He grinned at her, “You sure about that?”
“Cross my heart.” She nodded her head toward her friend Penelope. “I’m not trying to be disloyal here, but I just wanted to say, don’t take it personally.”
He comically widened his eyes and put his hand to his chest. “Who, moi?”
“She can be a bit intense but she’s just defending a very vulnerable heart.”
Griffin looked skeptical, “If you say so. I don’t know what I did to piss her off, but she sure as hell knows how to hold a grudge.”
“That’s just it. You didn’t do anything. It’s really not about you, I swear.”
“She hates men then…is that it?”
“Pretty much. With good reason, I might add.”
“Dolly, thanks. I could use a friend here on set.”
She grinned. “I think you’re pretty awesome. Give her a little time. It takes her a while to warm up to people, once she lets you in, she’ll melt your heart.”
“I won’t hold my breath.”
She laughed. “Yeah, don’t. That would be downright dangerous.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled as he gave her a full-on thousand watt smile. She put a hand to her throat. “Fire alert! Damn Griff, you’re going to give me a heart attack.”
He slung his arm across Dolly’s shoulders and gave her a brotherly hug. He happened to raise his eyes and caught Penelope watching them. She sent him daggers, then turned her back to him before continuing her conversation with their director. Geesh can I catch a fucking break with her?
“Thanks for the pep talk Dolly. See you tomorrow.”
“Yes, and I hope to see you at the cast party this weekend. It’d be a great way to get to know everyone a little better. We have a great pool and view of the ocean. We’re having The Hennessey Restaurant cater it and a chef on premises. It will be a hoot, I promise. This is a wild group when they’re not on the clock. You can bring a date if you want to.”
“I’ll have to think about it, thanks.”
“Welcome.”
He smiled and felt a little lighter than he had before their talk. It was nice to know someone had his back. He felt awkward, like the new kid in school…an outsider most of the time. Everyone was cordial but he still hadn’t made any friends…until now. The olive branch Dolly had offered was a welcome surprise.
“What was that all about?” Penelope asked.
Dolly remained pokerfaced. “What was what about?”
Penelope’s eyes narrowed, “Yeah right. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Your cozy little conference with Griffin over in the corner.”
“I wanted to compliment him on his performance. You know you could be a little nicer to him. He’s new…doesn’t have any friends on the set. It’s got to be hard.”
“He’s a big boy.”
“Penelope quit being such a hard-ass. I think he’s struggling a little.”
“Doubtful. He knows he’s got the world by the balls. He had the nerve to tease me about my embarrassment right before we shot the last scene.”
“He’s being playful. Do you even remember what that’s like?”
Penelope tilted her head and looked heavenward like she was pondering the question. “Vaguely.”
“You’re too much. It’s obvious you have your mind made up about him but I, for one, plan on giving him a chance. I think he’s lonely.”
“Wolf in sheep’s clothing. Be careful.”
“You’re such a cynic.”
Penelope sighed, “It’s been a rough day. I started this film on a deficit and it doesn’t take much to throw me off.”
“Especially when it comes in the form of a six-foot blue-eyed Adonis! He’d throw me off too.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I know you. Don’t worry, it will remain our little secret. I want you to think about it from his perspective. You are every guy’s fantasy; you’re a huge star and he has to fall in love with you every time you do a scene together. You’re an actress and used to turning it off and on, but he’s had zero experience with that.”
“He’s a guy, he has experience with that, trust me.”
Dolly laughed, shaking her head, she said, “We can argue about this later, I am smart enough to know when to quit.”
“Good. Let’s go home. I’m exhausted.”
“Pizza sound good?”
“Divine.”
Dolly pulled out her cell, “I’ll phone it in now. The Pinot Grigio is calling.”
“Yes, let’s get the hell out of here.”
“Wine, pizza, pool.”
“And no men.” Penelope couldn’t resist one last poke at her friend. Dolly might worry about her love life, or rather the lack thereof, but Penelope was burnt out on men. She’d been betrayed by men at every turn, beginning with her father’s abandonment then continuing with her first lover and finally by Noah.
She had a sudden flash of shame as an image of her dirty little secret escaped from where she’d buried it. She hugged herself, running her hands up and down the cool skin of her arms. Breathe. Put that right back in the ancient history archive…where it belongs. Her body might be betraying her on set, but her mind was very clear about where Griffin Bennett fit into her personal life. Nowhere.
11
Griffin squeezed his motorcycle between two cars and pulled right up to the massive car port. He waited for his date to climb off before dismounting. She handed him her helmet and after securing it to his bike, he grabbed her hand, slipping it through his crooked elbow.
“I’m just reminding you, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” Griffin said, for the third time.
“I promise,” Isabella said, rolling her eyes.
“No photographs and no autographs.”
“Griffin we’ve been friends our whole lives, I’m not stupid. Why are you so nervous? You usually don’t care about what anyone thinks.”
“I respect their privacy.”
She flipped her hair back and smoothed down her sun dress. “Do I look alright?”
Griffin’s gaze, hidden behind dark glasses, admired her classic beauty and elegance. “You look amazing. I really appreciate you doing this.”
“Why wouldn’t I? I hope I can stay cool and nonchalant. You know, as if I see movie stars every day. Ain’t no big thing.” She giggled.
Griffin was glad he’d made the last-minute decision to ask his old friend Isabella to tag along. Her fiancé, who was also one of his best friends, happened to be out of town on a business trip. She’d fit right in and he knew she’d have his back.
The front door was unlocked, and they let themselves in and followed the music blaring from outside. Dolly greeted them from the back deck, “Come on out and join the party!”
“Hi Dolly, this is Isabella.”
Isabella smiled brightly and Dolly smiled back all the while sizing up Griffin’s date. She had immediately noticed the huge diamond sparkling on her ring finger. You could see the wheels turning as she tried to figure out their relationship.