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“I must be out of my mind to go to The Bridge.” Sierra sat beside Hugh in the back of the Town Car, applying more pink lipstick. “The paparazzi’s gonna be all over me.”
“You didn’t have to come.” Hugh picked lint off the sleeve of his plum, Michael Kors sports coat. “In fact, it might’ve been better if you’d stayed home.” He smiled.
She moved her lips awkwardly in the mirror. “You didn’t want me to come?”
“Course, I did, honey,” he lied, kissing her cheek. “But, I know how hard it is for you to face the media. If you want, I can have Peter take you back to your place.”
Peter turned from the front seat, smiling.
“I bet you would.” Sierra straightened the straps of her burgundy, fringe cocktail dress.
“What does that mean, darling?”
“As if I don’t know that you’re more excited to see Gabrielle Montane than Warner.”
“What?” He guffawed. “That’s insane. Where did you get that?”
Peter snickered and faced the front.
Sierra slipped the mirror and lipstick back in her purse. “It’s no secret that you’ve had a crush on her for years.”
“Why would I want Gabrielle Montane?” He pulled her close. “When I got the most beautiful...” He kissed her. “Sexy...” He kissed her again. “And tantalizing woman in the world?”
“I’m serious, Hugh.” She patted his cheek, tightening her lips. “You make a play on Gabrielle and Lil’ Hugh might go missing in the middle of the night.”
“Ouch.” He clamped his legs together. “I’m here to see Warner. Would I be dumb enough to make a play for another woman with you right here?”
“You do and it’ll be the last woman you make a play for.”
Warner sauntered out of the hotel in a sleek, sports coat similar to Hugh’s jacket.
Hugh chuckled. “That sly fucker always did bite my style.” He hung out the window, waving. “Warner!”
“Hey, man!” Warner waved.
Hugh laughed, pulling on his collar. “Still stealing my style I see.”
Warner playfully flicked off the dig. “You wish, man.”
Gabrielle Montane exited the hotel and tangled her arm in Warner’s arm.
“Jesus.” Hugh stuck his head further out the window.
Sierra popped him in the back of the head.
“Ow.” He rubbed the throbbing spot. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“You’re drooling on your jacket.”
He kept his eyes on the vision that sashayed toward the car.
“Wow.” Peter’s gazed followed Gabrielle, head moving as if it were on a swivel. “She’s even hotter than in her photos.”
“Isn’t she?” Hugh breathed hard.
Sierra pinched Hugh’s side.
“Ow.” He pushed her hand away. “Stop pinching me, woman.”
She pulled him inside the window by his jacket. “Then stop making a fool out of me and sit down.”
“Who’s making a fool of who?” He opened the car door, smacking Sierra with his elbow.
“Damn it.” She held her nose.
“I’m sorry.” He patted her head.
“I’m not a dog.” She slapped his hand away as he got out the car.
Gabrielle stood beside Warner, the slinky, auburn V-neck dress complimenting her dark skin.
“Hugh.” Warner gestured to Gabrielle. “You already know who this lovely lady is.”
“I do.” Hugh swallowed, butterflies invading his stomach.
Be cool, man. Be cool. You’re HuMac. She should be the nervous one.
“Wow.” Hugh took Gabrielle’s soft hand as the night breeze swept her coconut perfume his way. “Gabrielle Montane in the flesh.” He kissed her hand, struggling to separate his lips from her delicious skin. “Finally, we meet.”
“I guess so.” Gabrielle’s voice reminded him of angels humming. “You’ve gone through a lot to get my attention, Mr. Macintosh.” She tried to pull her hand away but he wasn’t letting go if his life depended on it.
“Yet, my efforts didn’t warrant a reply?”
“Funny, I thought such a brilliant director could take a hint.” She held her strapless purse in front of her. “I preferred not to be rude and hoped you’d gotten the point, but I see you haven’t.”
“What can I say?” Hugh patted his short, cocoa-brown hair he’d slathered down with mousse. “I didn’t get where I am today by taking no for an answer. I learned a long time ago that if you want something you’d better fight for it.” He smiled, rocking on his heels. “I don’t apologize for being determined.”
“I admire your determination.” Gabrielle displayed a sarcastic smile. “But, it’s a waste of time and energy when you continue to chase something you have no chance in hell of getting.”
Sierra ducked her head, grinning.
Gabrielle combed her fingers through her thick waves. “There’s a time when you should move on because it can become obsessive.”
“That makes it more of a challenge though, right?” Hugh stepped closer to her, inhaling more of that spicy perfume. “HuMac never backs down from a challenge. You should know that more than anyone.”
Sierra cleared her throat, reminding Hugh to move away from Gabrielle.
“One thing you should know about me is I’m not a pushover either,” Gabrielle said. “No one pressures me into anything.”
“Excuse me?” Sierra scowled, tapping the door.
“Didn’t mean to be rude.” Gabrielle passed Hugh, giving him the opportunity to sniff her again. “Gabrielle Montane.” She extended her hand to Sierra. “Nice to meet you, Sierra. I love your movies.”
“Thanks.” Sierra took her hand with a sour expression. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
Warner shook Sierra’s hand through the window. “Warner DiMaggio. I’m a big fan.”
“Aren’t you sweet?” She chuckled as he kissed her hand. “I’ve seen a lot of your work, Warner. It would be an honor to do a photo shoot with you one day.”
He dipped his head, blushing. “The honor would be all mine.”
Sierra turned her attention back to Hugh’s fantasy. “Sorry about Futero dumping you, Gabrielle.”
“Sierra,” Hugh said.
“What?” She shrugged. “They did fire you, didn’t they? For being too old?”
Gabrielle wobbled her head, lips pursed. “When one door closes another one opens.”
Hugh smiled.
“For your sake I hope so.” Sierra’s lips curled. “Sometimes it’s just the end.”
Gabrielle chuckled. “You’d know about that, wouldn’t you?”
Sierra jerked forward as if she’d attack then settled in her spot. “I bet tonight will be interesting to say the least.”
Gabrielle yanked on her dress. “Oh, I bet it will be.”
“Cat fight?” Warner nudged Hugh, grinning. “Somebody get the mud.”
Hugh laughed under his hand.
“Let’s get a move on, shall we?” Warner went to help Gabrielle inside but Huge interjected.
“Allow me.” He took Gabrielle’s hand and helped her into the seat across from Sierra.
Sierra dug in her purse, mumbling.
Warner climbed in next to Gabrielle while Hugh got comfortable beside Sierra.
Peter greeted Gabrielle and Warner then pulled off.
“Very glad you joined us tonight, Gabrielle.” Hugh stroked his warm hands, wishing they were caressing her breasts. “I hope I can finally know the woman behind the persona. I’d like you to get to know me as well.”
Sierra scoffed. “Seriously?”
Warner glanced at Gabrielle from the corner of his eye.
She crossed her gorgeous legs, forcing Hugh’s attention to the glittery strap of her silver, stiletto sandal. “I know all I need to when it comes to you, Hugh.”
“I doubt that, sweetheart.” He checked out her cute, chubby toes, his head vibrating with the motion of the car. “What you think you know, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”