california christmas dreams (15 page)

“I should get back to work.” If she could. She hadn’t been so excited in a long time. As she walked out into the afternoon heat, her sister started humming.

Chapter 9

M
erry didn’t get her week-long spa date, but she did get two days off to get ready for the awards ceremony. She spent the first day getting pampered at a spa. She was going to be with some of the most beautiful people in the music industry. If she was going to be recognized, she was going to look her best. Appearance was everything in entertainment. She would be competing with younger and prettier stars.

“You’re perfect,” Noelle said after her friend had finished Merry’s hair and makeup.

Merry glanced at her jewel-encrusted watch. She had ten minutes until Jake showed up. She wiped her damp palms on a towel. She stood, and Noelle slid the dragon dress over her head. The silk folds flowed down to midthigh. The dress itself was a simple black sheath with a sinuous dragon curling down one side, the tail around her shoulder while the head lay just at the hem. She stepped into the dragon shoes, a matching black silk with a dragon embroidered on the outside of each shoe, and studied herself in the mirror.

Betsy had pulled her hair back into a simple French twist. The makeup highlighted her large eyes and her brows. Her lipstick matched the red on her shoes and dress. The dress was just loose enough to swirl seductively, but still shaped enough to show her curves.
Jake Walters, eat your heart out.

“I don’t look like myself,” she said to her image in the mirror.

“You look better than yourself,” Noelle said as she draped a gold cuff bracelet over one wrist and inserted simple gold earrings in Merry’s ears. “And this dress doesn’t need any other adornment than this cuff and the earrings.”

Merry dabbed a bit of perfume on the back of her hands and behind each ear. Her favorite perfume, Opium, went perfectly with the dress.

The doorbell rang and Noelle jumped. “He’s here.”

“He’s early,” Merry said.

She hurried to the door and opened it. Jake stood in the doorway looking so handsome in his tuxedo that her breath caught in her throat. His eyes widened at the sight of her.

“Wow! I should have brought flowers,” he said, his gaze sweeping over her, admiration in his eyes.

“This isn’t prom night. Though I did miss mine.”

“Why did you miss your prom?”

“I was working on a movie in Mexico. One of those straight-to-video ones.”

“You look fabulous,” he said.

“Thank you,” she said, grateful that she wasn’t going to embarrass him. She hadn’t been to one of these events in a very long time. She did get invited to a number of awards ceremonies and film festivals, but she usually gave her tickets to her mother or sister.

“Ready?”

She nodded. She was as ready as she’d ever be. He held out his arm and she tucked her hand around his elbow. She grabbed her red-and-gold clutch purse from the hall table and stepped out into the warm afternoon.

The limo was long and elegant, and once inside, he offered her champagne. She declined. This dress was not the kind to spill her drink on. The limo pulled smoothly away from the curb, and Merry glanced back to find her sister and her friend peering at her from the living room windows.

“You look nervous,” Jake said.

“It’s been a very long time since I’ve been to such a highly visible event.” Awards ceremonies had always made her nervous. She’d once been a presenter at one and worried all the way to the podium that she’d trip over her dress or walk out of her shoes or say the wrong thing. She had those same nervous worries now, though her dress was short, she wasn’t presenting anything and she wouldn’t have to talk to anyone since she could let him do the talking.

“You don’t have to worry about anything. We’ll just have fun and enjoy the evening. So relax.”

That was true. Who would remember who she was?

The drive was quick. Before Merry was even aware they’d arrived, the limo pulled smoothly into the long line of cars releasing people.

When their limo arrived at the red carpet, Jake got out and turned to hold out his hand. She wrapped her fingers around his, surprised at their warmth. She heard the click of cameras, newspeople trying to get a photo before they knew she wasn’t anyone, as she put one foot on the curb and tried to exit the limo as gracefully as possible.

She stood and Jake smiled at her. A couple of photographers turned away, disappointed she wasn’t someone, but a couple of photographers didn’t. They snapped photos of her as she moved gracefully along, her hand curled around Jake’s arm.

“Meredith Alcott,” came a voice.

Merry turned her head.

“Meredith Alcott, is that really you?” A reporter at the side of the carpet waved at her. Merry smiled and walked over.

“Joanna Loza,” Merry said. “I haven’t seen you in years.”

Joanna Loza was the entertainment reporter for a TV newsmagazine. She was small and slim, wearing a flame-colored, floor-length gown as beautiful as any in the line of celebrities making their way to the entrance to the theater. Her long blond hair curled around her shoulders and a necklace decorated with diamonds sparkled at her throat.

“You look beautiful,” Joanna gushed holding up her microphone. “Who are you wearing?”

“Emilio Pucci dress with Louboutin shoes and purse,” Merry answered automatically.

“We haven’t seen you in forever,” Joanna continued to gush. “What have you been up to?”

“Set designing now.”

“We miss you in front of the camera,” Joanna said.

“Thank you. It’s nice to be missed.”

“In this dress, sweetie, I don’t think you’ll be missed for too much longer. Are you staging a comeback?”

“Thank you for that.” She felt Jake press a hand against her back and she walked away. She heard her name floating down the line and a few people turned to look at her. Suddenly, she wasn’t nervous anymore.

* * *

Jake couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was so beautiful; he couldn’t believe she was with him. The scent of her perfume sent his pulse into overdrive. And that dress was perfect on her. No one else could have carried off this Oriental look.

“So,” he said, “are you staging a comeback?” He guided her down the carpet. Someone waved at her and she smiled back.

She slanted an irritated glance at him. “Not on your life.”

“Merry Alcott,” came another voice. “As I live and breathe. Is that you?”

Merry turned to the woman approaching her. “Nora Kennedy.”

Jake was impressed. Nora Kennedy was one of the most influential power brokers in the music business. She had started in TV the same time as Merry, but instead of continuing to act, she had turned to music and now not only had a successful singing career but had started to produce music videos for up-and-coming new talent.

Nora floated up to Merry. Her silver floor-length gown was a bit fussy for Jake’s taste, but what did he know about gowns? He found himself comparing her to Merry’s sophisticated look. In fact, he found himself comparing Merry to all the women standing around and chatting with reporters or posing for photos, and they all came off as second best.

“How have you been?” Nora asked after embracing and air-kissing Merry.

“I’m doing well. And you?”

“I’m doing terrific. I hear you’re doing set design,” Nora said.

“I am, and you’re producing music videos.”

Nora nodded. “I’m shooting my next one in March. Maybe we could work together. I could use your talents.”

“That sounds like fun. Definitely contact my agent.”

Jake was not sure he liked the idea of Merry moving on with her life. He knew it would happen; maybe he shouldn’t have brought her to this event. He liked having her around the park with her challenging manner and in-his-face arguments.

Nora grinned. “And now that we don’t have Mad Maddie in our lives anymore, we can have some real fun.”

“That would be nice.”

Nora waltzed away to greet someone else.

“Are you going to take the job?”

“I might. I like Nora. I think we could have been good friends except for Maddie. It could be fun to have that chance again. Though it depends on your dad.”

Jake realized he was a little bit jealous. He’d brought her as his date and she was really working the room. He hadn’t expected this. He dealt with the unexpected all the time, but here it was different. She wasn’t leaping at the opportunity like some of his other clients would have. And he dealt with a lot of people who would go to the opening of an envelope, just to have the rush again. Merry was a levelheaded woman. Deep down inside, he was still surprised at her common sense.

“Jake Walters,” Victor Taylor said.

“Vic,” Jake replied, pleased to be recognized. Victor Taylor was one of the trashiest rappers on the planet, but God had paid him back by giving him three daughters, and he refused to let them listen to his music. His eldest was standing next to him, looking chic for all of her fifteen years. Vic was thin and muscular. He wore a black tuxedo with a plaid vest and white Nike running shoes. His daughter was dressed in a pretty floral gown that emphasized her youthfulness.

“I didn’t think you’d come,” Vic said. “I send you tickets every year.” He smiled. “Or are you just trying to impress this beautiful lady?” Vic studied Merry. “I know you from somewhere.”

“I’m Merry Alcott,” she said, holding out her hand.

Vic frowned. “Something Margaret, no, Margie...” His voice trailed off.

“Maddie’s Mad World,”
Vic’s daughter supplied. “I watched your show. I love it so much.” She bounced a little.

Jake found Vic giving him an appraising look. “How do you guys know each other?”

“She’s doing some set designing at my dad’s amusement park.”

“Set designing,” Vic said, his eyebrow going up. “I could use you. The last set designer for my video went overbudget, didn’t know a curtain from a pillowcase and had no sense of color. How’s your sense of color?”

“I have a sense of color and I can keep you underbudget.” She nudged Jake, her eyes darting from him to Vic.

“And I can attest to that,” Jake said, getting the hint.

“If Jake says you can stay underbudget, then I know it’s true. I’ll have my people contact your people.” Vic wandered off to greet someone else. His daughter waved at Merry and she waved back with a smile.

“You’ve turned out to be the belle of the ball,” Jake said, trying to keep his tone light and friendly, even though he wasn’t feeling light and friendly.

“Are you upset?”

“No,” he replied. “Just surprised. A lot of business is done at these events, and I have no objection to you getting some business.”

“I have not solicited any business,” she said, her voice stiff.

“That’s not what I mean.” He wasn’t certain he knew what he meant. Seeing her talk so smoothly with the movers and shakers in music had given him a new insight into who she was.

He heard a squeal and turned around to find Annie Gray walking toward him, dragging her own date. “Jake,” she said, tottering toward him. She wore a pink mesh dress, and her panties and bra were clearly visible. Her hair was bleached blond with matching pink streaks. Even her lipstick matched. She was, well, pink.

“You’re out of jail,” Jake said, keeping his tone neutral.

“No thanks to you,” Annie said, her gaze drifting over to Merry. “I see you went old school for a date. If I’d known you were attending, you could have brought me.”

The last thing he would have wanted was to be seen as her date. “This is Merry Alcott. Merry, this is Annie Gray.”

“You’re one of his clients, too?” Annie asked.

“No, just a friend.”

“Emilio Pucci,” Annie said, gazing at Merry’s dress. “I wanted that dress, but I had to settle for this old thing.”

“I saved my pennies,” Merry said with a sweet smile, the look in her eyes telling Jake just what she thought of Annie’s “old thing.”

Jake tried not to laugh as he compared Merry’s cool elegance to Annie’s mesh lamppost wear.

“Merry Alcott.” A man pushed past Annie and grabbed Merry in a hug. “I haven’t seen you for years. You grew up and you look awesome.”

Merry dimpled at the man. Jake frowned, trying to place the man. Then he remembered. Daryl Wicks. One of the best rappers in the business and very much in demand. Annie’s eyes grew wide, and she tried to insinuate herself between Merry and Daryl.

“Daryl,” Merry said with a laugh. “You grew up pretty good, too.”

Daryl Wicks smiled at Jake. “Can you tell I’m one of Merry’s cast offs?”

Merry playfully punched him in the arm. “Stop that. We had three dates.”

“I know, and your guy needs to know that there is life after Merry.”

Merry laughed again. “You make me sound terrible.”

Jake just wanted to pull her away from him. And then something else clicked. “‘Life After Merry,’” he said. “You wrote that song.” He stared at Merry. “That song was about you?”

“My first number-one hit on the charts,” Daryl said. “And I owe it all to Merry breaking my heart.”

“I didn’t break your heart.”

“Mr. Wicks,” Annie said, trying to get his attention.

“For the sake of music legend, yes, you did,” Daryl said, ignoring Annie.

“Daryl,” Merry said. “This is Jake Walters. I’m his date for the evening.”

Daryl held out a hand. “Jake Walters. I’ve heard of you. You’re a financial rock star.”

“Thank you.” Jake was surprised. He didn’t think anyone at the pinnacle of success like Daryl would know about him. Normally the people who knew about him needed him. Daryl didn’t need him.

“Mr. Wicks.” Annie put a hand on his wrist and pouted as prettily as she could. She jiggled her breasts. But Daryl had no eyes for anyone but Merry.

“I sing,” Annie said. “I’d love to work with you.”

Daryl gave Annie a look that said he didn’t recognize her, didn’t know her and didn’t want to know her. Annie looked stunned, and for a second the lost little girl deep inside came out, and she looked as though she wanted to cry.

Merry took one look at her. “Annie Gray, I want you to meet Daryl Wicks. Daryl, Annie is one of Jake’s clients.”