“Well done, my friend.” Dee initiated a fist bump that Jessie didn’t return.
“There’s still a couple stragglers back there.” Jessie’s hands tightened on the wheel as she sped up and turned right onto South Coast Highway. “And the others will get off at the next exit and try to intercept us.”
Dee’s eyes were glittering with excitement. “Then let’s change cars.”
“How do you propose we do that?”
“We find someone to loan us theirs.”
“That’s your plan?”
“Yes. We’ll find someone, and I’ll strike the Summer on the Beach album pose.” Dee flipped back her hair, cocked her head to the side, and smiled in a perfect re-creation of her multi-platinum debut album cover. “I’ll offer ’em ten backstage passes, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll volunteer to show up at their daughter’s next birthday party.”
“That actually works?”
“Yes.” She was beaming. “For almost everything.”
“I’m really glad I don’t work for you anymore.”
Dee was ignoring her. “Slow down, I think I see a housewife getting into a Suburban.”
“I have my own plan, Dee. And it doesn’t involve a meet-and-greet at a kid’s birthday party.”
She frowned. “I’m not naming a song after someone.”
“Also not on the table. Hang on.” Jessie spun hard left into a restaurant parking lot and raced down a narrow driveway to the building’s rear side, where a deck overlooked the narrow beach.
Dee looked around. “So we’re just gonna hide back here? l like my plan better.”
“No. We are switching vehicles, but not in the way you think.” Jessie put the SUV in park and killed the ignition. “Let’s go.”
“Go where? Is someone meeting us? Did you send for an Uber?”
Jessie climbed out and slammed the door closed.
Dee scrambled out and joined her on the blacktop parking lot. “Come on, what’s the plan?”
Jessie motioned ahead, where a black fourteen-foot bowrider boat was partially beached on the sand.
Dee’s eyes lit up. “The Moon Shadow! What’s it doing here?”
“Saving your sorry ass from the paparazzi.”
“You brought it down here for me?”
“I came prepared.” She sighed. “You know, it’s almost as hard being your friend as it was being your employee.” They approached the sleek craft, which Jessie occasionally used for surveillance and tracking along the coast. “Let’s push this back and get out of here.”
Within five minutes, they were on the boat and speeding north on the waters past Camp Pendleton.
“We got away from them!” Dee collapsed back in her seat, her face wreathed in smiles. “For a minute, I thought they had us. What a way to go, Jessie!”
“I’m glad you approve,” Jessie said dryly. “Given how close we came to going off that cliff near the school. And those cars following us came even closer.”
“I knew you’d find a way to lose them.” She reached out and squeezed Jessie’s arm. “You’re one of the best stunt drivers in Hollywood. You’re totally awesome behind the wheel. Remember, you let me watch you on the set a couple times when you were working as the head of my security.”
“That was a mistake,” Jessie said grimly. “I only did it because we were just getting to know each other, and I wanted you to have faith in my driving in case the situation called for it.”
“And this situation called for it,” she said with satisfaction. “So it wasn’t a mistake.”
“Except that I’m no longer heading your security team. And today you blew off the people who have that job. Not good, Dee.”
“You’re going to yell at me.” Her smile faded. “I thought you would. I deserve it. I’m a professional, and I knew I didn’t have any right to breach my security contract with my recording company. But I thought maybe it wouldn’t hurt to do it one more time before I became Delilah again.” She added coaxingly, “Give me a break. I’ll apologize to everyone. I’ve already told Kendra I’m sorry I put her on the spot by showing up at the school.” She made a face. “I really thought I could sneak past the paparazzi at the front gate.”
“They had it staked out because they knew you’d been there four times before.” Jessie frowned. “And you don’t have to apologize to me. You’re not that crazy sixteen-year-old kid I watched over any longer, Dee. You shouldn’t have to apologize to anyone. You’re grown up and you should have your own standards and abide by them.” She paused. “And usually I believe you do. I think this time you went off the rails a bit. Is everything okay with you?”
“Sure, fine.” She smiled brilliantly. “Why not? My last record went platinum.”
“Is everything okay with you?” Jessie repeated.
Dee glanced out the window. “I’ve missed you. You’re the only one I can really talk to, Jessie. I know you’re always busy. Hell, you were even on that job in Afghanistan for a while this year.” She went on quickly, “I’m not complaining. You’re right, I’m grown up and you don’t work for me any longer. But if I sent you tickets, would you come to my concert tomorrow night? I’m playing the Hollywood Bowl.”
Oh, shit.
Jessie hadn’t realized how long it had been since she’d made more than passing contact with Dee. She was right, Jessie had been swamped for the last months, and Dee’s career had also appeared to be operating on hyperdrive. Other than setting up Dee’s appearances at Woodward Academy, she’d barely seen her. But Jessie should have remembered how vulnerable and lonely Dee could be even surrounded by hordes of fans. “I wouldn’t miss it,” she said lightly. “But I thought it was already sold out.”
Dee grinned. “Lucky for you I know someone at the box office.”
“Yeah, lucky for me.” She grinned back at her before she paused to ask, “Is your mother going to be able to make it this time?”
“Gina?” Dee shook her head. “Be for real. She’s in France with husband number five. She said she’d try to see me when I go on tour.”
“Hey, then maybe you’ll be able to have dinner with me after the concert? I’ll understand if you can’t. But I’d be willing to fight my way back through all your friends and fans if I had a chance.”
“You have a chance,” she said quietly. “Thanks, Jessie.”
“For what? It’s just a meal.” She tilted her head. “And talking about meals, would you mind if I didn’t take you right back to that mansion you call home? I’m starved. Maybe we could stop at Pink’s and get a hot dog?”
“Maybe we could.” Dee’s gray-green eyes were suddenly twinkling. “Since you’re the only one in my circle who will let me load mine with onions for fear of media reprisal.”
“I’ll brave it. We’ve gone through worse together.” She pulled back on the throttle. “And I have a hunch there are even better times ahead…”