No More Wasted Time (35 page)

She jumped out of bed, staring in the mirror at several
purple hickeys surrounding her lips. “Oh, great! I can’t go to the airport like
this.”

“You sound like you’re complaining,” he said, being a
smartass. “No one will even notice them with some makeup.”

“Oh, bullshit. They are definitely going to notice these.
Crap, I’ll never hear the end of this.”

“Was it worth it?” he asked gently, kissing her bottom lip.

“Yes.”

John, Tracy, JC and Shayla gathered at the airport to say
their goodbyes. JC eyed her mom skeptically. Tess knew what was coming.

“Rough night, Mom? Makeup doesn’t cover those very well.” JC
laughed uncontrollably, causing all of them to survey her lips.

“Ha ha ha very funny. Okay, get out of here. Love you.”

“We’ll be home in a few days, but we’ll be in California
before we go to the cabin,” Tom said.

Shayla glanced at Tess’ lips and smiled sweetly, whispering
to Tom. “I wouldn’t come back to California until those are gone.”

“Definitely,” he agreed. 

The following day, Tom scheduled a meeting to hire a new
publicist, Andy Johnson. Tess saw an entirely different side of Tom, very firm
and assertive. He knew what he wanted and expected Andy to have the right
answers for him. She loved seeing him so businesslike and learned a lot by
sitting in on their meeting.

After Tom’s meeting, Tess asked apprehensively, “What
exactly is going to happen when we get home?”

“It’s going to be an onslaught of media when we go home.” He
admitted hesitantly, stroking her arm in reassurance. “Hopefully, you might
actually enjoy some of it.” Tom smiled self-consciously, continuously spinning
his wedding band with his thumb.

“Crap, do my lips look any better?”

“A little better, but the first time we have a few days in
private…” He kissed her enthusiastically, giving her a promising taste of what
would come.

“We need to go over our wedding photos and pick our
favorites. Do you want to release photos with your kids or of just you and me?
How will they feel about their pictures being in magazines?”

“I don’t know. I have no idea. I hate to leave them out. I’m
proud of my kids, but I don’t want people bugging them either. I should’ve
talked to them about it before they left.” Tess shook her head in frustration.

“Sorry, Tess. I didn’t want to bring it up before the
wedding. I guess I probably should’ve, but I didn’t want to stress you out. I
didn’t want it to be hectic with the press. I wanted it to be easy for the both
of us.”

“I’m ready to go home as soon as my lips look better. I
don’t care what people say. Bring on the madness. I’d prefer to release photos
with the kids, too. If we don’t, they’re just going to try to get their own
pictures, and that, I won’t like
at all
. I’ll discuss it with them
first, but I would rather put all the cards on the table and get on with our
life together.”

“I agree. We’re always going to be under a microscope.
That’s just the way it is. But I actually think you have a knack for it.”

“I sure as hell wouldn’t go that far, but I did have fun at
the premier.”

“This will be more entertaining than the movie premier,
trust me.”

That night they went out for dinner and walked the streets
of the village. Tess noticed Tom continuously spinning his ring with his thumb.
“You’ll get used to it.” She smiled, watching him play with it.

He glanced down at his hand. “I love it. I’ve never worn a
ring before.”

She was admiring her own ring when a bright flash blinded
her. A young man had taken their picture. He wasn’t paparazzi, but he wasn’t an
idiot either. Tom instantly approached the man, offering him money, but the guy
acted like a jerk saying, “I heard you got married here. Nobody will believe
this.” The damage was done. The man hurried away, muttering something about how
much money he’d make off the photo.

“Maybe he doesn’t realize what we were doing.” Tess tried to
be convincing.

“Come on,” Tom fumed. “He knew exactly what we were looking
at. Our rings! We’ll have one day, maybe two. I wanted to do this my way, on my
own terms. If Andy can move up an interview we might need to leave early.”

“It is what it is, Tom. So what? I don’t care. Bring it on!
Nothing is going to ruin our honeymoon. The paparazzi can line up in front of
the house. I’d be perfectly happy staying in bed for three days. I don’t care
what we have to go through when we get home. I have what I want: you. That’s
all that matters.” She threw her hands on her hips at the end of her little
speech.

A slow smile spread across his face. “First off, this is not
our honeymoon, second, we might have to go home early, and third, I could
definitely stay in bed with you until we leave.”

“What do you mean this isn’t our honeymoon?”

“I mean this is unquestionably
not
our honeymoon.”

Returning home, Tom phoned Andy. They’d definitely need to
leave early to go back to Malibu.

CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE

On the flight back to Malibu, Andy called. Rumors had
already started circulating online. Tess seemed more relaxed about it than Tom.
He acted tense. “Tess, the paparazzi will be relentless when we land. It’ll be
entirely different from before. I might phone Joey. It’ll give me a better idea
of what to expect.”

Joey informed Tom it would be crazy when they landed. Tess
thanked Joey for doing such a great job on the photos. He said it had been a
long time since he shot a wedding, but enjoyed doing it.

“His pictures are amazing. I don’t know why he doesn’t do
weddings instead of chasing movie stars all over,” Tess told Tom.

Tom smirked, “He probably makes more money.”

“Maybe he’s not shooting the right weddings.”

“You’re going to plug him aren’t you? Give his name out?”
Tom asked her curiously.

“Of course. He’s wasting his talent hiding behind trees,
taking pictures of stars.”

“Hey, don’t be stealing my
‘in’
with the paparazzi,”
he joked.

“You can get a new one. He’s very talented.”

Tom continuously spun his ring with his thumb.

Tess frowned suspiciously. “You’re not going to ask me to
take my ring off, are you?” His face confirmed her suspicions. “Let me rephrase
that: I’m not taking my ring off. Don’t ask me to pretend for one second that
we’re not married. I’ll put my hand in my pocket if that’s what you want, but I
won’t take it off, Tom. I don’t care who is looking or what kind of hell we
have to endure. I don’t want to play games.”

“I hope you’re ready for this.” His eyes filled with concern
and his face strained as he rubbed his jaw anxiously.

The plane landed and Tom was back to his confident-self.As
they hurried through the airport, everything passed by Tess in a blur. It was
so frenzied, and she wasn’t sure how many paparazzi surrounded them. Several
pushed their way next to her shouting,
Did you get married? How was Greece?
Show me your ring.
Tom squeezed her fingers, striding in front of her to
block them from getting too close.

More paparazzi awaited at their house in Malibu, snapping
pictures of them in the car. It irritated her they would come to their home. It
seemed more like stalking when they lurked in the driveway.

Shayla waited for them inside. Tess was relieved to see her,
but she stayed only long enough to go over their schedule for the next week.
They would be doing nearly a dozen interviews, starting the following day with
People
magazine, which changed their lead story to cover Tom Clemmins’ wedding. They’d
have one day off so the magazine could release its issue. After that, the
entire week lined up with interviews and talk shows.

Tess plopped down on the couch next to Tom, chewing on her
lip and waving her sweaty hands in the air. Tom teased, “Weren’t you the one
who said
, ‘It is what it is, Tom. I’m ready. I’m fine. We’ll simply go with
the flow.’
You were all tough two days ago. One little magazine cover and
you fall to pieces. Come on, Tess, you’re tougher than that.”

“I was only being positive about the whole photo incident,
not
People
magazine. Holy crap. I read that magazine at my doctor’s
office.”

“It’s only the beginning.” he taunted. “They’ll be here
tomorrow at one.”

Mary from
People
magazine showed up right on time,
introducing herself cordially, appearing enthusiastic about the interview. Tom
welcomed her into his home, showing her around, breaking the ice. They chatted
outback before heading inside. Tom and Tess sat barefoot on the couch together.

Mary congratulated both of them on their nuptials. The
interview went off without a hitch, going over the typical questions: How did
you meet? How long have you been dating? How do your kids feel about Tom?

As the interview progressed, Mary’s questions became more
direct. “Tom, there are going to be a lot of people out there who are betting
your marriage will never last. They say you’ll never be with one woman. You’ll
never settle down. What do you say to those people?”

Tom shifted his head from side-to-side, him-hawing. “Well,
you can’t print what I would really say. So, I will say, I’ll take that bet. I
wouldn’t have asked Tess to marry me if I wasn’t one hundred percent certain of
how we feel about each other. Obviously Tess is beautiful, but she’s the most
amazing woman I’ve ever known. I’m proud to be her husband.”

Tess bit her lip and nudged Tom.

“Tess, Tom has dated numerous women prior to you. That
doesn’t bother you?” Mary asked innocently, as if it wasn’t an insult.

Tess turned to Tom thinking,
Who the fuck would ask that?
Tess snickered and a saucy smile expanded across her face
. No way in hell is
she going to get the best of me.
Tom’s face turned a slight shade of pink
as he closed his eyes, cringing as if he knew what she was going to say.

“No, not at all. I’m putting all his experience to good
use.”

Mary’s face and neck flushed, hiding a smile. “Do you want
me to quote you on that?”

Tess and Tom laughed aloud and Tom responded, “
No
,
she doesn’t.”

Mary repeated her question. “Tom has dated many women prior
to you. Does it bother you?”

Tess restated confidently. “No, it doesn’t bother me. Who
he’s dated in the past, is exactly that: in the past. I’m the woman he loves
and married. I’m the one he comes home with every night.”

“Well, I will say, and I’ll put this in the article too, you
are a gorgeous couple. I’m pleasantly surprised. You act as if you’ve been
together for years. If I had gambled on your relationship, I would’ve given you
six months to a year. After meeting you and seeing the two of you together, I’d
change that bet.”

Tess handed Mary a piece of paper with Joey’s name on it for
photographer and Marco’s name for hair and makeup. “I’d appreciate it if you’d
include their names in the article. They did an excellent job for us.”

“The photographer always gets listed,” Mary responded
feebly.

“Mary, it’s important to Tess that they get credit in the
article. She’d like
both
of them
mentioned
. Not just listed.” Tom
reiterated nicely, but firmly.

Mary glanced at Tom. “All right. I’ll take care of it. Thank
you for welcoming me into your home. You’ll be happy with the article and the
photos will look beautiful in the magazine. It was a pleasure meeting both of
you. Tess, you’re nothing like what I was expecting. Congratulations again.”

“Thanks,” Tess mumbled as Tom shut the door. “I think.”

“She meant it as a compliment. Trust me. She wouldn’t have
been nice at the end if she didn’t like you.”

The different time zones were catching up to Tess and it was
noon before she climbed out of bed. A copy of
People
sat on the bathroom
counter. Tom sat on the couch, waiting for her. Covered with goose bumps, she
jumped on the couch next to him.

“It’s surreal to see us on the cover. This is wild. I love
this picture, it’s my favorite.” In the picture, Tess stood with her back
against the pillar with Tom facing her, gazing into each other’s eyes as the
sun sank into the sea.

“The article is very nice. I knew she liked you. Read it. I
had copies delivered to your kids, too.”

“They’re going to freak out.” She read over the article,
smiling with excitement. He seemed just as happy. “Did you ever think you’d see
‘this’ picture of yourself on
People
? I know you’ve been on here for
sexiest man or best-looking bachelor, whatever they call that issue. But
married
Tom Clemmins?”

Tom slipped his finger under her chin. “This means more to
me than all the others. And no, I never expected to see wedding pictures of
myself on the cover of People or anywhere else for that matter.”

The next week was wild. Tom and Tess did dozens of
interviews. Paparazzi followed them everywhere, and most of the press was
positive. Tess refused to watch any entertainment TV programs, but her kids
filled her in on several shows they’d seen. Tess thought it was ridiculous for
complete strangers to analyze their relationship: What was Tom Clemmins
thinking? Would he cheat? Was she after his money? Was she pregnant? People
even stooped as low as taking a poll, asking how long they expected the
marriage to last. The whole thing seemed idiotic. Tess asked her kids not to
watch them, and if they did, she didn’t want to hear about it.

“I’m ready to go home soon, Tom,” she said one day when she
woke up at one o’clock in the afternoon. “I’ve had about all the
fun
I
can take. I’m wiped out.”

“I am, too. We can go whenever you’re ready.”

“Can we stop in Vegas first, so I can get some of my winter
clothes and my ski stuff? Plus I need to take care of a few things.”