Rhett Kessler’s red carpet interview for The Adventures of Cinder & Ella was golden. Who knew Rhett was such a comedian? He’d come to the premiere tonight armed with a slew of cheesy pickup lines that he’d memorized in Spanish and kept using them on me randomly throughout the interview. I couldn’t stop laughing, and Brian was annoyed because he didn’t know what Rhett was saying. To be honest, I don’t think Rhett knew half of what he was saying, either. Especially not when he outed himself as a homosexual. I started laughing so hard I couldn’t stop.
“Oh come on, that one was romantic,” he said, pouting when I hunched over my cane, unable to breathe from laughing so hard.
“You’re right. It was.” I gasped, clutching my aching side. “Very romantic. Do you realize you just told me that I’m so beautiful I make you wish you weren’t gay?”
“What?”
Rhett’s face paled, and I doubled over again. This time, Brian burst into laughter with me.
“And the one before that, you compared loving me to having diarrhea.”
“That bastard.” Rhett grumbled something under his breath that I was fairly certain I’d have to bleep out before posting the video. Then he shot me a sheepish smile. “I guess that’s what I get for trusting a friend to translate some pickup lines for me.” He scowled into the camera. “Thanks a lot, Jesse. I hope you enjoyed that one, you jackass.”
Brian’s laughter spiraled nearly as out of control as mine. “You trusted Jesse Ramos to translate for you? Were you crazy?”
Rhett frowned. “He’s the only person I know who speaks it. I didn’t want to just google translate a bunch of stupid crap. I wanted to sound authentic.”
“It was very authentic,” I promised. I tried to stop laughing for the poor guy, but I just couldn’t calm my giggles. “You used perfect grammar, and your pronunciation was great, too. You were loud and clear for all my Spanish-speaking viewers.”
I lost it again and had to grab onto Brian’s arm so I wouldn’t fall over. “We should probably call it quits now,” Brian said, patting Rhett on the shoulder sympathetically. “Before you kill my girlfriend with laughter or admit to the world you have impotence issues or something.”
They were both going to kill me. “Oh my gosh, stop! I’m dying! My stomach hurts, and I’m not wearing waterproof mascara!”
“Right,” Brian said, laughing into the camera. “I think things have deteriorated to a point of no return so, we’ll just call it for the night. We’re off to see the show!”
“Thanks for tuning in,” I added. “It’s definitely been an adventure. We’ll see you next time!”
I’m pretty sure the last thing the camera caught before it was shut off was Rhett cursing Jesse Ramos and promising retribution when we filmed Jesse’s feature.
While Brian laughed with Rhett, I caught my breath and then took my camera back from my dad with an awkward thank-you. I’d finally broken down yesterday and invited him and Jennifer to come tonight. It had been last minute, and I didn’t think he’d show because he doesn’t like the whole celebrity scene, but he’d surprised me and shown up right on time, dressed in one of his best suits.
Jennifer was draped on his arm in a beautiful floor-length cocktail dress, like the perfect arm candy. She’d been smiling the entire time, looking a little starry-eyed to be on the red carpet, but Dad had been very reserved so far. “That was, um…interesting.” He spoke gruffly, but the side of his mouth was twitching like he really wanted to smile. It helped ease some of the tension.
I smirked. “I met Jesse a couple weeks ago. He’s quite the character. Rhett probably should have known better.”
“I think it turned out cute,” Jennifer said. “People are going to love it. You’ll have to subtitle everything he said on the video.”
“Oh, I will,” I promised. “It’s too good not to.”
“You’ll help me get him back, right?” Rhett asked, clasping a hand lightly on my shoulder. “I’ve got to do something to restore my dignity.”
I patted his hand and kissed his cheek. “We’ll think of something. Promise.”
His grin returned. “We’ll do lunch sometime and come up with a plan. For now, come with me. There’s someone I want you all to meet.”
We were already inside the lobby of the theater. Rhett had needed to do the press thing with the actual press on the red carpet, so we’d waited for him to make his way inside. The movie was supposed to start soon, and most people were making their way into the theater to sit down, so the crowd in the lobby was starting to thin out. I noticed right away who Rhett was heading for and smiled to myself when I heard my father’s quiet intake of breath.
Janice Bishop isn’t how I’d picture a typical writer. She seems more like someone who would work in my father’s office. She’s beautiful and looks younger than she is. She’s stylish and sharp and just radiates intelligence. It makes sense now that I’ve read some of her books. Her attention to detail is phenomenal, and the subject matter is so intense and complicated. It would have to take a very smart, very patient woman to write the way she does.
When she saw us nearing her, she beamed a bright smile and held out her hands to me. “Ella! Darling! I’m so glad you could make it!”
Not at all surprised by the informal greeting from a total stranger, I gave her my one good hand to squeeze and leaned in for the kiss to the cheek, addressing her by her first name as if we were old friends. “Janice. It’s a pleasure.”
I was so getting this Hollywood thing down.
“I can’t tell you how surprised I was when my publisher told me you’d requested the new book and would be reviewing it. I was honored that you’d take a chance on me and a new genre.”
I might have been getting used to the Hollywood people, but the idea that I had real power and influence among them was still so hard to believe. Every time someone flattered me, I just didn’t know how to respond. It was so strange. “Really, you have my father to thank. He’s such a big fan of yours that it made me curious. He’s a hard man to please.” I let go of her hand and pulled my dad in front of her. “Janice Bishop, this is my father, Richard Coleman. He’s a district attorney for L.A. County.”
“Oh, wow.” Janice’s eyes lit up with pleasure. I thought she might like that. “No pressure, huh? I hope I got everything right.”
My dad chuckled and extended his hand to her. “Always,” he said as they shook. “Your knowledge of the way things work astonishes me. You truly have a gift, Ms. Bishop.”
“Oh please, call me Janice. And may I call you Richard? You know…my next manuscript is going to be set here in Los Angeles, dealing with some of our local gang activity. I’ve got a lot of research to do still. A district attorney for our great county would be the perfect man to have on my speed dial.”
My dad puffed up his chest with obvious pride. I’d never seen him look so pleased in my life. “Call me anytime, Janice,” he said. “I’d be honored to answer any questions you have.”
I stepped back, letting him introduce Jennifer and enjoy his moment with his celebrity crush. I wondered if meeting her might soften him to Brian’s world a little. I hoped so. I know he said he’d welcome Brian into the family, but I wasn’t sure that welcome would include Brian’s career or lifestyle. I worried he’d still keep Brian at arm’s length or try to keep the twins from doing things with us because of the fame. Hopefully, tonight would show him that it’s not always like it had been on Christmas. So far, so good.
Brian sneaked up behind me and lowered his mouth to my ear. “Let’s head in.” When I glanced at my dad, Brian chuckled. “He looks like he’s doing just fine.”
Sitting down sounded like the best plan ever. I’d been on my feet a long time now. “Dad, we’re going to go find our seats. We’ll see you in there.”
Dad was chatting away with Janice and didn’t hear me, but Jennifer nodded. Her face softened when she looked at me and she mouthed, Thank you. I gave her a nod and a smile of my own and then watched them a moment before heading into the theater with Brian. He squeezed my hand, as if sensing my sudden insecurity. “You okay?”
“Did I do the right thing? Inviting my dad tonight?”
Brian looked back at my father and sighed. “I think it’s the right thing, because you want it to be.”
He was right. I did want things to work out with my dad. We had our issues, and they were huge, but he was my dad. Dr. Parish had encouraged me to try one more time with him. She seemed to think it would be easier now that I wasn’t dependent on him and he wasn’t responsible for me. I hoped she was right.
“I do want it,” I whispered. “But I still can’t help worrying that I’m just setting myself up for more disappointment.”
“He came tonight, Ella. He’s here.”
I sighed. “You’re right. He is. And I know he hates this kind of thing.”
Brian chuckled. “He doesn’t seem to be hating it right now.”
No. He didn’t. He, Jennifer, and Janice were all laughing about something, and Dad was using his hands as he spoke, waving them around animatedly. “I’m glad he’s having a good time.”
“Me too.”
With nothing else to say on the subject—only time would tell if letting my father back into my life was a mistake—we headed into the theater. Someone had been kind and reserved the handicap-accessible seats for Brian and me so that I wouldn’t have to walk up any stairs or try to climb past any people down the cramped aisles.
The theater was full and slightly on the warm side. I wanted to take off my jacket before I sat down, but it took me a second to work myself up to it. The shirt I was wearing beneath it was a halter-top that revealed both of my shoulders and most of my back. I’d worn my mother’s dress to Brian’s premiere, so people had seen some of my scars before, but that didn’t make it any easier to show them off this time.
I’d asked Vivian for help with my first outfit for The Adventures of Cinder & Ella. I’d told her I needed a different look for the show so that it felt different from my webisode that I did at home. She’d been thrilled with the opportunity to dress me, but she’d gone pretty daring.
I’d promised her and Juliette at Christmas that I’d start wearing more things that showed off some of my scars, and she was cashing in on that promise tonight. She’d told me that this was a good first step in getting me more comfortable with Brian. She said it was like taking baby steps. I kept repeating those words in my head, trying to convince myself she was right.
Baby steps. This outfit was a step in the right direction…if I could only take my jacket off…
I had on a long, stylish bright red halter-top blouse that was backless, sleeveless, plunged a little low in the front, and clasped behind my neck. Vivian had coupled it with these shiny black leather jeggings, a cute black leather jacket, sparkly ballet flats, and a bowler hat. Candy had stayed home this evening, and I’d gone with a classic black cane. I looked like some kind of rock star mobster. My outfit was funky, fancy, and informal all at once. I loved it.
Brian loved it, too. It was probably the sassiest I’d ever looked, and Brian’s mouth had fallen open when he first saw me. He was definitely enjoying the bold, sexy style, though. I’d caught him staring a number of times tonight. And he hadn’t even seen me without the jacket yet.
Baby steps. Baby steps. Baby steps. Take off the jacket, Ella.
“You okay?”
Startled, I shook off my nerves and focused on Brian. He was watching me with a worried look, waiting for me to sit down. “Sorry. Yeah, I’m fine.” I slowly blew out a breath and pulled in a new one, holding it in my lungs as I peeled my jacket off one shoulder at a time.
Brian’s eyes widened when he saw my top, but not all of his shock was due to my choice to wear something that revealed my scars. Heat filled his gaze. I blushed under his scrutiny and turned to lay my jacket across the back of my seat before sitting down.
When I turned around and Brian saw the back of my shirt, or rather, the lack thereof, he sucked in a sharp breath. He grabbed my hips and pulled me against him, my back to his chest. His hands slid around me and clasped together against my stomach, locking me in his arms. Burying his face in my hair and taking a deep breath, he moved his mouth to my ear and unleashed the full force of his audiobook voice on me. “Ellamara…” His lips pressed against the soft, sensitive skin just behind my ear. “Do you have any idea what you are doing to me this evening?”
Goose bumps exploded up my arms, and I shivered. “Maybe a little.” Amusement seeped through my breathy confession. “Maybe that was the point.”
Brian’s grip on me tightened, and he growled quietly before saying, “I’m staying at your place tonight.”
Not a question. A demand. One I was more than happy to succumb to, but I still teased him. “You have to be up early tomorrow, and your place is a lot closer to the studio than mine.”
“I. Don’t. Care.”
I turned around in his grip to smile at him and snap him out of his mood before he acted way too inappropriately for being in a crowded movie theater. “Good. I was just making sure.”
Right before he lowered his mouth to mine, a cute couple maybe a year or two older than me passed us, and the girl stumbled to a stop. “Wicked scars,” she said, startling Brian and me from our private moment.
We turned to her, a bit shocked. “Excuse me?”
The girl was tall and slender with long, bright red hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was wearing jeans and an old-school Dead Kennedys T-shirt made to look vintage. Her eyes were locked shamelessly on my shoulder and arm. I’d have been offended if I weren’t so stunned by the look of awe on her face. “Those are so hard core,” she said. Her eyes flicked to mine, and she smiled. “How’d you get ’em?”
I startled again, and Brian stiffened next to me, offended on my behalf by her brazenness. I was so shocked that my response was automatic. “Fire. Car accident.”
“Whoa. They’re freaking sweet. You look like a total badass.”
“Ellie,” her boyfriend hissed. He gave Brian and me both an apologetic grimace.
The guy was maybe Brian’s age and very good-looking. Tall with dark hair and blue eyes that popped as much as mine did. The sympathy in them was easy to see. “I’m sorry. She has no filter. Or tact.”
“What?” the girl scoffed. “I’m admiring her scars. That’s not rude.” She glanced at me again, her smile a little less sure. “Seriously. You’re awesome. I’ve got one, too. Not quite as cool as yours, but check this out…”
Brian and I glanced at each other as the woman lifted her shirt to show us a series of long slashes across her stomach. I gasped, horrified, because what on earth could have caused a scar like that? It looked like she’d been sliced open.
The guy sighed as if this was a common occurrence for the audacious woman. Oddly, I found myself endeared to her. If only I could be as confident about my scars as she was with hers. Any offense I’d felt disappeared, and I smiled at her. “That is impressive. How…” I started to ask the same question she’d asked of me but couldn’t quite get the insensitive words out.
This girl didn’t care at all. “I got knifed,” she said proudly as my jaw fell wide open. Brian looked just as appalled. The girl noticed our shock and shrugged, as if it were no big deal. “I’m from Detroit.”
This, she said as if it were supposed to explain everything. I cracked a smile, and a small laugh escaped Brian.
Ellie’s boyfriend, looking relieved to have the tension broken, held out his hand. “Hi. I’m Seth Bishop.”
“Bishop, as in Janice Bishop?” I asked as we shook.
He grinned. “Her nephew.” He shook Brian’s hand next and nodded toward the redhead. “And this crazy woman is my girlfriend, Ellie.”
“Hey, me too,” I said as I shook her hand. “Well, close. I’m Ella.”
She arched a brow. “Short for Eleanor?”
“Ellamara.”
She huffed. “Lucky you. I’m Eleanor. Ellamara is way better. It’s, like, exotic. Eleanor is such an old, crotchety grandma name. I’m going to feel compelled to yell at children in my old age.”
Brian and I both laughed. She was too funny.
“So,” I said as their names registered in my brain. “Seth and Eleanor. I’m sensing a distinct correlation between you and the two lead characters in this film.”
Seth laughed, and Ellie rolled her eyes. “Unfortunately,” she said. “Get involved in a serial murder case when you live across the street from Janice Bishop, and that’s what happens.”
Serial murder case? I looked to Brian, but he seemed just as confused. Seth took pity on us. “Do you remember the Saturday Night Murders in Detroit about five years ago?”
“Of course. That’s the case Murders in Motown is based on, right?”
Everyone had heard of that serial killer. He was the only thing on the news all summer. The guy killed a girl a week until he was caught. Always on Saturday nights—hence the nickname. He had a particular taste for redheads and used knives as his weapon of choice… My gaze went to Ellie’s fiery hair again and then to her stomach. When I put the pieces together, I clasped a hand over my mouth to stifle a gasp.
“You’re Eleanor Westley?” Brian asked quietly. Guess he remembered all the news from five years ago, too.
Ellie’s smile turned wry. “In the mangled flesh.” She proudly patted her stomach.
A surprised laugh bubbled out of me before I could stop it. “I can’t believe you can joke about that.”
Ellie blinked at me, unable to fathom why not. “Are you kidding? I joke about it all the time. I tangoed with a serial killer and lived to tell the tale. You bet your skinny butt I’m gonna own that story. Can you believe after my wound healed the doctors offered to do plastic surgery to remove the scar?”
“You didn’t want them to?” I asked, shocked by the horror in her voice. Her scar went across her entire stomach in an ugly zigzag of angry lines. She looked like she had quite an athletic body, but bikinis were definitely out. Then again, she was happy enough to pull her shirt up for me a moment ago. She probably wouldn’t care about a bikini.
“Heck no,” she said, and up went the shirt again. She rubbed her hand over the raised jagged lines. “This is my battle scar. I earned this. No way was I going to let some dumb yahoos take it away from me. Think about it.” She pointed to my damaged arm. “You’ve obviously been through something horrible. Fire?” She shuddered at the thought of being burned. I shuddered with her, at the memory, and Brian pulled me into his arms again, as if he hated thinking about it.
“Look at you now,” Ellie said, waving a hand at Brian and me. “Strutting around here, looking freaking gorgeous, and dating Brian freaking Oliver. No stupid car accident’s gonna get you down. After everything you went through and how much you must have had to fight to survive something like that, wouldn’t it suck to just one day wake up and look normal again? Like none of it ever happened?” She rubbed her scar again. “I know I’d be sad.”
“I’d be sad, too,” Seth murmured. He pulled Ellie back against his chest and held her tightly just as Brian had held me earlier. “I love your scar,” he murmured against her ear, rubbing his hand over Ellie’s stomach. “It’s proof of just how kickass you are, my sexy little firecracker.”
Ellie snorted. “You didn’t find my missing teeth sexy, and that proved how kickass I am, too.” Ellie flashed Brian and me a wide smile. “Front two teeth are fake. I play women’s ice hockey for the University of Minnesota. Took a high stick right in the mouth during last year’s championships. They had to call time to wipe all my blood off the ice and find my missing teeth.”
I blinked. This girl really was slightly crazy. But in a very cool way. Brian and I laughed again while Seth shook his head at her. “That was different. I couldn’t kiss you while your face was broken. Your scar, though…that is very, very kissable.”
Seth’s hand disappeared beneath the hem of Ellie’s shirt. Though Ellie had just pulled her shirt up to expose her stomach and had rubbed her scar, Seth’s actions were completely different, and I blushed.
Ellie elbowed Seth so hard he was forced to let her go. “Later,” she grunted, glaring at him. “Sorry,” she said to me, with a roll of her eyes. She took in my burned arm again and then smirked. “But I guess you know how it goes. Guys and scars, right? Can’t seem to keep their hands off them.” Her grin turned wicked. “Another reason I’d be really sad to lose it.”
My eyes widened, and she laughed, pointing up the stairs to where their seats were. “Anyway, the show’s going to start any minute, so we’re going to go sit. It was nice meeting you both.”
“You too,” I muttered.
I watched them climb the steps to the seats near the back of the theater, shaking my head in awe of the woman. She was so different. And her attitude toward her scars was…well, I didn’t even have words for it. She seemed so happy and confident and proud of her damaged stomach. And there was no question she liked it when her boyfriend touched it. And there was definitely no question he liked to do that. Her stomach was a mess, and yet, Seth had been turned on by it. He really, truly found it sexy.
I swallowed at the thought that Brian might be that way, too. He never tried to touch my scars like that, but then, I’d never offered him the chance. I kept them covered as often as possible. He probably thought I didn’t want him touching them. And maybe I didn’t. But… I thought of the strange couple again and how comfortable they both were with Ellie’s body. Maybe I was wrong to not let Brian touch me. Maybe I—maybe we—were missing out on something special.