Impossibly Tongue-Tied (12 page)

Needless to say, Pickering would never fold on this demand. He did, however, concede defeat in getting gossip out of Nina, as she and all the other parents dispersed to appease their children's cries for something substantially tastier than the tofu panna cotta provided by the Kinder Garden staff.

 

The trill of the telephone sang out to Nina and Jake long before they opened their apartment door. She fumbled for her house key in her pocketbook, juggling Jake's backpack, his half-finished juice box, his asthma aspirator, and her appeltini to-go cup all at the same time. The search was that much harder because she was more than just a
wee
bit tipsy from her poolside initiation into what Susannah called the “Mothers Without Fear” Club. When she finally found it, she wrenched open the door, stumbled through the living room and on into her bedroom, where she grabbed the phone, only to spill the remainder of the fruity concoction on the carpet.

“Damn—” she declared before she realized that the receiver had been knocked off the phone, then: “Hello? Um…
Hello?
”

First there was a telling silence before she heard a woman's haughty murmur, “Yes.
Hello
. And to whom am I speaking?”

“Nina. Harte.” Taking a second to collect her breath and her patience, Nina added, “And
you
are?”

“Serenity Lancaster,
Mrs.
Harte. So
very, very happy
to have this opportunity to talk to you—
personally
. I've been
so eagerly
following Nathan's career…
So
exciting, isn't it? And so deserved, considering the personal struggle you two have had…”

Serenity Lancaster? As in the syndicated columnist and renowned “chronicler of the stars” Serenity Lancaster?

Calling Nina? To compliment Nathan?

This was just too much!

“Um, yes, it is!” Flushed from both the appeltini and Serenity's kind words (and because she had yelled a profanity in this very powerful woman's ear just now), Nina added, “Gee, Ms. Lancaster, coming from you, that is quite an…an accolade!”

“Ah, my dear, get used to it. You'll be hearing a lot in regard to that handsome hunky hubby of yours,” Serenity's words were pure silk. “In fact, darling, I can just imagine how your ears must be
burning
right about now, what with all those
annoying
little whispers about Nathan and Katerina McPherson—”

“Nathan…and Kat? Oh…I'm sure that's just—you know, mindless gossip.” Nina tried to shake off her vodka buzz. Jake, having found the remote control under the pillow where Nina had hid it in the hopes of coercing him to do his “junior stockbroker” homework first, had already flicked on Nickelodeon, and was now shouting a warning to Jimmy Neutron as he flew into peril.

Nina's nagging suspicion that she was doing the same was confirmed with Serenity's sugary sweet response: “Well, you know what they say: Where there's smoke, there's fire…Then again, maybe you're right. Maybe there's nothing to it…By the way, Nathan's shoot wrapped early last Wednesday evening because it was Hugo Schmitt's birthday. Did you enjoy the party afterward, at Ago?”

The set closed early last Wednesday? There was a party later, at Ago?

But—but hadn't Nathan been working late on the set that night?

And if not, then why hadn't he asked her to go with him? Or at least come home?

Because of Katerina?

Ashamed to admit that she hadn't been invited, Nina mumbled some inane excuse as to why she had to hang up now, and gently laid down the phone. She then picked up the note Nathan left for her Wednesday night, and reread it, again and again.

No way
, she thought.
No damn way he is falling for Kat.

Then again, there was only one way to find out.

After calling Casey to take her up on her offer of an impromptu play date for the boys (“They're inseparable anyway, so why not? Sure, drop him on by…”) Nina scooped up Jake and headed out the door.

KAT'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

Sure, there are things I'll regret having done, but that's why I look at each day as a gift: No matter whom I've hurt, or what cruel thing I may have said to someone else, give it twenty-four hours and they'll have already forgotten it. Now,
that's
true friendship!

Posted on Katerina McPherson's official website, WeLoveKat.com

All the interior shots for Forever and Again were being filmed at Flagrant Studios, which rented space on the Fox lot on West Pico. It was studio protocol to check in with the guard in the security kiosk before be-bopping on over to stage twelve to see movie magic being created.

Or, in this case, not.

If the visitor was not on the day's guest manifest, a call was made to the director's assistant, who then checked with the director as to whether the guest should be allowed on the set. Since the guest in question was one Nina Harte, who claimed to be the wife of the film's male lead, Nathan Harte, and as it
was the tail end of the crew's dinner break, that answer should have been a cursory “Sure, send her on over.”

Instead, Hugo's production assistant told the guard to have Nina sit tight while she rustled Hugo from his inner sanctum, where he was viewing that morning's rushes, fully oblivious that the best melodrama of the day was about to be played out off the set, right then and there.

Heck, too bad there weren't cameras in the actors' trailers, thought the PA, making a mental note to mention to Hugo that he should consider doing so.

If cameras had already been in place, the money shot was in Kat's candlelit sanctuary, where, courtesy of the reverse cowgirl that she'd opted for, the actress was enjoying the final throes of orgasmic ecstasy…for the third time.

Climbing down off her very studly stallion with a sigh, Kat murmured, “So, handsome, how about being my date for the Oscars?”

Nathan was confused. “You mean—you, me, and
Nina?
”

“What are you
crazy?
No, you dolt!” Miffed, Kat roused herself out of his arms and, without any warning at all, slapped his face.

Hard.

“
Ow!
Shit, Kat! Why'd you do
that?
” His eyes flashed angrily as he rubbed his sore cheek. Reflexively he started toward her…but then thought better of it.

Damn! She knows how to get my juices flowing
, he thought.

Suddenly he was aroused again.

As if sensing this, Kat's mouth puffed up into a pout. During these little boink breaks, she'd discovered that Nathan
loved
a little physical abuse now and then, guessing (and rightly
so) that he craved penance for the guilt he was feeling over their affair.

“Because you can be such a—a
pussy
, sometimes, Nathan! Jeez, just make something up, okay? Hell, tell her that costars of films in production always escort each other to these shindigs, you know, in order to publicize their new movie before it comes out. That it's just par for the course. Believe me, she'll never figure us out.”

“Sure. Okay.” He didn't sound too convinced, though. Not that he was going to call Kat a liar to her face. Heck,
that
would only assure him another slap. And if that happened, he promised himself he'd haul off and slap her back.

Or make love to her for a fourth time.

Besides, he knew Nina would be hurt if he went to the Oscars without her.

Maybe even
pissed
.

Or worse yet, she might figure out what was going on behind her back.

As if the fates had read his mind, just then Hugo's PA banged frantically on Kat's door, imploring Nathan to come out and greet his wife, who was making her way through security in the front lot of the studio
at that very moment.

Jumping into his Jockey boxer briefs and jeans as if a fire bell had gone off, Nathan bounded out of bed and out the door.

Kat's slap still hurt like hell.
He hoped he could find a makeup artist who could cover up the bruise before Nina saw it.

 

“I am
so
excited to meet you…
finally.
”

Nina was trying very hard to be cordial. She was
really, really
trying.

And really, how much kinder could she be?

Katerina McPherson, that is.

Sitting there, naked—except for that very flimsy robe, which wasn't tied very tightly at all (this Nina realized because it kept opening up, exposing Kat's fully inflated breasts—all 37CC of them), Kat put out a limp hand for Nina to shake.

Of course Nina shook it, quickly though, then she tried hard not to glance down to compare Kat's most obvious assets to her own meager 34Bs.

Not that Kat would have noticed. She was too busy running that oval horsehair bristle brush through her hair while yammering on and on about how Nathan sang Nina's praises constantly (“He was
so
right! You are
so gorgeous!
You're an actress, too, right?”), that is, when he wasn't relaying stories about their cute little boy (“What's his name again? Jake? Why, how
sweet
! So—
boyish!
”) or reverently studying his script.

As he was now.
By himself
. In his own trailer, Kat readily assured her.

What finally did catch Nina's awed attention was when Kat tossed out the words
Oscars
and
gowns
in the same sentence.

“I never seem to have a date for these things. Gosh, I'm beginning to feel like a spinster! Well, at least I've got some
great
choices. Both Valentino and Versace want me to wear them, but I've sort of got my eye on this
gorgeous
Elie Saab sheath…”

Suddenly she stopped brushing and turned excitedly to face Nina. “Hey, I have a
super
idea! Why don't you come over to my place when my stylist brings them over, and help me make my decision?”

To think, Katerina McPherson wants me to give her my advice on her OSCAR gown! Me, Nina Sue Wilder, of Joyous Missouri!

Nina was confused. And concerned and, well,
torn
.

She'd been duly warned. And since she was a firm believer that, as Serenity had said, where there was smoke, there was fire, she knew that she had better be damn well certain flames weren't licking at the love nest she'd built with Nathan.

Then again, Kat was being
so
nice. She was just
a normal girl
…

And wouldn't it be fun to at least
touch
a couturier gown?

“—kind of disappointed that Nathan blew me off when I asked him to escort me—”

“I'm sorry,” murmured Nina, half comprehending what she was hearing, “did you say that you invited Nathan to go to the Oscars…with
you?
”

“Oh, yeah, sure…but that was a while back. Ha! That silly goofball turned me down, flat. Said he'd feel
really
bad going without
you
. What a gentleman, huh?”

She looked up at Nina with wide-eyed innocence. “
Of course
, I said I understood. But sometimes these guys just don't understand women, do they? I mean, how would
he
know that the
last
thing you'd
ever
do is keep him from going to the Academy Awards. My God, am I
right?
”

She paused from brushing her long, satiny curls to catch Nina's reflection in the mirror. “Just think of the exposure that would have given our little movie…not to mention Nathan's career…”

Kat leaned forward conspiratorially, which forced her robe to fall open.
Ooops, there was that boob again! Yep, it was certainly more than a handful…

“Can I let you in on a little secret? And puh-
leeez,
don't tell anyone,
especially
not Nathan…I have to tell you that, per
sonally, I'm just a wee bit worried that this film may…well, that it might get overlooked. By the public.
And
the reviewers.” She sighed sadly. “Don't get me wrong, Hugo's a
great
director. I feel so honored to have been chosen to work with him, believe me…And just
think
of the opportunity this gives Nathan…that is, if it
doesn't bomb
. Still, it
is
very small budget, you know. And Nathan—well, he's not exactly a known name who can carry a film—at
this
point in his career, anyway. That's why any promotion we can do will be
so
important. You know, for
all
of our careers.”

She went back to brushing her hair slowly, methodically, but kept on chattering. “Hey, and don't think I'll be upset if you say no to the idea of Nathan going as my escort. I just thought it would be a nice gesture, you know, since he's such a newbie and all. If he passes, I'll just have the Owen brothers escort me. They'd
jump
at the exposure…Or maybe George. He's always a blast at those things. Hey, have you met him yet?”

Suddenly she stopped brushing. “Aw, gee, wouldn't it be just awful though, if—” Kat thought better of whatever it was she was thinking and shrugged instead.

This prompted Nina to say, “Uh, I'm sorry, if what were awful?”

“Oh…well…
hmmm
. I guess I'm putting my foot in my own mouth, but I'd
hate
myself if it
did
come true and I could have stopped it…What I mean is, wouldn't it be just awful if Nathan never even
got
another chance to go to the Oscars?”

Never got another chance? Because of me?

Nina could never live with herself if that were the case.

Of course I have to let him go.

Without me.

With her.

With her smile frozen in place, Nina murmured something about how great it was to meet Kat, too, finally, and then she headed out the door.

To find Nathan.

And tell him the good news: He was going to the Oscars.

With Kat.

 

Hauling ass from Wilshire and Rodeo to West Pico in the middle of the afternoon rush hour is no joy ride, and certainly something Sam avoided unless it was an emergency.

Well, being there when Nina discovered Nathan in Kat's sinewy Pilates-pumped arms was certainly
that
.

Hugo met Sam as his Ferrari squealed to a halt next to the sound stage where
Forever and Again
was shooting.

“So?” growled Sam.

Hugo jerked his head in the direction of Kat's trailer. “She's in there. With Kat.
Just the two of them.
”

Sam strained to hear any yelling, cursing, or shooting.

Dead silence.

He gave Hugo a puzzled look. Hugo nodded wide-eyed, then pointed to Nathan's trailer. “And he's in there. But he may have passed out by now, he was hyperventilating so hard.”

“Did she talk to him first?” If so, Sam reasoned, the fear in Nathan's eyes might have given the game away. Then again, Nathan was such a good actor that she might have believed whatever lie he'd come up with to cover his ass.

“Nope. Just politely asked to meet Kat.” Hugo shrugged. “Sweet enough kid, but you know, nothing special. My God, with Kat around,
she's toast.
”

Any other time Sam would have argued the point. Instead he said, “Just stay here and keep watch. When Nina comes out, escort her over to Nathan's trailer, but talk loud enough that we know you're coming.”

He bounded into Nathan's trailer, where he found his newest client sitting down, his head bent low between his knees. Nathan looked up when Sam entered. Seeing his agent, his protector, his confidant brought a glimmer of hope back into his heart—until Sam hit him right between the eyes with: “So, Nathan, tell me, was it worth it?”

Nathan slumped down again, as if to brace himself from the wrath he knew was due him.

“Because if it wasn't, then you better prepare yourself to lose Nina.”

The sound that came out of Nathan was like that of a man being strangled. He gulped, then started again. “I thought I could…I thought I could handle it. You know, keep the lid on it. But things are just happening—too fast!” He began pacing the room. “It's—it's been like some surreal dream, both wonderful and at the same time, terrible! You understand, don't you, Sam?”

Sam stood there, poker-faced. For a moment there, he actually felt sorry for the sap.

That is, until Nathan added: “Nah, I guess
you
wouldn't.”

As he turned away from Sam, Nathan caught his own reflection in the mirror. His eye lingered there, if for only a nanosecond.

Still, that was one nanosecond too long for Sam.

Goddamn arrogant bastard!

“What, you think that you're the only guy who Kat's allowed into that funhouse she keeps between her thighs?”
Sam's lip curled into a cruel grin. “Sure, maybe
this
week, but trust me, Nathan, we're not talking VIP status at the Grill here. You're just the latest in a long line of clueless dudes! Or haven't you figured that out yet?”

“Don't talk that way about Kat!”

Sam stared at him. “Oh, so that's it, huh? You'd take Kat—over
Nina
?”

“
What?
No! I mean—I mean,
why…why does this have to be so hard?
”

Nathan was breathing so heavy that Sam thought he was going to pass out. He felt sorry for him, really he did. To be that young, and that naïve…

He put his hand on Nathan's shoulder. This seemed to calm the kid down to some extent. At least enough for him to whisper, “Sam, please…what do I do now?”