Diva (14 page)

But after a waiter collected their empty champagne flutes, Forrest leaned his elbows on the railing beside her. “You’re right, Glo. I’ve become pretty fond of you, you know. You’re smart and brave, and now we all know you’ve got real talent. And here you must think I’m barely more than a stranger. I’m afraid my story’s nowhere near as interesting as yours, though.” He sucked in a breath. “My father … died, and left me a large inheritance.”

“I’m sorry,” Gloria said, an immediate reaction to hearing such news. She placed a hand on Forrest’s shoulder.

Forrest waved off her concern. “That’s all right. It’s my lot in life, I suppose. Anyhow, that’s how I got my money, Gloria. No secrets to share. No stock tips. Things … weren’t going well for me, but Pop’s fortune gave me new hope. I decided to let my heart dictate how I spent my money—that’s why I’m here.”

“So you can be close to Broadway?”

Forrest gave a little nod. “There’s been a lot of sadness in my life. Theater makes me happy. Besides, artsy folks are always such a hoot. They make me laugh like nobody else. Now that I’ve got some money, I’ve got another shot at happiness.”

“You think producing Broadway shows will make you happy?”

“With the right talent.”

“With Ruby, you mean?”

“I was actually talking about
you
.”

Gloria withdrew her hand from Forrest’s shoulder so she could place it over her heart, which was beating so rapidly she thought it might burst. A real Broadway producer wanted to work with her?

He smiled. “You blew the roof off my villa Saturday night, you really did.” He moved a little closer on the railing. Gloria could smell the salt in the water, and the movement of the yacht was making her seasick. “You know, doll, with the right role I bet I could make you a star.”

Gloria closed her eyes when she heard the word
star
.

Broadway. No more singing for drunken men who focused more on her body than her voice, no more frightening mobster bosses. She’d spend each afternoon and evening in a gilded theater full of well-dressed patrons who paid very well for the privilege to watch her perform.

Then she opened her eyes. Her stomach felt like it was being attacked by angry butterflies. People would be paying
to watch her perform. And not just the cost of some gin at a nightclub. Tickets were expensive. What if she was bad, and they wanted their money back? What then? “I don’t really have any experience.”

“Well, how else do you think you get it, Glo?” He noticed when she dropped the butt of her cigar into the water. “So, what’d you think of your first cigar?”

“I liked it—very spicy. I should be unladylike more often.”

“Who says it has to end with a cigar? I have an idea!”

Without another word Forrest grabbed her hand and led her to the aft of the yacht. They climbed the short flight of stairs to the bridge deck. From there Gloria could look down and see Ruby, Marty, Glitz, and Glamour lying on their reclining deck chairs. Ruby read, Marty slept, and Glitz and Glamour pelted each other with cocktail olives. Glamour saw Gloria and Forrest and waved, using her other hand to overturn the entire jar of olives on Glitz’s head.

Gloria was sure Ruby noticed her—and Forrest as well—but the actress didn’t do anything more than purse her lips and return to her script.

Looking beyond Forrest’s houseguests, Gloria watched the bow cut into the deep-blue water like a knife. It was wonderful being so high up on the yacht—it made her feel like she was flying.

On the bridge deck, a man in a blue jacket with gold buttons and white trousers stood at the helm with both hands
on the wooden steering wheel. He nodded at Forrest. “Afternoon, sir.”

“Good afternoon, Otto! I’d like you to meet the best singer in Chicago, New York, Long Island, and just about anywhere else she decides to grace with her presence: Gloria Carmody. Gloria, this is our captain, Otto Pendergast.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Miss Carmody,” Otto said with a nod to Gloria. “I hear you were a real hit at Mr. Hamilton’s party Saturday evening.”

“She is one talented girl,” Forrest agreed. “You know what else she can do? She can steer a yacht!”

“What? No, I can’t!” Gloria exclaimed, laughing.

Forrest gave her a look of mock surprise. “You
can’t
? Well, that simply won’t do. I’m afraid I’ll have to take it from here, Otto.” He tapped the captain on the shoulder. “This is something of an emergency, as you can see. A singer who can’t drive a yacht! I’ve never heard of such madness.” Forrest took the wheel and Otto walked down the steps to the lower deck, leaving them alone. “Now, are you ready for your lesson?”

Gloria tried not to sigh. There Forrest was, off on another lark again. Yes, he was charming, but Forrest couldn’t seem to talk about anything serious for longer than a few seconds. Though, really, he’d told her where his money came from—he’d inherited it. Why did Hank think any different?

She didn’t want to spoil Forrest’s good mood by asking about his father. Best to play along and hope he let something
else about his past slip. As long as things didn’t progress beyond flirtation, Jerome would understand.

Or at least, she
hoped
he would understand.

Gloria pasted on a smile. “Okay, what do I do?”

“Get in front of me, quick. We can’t have an unmanned ship for even a moment. I don’t think Glamour would forgive us if we swerved and made her trip over those mile-high heels of hers.”

Gloria chuckled and stepped in front of Forrest, awkwardly placing her hands on the steering wheel. The wood was smooth under her hands. She took a sharp breath when Forrest put his arms on either side of hers, latching his hands onto the wheel as well. The warmth of his breath on her neck mixed with the cool early-evening air, giving her chills.

“Now we just want to make a slight left here, nice and easy,” he said softly.

She tried to keep calm as Forrest continued to give her instructions and critique her steering. But it wasn’t a real lesson—Forrest was clearly just inventing an excuse to be close to her. Gloria had no idea where his sudden amorousness had come from. Had he finally given up on Ruby as a lost cause? Even if he had, Forrest knew about Jerome. Did he think things were over between Jerome and Gloria, simply because she hadn’t heard from him in a while?

And what about Jerome—what would he think if he could see her
now
?

Gloria looked down at the others on the foredeck. Glitz
and Glamour lay on their stomachs in the bathing suits they’d worn beneath their dresses, attempting to further deepen their already perfect tans. Ruby was still reading and Marty was still asleep beside her. If any of Forrest’s guests looked up, they’d be able to see Gloria and Forrest perfectly.

They would even be able to see how Forrest’s arms were looped around Gloria’s.

It was hardly fair: Forrest could touch Gloria in public and no one cared. But every time Gloria had been out with Jerome, they had to remember
not
to hold hands or even let their gazes linger on each other for a beat too long. Every second they spoke to each other in public was a second they had to censor themselves for fear of inviting unwanted attention—simply because of the colors of their skin.

Gloria sighed and leaned back a little against Forrest. He wasn’t even pretending to teach her anything now—he was content to steer on his own with his arms around her. Was there any way it could ever be like this between her and Jerome? Free and easy, without dozens of angry, narrowed eyes glued to them wherever they went? Maybe if they lived somewhere in Europe. But how would they ever get there?

“I’m not going to learn much if you just steer the boat for me.” Gloria needed to get out of the circle of Forrest’s arms. She felt too guilty.

“Fair enough.” Forrest beckoned for Otto to return to his post. When he did, Gloria slipped away, and Forrest followed her. “Good job,” he said as they climbed back down the stairs
to the main deck. “Now if you want to steal the yacht for a late-night ride on your own, you’ll be prepared.”

Gloria led the way back to the foredeck. “Steal your yacht? You really think I’m capable of that?”

Forrest grabbed Gloria’s hand, pulling her to him. “I think you, Gloria Carmody, are capable of anything.” He gave a quick glance behind Gloria toward the foredeck. Then he moved still closer to her and tilted his face toward hers.

Gloria stiffened. She hadn’t meant to lead Forrest on, certainly not to the extent that he thought he could kiss her. She’d just been trying to get more information. How could she get away without insulting him? He finally seemed to trust her—Gloria didn’t want to lose that.

How ironic. A year and a half ago, it would’ve been a dream come true to have a handsome man take her out on his yacht and lean in for that big Hollywood kiss. Forrest was the sort of man Gloria had always wished Bastian could be.

But now she had Jerome. And as kind, handsome, funny, and clever as Forrest was, he would never win Gloria’s heart. It already belonged to Jerome. Now and forever.

Gloria took her hand back. Forrest could go ahead and be insulted. He could kick her out of his villa, even, and send her back to Hank with nothing. A lifetime in prison would be better than betraying Jerome like that. “We should probably get back to the others.”

“Gloria …,” Forrest said. “Listen. I know what it’s like.”
His intense eyes were fixed on the blue sea that stretched out in front of them.

“What
what’s
like?”

“To follow your heart and damn the consequences! We understand each other, you and I, far better than you know.”

“Forrest, I don’t—”

“What are you two up to over there?” Glitz called out.

If Gloria spent another moment alone with Forrest, it wouldn’t be long before Glitz and Glamour started flapping their gums about the two of them to all of Long Island.

Gloria quickly walked the last few steps to the foredeck, and Forrest followed. “Forrest was teaching me how to steer the ship,” she said, and sank into a deck chair.

“And I had to get Gloria alone to talk about her career,” Forrest added. “I still can’t get over how much everyone adored her Saturday night.”

“I’m absolutely green with envy, Glo,” Glitz called. “I wish I were that good at something.”

“Don’t be silly, Glitz!” Glamour said. “You and I are both terrifically good at doing nothing. I challenge anyone to do nothing as well as we do!”

“You were wonderful, Gloria,” Ruby said from the other side of the deck. Even though she was giving Gloria a compliment, there was something acidic in Ruby’s tone. “I guess it’s a good thing I wasn’t able to perform, wasn’t it?”

Forrest stared at Ruby for a moment; the two seemed to
have a silent conversation with their matching eyes. They did this a lot—it made Gloria wonder how long they’d known each other.

Then Forrest turned to Gloria. “Yes, well, I plan to make Gloria an enormous star.” He winked. “If she’ll let me.”

“Are we really talking about
work
?” Glamour turned over on her chair. She pulled off her black swimming cap and ran her hand through her short gold curls. “Glitz and I are bored.”

Forrest sat on the empty chair beside her. “Well, we can’t have that. What would you ladies rather be doing?”

“I want to drink!” Glitz said. “And dance. Possibly at the same time.”

“Hear, hear!” Glamour said. She winked at Gloria. “Enough of you lovebirds puttering around the bay.”

Damn
, Gloria thought. That wink meant that gossip about Gloria and Forrest was sure to be churning through the high-society rumor mill by morning.

Forrest looked out at the sun, which was beginning to dip in the pale blue sky. “I guess it is getting a little late. I’ll go tell Otto to bring us in.” He stopped by Gloria’s chair and pointed at her. “You better save me a dance, doll.”

Gloria reddened and looked across the foredeck to where Ruby was sitting with her husband. Marty was still asleep; his graying hair flopped over his lobster-red forehead and his white suit was rumpled.

Ruby was his polar opposite in a black halter dress and a wide-brimmed white hat with a black scarf tied around it. The starlet was watching Forrest. Once he was out of sight, she shifted her gaze to Gloria. Her eyes were narrowed and she was frowning.

Gloria rose from her chair and walked over to Ruby’s. “So, how’s it been going down here?”

Ruby shrugged. “Just work, work, and more work.” She smiled, but again, something that was supposed to be friendly came off as bitter instead. “I certainly haven’t been having as much fun as you and Forrest.” Ruby’s gaze turned wistful and Gloria followed it up to the foredeck, where Forrest was talking to Otto. From her vantage point, Ruby could see the steering wheel perfectly. And she’d probably had a better view of Gloria and Forrest at the railing than any of the others.

Now it was clear: Forrest hadn’t developed sudden, inexplicable feelings for her. He’d simply been trying to make Ruby jealous! Gloria felt a rush of relief at this realization—and just tried to ignore the tiny pang of disappointment that accompanied it.

Gloria didn’t love being used, but at the same time she understood. Ruby obviously had feelings for Forrest. But that didn’t mean she was going to just up and leave her husband without a fuss. So by making her jealous, Forrest was really just trying to get Ruby to own up to her feelings and take the next step.

Still, after tonight, Forrest would have to find some other pawn to use in his games with Ruby. Gloria knew where his money came from now, and there was nothing shady about it. After they got home, Gloria would search the villa properly at last. She knew “inheritance” wouldn’t be enough to satisfy the bureau—but Forrest had to have some kind of documentation of his fortune, didn’t he? Maybe a copy of his father’s will or some bank statements?

She would call Hank in the morning. Tell him he’d been wrong about Forrest. Hank had told her to get information, and Gloria had gotten it.

She just had to hope it was enough for him.