Rick cast a glance around the living room, careful to keep an expression of interest on his face. The producer he was talking to was an important man in the industry, and Rick couldn’t afford to offend him by revealing how bored he was by the conversation. Actually, ‘conversation’ wasn’t actually the word for it since that would imply two people taking part, Rick thought. This was more like monologue – an epic, interminable monologue. He had spent the better part of the last hour listening to this man drone on about his golf game. Rick stifled a yawn and took in the scene going on around him as best he could.
It was the usual mix of industry people and veteran celebrities, intermixed with some up-and-coming hotshots and one hit wonders. There was the occasional photographer and gossip columnist and the usual crowd of entourages and assistants and everyone was trying to look as though they belonged. Dazzling smiles flashed like light bulbs as the partygoers feigned nonchalance.
The faces may vary but these parties were all starting to look the same to Rick. The conversations rarely seemed to vary and the overt superficiality of it all made Rick queasy. Parties like this one always stirred up painful memories that only added to his annoyance. How had he let Barry talk him into this?
His business partner could be incredibly persuasive when he wanted to be. Barry had made a convincing argument about the need for Rick to garner support from some key producers and investors for his upcoming project. Knowing Rick as well as he did, Barry had wisely chosen not to mention the other reason that Rick’s presence was mandatory – wherever Rick went, the press followed, and Barry was a master at using that publicity to his advantage.
One of the film’s investors was hosting this shindig tonight as a sort of going away party for the cast and crew before they headed to the location for the shoot in a small town in upstate New York. Rick knew very well that was just an excuse to throw a star-studded party. After all, their shoot location was only a few of hours north of the city; it wasn’t exactly like they were leaving for Siberia. Not to mention they were still in preproduction; actual filming wouldn’t begin for weeks. But these little details didn’t seem to bother his hostess who was eager for another opportunity to appear in the gossip columns.
For his part, Rick couldn’t wait to get away from the noise and pressures of L.A. and New York. He was looking forward to losing himself in his work in the quiet, sleepy town of Rockville. At least that was how he imagined it. He had yet to see this town that his sister was so excited about, but his location scout had returned with glowing reviews and plenty of pictures, which had convinced him that they had found their town. He wouldn’t be completely satisfied though until he’d seen the place for himself.
His eyes darted around the room as he scanned the crowd for Barry. Rick didn’t know how much longer he could keep up this pretense of interest with the producer, and Barry was an expert at making up excuses to get him out of uncomfortable situations.
He spotted a brunette waitress passing with a dessert tray. His eyes followed her as she weaved her way through the crowd. She smiled at something another waitress said in passing. Rick leaned to his left to watch her progress across the room but she was swallowed up by the crowd.
The producer cleared his throat noisily and Rick’s attention was brought back with a start. He realized the producer was waiting for him to respond to something he’d said.
“Will you excuse me for a moment, Charles; I think I see an old friend.”
Without waiting for a reply, he walked away with an overwhelming sense of relief at having escaped. He nodded and smiled at colleagues and acquaintances as he made his way across the room. Years of practice had taught him how to maneuver a room politely without getting trapped in small talk. He saw Barry chatting with a beautiful ingénue and made his way over. He would never hear the end of it if he left without saying goodbye.
He was walking past the doors that led to the kitchen when it swung open and hit him with a thud. He heard a muffled oath before his feet were covered in pastries. Cream and chocolate seemed to fly everywhere. Rick reached out to steady the woman he had inadvertently collided with but she instinctively pulled her arm out of his grasp. He caught a quick glimpse of her face and realized that the woman he had collided with was the same waitress he had spotted from across the room.
He heard the woman apologizing profusely as she cleaned up the mess, never even glancing up to see who she had hit. Rick knelt next to her and began picking up the mangled pastries and tossing them onto the tray.
“Great,” he heard her mutter to herself. “I should never have let her talk me into this.”
Rick opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted before he could begin.
“Why, Rick, what on earth are you doing down there?”
Rick didn’t have to look up to know who was speaking and by the soft groan of the woman next to him, she didn’t either. “Hello, Mimi,” Rick said a bit sheepishly. Towering over them stood Mimi McClaine, one of the biggest investors for their film and the hostess of the evening’s soiree.
****
Kate’s stomach plummeted at the sound of Mimi McClaine’s nasal voice. She, along with the rest of the catering staff, had sat through a long-winded lecture before the guests arrived about proper etiquette and service. Ms. McClaine had made it abundantly clear that she would not tolerate any mistakes or mishaps. This was followed by an insulting lecture against any thievery by the staff members and concluded with a warning to any young wannabe actors or actresses against mingling with the guests.
“This penthouse will be filled to overflowing with very important people in the industry,” she had drawled, waving her cigarette as she looked down her nose at the catering staff. She fixed her gaze on Kate who was struggling to keep a straight face as Ellen mimicked the arrogant socialite behind her back. “I will not tolerate any socializing or attempts at flirtation.” Her eyes still fixed on Kate as though daring her to talk back. Kate had nodded politely, trying to ignore Ellen’s mimicry. Several dire threats and insulting innuendos later, Ms. McClaine walked out of the kitchen, leaving behind the stench of stale cigarette smoke and cloying perfume. One of the other chefs had rolled his eyes at Kate; they were used to dealing with the entitled elite but as far as arrogant and condescending hostesses went – Mimi McClaine took the cake.
So of course it was Mimi McClaine who had caught her less than graceful entrance. She looked up to see Mimi grasping the arm of the man to help pull him to his feet. “Oh, Mr. Salinger, please excuse our incompetent servers. You of all people must know how hard it is to find good help.”
Mr. Salinger? For the first time since her ungraceful entrance, Kate looked at the man she had run into. Her eyes widened in horror. Her eyes connected with his for a split second. Kate quickly bent her head and kept it lowered as she picked up the remaining pastries.
****
“It’s really not a problem Mrs. McClaine.”
“Mimi – call me Mimi,” she interjected.
“It’s really not a problem, Mimi,” Rick said for what he felt must have been the tenth time.
Mimi had steered him into the large bathroom that was connected to her bedroom and was attempting to help him clean his pants which had been splattered with cream and frosting.
“Please, Mimi,” he said as he caught her hand before it became a little too helpful. She batted her fake eyelashes at him in poorly feigned innocence, a pretense that looked more than a little silly for a woman her age.
“Really, I can take it from here.”
“Yes, of course. But I must apologize again for that silly waitress. It seems every young girl in this town is a wannabe actress just looking for her big break.”
She kept talking, apparently unaware of Rick’s reaction to her offhand comment. She didn’t seem to notice that Rick’s jaw was clenched tight and the knuckles on the hand that was holding the wet towel were white as he rubbed furiously at a stain.
Rick barely heard any more of what his hostess was saying; he was too lost in the bitter memories. It was with great effort that Rick pulled himself back to the present.
“I guess a girl like that sees her chance at meeting the hottest director in town and just throws herself at him… literally.” Mrs. McClaine was laughing at her own joke until she saw the expression on his face. Her laughter came to an abrupt halt.
“Perhaps we should be getting back to the party,” Rick said, his face a rigid mask.
“O-oh, yes. Yes, of course.”
****
“What happened out there?” Ellen asked as Kate came back into the kitchen, covered in cream puffs and holding a tray full of demolished pastries.
Kate gave her a meaningful look and blew a stray lock of hair out of her face.
Ellen came over and took the platter out of her hands and tried to salvage what she could.
“Don’t bother,” Kate said. “There’s another tray in the refrigerator.” She went to the pantry to retrieve her purse and change of clothes, but Ellen was right behind her.
“What happened? Kate, tell me. I’m sure it’s not that bad.”
Kate gave a short laugh. “Not that bad? I suppose you think nearly knocking Rick Salinger over and then covering him in cream puffs and icing is a good first impression?”
Ellen slapped a hand over her mouth. “You didn’t.”
“Oh, I did,” Kate said, a grin tugging at her lips despite the horrible circumstances.
Ellen composed herself nicely. “Well, it’s obviously not the best first impression. I don’t think Martha Stewart would advise using cream puffs. Now, if it had been chocolate éclairs…”
Ellen hadn’t finished before she and Kate broke into giggles.
“I am so glad you girls find this amusing.”
Kate and Ellen turned around with a gasp. Mimi McClaine looked anything but amused. Kate flinched as the older woman gave her a talking to which resulted in an immediate firing. Kate had known it was coming but it was still not easy to hear. She had been relying on this job to make ends meet. She was almost done converting her family home into a B&B, but these last few weeks were crucial and the cash was depleting faster than she had anticipated. As Mimi McClaine ranted and raved, Kate was thinking about how she could make a little extra money before heading back upstate. Maybe Glenda could find her another catering gig — she was sure her mentor would understand that this was just an accident.
“And if I ever see you near this place again…” Mrs. McClaine’s shrill voice interrupted her thoughts.
“You won’t,” Ellen interjected. She grabbed Kate’s arm and led them both toward the door, heads held high. “Believe me, you will never see either one of us near this place if our lives depended on it.”
In order to reach the closet where their bags and coats were stored, they would have to cut through the living room and all of its occupants. Kate groaned at the thought of being seen by anyone looking like a giant cream puff, let alone Rick Salinger.
“Wait right here,” Ellen said as she gently pushed Kate into a dark bedroom. “I’ll be right back with your bag so you can change your clothes.” Kate didn’t need to look in a mirror to know that she was a mess. Her white shirt was sticky with pastry cream and icing. She grimaced in disgust as she peeled the wet shirt from her skin. Unable to find the light switch, she kept the door open a crack and slid out of the disgusting shirt. Kate stood there shivering next to the door and silently urged her friend to be quick. The sooner she was out of this place the better. She couldn’t believe she had made such a fool of herself in front of Rick Salinger. Now how was she going to face him if he and his crew showed up next month for their film?
Who was she kidding? Kate thought in relief. This was Rick Salinger she was talking about. The man on this month’s cover of Vanity Fair magazine, the man voted most eligible bachelor in People three years in a row. He would never remember her, a clumsy waitress he’d seen for less than a minute. He’ll have forgotten all about the incident by the end of the night, let alone next month. In fact, she reassured herself, he had probably already forgotten all about her.
The door opened behind her.
“Oh – excuse me.”
Kate whirled around in surprise to see who had bumped into her from behind and managed to elbow the man in the stomach in the process.
Kate saw the man’s face in the hallway light and felt like the wind had been knocked out of her even though she had been the one to throw the accidental blow. This was not happening. It was just not possible that she had managed to cause physical harm to Rick Salinger twice in one night.
She felt her face burning as he looked up with a wince and recognized his assailant as the waitress from before. “I am so sorry,” she said as her hand flew over her mouth. “Are you all right?” She placed her hand on his chest in a useless attempt to help.
Rick opened his mouth but nothing came out.
“Are you all right?” she asked again. Her look of concern seemed to snap him out of a trance and Rick found his voice.
“I’m fine,” he said. She still hadn’t removed her hand from his chest and Rick made no move to turn away. For the life of her she couldn’t pull her hand away. His chest was warm and solid beneath her touch. Her head swam for a moment and she suddenly found the air in the room to be in short supply
She saw his gaze sweep over her and when their eyes connected, she was struck dumb by the warmth and humor she saw there. He opened his mouth to speak, his lips curving into the most charming smile she’d ever seen.
“Ah! Here he is,” a voice behind him called out.
Kate couldn’t see the speaker but she recognized the voice and her stomach sank.
“You see, Barry, I told you I’d find him,” Mimi McClaine said.
Her hand dropped from his chest and she felt a sense of loss as the connection between them was broken.
Mimi had another guest in tow and was moving toward them with a brilliant smile. She spotted Kate and her smile faded to a cold sneer.
“What are you still doing here?”
Kate had never so desperately wished for a floor to open up and swallow her whole as she did at that moment. Isn’t it bad enough that I’ve embarrassed myself twice in one night in front of Rick Salinger? She felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment as all three faces were turned to her expectantly, and she crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt at modesty, very aware that she was only wearing a camisole.
“I – I was just waiting for Ellen to get my things.”
Mimi rolled her eyes and looked to Rick and the other man for commiseration. “I am so sorry, gentlemen. I really don’t know what to say. This city is just teeming with young girls with big dreams and loose morals.”
“And, I’m sorry to say,” Mimi shot Kate a withering glance. “More often than not they are willing to do anything to be seen by important men such as yourself.”
Kate felt her temper flare and sputtered incoherently at the insult. She looked to Rick for help and was shocked by what she saw. A moment ago she had been struck dumb by the warmth in his eyes and now — Kate nearly gasped aloud at the change that had taken place. He looked so closed off, like something had shut down inside him, and his eyes were cold as ice. She looked away quickly and with a pang of pain. What had happened to the man she had been standing with a moment ago?
“I’m not– “ Kate tried to protest but the man who stood behind Rick cut her off.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart; I’m sure Rick was flattered to be the object of affection from such a charming young woman as yourself.” He glanced down at her crossed arms with a smile.
“I didn’t–” she tried again but this time Mimi cut her off with a look of disgust. “Really,” she said as she peered down her long, imperious nose. “Don’t you have any sense of pride? I’ve heard of throwing yourself at a man but this is really too much.” Mimi glanced at Rick from the corner of her eye and she must have taken his cold, hard glare toward Kate to be a sign of approval for her reprimanding because she continued with a melodramatic huff. “I’ve already asked you to leave my home and now I must insist that you do so immediately. If you are not out of here in the next five minutes, I will have security throw you out.”
Without allowing Kate a word of defense, her three accusers turned to leave and return to the party. But she couldn’t allow Rick to leave thinking the worst of her so she reached out to stop him as he turned to walk away.
He looked down at her hand on his arm as though it was a snake and she snatched it back. Kate had to stop herself from cowering as he glared at her with barely veiled contempt. “I wasn’t trying to – I only meant…”
“I know what you meant,” he said with a cruel sneer that left Kate speechless. “And the casting couch is no longer open for business.”