A Captivating Conundrum Read online

  I elbowed Bobby in the ribs and turned my focus on Nicole. "You want book two of the trilogy you love so much, you want me to do casting and work with the actor on this project, and you want me to write a romance novel?"

  She gave me a confused look. "What's the big deal?"

  I leaned back against the elevator wall, trying to remember when it was that I had last taken a breath. "I hope whoever you end up marrying won't mind being castrated."

  Bobby laughed, spitting his coffee. Nicole went completely still, staring down at her now stained Prada's.

  The laughter came from deep within my soul as I watched Bobby and Nicole. The combination of light versus dark always did wonders for my exhausted brain.

  Two

  ~ His ~

  The hard hit came below the belt. When I looked up from the script I was reading with what I thought would be a vicious scowl on my face, I ended up smiling wide as I stared down into the cutest little face I'd ever seen.

  The little girl began to laugh and hugged my knee. "I'm sorry!"

  "It's okay." I tried to match her exuberant tone.

  "I'm Amber." The little girl in the pretty blue dress threw out her hand and stood up straight and tall. I shook it quickly, suddenly getting the feeling that this little backstage sprite was someone who was going to be in charge of Broadway one of these fine days.

  "Who are you?" she asked.

  "Matt. Matt McKenna."

  She climbed up on the piano bench and sat beside me. "Are you singing in my show?"

  "This is your show? Wow. I hope I can sing in it. They asked me to."

  "Are you on Broadway?"

  "Sometimes I am, but I've been gone for just a bit."

  "Where did you go?" She looked at me as if I was absolutely crazy to have left this grand stage. Maybe I was, but I was back…at least for a little while. "I went to California. There's a lot of sun out there."

  "Is there a Broadway there, too?"

  "No."

  "Then why go?"

  I had to laugh. This girl made her point fast. "I was asked to be on television."

  Her big blue eyes suddenly grew wide. "Are you Barney?"

  "Nope," I shrugged. "Not me."

  Her face fell. "Do you at least know him?"

  I know this sounds silly, but this was the best conversation I'd had in a long time. It was so nice to talk about another celebrity, and if a big purple dinosaur outranked me in this girl's eyes, it was just fine with me. "No, I don't. But I hope I meet him someday."

  She nodded, looking at the floor as if deep in thought.

  "So what are you going to do in the show?" I asked.

  She raised her head and her voice grew loud, "I sing and dance."

  "That's so cool."

  Rolling her eyes, she looked at me was if I was nothing but a novice. "I'm one of Anna's children."

  I thought about The King and I piece I'd read—the modern day mash-up of "Getting to Know You" with Alanis Morissette's, "What if God Was One of Us?" was extremely awesome. Whoever had written that one, thinking to combine those two songs, had been pretty brilliant. "And you're singing?"

  "AND dancing." She reiterated. "I'm the child in the finale, too. The piece about fathers and daughters."

  I nodded. God, how I loved that one when I'd read it. "Wow, you must be really talented."

  "I am," she said proudly. "Star says I'm the absolute best one out of the whole bunch." Amber leaned in closer and put her finger up to her lips. "But I'm not supposed to tell anyone. It would hurt their feelings."

  I nodded. "Your secret's safe with me."

  Amber looked around the corners of the piano, apparently to see if any spies were listening to our conversation. "Which one are you in?" she asked.

  I looked down at the pieces listed. I certainly knew which one I wanted, but I already pretty much knew which one I'd be doing. It was silly to be disgruntled. After all, I was one of the 'stars' now. But it would be really nice to avoid the whole 'shirtless' song and dance numbers for once. The one I wanted to perform was something that required the elegance of a Morgan Freeman, the moves of Gene Kelly and the sheer class and acting ability of Paul Newman. I already knew the 'face' standing backstage would get the role, but I so wanted the chance to prove that I was the best one for the job.

  I just shrugged, staring down into the eyes of a true dreamer.

  Amber offered a beautiful smile. "Make sure you bring friends with you on Opening Night, okay? We need to raise a lot of money."

  I smiled back. My heart always felt really big when I thought about the extremely fantastic kids this organization tried to help; kids who simply wanted a family. I guess that's one really lucky thing about the 'star card,' I could help people who really needed it. "Are you one of the children I'll be raising money for?"

  Amber quickly looked at the floor and I wondered if I'd said something wrong, as the small, hopeful whisper of, "Yes," came from her lips.

  I was suddenly scared, hoping I hadn't hurt her feelings. "Well, you certainly don't need any help. After all—singing and dancing on a Broadway stage? People are going to be lining up to take you home. I bet you'll be a huge star very soon."

  Although the tear remained in the corner of her eye, the smile returned to her face. "That's true."

  I chuckled. "So what's your favorite one?" I held up the program.

  "I love The Music Man, but one of the boys got that." She grimaced. "He's not better than me, but they needed a boy."

  I laughed, knowing that somewhere inside that little girl was the power to have proven to the casting director that Gary, Indiana could definitely have been belted out far better from her mouth. "Well, sometimes boys have to get parts, too."

  She shrugged. "I suppose."

  A very familiar laugh echoed from the wings behind us. I stood up quickly, wondering if I was actually imagining the arrival of my best friend who I hadn't seen since 'Hollywood' had beckoned. But sure enough, out popped Christopher; his pink cheeks still made him look like the innocent baby boy I'd first met and protected on the Broadway stage.

  "How the…"

  Chris raised his eyebrow and glanced at the little girl.

  "…heck are ya?" I smiled.

  Giving me a hug, he stood back. "I've been very well, thank you."

  I had to grin. His perfect enunciation and glittering bowtie were still in place. "I've been in the big leagues since you decided to abandon New York for that ridiculous land of plastic surgeons. Are you here to steal my spotlight back? I will not have it, I tell you. I will not."

  I put my hands in the air and retreated, offering a little bow to the new Prince. "Not at all, sir. I would never rain on your parade."

  "Oh, good." He clapped his hands in front of him. "Sometimes I miss our show banter." He bowed at the waist to our small friend. "And who are you, my dear?"

  Amber giggled. "I'm his girlfriend." She pointed up at me with her tiny finger.

  "Really?" Christopher asked. "Well, it's not my place to say, but you're way too pretty for him."

  On cue, Amber tilted her head to the side and blushed brightly. "I know."

  Hitting me on the shoulder, Chris laughed. "Seems you just don't have it anymore, man."

  Plunking himself down in my spot at the piano, he stared up at me. "So, I have followed your career as any good friend would. I see Hollywood is treating you fairly well."

  I sighed contentedly. "I've been lucky."

  He rolled his eyes. "Talent is not luck, my boy. It's a God-given gift." He turned to Amber. "Let's talk about you."

  I didn't know until that moment exactly how happy I was to be back. I mean, I liked Hollywood, but New York held sheer magic. I glanced out at the rows of empty chairs and got the same exact high as I had the very first time I'd auditioned for a role. Of course, I didn't know then that I was actually going to get it. I'd been so excited and more than a little afraid knowing that out in the darkness, in those fancy chairs, sat the director and backers j
ust waiting to see how I'd do. There was a line of hopeful guys waiting behind me in the wings, but for a split second the eyes and minds of the people in charge would rest only on me. And I had nailed it.

  I moved my gaze back to the pink-cheeked pair sitting side by side, and sighed. Christopher had been one of the first I'd met when I took off from California as a young man wanting to live the dream; I had been Broadway-bound and ready to succeed. He was five years younger than I and exuded this complete innocence, as if a Divine aura was wrapped around him, and when he sang…it sounded as if the angels had actually arrived onstage. Other guys in line would leer at him, totally making me sick. No, not because they were gay, but because they looked at him like a piece of luncheon meat. I'd appointed myself his protector that day, and we became friends. For a while, people didn't believe I was straight simply because I spent most of my time with Chris, but I didn't care. Eventually they backed off the both of us and turned their attentions elsewhere.

  Suddenly I registered the high-pitched scream and saw Chris practically jump in the air as Amber raced toward me. I wondered if the little girl had suddenly seen a spider and was about to jump into my arms to be rescued. Her volume was set so high it made my own voice box hurt just listening to her. Quickly I bent down to catch the suddenly manic child, but she raced by me just a bit and came to a sudden stop.

  I felt the warmth of the body beside me and a beautiful scent of lavender filled my senses. As if the world was now running in slow motion I turned, witnessing the shadow that was suddenly pressing up against me.

  Amber's eyes were wide. Her smile beamed under the brilliant lights, as she continued to shout out the word, 'Star.'

  As I reached out and grabbed the soft, sweet-smelling body with the little girl wrapped tightly around its legs, I felt the floor beneath me as I landed hard, sending a jolt up my spine.

  Looking into this new vision, I gazed into the most beautiful chocolate-brown eyes I'd ever seen. Wide and frightened, the woman's stunning features were set in a mask of pure worry as her soft hand pushed against my chest.

  The view. Her touch. The heat from her body…the heady combination made my breath come to a sudden stop, as I wrestled to remember how to exhale.

  When the deep red lips let out a gasp, her hand suddenly moved to my cheek. "I am so sorry." The concerned voice was deep, sultry…soft. "Sir? Are you okay?"

  All I could do was wait for death, seeing as that the breath remained caught in my lungs. Was I okay? How could I not be? Perfection had just fallen into my arms.

  Three

  ~ Hers ~

  Talk about embarrassing.

  "Are you okay? Sir?"

  I watched the handsome man nod. I was so humiliated. With my luck this was a Broadway performer extraordinaire and I was now responsible for causing the injury that'd just taken him out of the 'big show' for the rest of his life. "Sir? Really? Can you speak? Did I hurt you?"

  I felt Bobby behind me; his arms reached around my waist and hoisted me off the poor man's lap, and extended a hand to my victim.

  "You okay, man?" Bobby's voice came out far stronger than mine, as I waited to see if any paralysis was settling into the still frozen figure on the stage.

  Suddenly the man exhaled. Staring up at me, he took Bobby's hand and was immediately vertical. Thank God.

  "I'm fine," he coughed, clearing his throat.

  I felt the need to apologize again and again, but instead I looked down into Amber's apologetic face. Going down on one knee, which in a leather skirt and Prada shoes was not nearly as easy as it looked, I gave her a hard stare. "Honey, you have to be more careful! We could have hurt this poor man."

  She began to cry, throwing herself into my arms. "Star, he's a dancer. What if I broke him?"

  I heard the soft, kind laughter from above, as he looked down and patted Amber's shoulder. "You can't break me, sweetie. I'm made out of iron."

  Without thinking my eyes moved to the muscular chest that was hidden beneath the black t-shirt and had to agree with his statement. I tried to offer another apologetic smile even though I could still feel the burning heat in my cheeks. "I really am sorry. She kind of swept me off my feet." I tried to laugh.

  "Too bad." He reached out his hand and helped me up. "I was hoping I could take the credit for that."

  My skin was inflamed, although now the heat was coming from every pore I owned.

  I heard Amber's whisper. "You shouldn't wear such high heels, Star."

  Nicole burst into laughter behind me. "That is so true, Amber. It's her fault. You tell her!"

  I glanced over my shoulder. "You're wearing six-inchers."

  She snickered. "That's true, but I'm short. I need them. Besides, I'm not the one who threw myself into this poor man's lap." Nicole shook his hand and grinned. "Unfortunately."

  I wanted to laugh as he stared down at Nicole. She looked a bit like an alien with the large headband wrapped around her skull, securing the bright pink earpiece and microphone that dangled in front of her face. "I am Nicole Langley, pretty man. Who are you?"

  "His name is Matt," Amber piped up.

  His eyes returned to mine. "McKenna," he added.

  "Oh!" Amber jumped up in the air as I took two steps back, preparing myself for the next assault.

  Racing over to the piano, Amber grabbed a young man's hand and led him to our group. "This is Christopher, Matt's friend. They sing and dance and stuff. They're helping with the charity."

  She leaned in toward me. "Do you think they have enough friends to get us lots of money?"

  As if on cue, Bobby belted out the only response I had running through my head. "Talented superstars as handsome as these two? They'll pack the house, Amber!"

  My giggle was actually cut short when I looked at Bobby's profile and watched a bit of pink enter his cheeks as he glanced at Christopher. Interesting. My heart skipped a beat as I witnessed the unmistakable 'moment' that I'd been waiting to see for what seemed like centuries.

  My brain kicked into gear. I'd been waiting for Bobby to find some quality person out there. All he'd done was follow my lead and close himself off in my house. I loved him so much that I wanted Bobby to find a man who could see all the fantastic things he had inside him, and as I stared at Christopher, not only did I see one of the sweetest faces in the world, I saw a blush that was actually as red as mine. I wanted to cheer. THIS was definitely the 'boy next door.'

  "Bobby Morrison," my friend spoke quietly.

  "Chris Haven." The blue-eyed man nodded back.

  Breaking their eye contact, looking as if he just needed to step back from the prettiest face he'd ever seen, the young man looked me up and down. "Killer fashion."

  "Thanks." I laughed. "It almost really was."

  He grabbed my hands and smiled. "Is you name really Star?"

  I swallowed the lump of truth that rose in my throat, as I took a second to think through the answer.

  Nicole's voice shattered my eardrum, "I have to say it was absolutely THRILLING to meet you both today, but we have to head to the writer's room and get coordinated."

  "Are you one of the writers?" Matthew asked Nicole, as he sent me yet another glance that made me feel as if high school prom was upon me and I was being crowned homecoming queen with him by my side. I shook the silly thoughts from my head, wondering why a woman my age would be acting like such a moron.

  "Yes," Nicole lied.

  Taking me by the arm the short, yet seriously strong woman, led me off the stage and away from the questions as fast as possible.

  In a fleeting gaze I saw Matt McKenna disappear from sight, as the crowd flooded the stage and blocked him from my view.

  As the lights began to dim and Nicole congregated with the other writers and agents sitting all around, I took my place in a very private corner and waited to see the beauty and talent that was about to unfold.

  ~***~

  I like sitting off by myself, but there are times when I also love to be the center of a
ttention on a dance floor. Nicole calls me a puzzle but, then again, Nicole sometimes finds people on the street a puzzle because she can't understand why anyone would put all that crap on top of a hot dog and then put it into their system by choice. I like those dog vendor choices, myself. Maybe it's the level of controlled danger they present. There could be a heart attack waiting when you're through, could be just some indigestion…who knew? That's what made it fun.

  As the musical performances began I was beyond stunned. There was one young lady who hit such a flat note that I thought even Amber—who was sitting beside me, and the only one allowed to share my private space—was going to swallow her tongue.

  Amber looked up at me with confusion in her eyes. I tried not to laugh because it's completely classless to do that in a theatre. But I did emit a giggle and then immediately blamed it on Amber by pointing my finger over her head. Upside? Amber let's me get away with juvenile things like that; that's one of the reasons she's my girl.

  The Hollywood star 'most talked about' appeared and began reading my piece. Yes, he was good at it—had it memorized down to a tee, in fact. And yes, he was good looking. Of course, I already knew he'd been voted the most beautiful or most sexy or whatever it was, in the world. But the more he spoke the more I realized there was something 'off' about him. He produced the tears on cue, anger erupted from his soul at just the right time, but he took my script and turned it into just that…a script. Nothing more, nothing less.

  Applause came from the group clustered in the center seats.

  Amber looked up at me. "Do I really have to dance with him?"

  I laughed. A diva at such a young age. I wondered if she'd already asked the House Manager if she could have chocolate chip cookies in her dressing room no matter how small it may be, practicing for the day when the cookie request would become Perrier and caviar.

  I reached out and took her hand. "No, hon. I get to decide who you dance with."

  "Do you like him?"

  I stared up at the stunningly handsome face that wore a mask of superiority, and my stomach curdled. I shook my head.