“I absolutely love your ties.” Nicole studied Tyrone's latest neckwear.
“Thank you.” He smoothed the polyester-blend tie with its
Star Wars
robots R2-D2 and C-3PO. It may not have suited the formality of the cocktail party, but it suited Tyrone perfectly.
“Please don't encourage him.” Joyce linked an arm with one of Tyrone's. “I'm really into sci-fi, too, but those ties are a bit much.”
Nicole laughed and accepted a glass of diet soda from a passing server. The cocktail party had drawn quite a crowd. She studied the guests as they interacted with one another. Nicole could smell the money and power, and that made her nervous. She feared she would say or do something that would have a negative impact on the movie project.
If it were up to her, she would stay right here beside the buffet, sampling its fruit, vegetable, and cheese plates, and hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. But her persistent companions would never allow that. They insisted she mingle with every industry and media contact invited to the party.
She took a fortifying sip of the diet soda. “All right. Who's next?”
She scanned the crowd, seeking a nonthreatening target. They'd been at the mixer for a little over two hours, but to Nicole it felt like half the night. With a nervous hand, she smoothed the black rayon material of her long-sleeved, scooped-neck evening dress.
“You didn't used to be this uncomfortable around crowds,” Malcolm noted.
She turned to study him. He looked even more compelling in his fashionably cut black evening suit. His snowy-white shirt had a pewter button high on his neck, negating the need for a tie.
He hadn't said much to her since picking her up for the reception. In fact, he hadn't said much to her in the four days since she'd spent the night in his home.
“A lot happens in four years,” Nicole drawled.
“Production company executive at nine o'clock,” Tyrone whispered, moving closer to her side.
Malcolm's partner had been giving her advance notices like that one every time they were about to approach or be approached by someone of influence in the industry. Nicole put on her game face and turned toward their latest target, an older gentleman with steel-gray hair and a comfortably bulky body.
Tyrone gripped the older man's hand and returned his warm smile. “Hi, Leo. We weren't sure you'd make it.”
“Wouldn't miss it, Ty. Wouldn't miss it for the world. I have a feeling this will be your best project ever.”
Malcolm laughed and stepped forward to shake Leo's hand. “You say that about every project.”
“And I'm right every time.” Leo chuckled heartily, slapping Malcolm's upper arm. “Joyce, it's good to see you again.”
Joyce took Leo's offered hand. “It's good to see you, too. How have you been?”
Leo rocked on his heels and shoved his hands in the pants pockets of his conservative, blue Ralph Lauren suit. “Can't complain. I mean, I'd like to, but no one would listen.” Leo winked a twinkling blue eye and brushed a recalcitrant lock of hair off his forehead. “And you?”
“Fine, thank you.” Joyce glowed, and Nicole smiled at the understatement.
“I see Ty's still holding on to you. Literally.” Leo nodded toward Joyce and Tyrone's joined hands. “Smart man.”
“Very smart. I've asked her to marry me,” Tyrone elaborated.
Leo's face lit up like a Christmas tree. “That's marvelous news,” he exclaimed, then paused, pinning Joyce with a probing stare. “Did you say yes?”
Joyce laughed. She thrust her hand forward so Leo could view her ring, a one-carat princess cut. “Yes, I did. We're getting married in June. We hope you and Ava will come.”
Leo beamed. “I look forward to it. Thank you.”
Malcolm palmed Nicole's back, nudging her forward into the group.
“Leo, I'd like you to meet Nicole Collins,” he said. “Nicky, our good friend Leo DeCaprio.”
“No relation to the popular young film star.” Leo winked and grinned as though he used the line often and enjoyed it every time.
Nicole chuckled. “How do you do, Mr. DeCaprio?” She shook Leo's hand, wondering whether Malcolm realized his palm still rested on her back.
“Leo, please. And I do fine, thank you. I enjoy your books. Your mysteries, I mean. Haven't read your science-fiction series.”
Nicole was surprised Leo knew of her mystery novels. He was the first person she'd met tonight who'd read any of her books.
“I'm flattered, Leo. Thank you.”
Leo waved away her words. “My son, Frank, is hooked on your
InterDimensions
series.” He broke off to look around the room. “Frank's around here somewhere. Expect he'll join us shortly. He's excited to meet you. His name is actually Francis, but he goes by Frank.” Leo shrugged and rolled on his heels. “His mother loved the name, and after nine months and eighteen hours, I wasn't going to argue with her.”
Nicole smiled, entertained by Leo's running commentary.
“How is Ava?” Malcolm asked.
“She's fine, thanks. She's visiting her sister this weekend, or she would have been here with me. Miss her when she's gone. You know what I'm talking about.” He beamed at Joyce and Tyrone. Then he turned toward Nicole. “Are you married?”
“No,” she murmured, feeling her face heat.
“It's a wonderful institution,” he declared, swaying on his heels. “Highly recommend it.”
Nicole's face went up in flames. Leo continued to stare at her, so she felt compelled to offer some type of response. She managed a noncommittal “Mmm,” and avoided Malcolm's gaze.
“Ah, here's Frank. Ms. Collinsâ”
“Nicole, please,” Nicole interrupted.
Leo beamed. “Nicole, I'd like you to meet my son, Frank. He's a senior at USC and a big fan of yours.” The proud father put his hand on Frank's shoulder.
The resemblance between father and son could not be denied, despite a few notable differences. Frank was long and lean, at least four inches taller and fifty pounds lighter than his father. Instead of twinkling blue, Frank's bedroom eyes were violet. Returning his gaze, Nicole imagined she could hear coed hearts breaking all over the University of Southern California's campus. And maybe some older women's hearts as well.
Nicole grasped Frank's outstretched hand. “I'm glad to meet you.”
Frank smiled shyly. “Your books are great. You've created strong characters that readers can identify with.”
“Thank you.” Nicole thought she'd float away from the compliment.
Leo slapped Frank on the back. “My son's studying English at the university. He wants to be a novelist like you.”
Frank's smile looked a bit pained around the edges, as though Leo hadn't quite interpreted his son's life goals accurately.
“Are you concerned the
InterDimensions
characters won't translate well to the screen?” Frank asked.
“I chose Celestial Productions for this project because I want to protect the integrity of my story and characters. Malcolm and Ty will help me do that because they also enjoy the series.”
“Don't be so modest, Nicky,” Tyrone said. “We're big fans of
InterDimensions.”
“Frank has all of your
InterDimensions
books,” Leo said.
This time, Frank ignored his father's interruption. “Will there be other
InterDimensions
movies?”
“We don't have plans to make others at this time.” Nicole didn't want to tell Frank she wouldn't have sold the movie rights to any of her books if Simone hadn't become ill.
“How do you think other people will react to the movie?” the young man asked.
“Based on research on similar moviesâ” Tyrone began.
Frank interrupted. “No, I mean, how do you think your fans will react to
InterDimensions
being made into a movie?”
Nicole frowned over the question. “I hope they'll be excited about it. How do you feel?”
Frank paused as though considering his answer. Then he smiled. “I'm really not sure. Usually, movies based on books aren't faithful to the story or the characters. It's almost as though the author cared more about their paycheck than the people they created.”
Frank's words didn't offend Nicole because they shared a similar concern. That was the reason she'd insisted on some creative control over the
InterDimensions
movie.
“You don't have anything to worry about there,” she assured him. “I care very much about my work.”
“Do you have any actors in mind for specific characters?” Frank asked.
“No.” Nicole angled her head quizzically. “As an avid reader of the series, do you have anyone in mind for a particular role?”
Frank shook his head. “No. I can't really see anyone in those roles.”
“Well, we don't want to hold you up,” Leo said. “A pleasure to meet you, Nicole.”
Nicole shook their hands. “The pleasure was mine, Leo. Frank.”
Leo clasped Malcolm's hand and then Tyrone's. “Good luck with the project. Let me know if I can help in any way.”
Once father and son had disappeared into the crowd, Joyce surveyed the room. “Okay, Nicky, let's start mingling again.”
Nicole groaned and checked her watch. “How much longer?”
Joyce looked at her. “You really do hate these events, don't you?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Well, don't think of this as an event.” Joyce linked her arm with Nicole's. “Think of this as a small group of friends paying you a visit.”
Nicole slid her an amused glance. “When can I ask them to leave?”
Â
Although he was friendly enough, when compared to Leo DeCaprio, Nathan Rutherford seemed bland. The tall, lean, blond reporter had scrutinized Nicole from head to foot. Then he made her wince with his first words.
“I've never read any of your books,” he stated. “What are they about?”
Nicole chuckled. “In a nutshell,
InterDimensions
takes place on a space station charged with protecting a wormhole that brings travelers to different worlds and different times.”
“Hmm. Interesting,” Nathan said, sounding bored. “Can this wormhole take you to different times in different worlds?”
“Yes.” She wondered whether this surfer-in-a-suit had any interest in science-fiction books and movies.
“What makes you think it would make a good movie?”
“We know it will,” Malcolm interjected. “The book has a lot of action and visual elements that will translate very well into film.”
Malcolm went on to draw comparisons between scenes in her book and scenes from successful science-fiction movies. He had hard numbers on budgets from those movies and their returns on investments, as well as their similar audience demographics. Listening to his impromptu presentation, Nicole felt a rush of excitement and something very much like pride in her ex-husband.
“How much will this cost?” Nathan asked. “And how much will it make?”
“We've run some preliminary numbers,” Tyrone told the growing crowd. He began to outline the numbers Malcolm and he had been working with, and the various costs and return scenarios.
“It sounds as though even the low-end example would net a decent income,” Nathan noted.
“Wow,” Nicole whispered to Malcolm as they moved on to speak with other guests. “You guys are really impressive.”
Malcolm smiled. “It's a good night.”
Â
An uncomfortable silence sat between them during the drive back to her apartment. Malcolm had been charming to the guests at the cocktail party but now seemed distant. Nicole slanted him a glance as they pulled up outside her apartment building. She prepared to interrupt his contemplative mood.
“Malcolm, what's wrong?”
He paused. “Nothing.”
The sphinx had returned. Nicole shifted in the passenger seat to face him. “Oh, no. You're not going to get away with trying to dismiss me after your performance Monday night. You badgered me until I told you what was bothering me. Tonight, I'm going to return the favor. Turn off the engine and come upstairs with me.”
Malcolm's lips twitched. “Your tone of voice removes any doubt you want to do anything other than talk.”
“That's because I don't want to do anything other than talk.”