Acting Up (23 page)

“Not very long?” Elizabeth said with a grin.

“I got killed off in the first ten minutes. I had a great death scene, though. Merrick was one of the producers. He sought me out after my final scene. Said I had the best scream he'd ever heard, and thought I had a real future. I about died. I mean, he was famous. He'd produced several hit series and some feature films. Of course, now I'm pretty sure my costume caught his attention, not my acting ability. I was dressed in a bathing suit made of little more than a couple of bandages held together with dental floss.”

“How old were you?”

“Twenty-three, which is coincidentally the same age as Angela. So rather than being part of the greatest romance of the century, I was merely the placeholder until the next nubile young starlet caught his eye.”

Elizabeth's smile was filled with sympathy. “You don't think he loved you?”

“Maybe in the beginning. I think he loved the thrill of the chase even more. An ego thing. Knowing he could still attract a woman half his age.
My
ego did the rest. Merrick pursued me with a relentless passion. Not that he needed to. He had me at hello.”

“What about Aaron's mother?”

“She was a model. They'd already been divorced for a year when Merrick and I became involved. Aaron was still a toddler. Merrick and I married a year later. We had one of those fairy tale weddings you see on TV. My whole life seemed like a fairy tale. Honestly, if it hadn't been for Merrick, I wouldn't be where I am today.”

“I'm sure that's not true,” Elizabeth was quick to say. “You would have made it on your own. You're so good.”

“There are lots of good actresses in Hollywood. No,
House of Fashion
was Merrick's brainchild, and he created the role of Corrine Barrett for me.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously. I was working pretty steadily, but it was mostly second-tier parts. The girlfriend or the ditzy neighbor. Merrick thought I needed to break away from the dumb blonde roles, and he was right. He was always right when it came to business.”

“Just not so good when it came to the personal stuff,” Elizabeth said with a sniff. “Not if he could throw away all those years you had together for the next hot young thing.”

“Sadly, it's very common in Hollywood. Actually, it's common everywhere outside of Covington Falls
.
”

“We hold on to our values,” Elizabeth said. “We still have our share of disappointments in life, though. I only hope you don't let the experience with Merrick keep you from finding love again.”

“It'll be a long time before I get involved with anyone,” Addison said. “Besides, I've already proven I'm terrible when it comes to choosing a partner.”

“You could do worse than—” Elizabeth broke off, biting her lip as if she'd said too much.

Addison pinned her friend with a narrow-eyed look. “Than who?”

Elizabeth glanced away. “Never mind.”

“No, finish what you were about to say.”

“I'm sure I don't know you well enough to give you advice.”

“Please,” Addison said. “Obviously you've got someone in mind.”

Elizabeth took a breath and plunged into the pool. “Well, I have noticed the sparks between you and Ethan. Actually, it's more like a bonfire.”

“We're just friends,” Addison said automatically.

“His eyes light up when you walk into a room.”

“They do?” Addison asked before she could stop herself.

A teasing grin appeared. “Why do you care? I thought you were friends.”

“I
don't
care.”

“Okay.” Elizabeth's knowing smile seemed way too smug.

Addison stared down at her empty tea glass. “It would never work.”

“Why not?”

“We come from two different worlds.”

“That's an excuse.”

“I don't share his faith.”

“God can take care of that. Hang around here long enough, and He probably will.”

Addison shot a suspicious glare out of the corner of her eye. “That almost sounds like a threat.”

“It's a sweet promise.”

Addison tried again. “My life is in L.A.”

“You can have a life anywhere you choose. Besides, it doesn't sound like you have much of one to go back to.”

“Cold,” Addison said with a glare.

“Truth,” Elizabeth fired back.

“I think I liked you better when you were intimidated by me.”

“I liked you better when I thought you were brave.”

Addison gave a mock gasp and touched a hand to her heart. “Ouch.”

“Sorry, but you're just scared,” Elizabeth said. “I can understand why, but you've got to remember who you are. Look at what you've done with your life. You moved across the country on your own when you were only a few years older than Aaron and Lori. You pursued your dream even though the odds of success were a million to one. And no matter what you claim about Merrick being responsible for your career, it was
you
who brought Corrine Barrett to life.
You,
who made
House of Fashion
a hit.
You,
who won the Emmys. Merrick may have given you a shot, but you pulled yourself up the rest of the way. Just because your husband didn't realize what he had doesn't mean others won't see your worth and treasure you. It may be Ethan, it may not, but don't let yourself curl up and die over a stupid man.”

“Wow, you're good,” Addison said with a touch of wonder. “You should have been a scriptwriter.”

Elizabeth's hands went to her hips. “Did you miss the whole point of what I said?”

“No, I didn't, and thank you,” Addison said with a grin. “I guess I let myself get so beat down by Merrick I started to feel like he was more responsible for creating Addison Covington than I was.”

“Oh—”

“It was a great speech.”

“Sorry if I got carried away,” Elizabeth said, her cheeks flushing. “Jake tells me I'm good at getting on my soapbox.”

Addison touched the other woman's arm. “Don't be sorry. I'm sure I needed to hear a rah-rah speech. I am good at pitying myself.”

“Mom, I'm ready—”

They turned as Lori and Aaron stepped out onto the porch.

“Okay, honey,” Elizabeth said. “Go wait by the car. I'll be right there.” The kids left, and she turned back. “Will you at least think about what I said?”

“Which part? You said a lot.”

“About Ethan.”

“I'll think about it, but it's not a good idea to get involved,” Addison said. “I'd only end up hurting him. I am leaving, and I don't see him pulling up roots and following me back to L.A.”

Elizabeth didn't deny it.

Addison wished she could make her new friend understand. “It's sweet, and actually I'm honored that you think I'm good enough for your brother-in-law, but it's just—”

A sad smile pulled at the corner of Elizabeth's mouth. “I know. Two different worlds. Just don't get so wrapped up in what you
think
you want that you miss what you
need
.”

Addison didn't have an answer, so she led Elizabeth back through the house.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” Elizabeth said, before she stepped outside. “The spring carnival starts this weekend and we're all going tomorrow.”

“What's it like?”

“You know on those television shows when you see the old-fashioned county fair with the game booths and rides and the pie-eating contests?”

“Sure.”

“It's exactly like that.”

“I don't have to compete in one of those pie-eating things do I?”

“Not if you don't want to.”

“Okay, I might as well experience the grand tour of small-town life.”

“Great.” Elizabeth turned for the door, but again she paused. “Oh yeah, make sure and bring your checkbook.”

“Why? They don't take cash at this fair?”

“They're having a special auction, and I think there's something for sale you'll be interested in.”

“Like a trip? I could use a vacation to an exotic island.”

This time Elizabeth chuckled, and it came out sounding almost wicked. For her anyway. “Not a trip, but something I think you might enjoy even more.”

Her tone made Addison suspicious. “Like what?”

Elizabeth winked. “You'll see tomorrow.”

“Why can't you tell me—” But Addison's friend had hightailed it out the door.

“Is this for real?” Aaron asked in dazed wonder as he and Addison entered the fairgrounds.

Set decorators couldn't have done a better job of creating the perfect, small-town fair. A midway lined with games and various booths took up the center of the grounds. Addison could hear bells and whistles mixing with the sounds of children laughing. To the left, a Ferris wheel rotated slowly. A huge, red-striped tent commanded the right side. A barker stood at the entrance, shouting at everyone who passed.

“Step right up, folks!” he cried. “See the amazing Fire Eater!

Addison shook her head. “Apparently.”

“Cool,” they said in unison, grinning at each other.

A group of kids, including Lori, ran past.

“Hey, Aaron, we're going to ride the Ferris wheel,” Lori called out.

Aaron turned, eagerness lighting his eyes.

“Go on,” Addison said.

Left alone, Addison began wandering. A carny was trying to drum up business at his game booth. She stopped, eyeing the bottles she would have to knock over with a softball.

“Give her a shot, little lady,” the carny said. “Win yerself a prize.”

“It would be faster to give you twenty dollars, and less humiliating for me,” she said.

His scratched his head. “Do I know you from somewhere?”

Biting her lip, Addison turned away. “Not anymore.”

Leaving the carny behind, she strolled down the midway, past a variety of games and food trucks selling sinful treats like elephant ears and corn dogs. The smells were overwhelming.

A loud
baaa
made Addison jump. She turned and saw a boy of about ten leading a black goat on a leash. The animal bleated again and butted its head against the boy's leg.

“Stop that, Homer,” the kid said.

“Well, there's something you don't see every day,” Addison murmured to herself.

To her right, she saw a tent with several long tables lined up underneath it. Dozens of people were milling around inside.

“Addison!” a voice cried out. A moment later Marjorie Shannon hurried out from the bowels of the tent.

“Hi,” Addison said, pleased to find someone she knew in the crowd.

Marjorie didn't smile back. Instead, she grabbed Addison's arm. “I need you. Come with me.”

“Where are we going?” Addison asked with a feeling of déjà vu. Marjorie always seemed to be dragging her somewhere.

“One of our judges for the dessert bake-off is sick.”

“So?”

Marjorie eased up enough to laugh. “Sorry, I got distracted, and seeing you standing there seemed like a godsend. We're about to start judging the baked goods. It's a big deal. The winners get bragging rights for years.”

“You want me to judge a baking contest?” Addison asked in amazement.

Marjorie nodded and continued to drag.

“I don't think I'm qualified,” Addison said, trying to dig in her heels. “I can't even cook.”

Marjorie was much stronger and she kept pulling. “Doesn't matter.”

“I'm pretty sure it does.”

Finally, Marjorie stopped. “Can you taste something and rate it on a scale of one to ten?”

“Maybe.”

The dragging commenced again. “Then you're perfect.”

“I make it a habit not to eat sweets,” Addison said, trying one more time. “I can't gain weight.”

“I'd kill to weigh as little as you do,” Marjorie returned. “Besides, you could stand to add a few pounds. You're too skinny as it is.”

“It's my job to be skinny. I'm competing against twenty-three-year-old girls with zero body fat and no cellulite.”

“I don't see where dieting helped you there.”

Ouch!
“I preferred it when people in this town held me in awe.”

“Oh, my!” Marjorie gasped, and her cheeks turned bright red. “That didn't come out right. I—”

Addison held up a hand to stop the apology. “It's all right. I think I know what you meant. Being skinny didn't keep my husband from falling in love with another woman, so what does it matter if I gain a few pounds now?”

A pained wince issued from Marjorie's lips. “I am sorry. That was insensitive, but could you please help me out?”

Well, shoot.
Addison sighed, feeling the noose tighten around her neck. “Okay.”

“Great. The peach cobbler category is about to start.”

“How many categories are there?”

“About twenty-five.”

Addison came to an abrupt halt. “No way. I like you, Marjorie, but seriously? No.”

“You won't have to judge all the categories,” she said. “We always switch out the judges after two rounds.”