A Valentine for Kayla (7 page)

Estelle laughed and looped her arm through his. “DJ, stop toying with this girl. You know you're mine. It's time you came home. Your fans miss you.” She batted her lashes and smiled her I'm-a-star-and-everyone-loves-me smile.

“Fans?” Kayla's face paled. She looked from Estelle to him. Her eyes widened. “Oh my goodness! I can't believe I was so blind. I understand what's going on. Don't bother calling,
DJ
.” She said his name as if it were a dirty word, then turned and jogged across the street and disappeared inside her florist shop.

His stomach sickened as he rounded on Estelle. “What are you doing here and how did you find me?” He kept his voice low. “I blocked your number for a reason. We are over. Done. Kaput.”

Estelle waved a hand and shook her head. “Jerry told me where you were. Don't be a child. We had a spat. That's no reason for you to disappear and block me from your life.”

He rubbed his neck. “I can't believe this.”

“Believe it, baby, because I'm here to bring you back with me. LA isn't the same without you. I need you in my life.”

Now he understood Jerry's prediction that he'd be back in Los Angeles soon. He worked to control his anger and kept his voice cool. “Right. Like you needed all those other men. I'm only a distraction in your downtime. Someone to stroke your enormous ego.”

“Give me a break.” She looked over her shoulder. “Behave yourself. The paparazzi will be here any minute.”

“Where is your bodyguard?”

“I didn't think I'd need him here, so I gave him a couple of days off.”

Derek narrowed his eyes as he spotted two well-known and aggressive photographers running toward them. “Not a smart move. You brought them here.
You
deal with them.” He spun around and jogged to his pickup, but before he could pull out, Estelle hopped into the passenger seat holding her spiky shoes.

“This is perfect. They're going to eat this up.” She feigned a look of surprise and raised her hands to supposedly block their shot.

He rolled his eyes and tore away from the curb. “Where's your car? I'll drop you off.”

“And leave me alone with
them
? No way! Please, let's find a quiet place to talk. You have no idea what your disappearance did to my career.”

“Nor do I care.” He spotted her Mercedes on a side street and slowed.

“Please, DJ, I'm begging you.” She rested a hand on his arm, her voice panicked. “I know I shouldn't have ambushed you like I did, and yes, I made an anonymous call about you and me being here, but please don't leave me alone with them. You know how they freak me out.”

His heart softened. Estelle's love-hate relationship with the paparazzi was no secret to him or anyone who knew her. She needed to stay in the public eye for her career, but their aggressive tactics scared her. “Okay. We'll leave your car here for now. But don't think you're going to wiggle your way back into my life. When I left Los Angeles, I left everything, including you, and I'm not going back.”

“I'm not leaving without you. I need you in my life.”

A glance in his rearview mirror showed no one following. His shoulders relaxed as they cruised toward his mom's place. “You don't need me. I recall you once calling me eye candy. Seems to me all you want is
eye candy
to parade around with, so don't insult me by pretending you care about me as a person. You never did.” He whipped into Mom's long driveway and followed it until he reached the house, which was not visible from the road. He pulled to a stop, took a bracing breath and faced Estelle. Her blond hair curled in soft ringlets around her beautiful face. He'd once loved her. But that was before he realized how shallow she was and that she'd been only using him to further her career. As she was trying to do now. Of all the men she knew, why him?

His face heated. He'd been taken in by her beauty and charm when they'd run into one another after a movie screening two years ago. If he'd only known what kind of person she was then, he'd never have asked her out, even if it did help his career to be seen in public with her.

“I care about you, DJ.” She caressed his arm. “We were great together. Give us another chance.”

“Stop acting, Estelle. I fell for that once, but I'm not naive anymore. I see right through you.” He shook her hand off his arm. She cared about only herself, and it was clear she needed him for her endgame. Or at least, she thought she did; otherwise, she wouldn't be here. “This is how it's going to play out. I'll move back into the guest cottage for the night. You'll stay in my mom's guestroom, and then tomorrow I'll have a friend pick up your car. We'll meet at a preset destination. You will leave, and I will go on with my life.”

Her face hardened and she crossed her arms. “I don't think so. I'm not leaving this town until you agree to go with me and announce that you're working on your next album.”

He shook his head. “Not happening. I'm done with that life.” He pushed open his door and slid out.

Estelle met him by the hood. “Please, DJ. I need you back.”

“So you said.” He strode toward the front door and looked over his shoulder. “Are you coming?”

“If you won't return for me, then do it for your fans.” She squared her shoulders and marched forward.

Her words hit their mark. For the most part, he appreciated his fans. They were his only regret.

Estelle glanced at him. “Jerry told me about your mom. Are you sure it's okay that I stay here?”

He jerked his head in her direction. “If you knew, why did you come? And why would Jerry tell you where I am? What do you have over him?”

She pursed her lips, and he saw vulnerability in her eyes. “Nothing. He's my manager, too. Remember? My movie tanked, and he's trying to help a client. The critics are ripping me apart. Everyone loved us together. Don't you see? If you and I get back together, then the media will focus on us as a couple and stop obsessing over the movie's failure. I need some good press. Actually, I need a
lot
of good press so the critics will forget about my last movie and producers will want to hire me again.” She folded her arms. “There, I said it. Happy now?”

He should've known it was something like that. “No, but I'm sorry about your movie. How about you lie low for a few days? I'm sure the next big story will pop up any day and talk of your movie will be forgotten.”

“Maybe, but I like my idea better.”

“You always did have to be right.” He pushed the door open and waited for Estelle before closing it. “Mom, I'm home, and I brought a guest.”

“In…the kitchen.”

Estelle grabbed his arm. “Is she okay?”

“She had a stroke and she's tired by evening, so her speech is usually more halting. But don't let that fool you. Her mind is sharp, so don't talk down to her or try to finish her sentences for her. That only frustrates her more.”

Estelle nodded and walked beside him into the kitchen. “Mom, this is Estelle Rogers. Estelle, Helen.”

Mom turned from the oven. “Welcome. Derek's…told me…all about…you.”

“It's lovely to meet you, Helen.”

Derek sighed at the excited look in his mom's eyes. Yes, he'd told her about Estelle, but he had left out the unpleasant details. Maybe he should have shared Estelle's true character with her, but it really didn't matter, at least not right now. Estelle would be here only a short time—not nearly enough time to snare his mother in her web of deceit and lies.

Mom held a small casserole dish in one hand. “Dinner is ready.” She pointed to the table, which was set for two.

Derek quickly set another place and helped get the food on the table. “Estelle needs a place to stay for a few nights. Do you mind if she sleeps in the guestroom? I will move back into the guesthouse.” Since his mom's stroke he felt more comfortable being under the same roof, but as long as Estelle was here…

“She's welcome to stay…as long as…she'd like.”

Derek stifled a groan and offered a blessing for the food, then passed the meat loaf to Estelle.

“Thanks.” She cut a piece in half and placed it on her plate.

“What brings…you here, Estelle?” Mom asked.

“Your son. I want him to come back to LA with me.”

Mom nodded but didn't respond. She'd always excelled at hiding her thoughts when she wanted to.

What was he going to do? He knew his ex-girlfriend well enough to know she meant it when she said she wouldn't leave without him, but there was no way that would happen. His life was here—at least for now. His mother needed him. Plus he'd said he'd help Kayla with her float, and he intended to keep his word. That is, if she'd let him. After the look of disappointment he'd seen on her face as she ran away, he had doubts.

K
ayla sat on the couch and stared at the television. A photo of Estelle Rogers and Derek played on the screen. The hosts declared the duo had been spotted together and speculated they were an item once again.

She pushed the power button.

Her mom walked into the room holding a plate. “I made dinner. Better grab some while it's hot.”

“Thanks, but I'm not hungry.”

“I don't suppose your loss of appetite has anything to do with what happened outside Java World this evening?”

Her gaze shot to her mother's. “You know about Derek?”

Mom nodded. “I think the whole town is talking about it. Those photographers were asking all sorts of questions about Derek after he drove off with the movie star. One even went so far as to offer money to anyone who would give him the address of where Derek is staying. But no one would tell him.” She smiled smugly. “Helen doesn't need all that craziness at her house. Poor woman has had enough trouble of late. I still can't believe she had a stroke.”

Her mom's words rang true. Helen absolutely couldn't deal with all the attention that her son's fame could bring to her doorstep. She studied her mother's serene face. She wanted that kind of contentment, but turmoil and anger ran rampant through Kayla. “How could I have been so naive?”

“What do you mean?”

“I knew Derek looked like DJ Parker, yet I talked myself out of believing there was a connection. I never imagined a famous singer would live here. I feel so stupid.” She rested her chin on her tucked knees. “Estelle and Derek are probably having a good laugh at my expense right now.” Her stomach knotted even tighter.

“I love you with all my heart, Kayla, but the world does not revolve around you. Derek seemed like a very nice man to me, and I think it's safe to say he is not laughing at your expense. Have you asked him about it?”

Her mom's words stung. “No, and I don't plan to, either.” Mom was supposed to be on her side. Why was she defending Derek?

“You may want to reconsider. I know his fame took you by surprise, honey, but I've never seen you take to a man like you did him. I think the two of you have a connection. If I were you, I wouldn't toss that away so easily.”

“He should've told me he was DJ Parker.”

“Maybe.” Mom placed her glass on the side table. “It must be difficult being famous. I imagine it's tough to know who your real friends are.” She bit into a dinner roll.

Mom made a good point, but that didn't excuse the fact that Derek had kept his singing career quiet. She knew there were things he wasn't sharing about himself, but he should have told her he was DJ Parker when they were listening to his album. Instead he'd stayed silent. In a way she understood his silence, but didn't he see that since she liked him before she knew he was famous, it would have been safe to reveal his secret to her?

Kayla stretched out her legs. “He said he'd help with the float for the flower shop. I doubt that will happen now, but I don't see how we can pull it off without him.”

“This is news. What are you talking about?”

Kayla explained about the parade and the mayor's request, then sighed. “I have too much to do. I really don't see how I will get everything done.”

“Your family and friends will pitch in and together we all will make it happen.”

Tears pricked Kayla's eyes. “Thanks, Mom. You have no idea what a relief that is. I'm sure Jill's family will pitch in, too.” A weight lifted and she grinned. “You have always been the voice of reason in my life. Thank you.”

Mom held a hand across her heart and ducked her chin. “I'm always here for you. Now go make yourself a plate of food.”

Kayla stood. “Yes, ma'am. What about your attorney friend? Will he be coming for the Spring Festival?”

“Stan is a very busy man, but I'll invite him. I'd like the two of you to meet.”

“Good.” As Kayla strolled into the kitchen, her cell phone rang. She touched the accept button. “Hello?”

“I'm so glad you picked up. I was afraid after what happened earlier you wouldn't.”

The sound of Derek's baritone voice made her stomach flip-flop. “What can I do for you?” Regardless of everything, she couldn't bring herself to be rude to him.

“I was hoping we could talk.”

“We're talking now.”

“Right. What I meant was I'd like to take you out to dinner and explain everything.”

“No explanation is necessary.”

“I disagree.”

Kayla huffed out a breath. “I suppose you're used to people giving in to your whims, but I'm not one of those people.” That sounded harsher than she'd intended, but she wouldn't take the words back, because they were true. She ripped a dinner roll from the bag and tossed it onto a plate, then flicked a spoonful of mashed potatoes beside it.

“Okay. I get it.” His tone was dejected. “You're angry and that's justified, but I like you, Kayla, and I still want to help with the festival if you'll allow me.”