nice. And warm and caring and sexy and fun. How had he finally gotten so lucky?
She snuggled into his chest, totally content. “I usually get home from a day like this dead to the world,” she murmured. “Now you’re bringing out somebody in me I didn’t know still existed.”
He looked at her with a quizzical expression. “You tellin’ me you’d forgotten how to have fun?”
“My past relationships were very staid. Richard’s much older than me.”
“I noticed.”
“Lee was sweet.”
“Sweet don’t cut it, babe,” he said, enclosing her breasts with his hands, working on her nipples. “I bet he couldn’t excite you the way I do, huh?”
She struggled to sit up. “Joey . . . this is crazy. We’ve been together such a short time, and yet . . . sometimes I feel I’ve been with you all my life.”
“It’s called soul mates,” he said, suddenly serious.
She stood up. “Oh, that’s what it’s called, is it?”
He got up too. “What did Nikki say? Yes, I’ll put Joey in the movie, I’ll fire Aiden Sean and give him that role.”
“Oh sure, I really want you playing the rapist.”
He walked over to the bar, opened the fridge and extracted a can of beer. “I was readin’ through the script today,” he said, flipping open the can. “It’s pretty heavy stuff.”
“I know.”
“Do you trust this Mick Stefan guy? He may be a hot director, but is he for you? You’re playin’ against your image big time.”
“I know that too.”
“You gotta consider your fans,” he said, swigging from the can. “Why’d’you think they go see you?”
“Because I’m a good actress?” she said flippantly.
“They go see you ’cause you send out this aura, this image.”
“I do?”
“You got it all, babe. You’re beautiful an’ nice. You’re what every guy dreams about—the sexy good girl.”
“I’m glad you added sexy,” she said with a soft smile.
“Let’s analyze it,” he said. “Why was I so attracted to you? ’Cause, truth is, I’ve had a lot of women.”
“Before you were engaged, I presume,” she said archly.
“No question,” he replied seriously. “I’m a big believer in fidelity—aren’t you?”
“Yes,” she said, equally serious. “I absolutely believe in it, Joey. After my experience with Richard, I vowed no man will ever cheat on me again.”
“What would you do,” he asked teasingly, “if you’d come home today and found me in bed with a girl?”
“That’s not a good question.”
“No, c’mon, tell me,” he urged. “Would you have blown my head off? Kicked me out? Screamed at me? At her? What would you have done?”
“I’d have walked away,” she said calmly. “Simply walked away.”
“Oh no, baby,” he said confidently. “There’s no way you could walk away from me.”
For a moment her green eyes darkened. “Don’t bet on it, Joey. Don’t ever bet on it. I’m stronger than you think.”
• •
By the time Nikki arrived at the Malibu house, Richard was drunk again.
“This is getting to be a habit,” she said coldly. “I thought your drinking days were behind you.”
“What’s the matter?” he asked belligerently. “Aren’t I allowed to relax?”
Oh, God! Not another fight. “You still working on post production?” she asked, walking into the kitchen.
“Everything’s done,” he said, following her.
“Where’s Summer?”
“Out,” he replied, still bad tempered.
“Listen, Richard,” she said, determined to clear things up, “it was you who encouraged me to get involved in producing. I thought you wanted me to make this film.”
“I didn’t tell you to drag Lara into it, put her together with a piece-of-shit director and ruin her career,” he said curtly. “You’re using your connections, and I don’t like it.”
“Lara wants to do my film,” she said, opening the fridge and removing two steaks neatly enclosed in Saran wrap.
“She’s only doing it because of me,” he said sourly.
“If that’s what you think,” she said, unwrapping the steaks and placing them on the grill.
“You wouldn’t even know Lara if it wasn’t for me.”
“What kind of remark is that?”
“The truth.”
“I’m sorry you feel this way,” she said flatly, not ready to get into another fight. “Can we discuss it later? Right now I’m fixing dinner.”
Later, he was too drunk, and they’d gone to bed not speaking.
• •
Summer and Tina went back to the club Pot, where they danced all night, sometimes with each other, sometimes with a selection of different guys. They finally sat down, their hard, tanned young bodies glistening with sweat.
“Last night, Mick Stefan and Aiden Sean were at my mom’s house,” Summer confided. “Can you imagine? Mick almost crapped! While stupid Aiden pretended he so didn’t know me.”
“That dick!” Tina said scornfully.
“And you know what I did?”
“What?”
“Took a cab to his stinky old apartment and told him what a phony he was.”
Tina raised an eyebrow. “You did that.”
“Well . . .” Summer giggled. “Actually I went there to get him to sleep with me. But he wouldn’t do it. I think he must be gay.”
“Really?”
“I don’t see why else he wouldn’t.”
“Y’know, Summer,” Tina said thoughtfully. “If it’s a movie star you want, I can get you plenty.”
“No way,” Summer said.
“Way,” Tina boasted. “And—here’s the kicker—they’ll pay you to do stuff. Big, big bucks!”
“Wow!” Summer responded, thinking that getting paid for anything at all was a really wild idea.
“If you’re serious, I’ll arrange it,” Tina said casually. “Only if I do, you can’t fink out on me.”
“Go ahead,” Summer said boldly. “I’m up for anything.”
“Are you sure?” Tina asked. “ ’Cause I’m not playing games. This is the real thing, and if I bring you in, there’s no way you can let me down.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“Okay. I’ll set it up. Call me in the morning.”
Another adventure. Summer couldn’t wait.