CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Carrie could barely keep her eyes open after a twelve hour flight to Tampa from London. Thank goodness she’d gained five hours with the time difference. She’d napped in the air but sleeping on a plane when she was alone always made her uneasy. If Paige or Max had been there she would have been able to drop off without any problems, but by herself she simply felt too vulnerable.
While waiting for her luggage, she dug her phone out of her purse and sent a quick text to Max letting him know she’s arrived safely. He’d been adamant that he would worry so she’d promised to let him know as soon as she landed. Her ankle was almost back to one hundred percent but he’d fussed about her luggage and walking through the airport.
She’d had the distinct feeling he hadn’t wanted her to go on this trip but that was probably all her imagination. He hadn’t said anything outright about not going so she was sure it was just her that didn’t want to be away from him. Max might even be celebrating having the bed and remote control to himself. She’d spent every night at his place since her sprained ankle.
Technology was an amazing thing. Soon after she shot off the text, her phone rang. Max.
“Shouldn’t you be sleeping in after last night’s performance?”
His gravelly chuckle told her that he was still in bed and had just woken. That was her favorite time. Warm and sleepy, he curled himself around her, whispering filthy suggestions in her ear that were definitely going to make him late for any morning appointment. Now with the play underway, he worked late and – usually – slept late.
“Hell of a way to greet a man who just wants to hear your voice. How was your flight, love?”
“Long,” she sighed, making herself comfortable on a bench by the elevators while she waited for her bag. “The food was decent though and I got a bunch of paperwork done, so that was good. How was the play last night?”
Her flight had taken off at eight in the evening so she’d had to say goodbye before he left for the theatre. He’d given her the puppy dog eyes that made her feel like she was abandoning him at the pound.
“It was good, although someone’s bloody cell phone went off during. Can’t people turn those things off? It’s hellishly rude.”
It was but he might not be the best spokesman for that particular cause.
“Uh…Hamlet? Your phone is never more than a few inches from your fingertips. You get twitchy if you haven’t touched it for awhile. It’s the first thing you reach for in the morning.”
“That’s not the case at all.” His tone was indignant and it sounded like he was waking up fast. “You are the first thing I reach for in the morning. But your point is well taken. Which reminds me…you were not here this morning when I woke. Tell me again as to how long that will be the sad and lonely situation?”
“Geez, you are so formal. Just ask me how long I’m going to gone for.”
He gave her a long-suffering sigh. Such a drama king.
“How long are you going to be gone?”
Too long. Carrie already missed him.
“Four days. It didn’t make much sense to fly twelve hours to attend a party and then turn around and fly out hours later so I’m going to visit with my family and a few friends before I return. Think you can hold out?”
I’m not sure I can. Max-withdrawal.
“If I must, I suppose I can.”
“Concentrate on the play and I’ll be home before you know it.”
Oops. What the hell did she just say? Home? Was London home? Was Max’s house home? Was he overthinking this like she was? Damn, she needed a dose of caffeine and a slap to the face.
“I know I’m complaining but I do want you to enjoy yourself, love.”
A man with a huge suitcase smacked the side of his bag into her knee as he walked by, luckily the left this time and not the right. Stifling a groan, she rubbed at the spot that would surely turn into a bruise as she saw her flight number flash on the overhead screen.
Luggage on conveyer belt B.
“You’re such the gentleman. Don’t worry, I will. It will be good to see everyone but I have to admit I’m getting used to London. It’s going to be so bright here with all the sunshine.” The conveyor belt began to move, spitting out suitcase after suitcase. “I think my bag is here so I better let you go. Go back to sleep.”
Standing, she hurried over to wait with everyone else on her flight. Tiny as she was, she was able to slip through the crowd and make her way to the front.
“Call me later.”
No way was she calling him at the theatre. “No, you call me when you have a minute. I don’t want to interrupt rehearsals and everything so I won’t be reaching out to you. Now…seriously…go back to sleep. You need the rest.”
“I’ll call you then. What time would be good?”
Now he was simply stalling.
“Just call me. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye, love.”
If he said any more she didn’t hear it, ending the call with a press of a button. She could have chatted with him all damn day but he needed to get some rest or he’d be out of sorts for the performance tonight.
Grabbing her luggage from the belt, she was aware she had a goofy smile on her face. Her heart was beating fast, and just like in the movies, she wanted to break into song, singing at the top of her lungs. Maybe even do a dance step or two. She just couldn’t help it.
Max missed her.
* * *
Greg’s party was a huge success and he was shocked but pleased to see her standing in his living room. Carrie didn’t know about half of the people there but they were all friendly. Her picture had been plastered on a bunch of tabloids with images from Max’s opening night and a few of the guests recognized her. Cornered by the buffet, she patiently answered their questions until a few of them became way more personal than she was comfortable with.
She was happy to tell people that Max was smart and sweet. That he liked chocolate ice cream more than vanilla or that he listened to Vivaldi when he was trying to concentrate. But the more personal questions such as did they live together or was he a good lover or were they getting married? Nope.
And yes, someone at the party had the gall to ask her those questions. One woman in particular looked like she wanted to smack Carrie across the face, her lips twisted with dislike. Carrie could have told the female that the chances of ever meeting Maxwell Hayes, getting asked on a date, falling in love, and getting married were fairly remote but she didn’t bother. If the woman was delusional enough to think that all that stood between her and Max was Carrie, then there wasn’t much to be done about her grip on reality.
“I still can’t believe you’re here, Sis, and that you flew all this way just for me.”
Greg was pouring her another glass of wine which she desperately needed after her interaction with that woman and her nosy questions.
“It’s your big night so of course I’m here.” She placed her hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze as her throat clogged with emotion. “Mom and Dad would have been so proud of you.”
“And you. You’re all over the papers. I wish Jeannie and I could come to London and see your man’s play. The reviews are amazing.”
My man. I hope so.
Shrugging, Carrie sipped her wine. “I’m not sure dating a movie star and getting my picture in a supermarket rag is something to strive for but I think I see your point. I hope they’d be proud of all that I’ve achieved.”
Greg nodded. “They would be. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and might I say that I’m glad you broke up with that waste of skin Mark. He was never good enough for you. Not even close. Now this Maxwell Hayes guy, he’s more your type. The kind that has goals and works toward them. Makes something of themselves.”
“He did do me a favor by cheating on me. I’d been dating him so long that I forgot how relationships were supposed to be.”
Greg rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable. “So…this Max Hayes? He’s good to you? I don’t need to catch the next flight and beat his ass or anything?”
Every time someone mentioned his name she smiled.
“He’s a good man.”
Greg gazed at her for a long moment. “I can tell he is just by your expression when you talk about him. You’re in love.”
There was no denying it. She had all the symptoms and frankly she was happy about it. She’d fallen in love with a wonderful marvelous man who might even love her back. He had all the signs too. Or at least some of them. Enough to give her real hope.
“I am in love but it’s early days yet. Let’s not book a church or anything.”
“Fair enough,” Greg laughed. “But when the day comes don’t run off to Vegas or anything. I want to be there, okay?”
“I promise.” The buzzing of her phone had her digging in the pocket of her dress and checking the screen. “Crap, this is Paige. I need to take this. She wouldn’t call unless it was important.”
Paige would normally text if it was a routine message. A call was something much bigger.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
Carrie could hear Paige groaning through the phone. Her boss was frustrated and not a happy camper.
“The studio wants a meeting in the morning regarding the budget numbers. That’s your territory.”
Since being made part of the production team on the Flynn movie, Carrie had taken over most of the number and schedule crunching. “Can I dial in for it?”
“Normally I would say yes but this is Hollywood. They like to schmooze and do the face to face thing. Nate thinks you should be here in person. I don’t suppose…”
The reason for Carrie’s visit was the party and it was almost over. These were adults with children and they weren’t going to dance and drink until the sun came up. “Let me see if I can get a flight out of here. What time do they want to meet?”
“Ten in the morning so with the time difference it gives you some cushion. Can I tell you how grateful I am and how much I love you? I know this is a gigantic pain in the ass. As for a flight, Nate is holding up a sign that says we’ll set up a charter for you. I can call you with details as soon as it’s set up.”
Already making a mental to-do list, Carrie put talking to her brother at the top of it. She wouldn’t be staying a few days to visit with everyone after all.
“Don’t worry about it,” she assured a worried-sounding Paige. “The party was the most important thing and it’s already winding down for the evening. This place will be cleared out by eleven, I’m betting. I was going to visit with a few friends but I can do that another time. This meeting is important and I’ll be there.”
“I’m still grateful as hell. I just want to thank you about a million times. How about I book us some spa treatments for after the meeting? My treat.”
“Now that’s the right way to thank me,” Carrie giggled. “Call me when you have flight details. I’m going to tell my brother that I need to leave in a few hours.”
Carrie ended the call and headed straight for Greg who was deep in conversation at the other side of the room. Plans were changed and she better get used to it. She was making a movie with Paige and Nate, becoming a producer of all things. She’d never even dreamed of a job like this but now that she had it, she wanted to be the best damn producer Hollywood had ever seen.
She’d make Greg…and Max…proud.