Page 33 of A Little Bit Engaged
“More wine?” she asked.
“Time with you.”
The way her face lit up pleased him. He sipped the pinot noir. Beer was his beverage of choice, but the red went down smooth. “How are you doing with everything that’s happened so far?”
“Can’t say I’ll ever be used to the paparazzi parked outside my building, but I feel safe inside.”
“Good because things will be crazy for a bit.”
“Don’t you mean crazier?” She swirled what wine remained in her glass. “I remember what it was like for you and Caitlin when your movie hit number one.”
Of course Cara did. They had sought refuge from the insanity at her apartment. “So you’re doing okay with all this?”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s not like we can stop it. I’m trying to find what positives I can.”
“Any luck?”
She refilled her glass. “We haven’t hung out like this in a while so that’s been nice.”
He couldn’t remember the last time. Oscar night had been scheduled with the award show and after-parties. “It’s been too long. My schedule’s been insane.”
Yet, he’d taken a few short breaks. Ones he’d spent in the mountains of Colorado or out of the country on a sunny beach. Not once had he thought to visit Cara in San Francisco. Bad decision. He needed more of this rather than sand or snow.
“How was the Academy Awards last week? As crazy as the last one?” she asked.
He’d gone with Caitlin, but he’d had more fun the year before with Cara, who’d been wide-eyed, full of wonder, and wanting to experience everything. “Yes, and I missed having you with me.”
“I have a new appreciation of what goes on now, especially during commercial breaks. This year, Loki and I celebrated by throwing our own Academy Awards party. He wore a bow tie.”
“And you?” Brody asked.
“I put on the dress.”
The dress had made him realize Cara had a similar body type as Caitlin, appealing curves in all the right places, but ones Cara kept hidden. A shame, really. “I wish I could take credit, but that was all Ainsley’s doing.”
“She used your credit card.”
“Best purchase ever.”
When Caitlin had gotten sick, Cara had flown to Los Angeles the night before the Academy Awards and stayed in a Beverly Hills hotel. Ainsley, his personal assistant for the past three and a half years, had taken care of Cara—picking her up at the airport, arranging a spa day and hair appointment, and getting her a dress, shoes, and jewelry to wear. He hadn’t seen Cara until the limo picked him up to go to the theater. He hadn’t believed the difference in her. She’d looked more like a starlet than a librarian who spent her free time scouring for books in old shops and dusty basements.
“We had fun that night,” he said. “Thinking about all the dancing we did at the after-parties makes my feet hurt.”
“Dancing was the second-best part.”
“The spa day was your favorite.”
“Nope.” She stared over the rim of her wineglass. “Seeing you dressed up in a tuxedo and presenting an Oscar was amazing. Remember how you talked about being on stage at the Academy Awards when we were kids? Experiencing that dream come true for you was such a thrill.”
Brody’s chest tightened. His dad was a mechanic and his mom a bank teller. They worked the same jobs they had for thirty years, even though he sent them money, gave them gifts, and offered to support them if they wanted to retire or simply quit. Most people back home had thought he and Caitlin would give up their pursuit of stardom after a year or two in Hollywood and crawl home in defeat. Success hadn’t come quickly. More than once, his parents had sent him money, as had Cara, but perseverance paid off. “I’ve been fortunate. And lucky.”
“You’re talented.”
“So are many others.” Some who’d started out at the same time he had were still working at restaurants or other jobs while waiting for their big break. “I’ll never forget those who helped me in the beginning.”
“Is that why you’re doing the audio narration for that author’s new series?”
He straightened. That wasn’t public knowledge yet. Only a handful of people knew. “Did Caitlin tell you?”
