NINE
PRESENT TENSE
Present Day
Pier 23 Rehearsal Rooms
New York City
The morning after I spill the beans about Liam to Josh, I feel better. Until then, I’d never let myself mourn losing Liam, and maybe that’s why I couldn’t let him go. Perhaps Josh was right. I should have confided in him about all of this years ago. He remains dubious about my ability to keep my personal and professional lives separate, but I reassure him I’ve been subjected to countless pictures of Liam and Angel over the years. I’m practically desensitized to their coupledom by now.
I’m still setting up the rehearsal room when noise from the fans downstairs escalates. Just like yesterday, the golden couple’s arrival is heralded by a cavalcade of earsplitting screams. The difference is that when they stride into the room today, they’re accompanied by a whole slew of extra people. Two camera crews, a sound guy, a pimply production runner, and a hassled female producer who looks like she hasn’t slept in three days trail after them. They circle the stars like anxious human planets. Marco hurries over to the production desk, followed closely by our publicist, Mary. The tiny Botoxed woman looks like the cat who swallowed the canary, while Marco looks like a serial killer who’s about to flay people alive.
“Great news, team!” Mary says with her trademark enthusiasm. “As previously discussed, from today until the show opens, Liam and Angel will be filming their upcoming reality show, Angeliam: A Fairy Tale Romance.”
I cringe over the hideous moniker the pulp media have named them. Angeliam? Is that necessary? It sounds like an antifungal cream: “My crotch rot used to get super-itchy, but now, with a generous application of Angeliam, I barely notice it.”
Mary turns to me. “Elissa, can you make sure you stay on top of their filming schedule? You have the list of the setups they need, right?”
“Yes. All fine.”
“Marco will rely on you and Josh to ensure rehearsal disruption is kept to a minimum.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
We’ve known for a couple of weeks this reality show would intersect with our rehearsals, and even though Marco hates the idea, he’s grudgingly agreed it’s great publicity. Unlike most reality shows, which are produced months in advance, this one is televised the weekend after it’s shot. I suspect that’s why the producer looks so frazzled. Piecing together dozens of hours of footage into some sort of interesting narrative must be a nightmare.
Amidst all the mayhem, Liam and Angel chat quietly in the corner, arms around each other. How they can look so natural and unaffected when there are cameras two feet away, I’ll never know.
I hear Angel say, “I love you, baby, and I can’t wait to finally be Mrs. Quinn.” Liam gives her an adoring smile, then kisses her gently. The part of me that still loves him swoons. I remember what it was like to be kissed like that.
“Elissa?” Mary says.
“Hmmm?”
“I also need you to make sure everyone in the rehearsal room has signed the release forms. That includes you guys.”
Beside me, Marco groans. As flamboyant as he is, he has no desire to be on TV. I know how he feels. Josh, on the other hand, can’t wait. He believes his natural charisma and winning personality (his words) are going to make him a fan favorite. Knowing Josh, he’s probably right.
As soon as everyone has signed in, I round up the cast so Marco can start. For the most part, the TV crew stays out of the way, but whenever we have breaks, they follow Angel and Liam around like shadows.
At lunchtime, I’m pinning the shooting schedule to the notice board when I feel a presence behind me. I turn to see Angel there, smiling sweetly. A film crew hovers beside her.
“Hey, Elissa.”
I glance at the camera. God, this feels weird. We’ve all been told to ignore the camera and act natural, but that’s easier said than done. “Uh . . . yes, Miss Bell. Can I help you?”
She glances over her shoulder. “Sorry about the tagalong. You get used to it after a while.”
“I’m going to take your word on that. What can I do for you?”
“Oh, nothing, really. I just came over to say hi. Yesterday was such a blur, I didn’t get to talk to anyone. But I figure we’re all in this together for the next few months, so we should at least try to get to know each other.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Liam standing near the water cooler. He looks concerned. I’ve already reassured him I’m not going to tell her about us. What does he have to be worried about?
I plaster on a smile. “Of course. Feel free to ask me anything, Miss Bell.”
“Oh, please. It’s Angel. Well, it’s Angela, but only my father calls me that. So tell me, what exactly does a stage manager do?”
“She runs the whole show,” Liam says as he walks over to us with his own camera crew in tow. “Every single stage direction, costume change, set piece, prop, lighting cue, sound cue—all of it is overseen by the stage manager. After Marco finishes directing the show, it’s going to be up to Elissa to make it happen every night.”
Angel links her arm through Liam’s but keeps her eyes on me. “Wow, sounds like a lot of responsibility. You must have to work under a lot of pressure.”
I nod. “I don’t mind pressure.”
“Don’t be modest,” Liam says. “Elissa thrives under pressure. I’ve never seen someone become so focused while everyone else loses their minds.”
Angel puts a hand on his bicep. “Sweetie, we should take Elissa out for dinner one night, yes? You two probably have some amazing stories from the show you did together. I’d love to hear about your early days. You never talk about them.”
Before Liam can say anything, Angel turns to me. “What do you say, Elissa? It’d be fun, right? Plus, any friend of Liam’s is a friend of mine.”
I open my mouth to say that Liam and I have never been friends, but the look on his face stops me. Instead I say, “Sure. That would be great.”
Considering Marco’s directive to keep our leads happy no matter what, I figure I have no choice but to agree.
“Mr. Quinn?” Josh steps beside me. “Marco is ready for you.” His tone is less friendly than usual, but if Liam notices, he doesn’t let it show. Josh turns to Angel. “Miss Bell, I’ll be back to collect you in a few minutes.”
Angel beams at him. “Thanks, Josh.”
Josh’s ears turn pink. I wonder if that’s going to happen every time he talks to her.
Liam starts to leave, but before he can, Angel grabs his arm and pulls him over. “See you soon, honey.” She stands on her toes to give him a light kiss. The camera crews jostle to get the best shot of the lip-lock.
When Liam pulls back, he looks over at me for a millisecond before returning his attention to her. “See you soon.”
Josh escorts Liam and his entourage into the rehearsal room, leaving me and Angel alone. “So, Elissa, how long have you and Josh been together?”
“Ten years.”
Her mouth drops open. “Whoa. Did you start dating when you were toddlers?”
I laugh. “We’ve been best friends since high school. We’re not romantically involved.”
“Really? But Denise said you live together.”
“We do. But we don’t sleep together.”
“Oh. Sorry. I just assumed . . .” She waves her hand. “Never mind. It’s great you two are able to work and live together. Having someone who can sympathize with the stress of your job is invaluable, right? I’d be a total basket case if I didn’t have Liam to keep me grounded. When the crazy train gets to be too much, he knows just how to talk me down.”
Of course he does. He’s that kind of man.
“I can imagine your world would be pretty insane at times. I’m sure you help him just as much as he helps you. It’s great you have each other.” I almost get through the entire sentence without choking on my jealousy.
Angel smiles at me, and when I smile back, she surprises me by wrapping her arms around me and giving me a tight hug. “You’re the sweetest. Thank you.” She gives me a final squeeze, then Josh is there to take her back into rehearsals.
Once she’s gone, I run my hands through my hair.
Well, that was surreal.
As much as I’d love to hate Angel Bell, there’s something appealing about her. She’s warm, friendly, and looks at me in a way that makes me believe she’s interested in what I have to say.
As if this situation with Liam wasn’t already weird, liking his fiancée has taken it to the next level.
“So, then,” Angel says, and leans forward in the chair beside my desk. “As we’re leaving the club, this idiot starts harassing Liam. I mean, the guy only came up to the middle of Liam’s chest and would blow away in a strong wind, but he was drunk, so I guess he thought talking smack to someone twice his size was a good idea.” I’m supposed to be working, but Angel’s made a habit of sitting in my office every lunch hour and distracting me with stories. I both hate and love these little insights into her life with Liam. My life seems completely boring in comparison.
“What did Liam do?” I ask.
“Well, he tried to walk away, but the little shit just kept getting in his face, and by now, he’s just hurling abuse about how much Rageheart sucks and what a pussy Liam is. Now, Liam’s a pretty patient guy most of the time, but I could see him simmering. Then the guy starts insulting me, calling me a talentless bimbo and whatever, and going on about my fake boobs, and that’s when Liam snaps. He picks up the dude by his shirtfront and gets this murderous look on his face. Then he pulls the guy right up to his face and whispers, ‘Feel free to ignore this, considering I’m such a pussy, but if you say one more word about Angel, I’m going to tear off your arms. Understand?’ ” She laughs and leans back in her chair. “The guy went white as a sheet, and when Liam lowered him to his feet, he almost fell over. Liam helped him regain his balance, then gave him a wad of cash and apologized for ruining his shirt. Dude just stood there with his mouth hanging open before he burst into tears.”
“Oh my God.”
“Yep. And I’d like to say that was a weird night for us, but it really wasn’t. Seems like a whole lot of folks either love us or hate us. Or hate to love us, and love to hate us. It’s a thing. We’re used to it.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know how you cope.”
She shrugs. “Practice. And hard drugs.” When she sees my face drop, she laughs. “Kidding.” I sigh in relief before she adds, “I’ve been off the crack for ninety days now. It’s all good. Barely miss it anymore.”
The sincerity with which she says it makes me laugh. I’m surprised how often I do that around her. I really do enjoy her company. I’ve been best friends with Josh for so long, I’ve forgotten what it’s like to have a female friend.
She crosses her legs and cocks her head. “So, I was thinking . . .”
I flash her a look of concern. “Should I be worried?”
“You’re hilarious.” She rolls her eyes. “I was thinking we should have dinner together. Tonight.”
“Ah, Angel . . .” I cringe. “I don’t think—”
“Come on, Elissa, please. I’ve arranged a private table for us at Lumiere, and considering that place usually requires bookings months in advance with proof of your bank balance, it wasn’t easy to achieve. We really want you to come.”
“We?”
“Me and Liam.” Clearly, she’s failed to notice her man avoiding me all week.
“Liam agreed to this?”
“Of course. Oh, and bring your boyfriend.” I make a surprised sound. “Liam said you were dating someone. Bring him. Please. Liam and I are sick of each other’s company. We’ll go insane if we don’t interact with real people for a change.”
“So you usually hang out with imaginary friends?”
She shakes her head. “Real, as in normal. Not actors, or ass-kissers, or Hollywood fakers.”
I’m about to try to come up with a believable excuse when there’s a knock at the door. “Come in.”
Liam steps into the room, and does a double take when he sees Angel.
“Uh . . . hey. I thought I heard your voice.”
She gives him a formal nod. “Love of my life. Hello.”
He looks at me, then back to her. “What are you doing in here?”
“Chatting. Bragging about you. Torturing Elissa. You know, the usual. I’m trying to convince her to have dinner with us.” She stands and goes over to him. “Please tell her there’s no use resisting. She seems to think she has a choice in the matter.”
Before he can say anything, Angel’s phone rings. She looks at it, then at me. “I have to take this. Be right back. Liam, give her your puppy-dog eyes and tell her she needs to join us.” She swipes her phone. “Daddy! How are you?”
She takes the call out into the hallway, leaving Liam and me staring awkwardly at each other. He glances away and shoves his hands in his pockets. This is how he’s been all week. He avoids looking at me whenever possible, and goes through Josh for questions and notes to avoid addressing me directly. Probably for the best. I seem to have a Best of Liam Quinn pornographic show reel on standby in my brain, and whenever we’re alone together, it starts playing.
“Insistent little thing, isn’t she?” I say, and smooth back the wisps of hair that have escaped my ponytail. True to form, images of him and me making love flash through my brain. I try to keep my expression neutral as my body tingles with the phantom graze of his hands.
As for Liam, I have no idea what’s going through his mind, but the way he’s looking at me isn’t helping. After a few seconds, he breaks eye contact to stare at the floor.
“Angel likes you. So you should just agree to come to dinner and be done with it. Lord knows, I haven’t yet found a way to win an argument with her.”
I look down and shuffle some papers in front of me. “Angel and I can just go by ourselves. You don’t have to come.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him focus on me again. “What if I want to come?”
“You don’t have to feel obligated to spend time with me just because your fiancée likes my company.” I chance a look at his face. He’s frowning. “Things between you and me haven’t been exactly friendly for the past week.”
“I hadn’t meant to avoid you, but—” He exhales. “Being around you again is . . . complicated. Plus, I know you aren’t exactly thrilled to have me on the show. I was trying to give you space.”
“I’m your stage manager. It’s not like you can get away from me.”
“I don’t want to get away from you. That’s the problem.”
I stiffen. “What does that mean?”
He stares at me for a few seconds before taking a step forward. “It means having you and Angel in the same room is all kinds of fucked up, but I don’t want it to be. I’d like to be able to spend time with you without all this weirdness.”
He’s so close now, I have to tilt my head to see his face. Images of him with his hand in my panties loops through my brain. “So, what? After all this time, you want to be friends?”
He blinks a few times. “Yeah. Sure. Friends. Dinner might be a step in the right direction.”
“Friends” is one of those terms that seems benign but has a whole host of barbed-wire boundaries. Once you’ve made love to someone with so much passion that his name is branded on all your cells, is it possible to ever think of him as just a friend? Or is the heat of an old flame always going to lie dormant, just waiting to consume you again?
“Elissa?” When I look up, he gives me a pleading look. “To borrow a phrase from the night we met, I’d love for you to come. Please, don’t make me beg.”
I shake my head and sigh. There’s no way we’ll ever be friends. I think he knows it as well as I do. But for Angel’s sake, it looks like we’re both willing to try.
“Fine. I can’t guarantee it won’t be weird, but sure. Why not?”
“Thank you.” He pauses for a moment, as if unsure of what to say next. “Liss . . .” When I look up at him, his expression fades into an echo of what I used to see when he looked at me. A quiet desperation. His gaze rakes over me with the sort of raw need that makes me feel like the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen, which is ridiculous considering whom he’s marrying. “You have to know that . . .”
“What?”
Just when I think the intensity in his expression is going to make me combust, Angel strides back into the room. “So, did you seal the deal? Is she coming?”
Not yet, but if your boyfriend keeps looking at me like that, it’s a real possibility.
“I’ll be there,” I say, and step back to tidy my already neat files.
“Yes!” Angel says, and beams. “Eight o’clock. Dress up and wear sexy shoes. There’s a dance floor.”
She grabs Liam’s arm before waving good-bye. I can see tension in Liam’s shoulders as they exit my office and disappear down the hallway.
I sit and lean back in my chair.
Not only do I have to get through dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Perfect, I have to put on makeup and be expected to dance. Oh, and show up with the boyfriend I don’t have. This has disaster written all over it.
As we walk into the elevator that leads up to Lumiere, I slap Josh’s hand away from his tie. “You look great. Stop fiddling.”
He slides a finger into his collar and pulls. “Remind me why I’m here again?”
“Because I was invited to bring my imaginary boyfriend, and considering we had a nasty imaginary breakup yesterday, he was unavailable.”
“Got it. You look amazing, by the way.”
I smooth down my plain black dress and run my hand over my sleek hair. “Really?” It’s strange to deviate from my usual uniform of ponytail and jeans, but I figure I should look like I at least made an effort. Anyway, this skintight black number is the only dress I own, so it wasn’t like I had a lot of choices.
“Quinn’s eyes are going to bug out of his head.”
“Oh, please. He’s sleeping with one of the most beautiful women on the planet.”
“True. But you’re also an inferno of white-hot womanhood, and no matter how much he loves his fiancée, he’ll still have a boner over you in that outfit.”
“Josh, no.”
“Lissa, yes.” The elevator opens and he puts his hand on the small of my back as we exit. “You two had phenomenal sex in the past. A man doesn’t forget about that, no matter if he’s single, married, or pledged to the Flying Spaghetti Monster. When he’s in your presence, his dick will react. Trust me on that.”
I stop just before we reach the doors and face Josh. “Please tell me you’re going to behave yourself in there.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because you’ve been kind of cold to Liam since I told you what happened with us.”
“That’s because what he did was a dick move, and unlike you, I don’t like dicks.”
“I don’t disagree, but if I can be nice to him, so can you.”
He huffs. “Fine. I’ll behave. Besides, Angel will be there, annoying me with her perfection. I doubt I’ll even register Quinn’s existence.”
We head into the restaurant. When we give Angel’s name to the hostess, her eyes light up for a second before she regains her composure. With a flip of her perfectly coifed hair, she leads us toward the back of the packed restaurant.
“This place is huge,” Josh whispers. He’s not wrong. On the far wall is a stage complete with a dinner band, and there’s a dance floor in front of the stage, around which tables are set. On the outer walls are several curtained-off VIP areas. Our hostess leads us to the most private of these, in the far-back corner of the restaurant. Angel and Liam are already there. They stand when they see us approach.
“Elissa!” Angel envelops me in a hug. “I’m so happy you guys came.” She looks incredible, as usual. I feel like an ugly stepsister in comparison.
She turns to Josh and hugs him. “Josh. Hi. What an unexpected surprise.” I swear I hear Josh moan as she wraps her arms around him.
I look over at Liam, who’s watching me nervously. “Hey.” I feel lame, but I have no idea of the proper etiquette in greeting an ex-lover one is still in love with.
“Hey.” Liam must also be clueless, because he takes a breath before leaning over and giving me an awkward one-armed hug. I return it as best I can, grateful I’m not being subjected to the full pressure of his body against mine.
When we pull back, Liam clears his throat, and I swear he’s blushing. “You look . . . great.”
I doubt it. My face feels like it’s on fire. “Thanks. You, too.” He really does look amazing. Sharp gray suit. Crisp white shirt with no tie. If he wasn’t an actor, he could rule the world as a model.
“Shall we sit?” Angel asks, oblivious to our discomfort.
Liam pulls out Angel’s chair, and Josh quickly follows suit for me. Then Josh sits opposite Angel and I find myself staring at Liam.
Wonderful. So this blush is here to stay, then.
I’m grateful when a waitress appears with ice water, and wonder how uncool it would be for me to hold the glass against my cheeks.
“So your boyfriend couldn’t make it?” Angel asks.
The question catches me off guard. “Huh? Uh . . . no. He couldn’t. Sorry.”
“Come on, Lissa,” Josh says. “We’re all friends here. You can tell them the truth.” I flash daggers at Josh, but he simply smiles. “She doesn’t want you to know she had to break up with him. He was getting obsessed with her. Constant flowers and presents. Love poetry. Serenading her in the street. The boy had it bad.”
Liam looks over at me, his brows furrowed.
“Sounds a bit stalkerish,” Angel says. “And I should know. I’m the Pied Piper of whack jobs.”
Liam’s still staring. “How did he take the breakup? Because Angel’s right. With guys like that, rejection can set them off. You need to be careful.”
His concern is appealing, but I’m embarrassed by the attention. “It’s totally fine. Josh is exaggerating.”
Josh puts his hand on the back of my chair. “Not by much. I don’t think he’ll cause trouble, but he was pretty devastated when she broke it off. He really loved her. And who can blame him? She’s spectacular.”
I grab Josh’s leg under the table, but he ignores it.
“I’m with you, Josh,” Angel says. “I’ve only known her for a week and I’m in love with her. Is this a common issue, Elissa? People falling for you?”
I almost spit out my water. “Uh . . . no. Not really.”
“Yeah, I’m not buying that. You’re beautiful, smart, amazing at your job. I bet you have men lining up around the block. Josh, back me up on this.”
Liam’s gaze intensifies as Josh says, “She gets lots of attention, yes.”
Angel looks at Josh quizzically. “Then why hasn’t she found Mr. Right yet?”
I grab a menu. “I’m sitting right here, you know? In case you’d forgotten.”
“There was one guy,” Josh says, like I haven’t spoken. He gives Liam a sideways glance. “Years ago. I thought he might have been the one.”
Angel leans forward. “Ooh! What happened?”
“He turned out to be an asshole. Dumped her for someone else.”
The menu slips from my fingers and hits the table with a thud. I look over at Liam. He’s staring down at his hands.
“Okay,” I say, and pick up the menu. “Let’s stop talking about me now, please. I’m starving. We should order.”
Angel flashes me a sympathetic smile. “Aw, honey. Don’t be ashamed about being dumped. We’ve all been there, done that. God knows, I have the therapist’s bills to prove it.” She studies her menu. “The one thing I’ve learned is to not take the blame for things beyond your control. None of us can help who we fall in love with. Or out of love with, for that matter. My therapist says love is like a lion in captivity—it can be embraced, but never tamed. Deep, right?”
She doesn’t notice that Liam and Josh are now having a glaring match. I dig my fingers into Josh’s thigh. He squirms and finally breaks eye contact to look at his menu.
Liam looks at me briefly before taking a sip of water and gazing across the room.
Okay, so this is going well.
The only person who seems oblivious to the tension is Angel.
“God, this food looks amazing,” she says. “My taste buds just squirted all over the place. I’ve heard the duck here is to die for.”
“Why aren’t there any prices?” Josh whispers to me.
I lean over to him. “Because if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.”
Angel waves her hand. “Order whatever you like. My treat. I just want us all to have a good time, okay?”
I feel bad about letting Angel pay, but I’m realistic enough to know Josh and I could never afford to eat here on our wages.
We spend the next few minutes looking through our menus and making small talk. All but Liam. He leans close to Angel as she reads him the menu. When she sees me watching, she says, “He never brings his reading glasses, and he’s useless without them. I don’t think he even knows where they are these days.”
“They give me a headache,” he says. “If I can get away with not wearing them, I will.”
“You near-sighted?” Josh asks. Liam nods. “Yeah, that sucks. Taking them on and off all the time would drive me nuts. I don’t blame you for ditching them.”
Liam smiles, and for some reason, that small exchange makes the whole mood lift. We order our food, Angel chooses the wine, and we fall into the kind of easy dinner conversation I wouldn’t have expected with this group of people. There’s still tension, especially between Liam and me, but not so much that I can’t enjoy myself. Of course, the wine also helps.
By the time we’re on our third bottle, we’re getting kind of loud. Liam and Josh have had a hardy debate about football versus baseball, Angel and I have discussed our families and current events, and Josh and Angel have fallen into a friendly but passionate argument about the various incarnations of Star Trek.
“You take that back,” Josh says as he narrows his eyes at her.
Angel lifts her chin. “Not going to happen. Picard is sexier than Kirk. It’s a fact.”
“Not in this universe, it fucking isn’t. Kirk is king, lady. Deal with it.”
Liam looks over at me and smiles. “We may have to step in soon. Or take away their cutlery.”
“Angel just dissed Josh’s hero and role model. I’m surprised he hasn’t flipped over the table in disgust and walked out.”
He links his fingers together in front of him. “I was always more of a Spock fan, myself.”
“Really? Why?”
He gives a small shrug. “He was always the voice of reason. Sometimes he had to use logic to make the hard decisions. That’s not easy to do.”
I smile. “ ‘The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.’ ” It’s one of my favorite movie lines.
He stares at me with a strange expression before finishing the quote. “Or the one. Exactly.”
We’re quiet for a few seconds, and Liam startles a little when Angel puts her hand on his arm.
“Well,” she says, “as much as I’d like to continue kicking Josh’s ass about Starfleet captains, I think we should dance. This band is one of the main reasons I wanted to come here, and right now, they’re going to waste.”
Josh glances over at the dance floor. “I’d rather continue to have my ass kicked, thank you.”
Liam holds up his hand. “Me, too.”
“Tough,” Angel says, smiling as she drags Liam to his feet. “I’ve spent thousands of dollars on dance classes for Liam and me for the wedding, and I aim to get my money’s worth. So, everyone up.”
I grab Josh’s hand. “Our mistress has spoken.”
He grunts in frustration. “Fine, but if I break out my white-hot robot moves, you can’t be embarrassed.”
“It’s ballroom-dancing music, Josh.”
“And your point is . . . ?”
We all head to the dance floor. Liam wraps his arms around Angel, and I put my arms around Josh’s neck. Within a few minutes, we’re all swaying sort of in time to the music.
“Sorry about earlier with Quinn,” Josh says, looking over at Liam and Angel a short distance away. “I should have kept my mouth shut, but . . . I don’t know. Every time I think about him hurting you, it pisses me off.”
I brush some lint off his shoulder. “I’ve learned there’s no point being bitter about it. It won’t change anything. They’re getting married, whether I like it or not.”
Josh looks down at me. “Not necessarily. Have you not noticed the major heat between Angel and me tonight? I’m still predicting she’ll dump Quinn’s moody ass and come over to Team Josh.”
I laugh and hug him. “Your unwavering optimism is one of the many reasons I love you.”
After we dance to a couple of songs, Angel comes over and taps me on the shoulder. “Okay, time for a swap. Despite lessons, Liam’s already trodden on my toes three times. I’m hoping Josh is more graceful.”
As Angel takes Josh’s hand and leads him away, he raises an eyebrow at me and mouths, “See? She wants me.”
I laugh. When I turn around, Liam is there, waiting. He holds out his hands. “Shall we?”
I give him a skeptical look. “I don’t know. Angel tells me you’re dangerous.”
“I promise, I’ll be gentle,” he says as he takes my hands. “Right up until you beg me to be rough.” His mischievous smile does nothing to diminish how my body reacts to that statement. I put one hand on his shoulder as he winds an arm around my waist, and when our palms press together, I can’t help an audible intake of breath. He freezes as well.
“Is this okay?” he asks quietly.
I nod. “Yeah. If it’s okay with you.”
He pulls me a little closer, but makes sure to keep distance between our bodies. “So far, so good. But it’s been a while since I danced with you, so anything could happen. You’re a little taller than I remember.”
“Yes, high heels are a wonderful thing. Unless you try to walk in them. Or dance. Last chance to sit this one out and save yourself.”
He smiles down at me. “Not happening. They’ll have to pry you from my cold, dead hands. Let’s do this.”
We begin to sway. It’s awkward at first, but as we get used to touching each other again, we begin to relax.
“See?” he says, a little breathless. “Nothing to worry about.” He glances over at Angel and Josh. Angel’s laughing and Josh is glaring. Surely they’re not still talking Star Trek. “So, I take it Josh now knows the full story about us?”
“What gave it away? Him calling you an asshole?”
He shrugs. “It was subtle, but I picked up on it.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. I deserved it. To be honest, I expected something like that way before now.”
He adjusts his hand around mine, and I notice how much softer his fingers are these days. No construction work to create calluses, I guess.
“Just so you know,” I say, “those were Josh’s words. Not mine.”
“You don’t think I’m an asshole?”
“No. Like Angel said earlier, you can’t help who you fall in love with. And she’s an amazing woman. I can see why you’d choose her.”
For a second, his fingers tighten around my hand, then they release. “That’s a pretty mature attitude. Can’t say I’d be as understanding if I were in your position.”
“Sure you would.”
His expression turns dark. “I really wouldn’t. Trust me. I’m still recovering from you having a boyfriend. Well, ex.”
Before I have time to ask what that means, he sighs and gives me a smile. “Anyway, let’s see how you cope with me taking this dancing thing up a notch. I have moves that will blow your mind. Brace yourself.”
He takes a step back and spins me under his arm. I clumsily follow his lead, all the while cringing at my complete lack of grace.
“Not bad,” he says as he wraps his arms around me from behind. “I give you points for effort.” He grabs my hand and pushes on my waist, and I spin out before he pulls me back in again. Then, as I’m busy trying to regain my balance, he dips me. The action is so unexpected, I squeal and lose my footing. Just when I’m sure I’m going to face-plant into the dance floor, his arm tightens around me to stop my descent. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.” He smiles as he holds me nearly horizontal to the floor. “And what’s more, I’ve finally found it.”
“What?” Still nervous about being dropped, I grasp his arms as he leans over me.
“The one thing you suck at. And I thought I was a terrible dancer. I’m freaking Nureyev compared to you.”
I slap his arm. “Hey.”
His eyes sparkle in the low light. “Just keeping it real, Liss.”
He pulls me up into a standing position, and I grip his biceps until I regain my balance on my heels. Once I’m steady, he loosens his grip. “Okay, well. Clearly that needs some practice. Want to try it again?”
“I don’t know. Are you going to insult my technique again?”
“That depends on whether or not you continue to suck. So try not to, okay?”
I can hear Josh and Angel laughing as Liam guides me through the sequence again. Soon, I’m laughing, too.
Okay, fine. I’m a terrible dancer. So sue me. Yet another reason I’m backstage, not onstage.
We swap partners again, and dance for a bit longer, but the wine and the exertion soon take their toll. Angel starts yawning, and it’s not long before we all join in. It’s been a big week for all of us.
After we agree to call it a night, Angel texts her driver, pays the bill, and we head down to the street. We’ve barely stepped out the door when a barrage of flashbulbs hits us.
“Dammit,” Liam mutters. “Everybody, run for the car.” He pushes through the throng of photographers, then holds the car door open and ushers Angel and Josh inside. My short legs and high heels make sure I get there last. I’m about to climb inside when I’m shoved hard in the shoulder by a burly man who’s jostling to get shots of Liam.
“Elissa!” Liam reaches for me as I stumble back on my heels, but it’s too late. I trip over the curb and make a grunting sound as I fall heavily onto my hip.
Dammit. That’s going to leave a mark.
I’m awkwardly trying to navigate around my tight skirt to get myself upright when I’m nearly blinded by machine-gun flashes, right in my face.
“Back the hell off,” Liam growls before the owner of the flash is hauled backward. A young photographer in a baseball cap hits the wall with a thud, and I scramble to my feet to see Liam tear the camera out of his hands.
“Hey! Give that back!” The pap reaches for his equipment, but Liam yanks out the memory card and pockets it before throwing the camera to the ground. The pap howls in dismay. “That’s a three-thousand-dollar camera, asshole!”
“Bill me,” Liam mutters. He shoves more bodies out of the way to get to me. “Get the hell away from her!”
He leans down and searches my face. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Embarrassed more than anything.”
The photographers yell at him to look in their direction, but Liam ignores them all as he wraps his arm around me and guides me toward the car. I limp around the pain in my hip.
When we’re safely inside, Liam yanks the door shut so hard, the whole car shakes. Flashes continue to light up the interior as the paps press their lenses against the window.
“Get us out of here,” Liam says to the driver. The engine revs as we pull out into the relentless New York traffic.
I lean back in my seat and exhale. “Well, that was a bracing way to end the evening.”
“Are you okay?” Angel touches my shoulder.
“Fine. No permanent damage.”
“Fucking animals,” Liam says as he examines my arms for scrapes. “They behave like that and then wonder why we get pissed.”
Angel gives him a disapproving look. “Still, you shouldn’t have broken his camera. You know that sort of reaction is gold to them. You’re going to be splashed all over TMZ within the hour.”
“The bastard was taking photos up Elissa’s dress,” Liam says with disgust. “He’s lucky I only broke his camera.” He pulls the memory card from his pocket and snaps it in half. “At least those pictures won’t show up on some sleazy Web site.”
Angel nods. “He’ll come after you for damages.”
“Let him. He won’t be the first. Or the last.” He sits back and stares out the window, and I can still feel the anger coming off him in waves.
“How did they know you were at Bella Vita?” Josh asks.
Angel turns to him. “One of the staff probably tipped them off. It happens all the time. Paps pay good money to people who call in celebrity sightings. Before you know it, one pap turns into two, and two into three. Then there’s a whole swarm of them. They’re like piranhas. The merest smell of a famous face and they go into a frenzy.”
Josh studies her. “Unlike Quinn, you seem pretty calm about the whole thing.”
She shrugs. “I’m a senator’s daughter and my sister is America’s favorite journalist; I’ve been getting papped for most of my life. I’ve developed a more philosophic approach than Liam. I see the paps as a necessary evil. Like it or not, they help keep our profile high, which makes us more valuable commodities. They’re sort of like a barometer for our popularity. The day they stop foaming at the mouth to get our picture, I know our fairy-tale ride in Hollywood is over.”
Liam looks over at her. “Sometimes, don’t you wish for it to be over so we can live normal lives? Or is that just me?”
Angel stares at him for a second, and I feel like I’m intruding on a private moment between them. A wistful expression passes over her face, and Liam gives her the smallest of smiles.
Angel glances briefly at me and Josh, then looks out the window. “Sometimes.”
Liam’s quiet for a moment, then he turns to me and gestures to my hip. “Does it hurt?”
“A little.” When he presses his fingers against it, I wince.
“You’ll need to ice it. It’ll probably be stiff and sore for a few days.”
I nod. “So this is just a normal night for you guys, huh?”
Liam nods. “Unfortunately. We’re like exhibits in a zoo.”
“Yet another reason I’m glad I’m in theater and not movies. All that attention on a regular basis would freak me out.”
Liam doesn’t say anything to that, but he frowns and crosses his arms over his chest. He stays like that until we pull up outside my apartment building.
“I’m going to help Elissa upstairs, okay?” he says to Angel as he opens the door. “I’ll be right back.”
“Of course. Take your time.” Angel leans over and hugs me. “Take care of yourself, honey. I’ll see you on Monday. If you need anything, let me know.”
She says good-bye to Josh with a quick kiss on the cheek. He blushes and mumbles “Good night” as Liam helps me out of the car.
Liam holds my arm, and after some minor hobbling, I make it to the sidewalk.
Josh watches with concern. “Liam, I can help her upstairs if you want to go.”
Liam waves him away. “I got it.”
Without any more discussion, he scoops me into his arms and follows Josh into the building. Our apartment might only be on the third floor, but I still marvel at how Liam can carry me up all those stairs without breaking a sweat. It’s not normal.
“This really isn’t necessary,” I say, uncomfortable at how right it feels to be in his arms again.
“It is necessary. It’s my fault you got hurt.”
“Actually, the guy who pushed me over looked nothing like you, so—”
“I should have known they’d be there. Taken you out a different way. Protected you.” He shakes his head, angry with himself.
“Liam, it’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.”
“I’ve never seen you angry like that.”
He looks down at me, and his expression relaxes a little. “Those assholes have no right going after you. I signed up for this life. You didn’t. I never wanted you to be a part of it.”
We reach the door and Josh unlocks it, then holds it open for us. “You can put her on the couch. I’ll get an ice pack.”
Liam walks over and lays me gently on the couch, then sits beside me. When Josh hands him the ice pack, he presses it against my hip.
I lie back and watch as he frowns in concentration. “You know, I can do this myself.”
“Quiet. The doctor is working.”
“It takes a medical degree to apply an ice pack, does it?”
He raises an eyebrow. “If you want to do it right.”
“Are you guys okay for a second?” Josh asks as he tugs at his tie. “Because if I don’t get out of this monkey suit, stat, I’m going to lose it.”
I give him a smile. “Go. ‘Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman’ seems to have things under control.”
Liam nods at Josh. “Damn straight.”
Josh shakes his head and disappears into his room.
Once he’s gone, Liam turns back to me. “You should also elevate this.”
“It’s on my hip. How do you suggest I do that?”
He grabs a pillow from the end of the couch and then pushes a hand beneath my butt. I make a noise as he lifts up my pelvis with one hand and shoves the pillow under it with the other. “Like that.”
“Well, this is elegant,” I say, my chin pressing into my chest while my knees point to the ceiling.
He looks at me for a moment. “You’re making it work. But then again, you’d look good in full traction, so . . .” He smiles at me, and I smile back, and it makes me crazy that I can miss him so painfully even when he’s sitting right beside me.
After a few seconds, his smile fades and he glances at the door. “Well, I’d better get going. Angel is waiting.”
“Yeah.” I want to take his hand, but that’s not how we are now. Instead, I give him a smile. “Thanks for the lift. Both up the stairs and with the pillow.”
“No problem. Next time we go to dinner, I’ll try to make sure my lifestyle doesn’t damage you.” He gives me a final smile, then gets up and heads to the door.
I struggle to stand, and follow him. When he notices, he holds out his hand. “Hey, stop. I can see myself out. Back onto the couch, lady.”
I wave him off. “I’m going to bed. If I have to have my ass in the air, I’m at least going to be in the appropriate setting.”
Oh.
Shit.
Liam’s eyebrows just about disappear into his hairline. “And on that note—”
“Okay. So, ignore that. Wow.”
I put my hand over my face, but he gently takes my wrist and pulls it away. “I love it when you blush around me. Always have. Always will.” I look up at him, and his thumb brushes over my pulse. “You sure you’ll be okay?”
I nod. “I’ve had worse. Once a twenty-pound light fell on my head. I ended up calling the show with a concussion. I’m a tough nut. You should know that.”
“Yeah. I should.” I open the door for him and he steps onto the landing before turning back to me. “You know, apart from the last part, I really enjoyed tonight.”
I lean on the door. “Me, too. I think for our first venture as sort-of friends, it went well.”
“It did. Except for your dancing. at sucked.” He smiles and moves a bit closer. “See you at rehearsal Monday.”
He touches my shoulder and runs his hand down to my wrist. I try to keep my expression neutral, but I think my eyelids flutter. “See you then.”
On a whim, I move forward and hug him. He freezes for a moment, then tightens his arms and sighs. When our bodies press fully against each other, the contact makes me gasp.
Liam’s hard.
Very hard.
He must realize I notice, because he quickly pulls back. “Shit. Sorry. My . . . uh . . . body hasn’t gotten the memo about us being friends yet. Mind you, you’re not helping matters by wearing that dress. Give a guy a break, Liss.” He runs his hands through his hair and exhales. “Okay. Now I’m blushing. Good night.”
After he disappears down the stairs, I close the door behind him and lean back on it. Josh comes out of his bedroom and heads into the kitchen. He’s wearing his favorite Captain Kirk pajamas. He grabs a bag of frozen peas from the fridge and comes over to swap them for the barely cold ice pack in my hands.
He gives me a smug look. “You gave him a boner, didn’t you?”
I press the peas to my hip and hobble toward my room. “Good night, Joshua.”
“Okay, fine. My ‘told you so’ can wait until morning. Oops. Look at that. Seems it can’t.”
I smile as I shut my bedroom door and op onto the bed. My hip may be aching, but I’m kind of thrilled I can still make Liam Quinn’s body dance to my short, curvy-girl tune.