No Stone Unturned (4 page)

Armand nodded.  It had taken some time to get used to the idea, but Gemma had come to embrace it.  A month ago, the Armand Jadot collection had debuted to unanimously rave reviews at New York Fashion Week.  With the help of his title as fashion director to Queen Bee, Armand was well on his way to the top of the industry.  Since his showroom was located in SoHo, his plan was to email Gemma wardrobe choices for events before sending the pieces over from New York.

“When the press hounds you for details about Bee, remember to keep it short and sweet.  And spin the stability angle.  ‘She’s great, working hard, Tyler’s a great guy, they’re so happy together, et cetera.’ This is the year of the mature and responsible Queen Bee.”

Gemma nodded.  While she
had
spent the past five months working day and night, Perrin also deserved some credit for painting the image of a serious and almost somber Queen Bee.  She offered a few exclusive details of Bee’s past hard-partying year in exchange for a magazine cover and story about Bee’s rediscovered work ethic.  Not only that, she had been the one to bring back the idea of a joint charity between Tyler and Queen Bee.  Gemma truly appreciated her for always being ‘on,’ even if her friends found her to be robotic and humorless.

“Will do, Miss Davis.”  Armand nodded at Perrin’s advice with exaggerated eagerness.  Penelope laughed. 

“And what about me? What do I spin to the media?” she asked with mock enthusiasm.

“I’m sure you’ll be safe from them.  You’re not a household name,” Perrin replied.  Gemma winced at her brusque statement and cautiously peered at Penelope, whose smirk quickly faded.  As much as Penelope loved her job, she knew it had to be hard to watch Armand move up while she stayed put.  It probably didn’t help that Perrin didn’t bother to learn her name.  She wished she would, so she could enjoy her blunt Hollywood attitude without guilt and constant glances towards Penelope. 

“Bee, did I hear you say something about a double date with Damian and Nicki? Because the GM of Yutaka contacted me and they’d love to offer you guys a five-course tasting menu this Friday, as long as you’re willing to make an appearance at their lounge after dinner.”

Gemma blinked.  “Oh.  Tyler and I were just going to hang out with them at the house,” she said.  “I’d rather keep that story away from the press.”  Tyler had been lukewarm about the idea of spending time with Damian, mostly because of his ex-boyfriend status.  Gemma wanted to ease him into it without the hounding of paparazzi inquiries.  After all, there already were suggestions in the blogosphere about a Queen Bee/Damian Evans romance.  As much as Tyler ignored those stories, she could understand that he might buy into that specific one, considering the relationship she had shared with him while dating Lucas.  She figured a double date would be the perfect way to introduce him as a non-threatening, platonic acquaintance.

Perrin ground her teeth, a displeased habit of hers that she never seemed aware of doing.  “That’s fine for now,” she said.  “But considering Damian’s people recognize this opportunity and are trying to promote his image outside of the NBA, we really should take advantage too.  People want to believe that you discovered him.  It would be a good way to capitalize on your image as an entertainment mogul, don’t you agree?”

“Sure,” Gemma said.

“So are you in? He
does
seem like a good kid, and you two seemed to hit it off at the shoot.  I’m sure you’ll get along fine,” Perrin said. 

Gemma glanced at Penelope and Armand as they all held their giggles back.  Perrin was of course unaware of how long ago it truly was when Gemma and Damian had first hit it off.  “Yeah, sure,” Gemma said quickly to stifle her laugh. 

“Good.  Because I contacted his team and invited him to be a part of your charity with Tyler,” Perrin said, recapturing Gemma’s attention.  “And they said that he’d be more than happy to join you two.”

HOLLYWOOD'S NEW GOLDEN BOY
November 7

Pop Rock Gossip
Since The Pop Source’s popular "Rookies vs. Veterans" shoot, Golden State Warriors point guard Damian Evans has shot to mainstream fame, capturing American curiosity with a single picture alongside reborn "it" girl, Queen Bee.
In the (we'll admit it) adorable photo, the mischievous couple eyes the broken antique vase that was no doubt the result of some sexy romping.  Shall we go ahead and cue the rumor mill? Heck, we'll start it ourselves -- "BREAKING: Queen Bee leaving Tyler Chase for NBA star Damian Evans!!!" (note: totally kidding here.)

But while on the topic of the shoot, we at Pop Rock Gossip have to commend our girl Zoe Mercury for landing the title of Bond girl since being booted from the cushy confines of D Network.  We hope she gets some attention for this monumental achievement! God knows it ain't easy to cross over to "grown up" roles  -- just ask D Network alum Desiree Silver, who has yet to book a film since the end of her contract with the powerhouse children's network.
But don't feel too bad, Desiree – you're not the only one who's been left out of the club! Socialite and former model Harper Gunn has also failed to find her way back to employment since completing a reportedly successful stint in rehab.  Maybe it's time for Gunn to embrace the idea of being famous for, well, being famous.  Hey, no shame – that's a legitimate career these days!

- Chapter 3 -

Nestled high in the Hollywood Hills was Tyler’s five-bedroom home.  Obscured by towering trees and dense bushes, the house shielded them from hounding fans and paparazzi lenses.  Gemma always felt safe there, though she kept her disguise on at all times anyway.  Only when they went to bed together would her wig and makeup come off.  It wasn’t surprising that those moments were Tyler’s favorite times of day – on the rare occasion that they ever happened.

It was another rare day on which they were both entirely free with no obligations the following morning – only a premiere and after party at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in the evening.   Gemma had looked forward to going to Tyler’s for a romantic dinner, which he had promised to be home-cooked.  The only thing was that Damian had called her just an hour before to excitedly tell her that his own event obligations had been canceled, and with only practice the following day, he and Nicki would be available for the impossible double-date that they had tried to plan the day of the photo shoot.  To Gemma, it was serendipitous that Tyler was already home cooking – they could simply make a few more portions and invite Damian and Nicki over for a private, media-free meeting.  He needed to get friendly with Damian anyway, what with Damian’s sudden partnership in their charity.

Once the driver stopped the car at the front of the house, Gemma bolted out and in through the front doors.  Damian would be arriving shortly, and she had only so much time to warm Tyler up to the idea of it.

“Hello?” she called, dropping her purse to the floor and running to the kitchen in her four-inch Manolos.  She stopped in her tracks once she reached the doorframe of the hand-worked copper kitchen.  Laid out on the mahogany table was a feast of Scottish salmon with barley risotto and roasted acorn squash.  Lit at the center of the surface was a cluster of rustic pillar candles.  “Tyler!” Gemma gushed immediately.  The sight brought her back to the display of gourmet food that Tyler had ordered at his Vermont cabin a year ago – the night she had almost cheated with him on Lucas.

“Hey, babe,” Tyler grinned, dropping the herbs in his hands to greet her.  He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her.  “You look nice,” he murmured as his lips moved to her neck. 

“So do you,” Gemma giggled, letting him lift her onto the kitchen counter.  His hands ran down from her thighs to squeeze her knees.  “What’s up with you today?” she asked with amusement.

“Nothing.  Just been thinking about you,” he explained.  “All day.”  His lips trailed upwards and found hers again, parting them for a sweet kiss.  “Let’s go upstairs,” he whispered, lifting her off the counter.

“Tyler,” Gemma protested, giggling as he twirled her in the air and planted kisses all over her.  “We can’t.  I – ”

“Of course we can. We have the whole house, the whole night, and tomorrow morning.  We can lay in bed for as long as we want,” he smiled as his finger trailed along her back and located the zipper of her folded sheath dress.  Gemma couldn’t help but delight in the feel of him undressing her.  The only other time he had done it was at Staples Center two years ago, but he had been helping her escape a riotous security meltdown.  It was hardly the same, especially now that they were a couple.  All he had seen thus far in their relationship were glimpses of bra and panties.  Gemma had wanted to save as much excitement as possible for their first time together, which Tyler had no doubt assumed would be tonight.

“Babe, I’m so sorry,” Gemma bit her lip back, finally tugging away.  She pulled the top half of her dress back up over her chest and tipped Tyler’s chin up with her hand, attempting to physically place his eyes back on her face from where her bra had been exposed.  “Listen… remember when I was telling you about Damian and his girlfriend and how we should all get together whenever we’re all free? Which is like, never?”

Tyler stared at her for a few moments before shutting his eyes with defeat.  “You invited him over didn’t you.”

“I invited
them
over.  Tyler, I’m sorry, I know I should’ve told you earlier but he
just
called me and asked if we were free and I couldn’t lie,“ Gemma said.

Tyler made a face as he returned to the kitchen counter, “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know what?” Gemma asked tepidly.  He glanced up at her, softening at the sight of her pout.

“It’s just going to be awkward.”

“Why?” Gemma pleaded.

Tyler turned to her grimly.  “Because I’m a Lakers fan, Gemma, and he’s on the Warriors.  My team has been kicking his ass since the beginning of time.”

Gemma let out a sigh of relief before bursting out laughing.  “If that’s the only problem, then I think we’ll be okay.”

~

“So, are you ready for your sophomore year?”  With a big, warm smile, Gemma passed the platter of roasted acorn squash to Damian’s girlfriend.  Nicki, with her dark hair in a ponytail, had a classic girl-next-door type of a look.  She wore a simple black dress with a cranberry shrug and mismatched heels – likely the three most formal items in her closet.  Gemma had a feeling that she was one of those girls that just usually slayed boys while wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans.

“I’m, uh, actually,” Nicki tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.  She pried her eyes off of her plate to look Gemma in the eye.  “I decided to take a break for a semester or two, just to travel with Damian.  But I’m definitely going back.”

“They need her.  She had a perfect four-point-oh GPA last year,” Damian said, draping a proud arm around Nicki’s shoulders.

“Wow,” Gemma nodded.  “That’s so impressive!”

Nicki blushed.  “Not really.  A ton of people have four-zeros,” she said modestly, her eyes flickering from Gemma to Tyler before hastily concentrating on her salmon again.  She had been rather starstruck since entering the house nearly an hour ago, though mostly by Tyler.  Since her initial reaction of giddy schoolgirl delight, she had become quickly reserved – intimidated and perhaps embarrassed by her request to take a picture with Tyler and Gemma, who were now her hosts for dinner.

“So how did
you
do in school, Damian?”

Gemma’s head spun to Tyler.  It was the first time he had spoken to Damian since their official introductions.  She couldn’t tell if he had warmed to him yet, but her suspicion was that he hadn’t.

“Me? I was no Nicki, that’s for sure,” he laughed.  “But I did okay.”

“Not that they’d be too hard on you anyway,” Tyler said.

“What do you mean by that?” Damian asked.  The corner of his lips were curling into what Gemma hoped was a smile and not a sneer. 

Tyler took a swig of his Stella.  “I mean, no one’s going to fail UCLA’s star point guard.  Am I not right?”

Gemma glared at Tyler, willing him to shut up.  She peered at Damian, whose serene smile gave her chills.

“I wouldn’t slack off even if that were true,” he said, his grin suddenly devilish.  “I know how to multitask – get all A’s and B’s while winning the national championship.”

Tyler laughed.  “Yeah, you’re gonna have to really hold onto those memories, considering where you’re at now.”

“What? In the NBA?”

Gemma cleared her throat.  “Tyler, will you help me pick out another bottle of wine in the kitchen?”

He ignored her.  “On the Golden State Warriors.  You guys share a division with the Lakers, so good luck is all I can say.”

Damian smirked.  “Lakers fan?”

“Born and raised.”

“That’s what people say when they don’t wanna look like bandwagoners, which is what most Lakers fans are,” Damian said matter-of-factly.  “Bandwagoners.”

“That’s funny.  Calling us ‘bandwagoners’ is what bitter fans say because their own teams can’t ever manage to win fifty games in a season.  Let me guess – you’re a Knicks or Nets fan.”

Damian cocked an eyebrow, grinning at Gemma for a second.  “Knicks fan.”

“My condolences.”

Gemma’s jaw dropped and she looked at Nicki to confirm that what they were witnessing was in fact atrocious behavior.  Nicki simply watched them with a fingernail between her teeth, a look no different than the one she had on before the argument started.  The boys simply stared at one another, both unrelenting in their smug looks of satisfaction. 

But out of nowhere, Damian began to chuckle.  Simultaneously, Tyler’s disparaging smile relented into a fit of laughter.  Suddenly, they were laughing at themselves as well as each other.  Gemma’s eyes darted back and forth between them, confused.