Authors: Jean Joachim
see
you.
Grace sent the
information then waited patiently for the cab.
I can’t think about…what I’ve done. Can’t take it in now. Have to forget.
Move on. How can I? I’ll never be able to forget.
She put her head in her
hands and cried again.
By the time Grace
boarded the plane, she was exhausted. The emotional toll of Gunther Quill’s cold,
manipulative behavior had depleted her energy. Being on the go all day with her
pulled hamstring, which had stiffened up and began to hurt again, also wore her
out. She closed her eyes and woke up three hours later. After a drink and an
attempt to read the book she brought, Grace gave up, resigned to staring out
the window, hoping to snooze through the rest of the trip.
She went back to
sleep, only to awake during landing. Kennedy airport didn’t have the usual
hustle and bustle, but maybe that was because it was five in the morning.
Gracie yawned and looked around for Bobby. She spied a short, attractive man with
dark hair holding up a sign with her name on it, and she approached him.
“Hi, I’m Bobby,” he
said, offering his hand as he took her carry-on bag.
“Grace.” She met his
with hers.
“Your sister told me
to take very good care of you,” he said. Tears once again gathered in her eyes.
Bobby put his free arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, Bobby’s
got the reins now. Everything’s going to be all right. You can tell me all
about it in the car.”
They retrieved her
luggage from the baggage claim area, and Bobby toted everything to his
beautiful town car. He handed Grace his handkerchief before he shut her door.
“What happened? Your
sister is worried sick.”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? Really?
Come on, you can do better than that.” Bobby moved the vehicle through the maze
of roads leading to the highway.
“It’s private. I can’t talk about
it,” she mumbled.
“Did
ya
kill someone?” He shot her a glance in the rearview mirror.
“No!” She chuckled. “Not that I
wouldn’t like to.”
“Got someone you want to have rubbed
out?”
Her eyes widened. “You can do that?”
“Nope, but I got your attention.”
She burst out laughing. “Cara didn’t
tell me I’d get a comedy routine on the trip.”
“She forgot that? Geez. I’ll have to
talk to her. Yeah, I always try out my new material on passengers. Captive
audience,” he snickered.
“You do?”
“Gosh, they make ’
em
gullible in California. No. I just drive. Sometimes I
provide a little guidance…a little wisdom. Always a sympathetic ear. But the
comedy is spontaneous.”
“I didn’t think I could laugh
anymore.” She relaxed against the cushions and looked out the window.
“Never lose your laugh. You look a
lot like your sister.”
“She’s the pretty one. I’m the
studious one.”
“Oh? You calling me a liar? If so,
I’ll have to drive you right back to the airport.”
Grace smiled. “I’m not calling you a
liar, that’s just the way it’s always been.”
“Don’t typecast yourself, honey.
You’re a beautiful girl. Guys here are
gonna
flip
when they meet you.”
“Think so?”
“Hey, I know great women when I see
them. Don’t tell my wife.” He eased them onto the Long Island Expressway.
“You’re married? Damn! All the good
ones are taken.” She frowned in mock disappointment. Now it was Bobby’s turn to
chuckle.
Traffic thickened as they approached
Manhattan. Bobby seemed philosophical about the crush of cars. Grace asked him
questions and kept him talking about his work, wife, and now two children. She
was happy to keep the spotlight off herself as they rode through New York
traffic.
Bobby carried her suitcase inside
where Rex, the doorman, picked it up. She hugged Bobby farewell. “Thank you for
making the ride so easy.”
“My pleasure. I’m sure I’ll see you
again soon.” He tipped his hat.
“Welcome Miss Brewster,” Rex said.
“Grace,” she said, extending her
hand. He took it.
“Your family is anxiously awaiting
your arrival. It’s a bit early for them, but Miss Cara said to buzz whenever
you got here, no matter the time.”
My
family. God, that sounds good.
A small smile crept over her face. Rex
placed her valise in the elevator and pressed the button for the fifteenth
floor. When the door opened, Grace moved to pick up the heavy valise, but a
tall, handsome, dark-haired man wearing a navy blue terrycloth bathrobe was
waiting there and got it first. He introduced himself.
“Grant Hollings. Your
soon-to-be-brother-in-law.” He shook her hand. “This way.”
Before she even got to the doorway,
Cara, wrapped in a pink terry robe, flew out of the apartment and down the
hall, enveloping Grace in her arms for a big hug. She flinched a little when she
was squeezed.
“Oh, sorry. I forgot about your
shoulder.”
“No problem.” Cara stepped back and
ran her fingers through her sister’s hair, staring into her eyes with a worried
expression. Grace lowered her gaze to avoid the question hanging between them.
“I’m okay,” she mumbled.
“That’s not how you sounded on the
phone,” Cara said.
“I was out of control. But I’m all
right now.”
“What happened?” Cara put her arm
around her sister as they walked slowly back inside.
“I did something…terrible. And I’ve
been punished for it. I don’t want to talk about it, okay?” She hung her head.
“Okay. But you’re still number one
with me,
Pookie
.” The sting of tears made Grace
blink.
“
Pookie
?
Mom, you call your sister
Pookie
?” Sarah, Cara and
Grant’s daughter, bounded out of her bedroom to greet her new aunt. Wearing a
frilly pink nightgown, her hair flying every which way, the young still girl
resembled both older women.
“Only I’m allowed to call her
Pookie
, Sarah. Meet Grace.”
“Aunt Grace. Can I call you Aunt
Pookie
?”
Grace laughed. Sarah flew into her embrace,
and Grace no longer had time to be sad. The Hollings household burst into
activity. Jane, Grant’s sister dragged herself out of bed. She was now bunking
in with Sarah so that Grace had a place to sleep.
“Who wants French toast?” she called
out.
Everyone chimed in. Jane introduced
herself to Grace then lumbered into the kitchen. Sarah skipped to the
breakfront to retrieve placemats and napkins. Grant brought down the good
dishes from the tall cabinet in the kitchen after placing Grace’s suitcase in
her new quarters.
Cara put her arm around her sister.
“Like old times, when we were kids…” She
teared
up.
“Yup. Sunday nights with mom.”
Grace’s eyes watered.
“What was that like, Mom?” Sarah
asked as she arranged china and silverware on the dining room table. Cara sat
down and pulled Sarah into her lap, wrapping the little girl in her arms. “Our
mom would make a special dinner on Sunday nights. She’d pull out a jigsaw
puzzle and pop a movie in the VCR. We’d eat, watch a romantic movie, and do our
puzzle.”
“Lots of laughing and good food,”
Gracie chimed in.
“Can we do that, too, Mom?”
“Sounds like a good idea. No
performance on Sunday nights.”
Grant entered the living room with
two mugs. “For the Brewster sisters.” He handed one to each.
“Does this have…” Gracie began.
“Light with one sugar, right?” She
nodded. “Damn. Sure know how to make a girl feel welcome.” She smiled at Grant,
who returned her grin.
She took a sip of her coffee and sat
down at the table. For a while, she forgot all about Gunther Quill and her
rejected screenplay.
The phone rang and Cara answered it.
“I have your copy of our script changes,” she said then paused. “Come on over.”
Chapter Two
“Gracie would you mind giving this
script to Jake Matthews? He’s going to pick it up in an hour. I need to go back
to bed.” Cara dropped the large envelope on the dining room table.
“No problem.”
“Matinée Day. I’ve got until twelve
thirty to get to the theater.”
“Go, lady,” Gracie said, giving her
sister a playful shove. “I know you want alone time with Grant.”
Cara blushed. “Where did you get
that idea?”
“Know you too well,” Gracie
chuckled.
After being up so early, everyone else
went back to bed, too, since it was Saturday. Pacing the apartment like a caged
animal, trying to keep quiet, didn’t calm her down. So Gracie covered her hair
with a scarf and decided to clean. Cleaning relaxed her, always took her mind
off her troubles.
Wearing rubber gloves, she was on
her hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor when Rex buzzed from the lobby.
It took Gracie a few minutes to figure out how to work the intercom, but she
finally got it and gave the okay for Jake Matthews, Cara’s Broadway co-star, to
come up.
When she opened the door, there
stood an incredible looking young man. He was about six feet two with perfectly
trimmed, light brown hair on the short side, light brown eyes, shoulders as
wide as a city block, and a smile that dazzled like sunlight. Her mouth hung
open.
“Jake Matthews. I’m here to pick up
an envelope?”
Gracie couldn’t move.
“Are you the maid? Is Ms. Brewster
here?” Jake peered past her down the hall.
“What?” She spat out.
The maid!
Grace smoothed out the apron
she wore and removed the rubber gloves.
“Housekeeper perhaps?”
“I beg your pardon! I’m Cara’s
sister, Grace.” She raised herself up to her full five foot four inches,
straightening her back.
“Her sister? Half-sister? Different
fathers? Her only sister?” He asked, adding insult to injury.
“Same father. Only sister. Wait
here!” Grace controlled the urge to slam the door in his face.
He’s Cara’s co-star. Be nice. Be nice. Be
nice.
She gritted her teeth as she walked down the hallway to the dining
room to retrieve the envelope Cara had left on the table. Upon returning to the
front entrance, she thrust it into his hand and started to shut the door.
He stopped it with his hand. “Cara
has arranged for you to be my date for the premiere of my new movie next week.”
Frown lines on his forehead showed his hesitancy. “But if you’d rather not go,
well, I understand. I mean you don’t know me, and…you don’t have to, I mean, I
can go stag. It’s just a premiere, no biggie or anything.”
Her eyes narrowed as she watched him
squirm.
So you think I’m too ugly to be
your date, huh? You
sleezeball
.
Suddenly, her
face changed. The angry, hostile look she’d been wearing melted away, replaced
by a falsely sweet smile.
“Why I’d be thrilled to accompany
you to your premiere. What a wonderful opportunity to get to know you better.
And all those other movie stars. How delightful!” She gushed, fluttering her lashes
and watching beads of sweat break out on his forehead.
“Well, then…I guess that’s settled,”
he muttered.
She smiled. “When?”
“Next Saturday night. Around…let’s
see, movie starts at eight, so I’ll be here at seven thirty.”
“Perfect. I’ll be ready. Formal
attire?” She grinned at him and clasped her hands together.
“I guess. This is my first time.” Perspiration
from his chest soaked through his T-shirt a little bit.
Grace noticed it and grinned.
You haven’t begun to squirm, Mister.
“Think
it’s formal. But you can ask Cara when you see her.”
“
Quinn’ll
know. Well…see
ya
,” he said, backing away before he
turned and almost ran down the hall.
Grace leaned her back against the
door, dissolving into laughter. Cara wandered into the hallway, yawning. “Who
was that?” she asked, stretching her arms straight up in the air.
“Jake Matthews.”
“Did he get those changes?”
“He did. Told me you’d fixed us up
for his premiere.” She rested against the wall, giving her sister a penetrating
stare.
“Oh, yes. Nearly forgot. You’ll love
him. He’s perfect for you.”
“Perfectly obnoxious and full of
himself,” Grace mumbled to herself.
“Any more coffee?” Cara stumbled
into the kitchen.
He’s
going to get the surprise of his life!
“Cara! Do you still have that dark
pink dress?” Grace followed her. “I want to borrow it.” Grace licked her lips.
“For your date with Jake?”
“Yep. It’s perfect. I’ll make him
eat those words.”
“What words?”
“Never mind. I’ve had enough of men
who think they can push me around…God’s gift to women. Time for a little
revenge.”
Cara turned to face Grace. “You’re
not going to do anything drastic, are you? I’ve got to work with him.”
“Relax. I’ll be my most charming
self.”
Just make him eat his words. I’ll
look so good, he won’t even know it’s the same woman. I’ll have him begging for
a goodnight kiss
.
* * * *
On Saturday night, Jane and Sarah
were helping Grace dress for her date. An understudy was performing for Jake so
he could attend, and Cara had to be at the theater. Pre-prep for what Gracie
had dubbed “Jake’s Earth-shattering date” had begun on Friday morning when Cara
had joined Gracie for a facial, then on to the nail salon and the hairdresser.
The women had giggled like
schoolgirls as they shared stories, old and new, while their nails were painted
and their hair styled. Grace had missed being with Cara and had not seen her
sister so relaxed and happy in years. She silently thanked Grant for Cara’s
calm demeanor and the improvement in her outlook. Sarah was a totally
unexpected delight for Gracie, who was relieved to no longer be the youngest
family member.
In town to close a deal for a
client, Skip, Cara’s agent, had stopped by for dinner. Since the show was doing
well, he was no longer needed in New York and had returned to Hollywood. Skip
and Jane had become friends. Grant had accepted him as well.
Gracie marveled at the constant bustle
of activity in the Hollings apartment. Adults and children seemed to be coming
and going all the time. Meals were often huge affairs, frequently including last
minute guests. The mad dash of this new, warm family life soothed Grace’s
frayed nerves, and she regained her ability to smile.
Because it was December, Grace had decided
to have some holly leaves woven into her hair. The sides were upswept, and it
flowed in a gentle curl down her back. The dress was form fitting to the knee, but
not too tight to sit down in, then it flared out. There were thin straps, and
the front was cut low. The fabric was dark pink taffeta, so the dress shimmered
and rustled when she walked.
Tall, silver satin sandals, a white
wool cape, and long, silver gloves topped off the outfit.
“You look like Cinderella,” Sarah
said.
“Don’t bend over. Even if you drop a
hundred bucks,” Jane warned with a snicker.
“I know.”
“Why not, Aunt Jane? If she drops a
hundred bucks?”
“Well, Sarah…”
“She means my bosom might come right
out of my dress,” Grace confided.
Sarah gasped, her eyes wide in
horror. “Oh, no! That would be terrible! Embarrassing!”
“Right. So I’m going to stand up
straight.”
“Can you glue the dress on you?” the
little girl asked. The two women burst out laughing.
“I almost wish I could.” Gracie
ruffled Sarah’s locks. Just as Grace checked her gold watch, inherited from her
mom, the buzzer sounded. Jane instructed Rex to let Jake up.
“I can’t wait to see this. Can I let
him in?” her eyes lit up.
“Sure.”
The knock came not one minute later.
Jane scurried down the hall to admit Jake. Sarah took a seat at the dining room
table. Jake walked down the hall, and when he saw Grace, he stopped. A sharp
intake of breath made her turn around.
“I don’t believe we’ve met,” he
said, obviously dazzled.
“What? I’m Grace!” She rested her
hands on her hips.
“No, really? I didn’t recognize you.
Last Saturday you were…” he began to cough and choke. Jane ran to get him a
glass of water.
Didn’t
recognize me? Serves you right! Arrogant asshole.
He took a sip and
recovered. “You look amazing. You’re beautiful. Really beautiful. Never would
have known it from before.”
“Do you always say whatever comes
into your head, without filtering it through your brain?” She picked up her wrap.
He blushed. “Sorry. That wasn’t very
nice. I’m sorry.”
Sorry?
Not as sorry as you’re going to be.
He held her stole for her.
“I’ll put it on in the lobby,” she
said, waving him off. He tucked it under his arm.
Grant moseyed out. “Don’t keep her
out late. Do you have a driver?”
“Cara lent us Bobby for tonight,”
Jake replied.
Grace smiled. “How wonderful, I love
him!”
“Have a good time.” Grant leaned
over to peck Grace on the cheek. Sarah gave her a hug, and Jane simply waved.
As they walked down the hall, Jake
blushed. “I was going to get you flowers, but I didn’t think…” His voice
trailed off.
Tears pricked her eyes.
He thought I’d be too ugly for flowers?
She
was wounded, as if he had shot an arrow through her. The pain was short-lived,
but intense. She couldn’t speak and turned away from him to hide the hurt.
He put his hand on her bare
shoulder. His touch made her tingle. “Hey. What’s going on?” He bent down and
peered at her.
“Nothing,” she whispered.
“I meant I didn’t think I could get
you a corsage and be on time… What did you think I meant?”
“Oh.” She sighed, dropping her gaze
to her hands.
He stopped and closed his fingers
around her upper arm. Pulling on her, he forced Grace to face him. “What’s
going on?” He looked at her, but she averted her gaze so he couldn’t see the
truth.
“Nothing. I thought…I thought you
meant something else. I was mistaken. Let’s go.”
“You didn’t think I didn’t buy
flowers because I thought you were…unattractive…did you?”
“Do you…I mean, did you? You did. Of
course you did. Never mind. Let’s go.”
“I want to straighten this out now…”
Her temper flared, and she raised
angry eyes to his. “You do, do you? Don’t tell me you didn’t think I was ugly
and didn’t try to get out of this date. Because you did exactly that…because I
was cleaning the house, you thought I was the maid. Then you simply decided I
couldn’t be Cara’s sister because I wasn’t pretty like her. Don’t deny it. I
saw it all over your face.”
Jake stood silent, stunned. He
colored.
“That’s right, blush. You should.
You should be damned embarrassed to treat any woman the way you treated me, and
you didn’t even know me. Shame on you.”
He hung his head. “Would you rather
cancel tonight?”
“Not on your life. I’m going to rub
your nose in just how attractive I can be.”
“You already have…have proven me
wrong. I realize now it’s never a good idea to judge so…quickly.”
“Good. Let’s go. I didn’t get all
dressed up to stay at home. You promised me a movie premiere, stars, a
party…time to deliver.”
He put his hand on her shoulder to
stop her. She turned to him, trying to ignore the zing created by his
fingertips on her skin. “I’m sorry if I offended you. I shouldn’t have behaved
that way. It’s just that I was expecting…”
“You were expecting a Cara clone.
And there was this grubby person, and you couldn’t see beneath the dust and
dirt to the woman underneath. I get it. I’m not dense, and I’m not stupid. But
the way you behaved…like I was one of the ugly stepsisters, and Cara was
Cinderella. Like I was the last person you’d want to spend an evening with…well,
it pissed me off.” As she recounted the encounter, the sting of tears pressed
against the back of her eyes.
What
the hell is the matter with me? He’s nobody to me. What do I care what he
thinks of me? If he thinks I’m pretty or not, so what? Gracie, where’s your
moxie? Don’t let Gunther Quill rob you of your backbone, girl.
“What can I do to make it up to
you?”
“Take me to the premiere and don’t
talk about it anymore.” She turned toward the elevator with Jake following
behind. They rode down in silence.
“You are going to talk to me
tonight, aren’t you?” She saw a bit of a hurt look on his face.
“Of course. I’m not an idiot or a
game player who freezes you out in public.”
“I don’t know you at all, don’t know
what to expect.”
“I guess you’ll find out. There’s
Bobby.” She waved at him.
“Looking mighty fine tonight, Miss
Gracie.”
“Thank you, Rex,” she beamed at him.
Bobby got out of the car and opened
the door for her. She stopped to give him a hug, and he laughed. “You’re not
supposed to hug the chauffeur,” he whispered. “You’re supposed to hug your date.”
“I’ll hug whoever I want,” she
chuckled.
Grace slid over, making room for
Jake. He moved his fingers over, resting them on top of hers, but she slipped
hers away and looked out the window.
“The silent treatment?”
She peered at his sad expression from
under her blackened lashes.
Still incredibly
handsome, even when he’s pouting. And in that tuxedo. Wow.
“Tell me about the movie. What’s the
story?” She turned to face him.
When they arrived at the theater, it
was obvious she needed help getting up in the snug dress. Jake offered her his hand
then raised hers to his lips for a quick kiss before they hit the red carpet. There
was a loud cheer from a group of teenagers on the sidelines behind ropes.