Crashing Into Love (23 page)

At six foot three, he could see over most of the other people who were milling about. They’d moved farther into the restaurant and were in the midst of the cast and crew, making their way into the private, and crowded, dining room.

Where are you, Fi?
He grabbed Zane. “You see Fiona?”

Zane looked around. “No.”

“Goddamn it.” He heard Trish laughing and turned, hoping to see Fiona, but Trish was talking with Trace and Carla. He pushed through the crowd and finally spotted Fiona, bent over, holding on to the back of a chair and fiddling with her shoe.

He helped her right her high heel, then wrapped her in his arms.

“I’m sorry, Fi. Are you okay?”

“Someone jostled me and I lost my shoe. I’m fine.” She didn’t look at him.

“Who knocked into you?” Annoyance simmered in his gut, and suddenly he hated the damn function.

She shook her head, eyes serious. “How would I know?”

“Come on. Let’s get you to a seat.” He led her into the private room, which was just as crowded as the restaurant. Two weeks ago, Jake would have eaten up the mayhem and media attention. Now he wanted to wrap Fiona in his arms and whisk her away from the chaos.

One of the producers grabbed him and pulled him into a conversation with two other cast members. He felt Fiona’s fingers slip from his hand, and as he reached for her, Zane slipped an arm over her shoulder with a curt
I’ve got her
nod. Jake’s gut clenched. He knew Zane was being protective of her for him, but it didn’t lessen the impact of knowing Zane was doing what he should have been doing.

“I want to talk to you about doing Zane’s next movie in Sweetwater. In Upstate New York,” the producer said.

Jake shifted his attention back to him. “Great. Sounds good.”

“It’s at Sugar Lake. Small-town romantic suspense,” the producer said. “It’s gonna kick ass.”

Jake glanced back in the direction where Fiona and Zane had been, and he didn’t see them anywhere. He’d lost track of her again.

“Great. Sounds good. We’ll talk.” He excused himself from the group, feeling as though smoke were coming out his ears from sheer frustration. He went in search of Fiona again.

“Jake, so nice to see you.” Carla air-kissed his cheeks.

“Hi, Carla.” Carla wore a white minidress and stood nearly a foot taller than Trace, who was stunning in a black designer dress. Jake narrowed his eyes at Trace.

“Have you seen Fi?”

Trace went up on her toes, which Jake knew wouldn’t help. She was five three in heels, and as she strained to see around the massive shoulders in front of her, he knew she couldn’t find Fiona any quicker than he could.

Jake touched her arm and smiled. “It’s okay. I’ll find her.”

He moved through the crowd, looking over the heads of the others, and spotted Zane standing beside a tall, thin woman he didn’t recognize. He caught his attention and held his palm up in the air.

Zane shrugged and shook his head.

Damn it
. Why had he thought he could count on Zane to really take care of Fiona? He never should have left her side. Jake scanned the room and found her sitting at the table. He pushed his way past a group of people who were laughing too loud and knelt beside Fiona.

“Fi, I’m so sorry. This is crazy.” He placed his hands on hers, and when she didn’t meet his gaze, his stomach lurched. “I’m sorry I lost track of you. I won’t let it happen again.”

“It’s okay. This is your job. I get it.” Her tone was clipped.

“I got snagged by one of the producers. They want me to do Zane’s next film.”

He rubbed an ache in the back of his neck as he settled into a chair beside her. He could tell by the way she was looking around the room, at the floor, anywhere other than at him, that she was annoyed.

“I’m really sorry, Fi. I got pulled in a hundred directions.”

“It’s okay.” She turned as Patch sat down beside her, and the two of them began talking.

Jake’s heart ached as he watched how easily she talked with Patch, with a friendly tone and a genuine smile. When one of the producers asked her about a geological study that had been done near one of their sets, she exuded impeccable manners talking about her work with confidence. He knew she was being careful about using layman’s terms, which was another thing Jake loved about her. Unlike most of the celebrities he was used to, who spoke of their work as if it were the most important work on the planet, Fiona was modest.

“Jake.” A heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

Jake rose to greet Steven Hileberg. Fiona smiled graciously, and although Jake noticed that it didn’t reach her eyes, he was fairly certain no one else would.

“Steven, you know my girlfriend, Fiona Steele.”
Girlfriend
. The word felt foreign, but it also felt right, though he had a feeling he hadn’t been a great boyfriend tonight by losing sight of her—even if it had been just a short period of time.

Steven was in his early sixties, with thick gray hair, wire-rimmed glasses, and piercing blue eyes. He took Fiona’s hand and kissed the back of it.

“Yes, of course. You made quite an impression on the cover of all the gossip magazines last week.”

Fiona blushed. “I guess that’s what happens when you date Jake Braden.”

“Or maybe,” Steven said with a warm tone, “it’s what happens when Jake Braden dates
Fiona Steele
.”

He paused, as if he were allowing the words to sink in, and Jake wasn’t sure who they were meant for. Him or Fiona. Or perhaps both.

“Jake, I wanted to let you know that we’re not shooting that scene tomorrow.” Steven patted him on the back. “So you two kids can enjoy a little time off.”

When Jake was filming, he typically craved the hectic schedule. He worked hard and played hard, filming all day and partying well into the night. That seemed like a world away from what he wanted now. He was thrilled to have a day off to spend with Fiona. He glanced at her. She was fidgeting with her napkin in her lap. He wanted more than anything to be alone with her so he could take away the disappointment in her eyes.

FIONA FOLLOWED TRISH into an enormous ladies’ room tiled floor to ceiling with marble, accented by bright lights and large mirrors and a sitting room furnished with luxurious couches and chairs. She felt like she’d walked into someone’s home instead of a bathroom. She sank down onto the sofa and sighed loudly.

“Please shoot me, Trish.” Fiona watched Trish eyeing her with concern.

“You mean because of the cold shoulder you’re giving the most handsome man out there?” Trish sat down beside her.

“Yes. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. He got caught up in all those people when we got here, and he didn’t even notice when I got pushed to the side. He didn’t even look for me. He just…went and did his thing.”

“Fi.” Concern had left the building. Trish had an
are-you-serious
look in her eyes.

“No, you don’t have to tell me. He’s in demand. I get it. I
know
that, which is why I’m asking you to just…” Fiona mocked a gun with her finger and thumb, aimed it at her temple, and pretended to pull the trigger.

Trish laughed. “If I shoot you, who will make sure I get to my meetings and have lunch and make the right set times?”

“Oh, please. You don’t need me, but I appreciate the way you are trying to make me feel like you do.”

“Nice subject change.” Trish leaned back and sighed. “Honey, what’s got you all tied in knots?”

Fiona got up and paced. “It’s me. I’m totally overreacting to Jake doing what he should be doing—playing it up for his adoring fans. I just can’t seem to snap out of it.”

“That means it’s more than that. I know you, Fi. You’re not a jealous girl who needs to be catered to, so spill it.”

Fiona turned away, trying to figure out what was really going on in her head.

“I wish I knew what
it
was.”

“Are you worried that Jake will forget about you, or he’ll be with someone else?” Trish asked.

“No. I don’t think that’s it. I trust him. I know how he feels about me. No one could fake what’s between us.”

“Then what is it?”

She fidgeted with the arm of the sofa. “Do you think this is what life would be like with Jake? I mean, if we stay together, do you think it would always be parties and fending off women? God…How do celebrities
ever
have normal lives?”

“Okay, see? That makes sense. No gun necessary to solve this one.” Trish rose to her feet and went to Fiona’s side. “Do you want heartbreaking honesty or best-friend bullshit?”

Fiona groaned. “Heartbreaking honesty.”

“Okay, pull up your big-girl panties, because I think it will be really, really hard, but doable. From what I’ve seen, I think it will take a concerted effort by Jake and a lot of compromise on your side.”

Fiona wanted desperately to believe it was possible, but tonight was an eye-opener, and it scared her. “I was standing out there tonight watching the craziness, and at first it was exciting, but it became really fake really fast. And that’s my own issue. I get that. But how do I manage it within the confines of our relationship?”

“How do you manage to put up with assholes when you’re out on assignments? How do you put up with the jerks who treat you like you’re a secondhand citizen because you’re on
their
dig site?” Trish’s tone softened. “Fiona, this is just a different crowd. They’re not the enemy. They’re just beautiful people who are full of themselves instead of nerds arguing over geological sites.”

Fiona felt a rush of relief. Trish had always been good at taking apart situations and putting them back in working order.

“Thanks, Trish.” She took Trish’s hand and led her over to the mirror. “You know what I see? Two beautiful women. A beautiful actress and a beautiful nerd.”

“I don’t think anyone out there thinks of you as a nerd. Did you see the way the second and third producers were eyeing you on your way to the bathroom?” Trish fluffed her hair and settled a hand on her hip.

“You’re crazy, but the point is, I think you’re right. With my work, I have perspective, and here…” She assessed herself in the mirror. She saw a strong, capable woman who had a stable career and a man she adored. Those women out there had nothing on her. They might be taller, thinner, and richer, but she had a full heart, and she wasn’t about to let insecurities ruin that for her.

“Here, I’ve put myself into a lesser category, and obviously that got the better of me. I think I’d better go apologize to my man.”

“That’s my girl,” Trish said as she gave her a friendly shove toward the door.

Fiona stepped out of the bathroom and was surprised to find Jake waiting for her.

“Sorry. I just wanted to catch you before you went back into the dining room. Trish, I made arrangements for the driver to take you home whenever you’re ready, but Fiona and I will be taking a separate car.” Jake reached for Fiona’s hand.

“Okay, thanks.” Trish hugged Fiona and whispered, “You can do this.”

Fiona smiled and watched her friend walk away.

“I’m sorry for cornering you,” Jake said.

“I’m glad you did.” She pressed her palms to his lapels. “I am so sorry for being a bitch tonight.”

“You weren’t a bitch.” He drew her in close.

“I was, and I’m sorry. This was harder than I thought it was going to be,” she admitted.

“Fi, it was my fault. I should have paid more attention to you.”

“No, Jake. You were doing exactly what you were supposed to do. This is your world. Fans expect certain things, and I understand that. I just lost track of
myself
for a little while.” She pressed a kiss to his lips.

“I’m proud of you, Jake, and I want to support your career and how hard you’ve worked. I know your job is in the limelight, and I think you’re incredible at what you do. So do your fans, and that’s important. I just needed to get my thoughts in line.”

“Thank you, but it’s a two-way street. My life is in the spotlight, but I want this to be
our
world, not just my world. I want you in it, Fi, and the only way that will work is if I make changes, too. Lots of them.”

She could tell by the seriousness in his eyes that he was talking about far more than just losing track of her in the restaurant. He was already making a lot of changes, which made Fiona realize she should be even more patient with him and had to learn to make more concessions for him.

“For starters, I’m taking you away from this bullshit.” He took her hand and led her toward the entrance of the restaurant.

Fiona looked over her shoulder as they whipped through the restaurant. Several people reached out to stop Jake, and he smiled and waved but kept moving, never relinquishing his grip on her.

“What about the cast and crew? Shouldn’t you tell them we’re leaving?”

“Already taken care of.” He tucked her beneath his arm and held on tight as they left the restaurant and were barraged by paparazzi. Jake opened the door of his waiting Ferrari, and after Fiona was safely inside the car, he climbed into the driver’s side.

“How did you get your car?”

“There’s very little I can’t do when I put my mind to it.”

The engine roared to life, and Jake reached for Fiona’s hand. “I love my job, Fiona, but I fucked up in there.”

“No, Jake. It was my issue, not yours.”

He leaned across the console and kissed her as photographers swarmed the car and cameras flashed through the tinted windows. “We’ve always made a great team. We’ll figure this out.”

As he drove away from the restaurant, she knew they would.

JAKE PULLED DOWN the long tree-lined driveway to his cabin in the mountains. Moonlight streaked through the trees, and as he pulled up in front of the A-frame log home on fifty acres, which he’d bought shortly after moving to Los Angeles, he felt the stress of his life fall away. There weren’t many times that Jake wanted to escape his fast-paced life in Los Angeles, but there had been occasions when he needed a quiet reprieve. Usually those times came on the heels of visits to his hometown, where he’d faced memories of Fiona, and while he typically buried those feelings in booze and women, it didn’t always work. Sometimes he needed to lock himself away just to regain his ability to pretend he didn’t care and to be able to face his smoke screen of a life.