Girl of My Dreams (21 page)

“The first one worked for us. Maybe another couple will get as lucky.” Troy said, flashing a possessive glance at Jillian.

Troy had to be having sex with her. The jerk may as well advertise it. Blake gritted his teeth.

“Yeah, well, glad you’re so happy,” Blake said, as his fingers balled into fists.

He had to get a grip on his emotions. Making a show of checking his watch, he said, “I better go. I’ve got a certain model waiting for me at a bar. See you around.”

Without a backward glance, he bounded down the stairs, into the night, into a world without Jillian.

What the old lady had hinted at was true. Jillian and Troy were serious. The breakup Blake had hoped for would not happen. Instead, the billionaire would make Jillian his bride.

As he swerved out of the parking space, an approaching Lexus almost hit him. He must be more careful. He had to forget about Jillian. Still, the encounter with her neighbor in the hallway remained fresh in his mind.

“I know you. You’re that producer fellow,” she’d said.

“That’s right, ma’am. Can I help you with those groceries?”

“Thank you so much, young man. Please call me Genevieve. I’m not far down the hall, but the bags do seem heavier each time,” she’d said, handing hers over, then opening the outer door. “If only my Edward hadn’t passed on. He did everything for me.”          

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“He was also my gain. I thank God for the time we had together. Be that as it may, I’m sure you’re not interested in an old lady’s love life. Aren’t you just thrilled about your star, Jillian? I’m so happy for her. She deserves some light in her life, poor dear, losing her parents so tragically like that and having to fend on her own.”

“I never heard the story. What happened?” Blake said. He held onto the bag as they stood by the old lady’s door.

She told him about the father dying in a car accident and how the mother’s heart had been permanently injured, leading to her premature death.

“That is tragic,” Blake had said.

Now he knew why Jillian’s eyes looked haunted whenever he spoke of his parents. He wished he’d known sooner.

“The main thing is she’s happy now, and it’s all because of you. I watched every episode of your show and rooted for her. It’s so romantic when a happy ending comes true. She has a lot to thank you for.”

The old lady hadn’t heard the whole story, and Blake wouldn’t enlighten her. If it made her feel good, let her live someone else’s dream.

“Oh, by the way, I don’t think she’s in. When I walked my little Trudi earlier, Jillian and Troy were leaving. She was dressed up ever so nicely and my, he looked so spiffy. A fine pair they make. Don’t you agree?”

A knot had gathered in Blake’s stomach.

“Yeah, they both have it in the looks department,” he’d said absently.

The old lady had sighed. “If only the wedding were on TV, although I quite understand Jillian’s sentiments, wanting to get married in a church and all. It is the proper thing to do.”

“I don’t believe I heard the date yet,” Blake had said.

She’d flashed him a quizzical look. “Weren’t you invited?”

“Can’t say I was.”

“That’s strange. You should be the first one on their list. Without you, the two of them wouldn’t have gotten together.”

How true. If he hadn’t conceived the show Jillian wouldn’t have thought up that crazy idea to save his hide. Damn, if he’d guessed she’d pull that stunt, he would have stopped her.

A horn honked, shaking Blake from his reverie. He’d forgotten he was driving. Better snap out of it unless he wanted an accident.

He was tough. He could handle losing Jillian. He’d done without her for the first thirty years of his life and could do so for more.

But he didn’t want to. Cursing, he braked at the next stop light.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

JILLIAN WAS STILL feeling sorry for herself more than a week later when Denise invited her over on Saturday night. An overdue talk with her friend was just what she needed. Thank goodness, Denise finally had some time off.

Like its owner, Denise’s apartment was warm and cozy. The cinnamon-scented candles gracing the mantle gave off a heavenly aroma, as did the glowing embers in the fireplace grate. Flowery priscilla curtains matched the pattern on the comfy couch, where Jillian sprawled.

Denise balanced an armful of goodies as she stepped out of the kitchen. “Here you go.”

“Let me take some of that.”

“That’s the idea.”

Reaching over for a bowl of popcorn and mug of hot chocolate, Jillian said, “You really spoil me.”

Denise’s gray eyes turned serious. “You could use some spoiling. Am I right?”

“Afraid so.” Jillian took a sip of the chocolate. Its warmth enveloped her. “Mmm, this is heavenly.”

“Okay, give. What happened?”

Jillian relayed the gloomy news of Blake’s inopportune visit. “I’ve waited and waited for a sign that he cared. Then he shows up at exactly the worst time. The whole thing’s hopeless.”

Denise chewed a piece of popcorn. “Because he overheard Troy’s proposal?”

“Yes, and it obviously didn’t phase him. A week has passed since then and he hasn’t bothered to call. Goes to show I don’t matter to him.” Jillian took another sip of the soothing brew to console herself.

“Guys are proud. Maybe he thought it was hopeless, you know, a done deal,” Denise said.

Jillian slipped out of her shoes and drew up her feet under her. “I know you’re trying to make me feel better, but I have to face facts sooner or later. Blake said he had a date with a model. That’s a big clue he couldn’t care less about me.”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

Jillian sighed. “I just don’t see him in the picture at all. He did ask me up to his room once. It was just a sex thing, and I couldn’t go through with it. Other than that, he’s never acted like I matter. Besides, he’s not into commitment, and I won’t settle for less.”

“You shouldn’t have to. Maybe you should go on to someone else. There’s always Troy. He seems like a nice guy, despite having too much money.”

“That is a problem. The money is awfully tempting. I know others have done it, but I can’t marry a guy just for that. I have to feel something.”

“But have you given him a chance? Other than your one date, you’ve only seen him on the show. After you get to know him, maybe he’ll grow on you.”

“No, he’s not a fungus or something,” Jillian said with a laugh. “Troy is a nice guy, but something’s missing. It would be wonderful if I could just wish it to happen and make it be there, but I can’t. The next time we meet, I’m telling him the truth. He shouldn’t waste his time on me. He deserves better.”

“Don’t kid yourself. You’re the best.”

“No, you are, Denise. You look good, you’re smart and you’re the nicest person I know. That qualifies you. Why don’t you go out with Troy?”

Her friend blushed a bright crimson. “Don’t be silly. He doesn’t even know me.”

Jillian stared at Denise thoughtfully.
Well, well,
she wondered.
Was it possible? Could Denise have a crush on Troy? The nurse and the billionaire would make an interesting couple.

If somehow the two could get together, maybe something could be salvaged from the mess.

“You’ve got a strange look in your eyes,” Denise said. “You’d better not be plotting.”          

“Spare me. I’ve done enough of that to last a lifetime. From now on, I’m trusting in kismet. If something’s meant to happen, it will.”

“All right then. Let’s watch the DVD. I picked a real tear-jerker. We’ll drown ourselves in someone else’s misery. That’ll make us feel better.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

ON MONDAY MORNING, Blake’s latest assistant dashed into the elevator a few minutes before nine, almost colliding with his coffee mug.

“So sorry,” she said.

“Not a problem.”

Blake squinted to avoid being blinded by the purple hair and pink polka dot blouse over matching mini skirt and sky-high boots. Her earlobes glinted with a silvery moon and descending flashing stars.

Not professional looking, but he’d let it pass. Marti was his sole entertainment lately. Yeah, he was desperate, but not crazy. She was a spectacular typist. That’s what counted.

“Wow, I just made it,” she said.

He gave her a quizzical look. “Have a wild weekend?”

She flashed him a smug smile. “That’s right. Back-to-back parties. I’m dragging, but it was worth it. I met a scorching dude.”

“You don’t say.”

Out of the mouths of babes, or one babe, at least. An idea germinated in his mind as he stared at Marti, not really seeing her. It might work. He had nothing to lose.

“He’s already asked me out.”

“I’m glad for you,” he said absently, as he stepped back to let her leave the elevator first. He held open the office door and she sailed in.

Back at his desk, he steepled his fingers and plotted. This could be the out he’d hoped for. He pressed the intercom button. “Marti, see if you can round up a nightclub with room in it for   two-hundred-fifty people, a week from Friday. We’re having a party.”

“Am I invited?”

He bit back a smile. “I wouldn’t throw one without you.”

“Right on, Mr. Caldwell.”

Okay, now it was war. Blake had seen the look on Troy Langley’s face when he’d glanced possessively at Jillian outside her apartment door last week. So the billionaire thought he had the wedding all sewn up. Not so fast.     

It this were a TV special, he’d call it
Blake’s Last Stand
. He’d pull no punches this time. He’d be polite and flattering, do everything right. To the victor go the spoils. Let’s just see who would end up with Jillian before the night was over. He bet the initials would not be T.R.

“Mr. Caldwell, I found a place, Fabrici’s. They had a cancellation,” Marti’s excited voice broke in.

“Good. Forget that stuff on your desk. Bring up
Girl of My Dreams
on the computer. Get the addresses for the cast and crew. I want everyone listed to receive an invitation, including the subs. All except that Nadia creature. She’s trouble. You’ll find Veronica Baker’s address under Jillian Baker. Oh, and send an invitation to that nurse friend of hers, Denise McNeal. I’ll get you the address. I owe her big time. If it weren’t for her, I might not be around.”

“I know what you mean. I saw that episode. It was sure scary.”

“Damn right and real.”

“Oh, my goodness, it was? I wondered about that.”     

“I’ll show you the scar to prove it. Stop wondering and get to work,” he said, with a laugh.

“Right on, Mr. Caldwell.”

Jeez, she made him feel old. From the start, he’d asked her to call him Blake, but she always forgot. Had directing
Girl of My Dreams
aged him that much?

Blake sighed. The answer was obvious. Since the end of his hit, nothing had been the same. No matter how hard he tried, hot party chicks didn’t do a thing for him. He just couldn’t get back into the groove.

Hot-blooded Sophia Esperanza had flashed him a haughty look when he’d cut the date short, saying he had to get up early the next day. Deanna Cunningham had pouted when he’d dropped her like a hot potato after only a few drinks. Damn, his heart wasn’t into meaningless dalliances. He wanted Jillian and no one less.

Confusion and unhappiness reigned. The shift in attitude had begun with his mother’s illness. Until then, he’d looked on his mother as an enemy and discounted his father’s devotion to her as a weakness. When it mattered, Blake had finally understood. All along Barbara had loved him the only way she could. He’d been a fool not to accept her gift.           

His father’s devotion to his wife was not a weakness, but strength. Blake could only hope that someone like Darryl would be there for him in his time of need.

Girl of My Dreams
had made Blake. He was now a known commodity and respected in his own right, not just as the son of Barbara Branton. Still, one question nagged him. If Jillian hadn’t come on his series and won, would he have been so successful?  It seemed there was always some woman around sharing his success.

Jillian plagued his thoughts and fogged his mind. No, he hadn’t wanted her on the show, but he did want her around. Was it habit, or did she really mean something to him? He had to find out before it was too late. His plan had to work. For once and all, he had to know. Should Jillian be in or out of his life?

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

THE ENGAGEMENT ring still sat in the toe of Jillian’s sports sock, hidden in the dresser, a week-and-a-half after she’d received it. She’d planned to return it by now, but fate had decreed otherwise. A business deal had necessitated Troy’s hasty departure. She didn’t want to break the news to him over the phone and wasn’t sure when he’d get back. She prayed it would be soon. Every time she opened the drawer, guilt made her close it fast.