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Upside Down isaworkoffiction Names,characters,places,andincidentsaretheproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously Any resemblancetoactualevents,locales,orpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental
Copyright©2024byDanielleSteel Allrightsreserved.
PublishedintheUnitedStatesbyDelacortePress,animprintofRandomHouse,adivisionofPenguinRandomHouseLLC,NewYork
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Chapter 1
ThelineoflimousinessnakeddownthedrivewayoftheBeverlyHiltonhotelatasnail’spacetodropoffstarsandstarlets, producers,directors,ingénues,thefamousandtheinfamousandtheunknownsandwannabes,desperatetobeseenatone ofHollywood’smostglitteringannualevents,theGoldenGlobeAwards Thegreatlyrespectedawardwassecondonlytothe AcademyAwards.Atsixty-two,ArdithLaw,oneofHollywood’sbiggeststarsforthepastfortyyears,hadwonthreeGolden Globessofar.AndshehadtwooftheAcademy’scovetedOscarstohercreditaswell.Thiswasaneveningshenevermissed, asmuchtopayherrespectstoherfellowactorsastobeseenherself Itwasoneofthosethingsonehadtodo Itwasexpected, andyouhadtokeepyourfaceoutthereifyouwantedtocontinuetogetwork,andyourfacehadtolookdamngoodoryou’d betternotshowup!
Ardith was known for the variety and depth of the roles she accepted, and the quality of the movies she starred in Occasionally,shetookasmall,unusualpartifitintriguedher,whichhappenedfromtimetotime,butasarule,sheonlytook majorstarringroles.Shewasanextraordinaryactresswithahugetalentandawell-deservedreputation.Shewaspickyabout thepartsshetook Shewantedtobeinmovieswithdepthandmerit,whichweren’talwayseasytofindafteracertainage She looked exceptionally good at sixty-two, was still beautiful, and unlike nearly every actress in Hollywood, she had had no “work” done. She preferred to keep her ownnatural face and leftitto the makeup artists onsetto correctwhatever needed attention.Andshewasneverafraidtotakeanimportantpartifitagedherbeyondheractualyears.
Ardithwantedroleswithsubstancethatstretchedhertothelimitsofherabilities Sheturneddownmostoftheeasyparts Althoughforthepasttwoyears,therehadbeennooffers.Noonedaredtocastherinminorroles,andproducersknewthather agent, Joe Ricci, would turn them down before the offers even got to her. But once she turned sixty, there had been no appropriatepartsfor her Shereadscriptsconstantly,lookingfor therightroles,buthadn’tseenanyshewantedtoplay Her highstandardsandperfectionismonsethadwonherthereputationofbeingdifficultoradiva,whichwasn’tentirelytrue.She was anextremelydedicated actress and demanded a lot of herself and everyone she worked with. So now and then, when othersfellshort,fortyyearsofthebestpartsavailableandproducerswhowoulddoalmostanythingtokeepherhappyhadled torarebutmemorableoutburststhatsupportedthenotionthatshewasadiva.Shewasaboveallaconsummateprofessional, andastartoherverycore.Itwasn’taboutego,butmoreaboutwantingtobetheabsolutebestshecouldbeineveryrole,atall times.Shehatedworkingwithlazyactors,andshehatedstupidityandphonies.Shewastruetoherselfandherhighstandards ineveryway Shewasanhonestwoman,andagreatactressmorethanadiva,nomatterwhatpeoplesaidwhodidn’treally know her. Her career was vital to her sense ofwell-beingand purpose. She had missed workingfor the pasttwo years but preferred it to acceptingroles insecond-rate movies. She was waitingfor the right filmto come along, and she knew that eventuallyitwould Inthemeantime,shereadeverybookandscriptshecouldlayherhandson
Her personal life had always takena backseatto her career, and itstill did. She had one daughter fromaneight-year marriage thatbeganinher twenties.She hadbeenmarriedtoone ofHollywood’s biggestproducers,JohnWalker.Theyhad beenapowerfulpairandhadmadeseveralmoviestogether,whichhadbeenlegendaryboxofficesuccessesandenhancedboth
their careers. Ithad beena tumultuous butcreative match, whichalso produced their onlydaughter, Morgan, who was now thirty-eightyearsoldandaplasticsurgeoninNewYork.
MorganhadavoidedtheHollywoodsceneallherlife,andchosemedicineasanexciting,satisfyingalternative.Itsuited her She was a partner ina successful practice of plastic surgeons, withtwo senior partners who had worked together for years.Onewasclosetoretirement,theotherwasinfullswing,andMorganwastheonlywomantheyhadeverinvitedtojoin thepartnership.OneoftheseniorpartnersalsotaughtatColumbiamedicalschool.Theysetthebarhigh.
ArdithwishednowthatshehadspentmoretimewithMorganwhenshewasyounger,butherowncareerhadbeenwhitehot then, and she was too often away on location and away from Morgan, and didn’t deny it. Ardith had missed all the importantmomentsandlandmarksinMorgan’slife,theschoolplays,herfirstprom,herfirstheartbreak,manybirthdays,and there was no wayto catchup She feltguiltyaboutitnow butthere was no wayto make up for it, or relive the past Once Morganwasanadult,thetwowomenwereverydifferent.Morganrespectedhermother’scareerbuthadneverenjoyedit,and thedifferencesintheirpersonalitiesandrespectivecareerswerehardtobridgenow.Theyspokeoften,outofdutyandrespect, butagreedonverylittle.Morganhadfewmemoriesofherfather,whohaddiedwhenshewasseven.Therehadbeenscandal aroundherfather’sdeath,whichhadtroubledherforyears
JohnWalker had died ina tragic helicopter accident, whichwas evenmore traumatic for Ardithbecause he was killed withtheyoungwomanhewasrumoredtobehavinganaffairwithatthetime,abuddingactresswhowasappearinginoneof hismoviesandwhosecareerhewasshepherding Shewastwenty-two,andArdithwasthirty-onethen Thelettersshefound afterJohn’sdeathwithhisprotégéeconfirmedherfearsandsuspicionsabouttheirinvolvement.Ardithhadneverforgivenhim forit.Thepresshadturnedhisdeathintoaluridevent.Morganknewthestoryonceshewasolder,andhadharboredillusions abouthimanyway Hisfilmsremainedastributestohim,buthisreputationasawomanizerlastedafterhisdeath Ardithknew itwasn’thisfirstaffairbyanymeansandhadsaidasmuchtoMorgan.Hecouldneverresisttheactressesinhisfilms.Ardith had never married againand had no regrets thatshe hadn’t. Itwas anexperience she never wanted to repeat, as she had no desiretobemarriedtoanothercheaterandshedidn’twantmorechildren Morganwasenoughtodealwithonherown,and theirrelationship had never beeneasy, and less and less so whenMorgangrew up She’d beenrebellious inher teens, and angryabouttheparentsshedidn’thave.Ardithreadilyadmittedthatalthoughshelovedher daughter,motherhoodwasn’ther strongsuit.Morganagreed.Ardithhadn’tbeenpreparedforhow muchsheneededtogiveachild,especiallyafterherfather died Theyoccasionallyhadagoodtimetogether,buttheydidn’tseeeachotheroftenanymore Ardithhadthetimetogiveher now,butMorgandidn’thavetheinterestorthetime.ShewasbusywithhercareerasaphysicianinNewYork,andhermother wasproudofher,butArdithstillhadherownlifeasastarinL.A.Morganwassingleatthirty-eightandsaidshedidn’thave timeforahusbandandchildren,orevendating Herworkandherpatientswereherpriorities Insomewaysshewaslikeher mother hercareercamefirst.Andthetableshadturned.Ardithhadn’tmadeenoughtimeforherwhenshewasachild,and nowMorganmadenoeffortforher.Itwasacycletheycouldn’tseemtobreak,andArdithhadacceptedthefactthatitwastoo late andtheywouldnever be close Theyexistedonthe peripheryofeachother’s lives Andlivingonopposite coasts,they sawtoolittleofeachothertohealthedamageofthepast Theyhadtheoccasionalnicedinnertogether,andthenMorganflew backtoNewYork,andtheydidn’tseeeachotherformonths.
Forthepasttwelveyears,ArdithhadfoundcomfortablecompanionshipwithWilliamWest,whowasalmostasbigastar asshewas Hehadbeenareadilyidentifiableherooverafifty-yearcareer,evenlongerthanArdith’s Hehadneverwonan Oscar, and hadn’ttakenthe challengingroles she had, butaudiences loved him. He tookparts thatendeared himto his fans. Sincehewasn’tasdemandingaboutthepartsheplayed,heworkedmoreoftenthanArdith,andstilldidoneortwopicturesa year HewasleavingintwodaysforEnglandonlocation,playingaworthwhilerole,althoughhewasnolongertheromantic lead.Atseventy-eight,hewashealthyandenergeticandwantedtocontinueworking,eveninslightlylessimportantparts.He hadnodesiretoretire.
Ardithalwayssaidthatthesixteen-year agedifferencebetweenthemdidn’tbother her Whenthey’dgottentogether,she wasfiftyandhewassixty-six,stillahandsomeman,andastar.Theyhadtheircareersincommon,andhewaskind,attentive, and good company. He had slowed downa little inthe pastfew years, butother thanthe handful ofpills and vitamins she handedhimeverydaytokeephimhealthy,hewasinsurprisinglygoodconditionforhisage.Nooneknewwhatwouldcome later, but for now he was doing fine and still working He hadn’t been as wise with money as she was He had never commandedthesalariesshedidandwasgrateful tobelivinginherhomeinBel Airforthepasttenyears.Hecontributeda small amounttoexpenses,butArdithdidn’texpectanythingfromhim.Hehadbeenmarriedanddivorcedtwice,toactresses bothtimes, had onlystayed married briefly, and had no children, whichkeptthings simple He had always beenfriendlyto
Morgan,butshewasalreadydoingherresidencyatColumbiabythetimeheandArdithgottogether,soMorgan’srelationship withhimwascordial butsuperficial.Shehadnocomplaintsagainsthim,hewasfriendlyandpoliteandgoodtoher mother, andhehadappearedmuchtoolatetobeafatherfiguretoher.Shesaidshehadnoneedforone,andshefoundhimsomewhat narcissistic,likemostactors,moreconcernedwithhisownlooks,projects,andproblemsthananyoneelse’s Ardithwasused to itand didn’tmind, and theywere eachthe longestrelationship either ofthemhad ever had. After twelve years, theyhad becomealegendaryHollywoodcouple,andwerealwaysseentogether.Itwasn’tagreatloveaffairandneverhadbeen,butit wascompanionshipforbothofthem Theyhadeachotherandweren’taloneorlonely
Whenthe car finallystopped infront of the Hilton, Ardithstepped out of the car, ina longsleekblacksatingown, which moldedherimpeccablymaintainedfigure Shehadawhitefoxwraponhershoulders,waswearingadiamondnecklaceand earrings she had borrowed fromVanCleef&Arpels, and her blond hair was combed ina smooth, elegantbun. She looked dazzling,andthepresswentwildwhentheysawher,flashingherpicture,shoutinghername,wavingtocatchherattentionas BillWeststeppedoutbehindherinanimpeccabletuxedo Shesmiledandwavedlikeroyaltyatthemassofphotographersand thefanshoveringnearthemattheedgeofthecrowd,andsheandBillglidedsmoothlyinsidetomaketheirwaydownthered carpetbeforethedinnerandawardceremonybegan.OnceArdithandBillwereinaroomoracrowd,alleyeswereonthem. Mostpeopleassumedthattheyweremarriedbynow,buttheyweren’t,andshestillhadnodesiretobe Shesaidtherewasno reasonforit,althoughBillremindedherfromtimetotimethathewouldpreferit,buthewasofapreviousgeneration.Andshe always pointedoutthatatthis pointmarriage wouldn’tchange anything.Theyhadlivedtogether for tenoutoftwelve years, and there was no additional benefit to marriage, except emotional reassurance she didn’t need. Ardith was a strong, selfsufficientwomanandpreferredherlifethatway
Bill had beaten prostate cancer five years before, which had left him healthy and cancer-free but unable to perform sexually,whichsheaccepted.Shewasyoungtogiveupsex,butitwasasacrificeshemadeforhim.Therelationshiptheyhad suitedher,andhimaswell Shecouldn’timaginemeetingsomeoneelsenowandhavingtoadjusttoanewman Shehadhad enoughmeninherlifeandwassatisfiedtohaveBillWestbethelastone.TheywerebothHollywoodiconsandthoughttobe theperfectcouple.Insomeways,beingwithamanhisageagedher,andinothersitmadeherfeelyoung.Theyseemedright togetherineveryone’seyes,includingtheirown Hewastheperfectsupportingactortoher,thestar
Theyspenthalfanhourgoingdowntheredcarpet,thenmadetheirwaytotheirtable,wheretheywouldhavedinnerand watchtheawards.TheGoldenGlobeswereimportantandoftenpredictedhowtheOscarswouldgotwomonthslater.Ardith and Bill were seated at a table ofcomparable major stars, and the TVcameras sought themout constantly Theywould be underclosescrutinyallnight,andBillhadalreadytoldArdithhewantedtogohomerightaftertheawardsandskiptheafterparties.HestillhadalottodobeforeheleftforEnglandtwodayslater,andhedidn’twanttostayoutlate,althoughshewould haveenjoyedit.Shedidn’twanttogotothepartieswithouthim,sosheplannedtoleavewithhim.
Ardithand Bill bothaccuratelypredicted who would winthatnight, and approved ofthe foreignpress’s choices, and after makingtheirwaybackthroughthephotographers,theyescapedwithoutattendinganyofthepartiesandwerebackatArdith’s houseinBelAirbeforemidnight ArdithhadalreadypackedmostofwhatBillwouldneedinEngland,buthekeptaddingtoit, afraidshehadforgottensomething.Shewasgoingtopackhisvariousmedicationsinhisbriefcase,withnotesaboutwhatto takewhen.Hefellasleepwithhisarmaroundherthatnight,withOscar,Ardith’stinywhitetoypoodle,onthebednexttoher. Shetookhimeverywhere,whichBill hadobjectedtoatfirst,buthefinallygotusedtohim Ardithclaimedthedogwasher soulmate,andhisconstantpresencewasnonnegotiable. ArdithwasanearlyriserandwasalreadyatthebreakfasttablethenextdaywhenBillappearedinanavycashmeredressing gownwithnavysatinlapels. She looked up and smiled whenshe saw him. She read the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal everyday.Shehadaninsatiablehungerforknowingabouttheworldaroundher,moreso thanBill,whoread Variety fornewsofthefilmindustry,whichwasallthatreallyinterestedhim HesaidthatheleftArdithin
chargeofworldnews,andwassureshe’dlethimknowifthestockmarketcrashedorawarbrokeout,andshepromisedshe would.
“Didyousleepwell?”sheaskedhim,asshedideverymorning,withatenderlook.
“Idid”Hesmiledather “Ihatetoleaveyoufortwomonths,”hesaidwistfully,asshepouredhimacupofcoffee Buthe hadnodesiretoretireeither.Heenjoyedhisworkandlovedgoingonlocation.Itmadehimfeelbusyandalive,andimportant. “Ihadanemailfromtheproducerthismorning.Yourassistantstartstomorrow,whenIleave.”Aspartofhiscontract,andto inducehimtogoonlocationfortwomonths,theproducerswouldprovideanassistanttohelpArdithwithallthesmalltasks Billdidforher.Heworriedaboutherbeingaloneforsolongwithnoonetohelpherandfeltmildlyguiltyleaving.Hewas stillabankablenameandtokeephimhappy,theproducersagreedtoprovideArdiththeassistant,shehadguessedprobablya youngactresstheyknewwellwhowasn’tcurrentlyworkingandneededthemoney Andshewasgratefulforwhateverhelpan assistantwouldgiveher.Shewasexpectingafemaleassistant.Shehadahousekeeperwhocamedailyduringtheweek,and leftdinner for themiftheyweren’tgoingout. Ardithoftendrove herselfaround town, butused drivers too. She drove Bill whenhehadappointments,orhetookanUber.Shethoughtanassistantmightbesuperfluous,butBillwantedhertoacceptit.It wasfreeandanadd-ontohiscontract,whichhisagenthadnegotiated Itwasaperkforhertoshare,sosheagreedsomewhat hesitantly. Since itwasn’tArdith’s contract, theydidn’toffer her the opportunityto interview whoever theyhired. She was mildlyworriedthatanunknownassistantmightbemoreofanannoyancethanahelp,butshecouldalwaysfireherifshedidn’t likeher,anditmadeBillfeelasthoughhehaddonesomethingspecialforher,soshehadn’targuedaboutit
“Didtheytellyouanythingabouther?”Ardithasked,asshepouredskimmilkintoabowlofcerealforhim.Shewatched hisdietmorecarefullythanhedid.Hewouldhavepreferredbaconandfriedeggs,whichshedidn’tallowhim.Therewasa responsibilitythatwentwithbeingwithamanhisage Shewasasmuchanurseasagirlfriend
“No,theydidn’t,”hesaidabouttheassistant.“I’msureshe’llbeverynice.YoucansendOscartothegroomerwithher,” hesaid,ataskwhichhepersonallydidn’tlike.OscarhadneverbeenoverlyfondofBill.Oscarknew whohisfriendswere. Billwasn’ta“dogperson”andOscarknewit
“Idon’tmindtakinghim,”Ardithsaidbreezily
“What are youhearingfromMorganthese days?” he asked her. He was impressed byMorgan’s medical career. Even thoughtheyweren’tclose,Ardithfrequentlyaskedherformedicaladvice,whichMorganwasloathtogiveher.Ardithchecked onallofBill’smedicationswithherdaughter,tobesurethereweren’tdangeroussideeffectsthedoctorshadn’tinformedhim of.
“Nothingmuch.AllMorgandoesiswork,”sheansweredhisquestion.
“No maninher life?” He was sorryshe hadn’tmetsomeone bynow, atthirty-eight He thoughtshe should make some effortinthatdirection,as shewasn’tgettinganyyounger ifshewantedahusbandandachild.Bill hadold-school views on everysubject,particularlywomenandrelationships.
“Shesaysshedoesn’thavetime,”Ardithsaid Shehadstoppedremindingherdaughterofitherself ItwasuptoMorgan ifshewantedmarriageandkids Itdidn’tlooklikeitsofar,andshelovedherwork Morganhadneverbeenveryinterestedin marriage.“She’sthinkingaboutgoingtoVietnamthisfall,toworkonaspecial project,probono,helpingkidswithburns.It soundsawful,butnoble.”
“She’sagoodgirl,”Billsaidadmiringly,andleftthetableashorttimelatertofinishpacking Ardithdrovehimallover towntodolast-minuteerrands,andtheywerebothexhaustedthatnightwhentheywenttobed.Hehadtoleavethehouseatsix A.M.,astheproducerswerehavinghimpickedupforanine A.M.flighttoLondon.HewasgettingVIPtreatmentalltheway,due tohisageandstatus
Thealarmwentoffatfive,andhewasreadytoleavewhenthecararrived.HelookedlovinglyatArdithastheystoodin thedoorway,sheinhernightgown,andBillelegantlydressedforthetrip.
Helookedeveryinchamoviestar,inadarkgraysuit,blueshirt,andnavytie,withawell-cutnavyovercoat,andahat thatmadehimlookverydashing.Hewasexcitedtobegoingtoworkonafilmfortwomonths,andtohaveagoodrole,buthe wassorrytoleaveher.Shehadpromisedtovisithiminthreeweeks,andshewaslookingforwardtosometimealonewhile hewasgone.ShewasplanningtospendanightinNew Yorkontheway,tovisitMorganifher daughter hadtime.Theplan wasn’tdefiniteyet Morgandidn’tmakeplansfarinadvanceandsaidshewasswampedatwork
“Trytobehavewhileyou’regone,”ArdithteasedBill.“Don’tfallinlovewiththestar.”
“Youtoo,” he said, and kissed her. He had more to worryaboutthanshe did, buttheywere faithful to eachother. She stoodwavingfromthedoorwayasthecarpulledaway,andsheenviedhimforaminute Shewouldhavelikedtobeleavingto
workonafilmonlocation,andhopedshewouldbeoneofthesedays,fortherightmovie ItmadeBillfeelusefulandengaged tobeworking.Hehadthreesuitcasesforhiselegantsuits,andafourthonejustforshoes.HehadfriendsinLondonheplanned to see when they had breaks, and he wouldn’t be on set every day. The role wasn’t too physically demanding, unlike the projectsArdithusuallysignedonfor,whichrequiredmonthsofpreparation Hiscareerhadneverbeenasdemandingashers Hewastheonlyactorshe’deverbeeninvolvedwithwhowasn’tjealousofheranddidn’tpunishherforhersuccess,which was one of the reasons their relationship worked so well. He had never been resentful of her fame. Bill was easygoing, comfortable with who he was, satisfied with the degree of success he’d achieved, and didn’t want more than that Unlike Ardith,whohadalwayspushedherselfhard,physicallyandmentally,withtherolesshetook,alwayswantingtoachievemore. ItwaswhyshehadwontwoOscarsandhehadn’t,andhedidn’tmindthateither.Atseventy-eight,hewasjusthappytostillbe inthegameandtohaveworkatall Hehadneverbeenasambitiousordrivenasshewas Theywereagoodfitthatway
Shewentbacktobed,thinkingabouthimafterheleft,happyforhimthathewouldbeworking.Itwasanimpressivecast, whichwouldbefun,andafamousdirectorwhomBillhadworkedwithbefore.
Shefellasleep,wokeuptwohourslater,showered,andputonagreenfacemaskshedidn’tlikeapplyingwhenBillwas athome Itmadeherlooklikethewitchin The Wizard of Oz Thenshesatdowntobreakfastwiththepapersshereadevery day.Shewashalfwaythroughthe Los Angeles Times whentherewasthesoundofanexplosionoutside,orsomekindofmajor disturbance. She looked up insurprise, peeked throughthe blinds ofthe kitchenwindow, and saw anenormous motorcycle head straightfor the house and spinaround witha sprayofgravel The biker ridingitlooked like DarthVader or a Hell’s Angel,inahelmetwithablackshieldthatconcealedhisface,ablackmotorcyclejacket,tornjeans,andbikerboots,andhesat staringatthe house for a minute, lookingas thoughhe was goingto kill someone ifhe gotinside. Benicia, the housekeeper, camerunninguptoArdith,lookingterrified
“HelookslikeaHell’sAngel,shouldIcall thepolice?”shewhispered,whileArdithtriedtoevaluatethesituationand justhowdangerousthebikerwas.Helookedlikearoughcustomer.Oscarwasbarkingfranticallyfromthenoisethebikerhad alreadymadewiththeHarley
“Where are the panic buttons?” Ardithasked, whisperingtoo He looked menacingas he slowlygot off the enormous motorcycle.Youheardaboutguyslikehim,whobrokeintohomesorheldpeopleatgunpointwhiletheyrobbedtheminbroad daylight.
BeniciatookapanicbuttonoutofadrawerandhandedittoArdith,asshecontinuedtowatchhim,wonderingifhewas armedorgoingtobreakawindowtoenterthehouse.Ithadneverhappenedbefore.Shedidn’tlikegunsanddidn’tkeeponein the house, althoughBill thoughtshe should, for aneventsuchas this. Burglars and criminals inthe Los Angeles area were knowntobeprettybold Ardithwasholdingthepanicbuttoninherhand,abouttopressit,whilewatchingwhatthefearsomelookingbikerwasgoingtodo.Hetookthehelmetoff,andshesawthathewasunshaven,withafacecoveredinbeardstubble, andhadlongishhairthatlookedasthoughithadn’tseenacombinmonths.Hehadapowerfulbuild,andshehadvisionsofhim tyingthemupwhileherobbedthehouse Hedidn’tlooklikeadrugaddict,morelikeathug Hewasingoodshape,withbroad shoulders Hewalkedawayfromthekitchenwindows,strodeupthefrontsteps,andrangthedoorbell,whichwasn’twhatshe expectedatall.Ormayberobberswerejustthatbrazennow,theyrangthefrontdoorbell,grabbedyou,andtiedyouup.Shehit thepanicbuttonassoonasherangthebell andtiptoedtothefrontdoor togetabetter lookathimthroughthepeephole.He wasjuststandingthere,andsheknewthepolicewouldarriveinlessthantenminutes ArdithtoldBeniciatostayinthekitchen shedidn’twantherhousekeepergettinghurt andstoodontheoppositesideofthefrontdoor,wonderingwhattodobefore thepolicearrived.Billhadbeengoneforexactlythreehoursandtheywereunderattack.Sherememberedthenthathehadtold Variety thathe was leavingtownfor two months onlocation, whichshe didn’tlike Notthathe would be anymatchfor the hoodlumontheirfrontsteps,whowasbuiltlikeabodybuilderandlookedaboutthirtyyearsold,ifthat,probablyyounger.
“Whoisit?”Ardithshoutedthroughthedoor,curiouswhathe’dsay,andtryingtosoundfierceherself.Herthroatwasdry, andshewasshaking,buttheadrenalinerushoffearmadeherbrave
“It’sJoshGray.Ms.Law’sassistant,”hesaid,soundingmuchmeekerthanArdithassheletoutagaspandfeltherknees goweak.
“You’re what?” She unlocked and pulled openthe door and stared athim, inher bathrobe and bare feet, withher hair piledontopofherhead,andherfacegreenwiththeforgottenfacemask Sheandthefierce-lookingallegedassistantstaredat eachotherindisbelief.
“I’mhernewassistant…yournewassistant,”hesaid,hesitantly,assumingshewasArdithLaw.“I’msupposedtostartthis morning Mr West’sproducersentme”
“Andyoucametoworklookinglike that?”shesaidwithblatantdisapproval “Ithoughtyouweregoingtobreakintothe houseandkillus.Andyou’resupposedtobeawoman.”
“Sorry,theysentme.Fortwomonths.”Oscarthetoypoodleranintothehallfromthekitchenandbarkedfranticallyatthe man Ardithcouldhear sirensinthedistance,andinlessthanaminute,twosquadcarsarrivedandfour officersrantoward themwithgunsdrawn,asJoshGraylookedpanicked.
“Handsintheair,”thepoliceshoutedathim,asoneofthempushedhimtothegroundandhelayfacedownonthelawn. Ardithlookedembarrassed
“I’msorry,”shesaidtotheofficers,astwoofthemstaredather.“Itwasamisunderstanding.Ithoughtitwasabreak-in, butitwasjustmyassistantcomingtowork.”Shetriedtolookstarlikeandsoundcharmingandcasual,asJoshlookedupat themfromthe ground inshock, and she caughta glimpse ofherselfinthe hall mirror and saw the greenface maskshe had forgotten. “OhmyGod. I’mreallysorry.” The police withdrew quickly, and Joshgotto his feetand stared ather. She was unrecognizablewiththegreengooonherface,butshewasobviouslyArdithLaw.Itwasahellofanintroductiontohisnew boss,andhe hadn’twantedthe jobanyway.Joshwas anactor,outofwork,his nextmovie hadjustbeencanceledsoBill’s produceronthefilmassignedhimtoArdithasanassistantfortwomonths,whichJoshhadbeendreading
Hehadreadaboutherreputationasadivaandhadnodesiretobehercabanaboyfortwomonths,buthewasbeingpaid todoitandheneededthemoney,sincethesci-fimoviehe’dbeenhiredtodohadn’thappened.Butthiswasalotworsethana badmovie Hewasforty-oneyearsoldandhadbeenactinginsecond-ratemoviesforthelasttenyears,andwaitingontables Hewasstillhopingforhisbigbreak,andithadn’thappenedyet.ArdithLawwasclearlynotit.
“Comein,”shesaidtohimsternly,“beforethewholeneighborhoodseesus.”ShepickedupOscar,Joshwalkedintothe fronthall,andsheshutthedoorhardbehindhim “Whatareyoudoingcomingtoworkonthat thing?You’llterrifythewhole neighborhood.IthoughtyouwereaHell’sAngel.”
“Soyoucalledthepolice?”Hewasstillstunnedatwhathadhappened.
“Youlookdangerous Andwhydidn’ttheysendawoman?”
“Ithinktheyweregoingto,butshegotapartonsometeenvampiremovie,soyougotmeinstead Thesci-fimovieIwas supposedtodogotcanceledsoIwasfree.Ihaveafriendintheproducer’soffice.Hesetmeupforthejob.”
“Great.YoulooklikeDarthVader.Youcan’tcometoworkonthatthing,”shetoldhimashefollowedherintothekitchen, andBeniciastaredatthemboth,unabletounderstandwhyArdithhadinvitedtheirattackerintothehouse
“Idon’thaveacar,”hesaidpolitely,wonderingifshewascrazy,orjustweirdwiththegreenface.
“TakeanUber.Myneighborswillkillmeforthatracket.Icangiveyouacartodrivewhileyou’reatwork.”
“WhatexactlyamIgoingtobedoing?”heasked,lookingworried “TheysaidyouneededanassistantwhileMr Westis away.”
“Exactly.Youcantakethedogtothegroomer,pickuppackages,doerrandsforme.WhateverIneed,”buthavingamale assistantwasgoingtobeaproblem Hecouldn’tcomeintotheroomwhenshewasundressedortakeorderswhileshewasin thebathtub Hewasn’twhatshewantedatall,andtheyhadnevertoldBill theymightsendaman Hewasalmostuselessto her.
“I’mnotatrainedbodyguard,”hewarnedher.
“Idon’tneedone OrIdidn’tuntilyoushowedup YouscaredpoorBeniciatodeath,”shescoldedhim “Andyouhaveto cometoworkdecentlydressed,youcan’trunaroundtownlookinglikeaHell’sAngel.Doyouhaveajacket,likeablazeror something?”
Henodded “Doyouwantmetowearasuitandtie?”heaskeddismally “No,apropershirt,cleanuntornjeans,andajacketwillbefine,andrealshoesorrunningshoes,noaxemurdererboots.” Shelookedathimwithdisapproval.“Doyoulikedogs?”
“I’veneverhadone”Oscarwasstillbarking,andJoshdidn’tlookenthusedattheprospect “Doeshebite?”
“Onlypeoplehedoesn’tlike,”Ardithsaidcurtly.“Heweighsthreepounds.Youdon’tneedtoworryabouthim.”Asshe saidit,Oscarbaredhisfangsandlookedmorelikearabidguineapigthanadog.Joshlookedmiserable.
“Doyouwantmetogohomeandchange?”Sheconsideredit,stillinhergreenface,whichshehadforgottenagainwhile beratinghim Hehadupsetthemall,eventhedog
“You’re fine for today. Trynot to scare us to deathtomorrow.” He nodded, still rememberingwhenhe had beenlying facedownonthelawnminutesbefore,withtwoarmedLAPDofficerspointingtheirgunsathim.“I’llgetdressed.Youcanrun meintoBeverlyHillstodosomeerrands,thatwayIwon’thavetopark”
“Fine”Henodded,stillstunnedbythefirstmomentsofhisnewjob Thenexteightweeksseemedfrightening,givenwhat he’dseensofar.Acrazedmouseofadog,abosswithagreenface,armedpoliceforcinghimdownonherfrontlawn.Ifhe could have hithis ownpanic button, he would have. This was a lotworse thanhe had feared. She wasn’ta diva, she was insane,andhe was stuckwithher for the nexteightweeks Adrinktocalmhis nerves wouldhave beenappealing,andthen maybeshe’dfirehimandhewouldn’thavetodealwithherforthenexttwomonths.Butfornow,hewasonthehook,because hisdamnmoviehadbeencanceledandhehadtobeanerrandboytoalunatic.Hewantedtorunscreamingoutthedoor,buthe knewhecouldn’t Heneededthemoneytopayhisrent Benicialookedathimsuspiciouslyashesatdownatthekitchentable andwaitedforArdithtoreappearsohecoulddrivehersomewhere.AsfarasJoshwasconcerned,sheneededanexorcist,not anassistant,andashewaited,hereacheddowntopetthefrenziedtoypoodle,whobaredhisfangsathimagain,aspiringtobe Cujo
“Benice,”Joshwhisperedtohim.“I’mnotlikingthisanymorethanyouare.Ipromisenottobotheryouifyoudon’tbite me.Deal?”Oscarhesitatedforaminute,staredJoshintheeye,uncurledhislips,andmarchedofftofindhismistress,while Joshwonderedwhattheproductioncompanywoulddotohimifhequitonthefirstday.Itwasverytempting,andhewondered ifhe’dneedatetanusshotifOscarbithim Thiswasdefinitelyahighstressjob,andnotatallwhathe’dexpected Buthow muchworsecoulditget?Atleastthecopsdidn’tshoothim,buthecouldn’tbringhisHarleytowork,andhehadtodressto catertoher.Itwaspossiblytheworstjobhe’deverhad,anddivadidn’tbegintodescribeit.Adivawithagreenfaceanda savagetoypoodle Hecouldn’twaittogethome,smokeajoint,andhaveamartini Itwasgoingtobeavery,verylongeight weeksworkingforMs.ArdithLaw!
Chapter 2
WhenArdithcamebacktothekitchenhalfanhourlater,shewaswearingslacks,asweater,andablackcashmerecoat, and looked casual and chic, with her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail, and just a hint of makeup She looked surprisinglynormalandyoung,andtherewasnohintofthegreenWizard of Oz face ShewascarryingOscarinablackBirkin bag. Since Josh hadn’t gone home to change, he was still wearing the same Metallica T-shirt, his battered leather biker’s jacket,andtornjeans.He couldsee now whyhis outfitwas inappropriate comparedtohow she looked.He was startledby howbeautifulshewaswithoutthegreenface,andshelookedsurprisinglyyoung
“I’msorry,”hesaidsoftly,“I’llweardecentclothestomorrow.Theydidn’ttellmewhatyou’dwantmetodo.”
“It’sall right,”shesaidmorecalmly.“Youcanstayinthecar.IhavetopickupsomethingIorderedatHermès,lookat somethingatChanel,andgetsomethingstosendtoMr WestinEnglandthatheforgottobuybeforeheleft,somespecialskin creamsandshampoo.AndIwanttogetabooktosendtomydaughter,”sheexplained,assheledhimtothegarage,wherehe saw anelegantblackRolls,ablackRangeRover,andanavyblueBentleysportscar.SheheadedtotheBentleyandhanded himthekeys “Iassumeyoucandriveacartoo”
Joshbrokeintoabroadsmile “Iseeyourpoint I’dlooklikeIstoleitifyouweren’tinthecarwithme”Shelaughed, andlookedevenprettier,muchtohissurprise.
“You’reluckythepolicedidn’tshootyou.”Shegotintothepassengerseat,andheslidbehindthewheelandturnedthecar on,asthegaragedooropenedandtheyheadedout ShetoldhimtogotoRodeoDrivefirst Thesewerethekindoferrandshe expectedhertodo.Shewasastar.Andshelookedveryattractivedressedtogoout.
“Isyourdaughterincollege?”heaskedher,andshesmiledagain.
“No,she’saplasticsurgeoninNewYork”Hewasstartled Shedidn’tlookoldenoughtohaveadaughterthatage “That’simpressive.”Hewonderedifshehadworkedonhermother’sface.Ardithlookedconsiderablyyoungerthanshe was.
“Whatkindofactorareyou?”sheaskedhim,astheydrovetoBeverlyHillsfromBelAir
“Anout-of-workactor,”hesaidruefully.“I’vedonealotofsci-fiandhorrormoviesthatyou’llneversee.”
“IdidahorrormovieoncewhenIwastwenty-two,”Ardithsaidwithagrin.“Iwashoarseforweeksafterward,Ihadto screamso much. Then my husband discovered me and turned things around. He got me a decent agent, which made a big difference Doyouhaveanagent?”
“Yes.Hedoesn’tknowmyname,”Joshsaid.
“Haveyoustudied?”
“Yes I’ve changed directions a few times Istudied voice and piano atJuilliard Mymother was a piano teacher My father wantedmetostudyphysicsandchemistry,whichIhated.Hewasaprofessor atMIT.After Juilliard,Istudiedfilmat USC,andwantedtobeadirector,andeventually,whenIwasaboutthirty,Ifellinlovewithacting,andI’vebeenwaitingon
tables ever since. I keep hopingmyship will come in. It hasn’t so far, but I’mnot readyto give up yet,” he said, and she nodded.
“That’swhatittakes.Youjusthavetokeepatituntilyoubreakdownthedoor.”Shefrownedthenasshelookedathim. “Howoldareyou?”Sheguessedhimtobeinhislatetwentiesorearlythirtiesatmost
“Forty-one.IfigureI’mdueforahugehitwhenI’mninety.Icandomaturepartsthen,”hesaidwithalopsidedgrin.
“Youlookabouttwelve,”shesaid,smilingtoo.“Ormaybethirty.Youdon’tlookforty-one.”
“Theyhavemeplayingallthewaydowntoearlytwenties I’llplayanything,vampires,aliens,serialkillers”
“Maybe youneed to be more selective,” she said seriously. “Don’t be so obliging. If you’re Juilliard-trained and did graduateworkatUSC,youhavethecredentials.Youdon’thavetotakeallthecraptheythrowatyou.Tellyouragentyoudon’t wantthosepartsanymore”
“ThenI’llgetnoworkatall.Ican’taffordtobedifficult,”hesaid.
“Yes,youcan,ifyou’reanygood.Areyouadecentactor?”sheaskedhimsincerely,lookinghimover.
“Iliketothinkso,ifIgotadecentpart.”
“Why didn’t you pursue singing, if you’re Juilliard-trained?” She was curious about him now He had an interesting backgroundandseemedintelligent.
“Inever loved it. Itwas mymother’s dreamfor me. Actingis mypassion. I’mwillingto waitfor the rightpart.” She nodded,thinkingaboutit,astheyreachedRodeoDriveandheparkedacrossthestreetfromHermèsandChanel
“Iwon’tbelong,”shesaideasily,andtookOscaroutofherbaganddumpedhiminJosh’slap.“I’llleavehimwithyou. Hegetsboredinstores.”
“SodoI,”Joshsaid,lookingsuspiciousofthedog
“He’llbefine,”shesaid,andhoppedoutofthecar.ShewashalfwayacrossthestreetwhenOscarbaredhisfangsatJosh again.
“Don’tstart,orI’llleaveyouatthegroomerforaweektillyoubehave We’restuckwitheachother,sodon’tgivemeany shit,”hesaidfirmly Oscarjumpedintothepassengerseat,ignoredJosh,andwatchedoutthewindowforArdithtoreturn,but atleasthehadstoppedsnarlingandshowinghisteeth.HeandJoshpolitelypaidnoattentiontoeachother,andJoshadmired thebeautifulcarhewasdriving.HethoughtaboutthethingsArdithhadsaidtohimaboutacting.Hesawawholeothersideof her whenshe did She had seemed crazyto himthat morning, and now she seemed like a decent humanbeingand he had enjoyedtalkingtoher.Shewasanoddcontradictionofelements.Heknewshewasastar,butshedidn’tactlikeone.Sheacted more like a normal woman, doingerrands,and notlike the legendshe was. She didn’tappear to be impressed withherself, whichsurprisedhim,givenwhoshewas
ShecamebacknearlyanhourlaterwithtwoenormousshoppingbagsfromHermèsandChanel.Fromthere,theywentto thebookstoreforherdaughter,andthepharmacyforBill.ShewasingoodspiritsbytheendofthedayandletJoshleaveat four-thirty
“I’msorryaboutmyarrivalthismorning Thanksfornothavingmeputinjail”Hegrinned “I’llcomedressedforwork tomorrow,andI’llleavemyHarleyathome.”
“Thatwouldbenice,”shesaidwithasmile,“andIwon’thitthepanicbutton.Sorryaboutthat.Wegotofftoabadstart.” “AndI’msorrytheydidn’tsendyouawoman”
“That’sokay,”shesaideasily,asshegaveOscarhisdinnerbeforeJoshleft.
“Solong,Oscar,seeyoutomorrow,”Joshsaideasily,andOscarturnedtogrowlathimbeforeheleft,thenwentbackto hisdinner
Afewminuteslater,sheheardJoshroarawayontheHarleyandwonderedwhathislifewaslikeasastarvingactor.He wastenaciousifhewasstilltryingtomakeitaftertenyearsofsci-fiandhorrormovies.Thatcouldn’tbealotoffun,andnow hewasstuckbeinganerrandboyfor her for twomonths Hedidn’tseemtohaveawifeandkidsatforty-one,or atleasthe hadn’tmentionedthemifhe did.She gotthe feelingthathe was one ofthose dedicatedactors whojustwouldn’tletgo.She wonderedifhehadtalentandwasanygood.HemusthavehadmusicaltalentatleasttohavegraduatedfromJuilliard.Hewas aninterestingguy,evenifshehadmistakenhimforanaxemurdererthatmorning.Buthehadlookedlikeonetoher.
JoshwasthinkingaboutArdithwhenhegothome,andtheadviceshehadgivenhimaboutnotgivingup Hewonderedif shewasright.How manymoresci-fi moviescouldhedo,orbadhorrormovies?Hewantedadecentpartsohecouldshow thathecouldact,buthadnevergottenone.Hewaswaitingforhisbigbreak,andnowhewasanerrandboy.Hewonderedif hisfatherhadbeenright,andactingwasawasteoftime Bothhisparentsweregonenow Theyhadhadhimlateinlife,andat
leasttheyhadn’thadtoseehimstarvingandlivinghand-to-mouth,neverinadecentmovie Ifhehadto,hecouldhavebeena pianoteacher,orplayedinsomehotelbar,butthethoughtofitdepressedhim.Hewantedtobeanactor,notapianoteacher like his mother. He had grownup as anonlychild inBoston, had gone to New Yorkto attend Juilliard, and had never gone backtoBoston BothhisparentshaddiedwhenhewasatUSCingraduateschool,sohehadstayedinLA andnevermoved backeastagain.Butsofar,hisperseverancehadn’tpaidoff,andhewonderedifiteverwould.Hehadalmostgottenmarrieda coupleoftimes,buthisactingcareermeantmoretohim,andhewasn’twillingtotakesomeboringordinaryjobsohecould supportawifeandkids Atforty-one,hedoubtedthathe’dever marrynow Marriagewasn’thighonhis list,andhis career wasstillmoreimportanttohim.Hehadn’thadagirlfriendinayear.
He wentto the gymafter workand had a good workout, and whenhe gothome, he satdowninhis sparselydecorated apartmentwithfurniture fromGoodwill and lita joint He thoughtabouthow well ArdithLaw lived, and how beautiful her homewas,andwonderedifthatwouldeverhappentohim.Itdidn’tseemlikeit,buthedidn’tcareifhelivedinatentonthe streetorinacave,aslongashegotagoodpartinadecentmovie.Hecouldtasteit,hewanteditsobadly,andhestillwanted toprovehisparentswrongthathewaswastinghistime,eventhoughthey’dneverseeitifhemadeitoneday.Withoutrealizing it,Ardithhadrekindledhis dreams thatafternoonandgivenhimhope again,andhe was grateful toher Eventhoughthe job wasmenial,hewasexcitedaboutgoingtoworkthenextday,althoughhecouldn’tridehisHarleyandhadtodresslikeanerd forher.Maybeheradvicewasworthmakingthesacrifice.Maybejustbeingaroundherwouldbringhimluck.
ArdithcalledMorganthatnight,after JoshleftonhisHarley.Shehadtocall early,becauseMorganwenttobedbyeightor nineo’clock,andgotupatfive A.M.,soshecoulddohersurgeriesearly.Onthedaysshewasn’toperating,shewenttothegym atfive,beforetheoffice Likehermother,shewasanextremelydisciplinedperson,andwithNewYorkbeingthreehourslater, Ardithalways had to remind herselfto call MorganearlyonCalifornia time, before she wentto bed. No matter whathour Ardithcalled,Morganalwayssoundedharassedandlessthanthrilledtohearfromhermother.Theybothhadtostruggletofind safesubjects,sotheywouldn’tirritateeachother
“Didtheassistanttheypromisedyoushowup?”Morganaskedher.
“Yes,”Ardithsaidnoncommittally.
“Howwasshe?”
“Shewasaman.Helookedlikeaserialkillerorabiker,Ihitmypanicbutton,andthepoliceshowedup,”Ardithsaid, andMorganlaughed.
“Thatmusthavebeenfun Didyouhavehimarrestedorjustkilled?”
“Iexplainedthatitwasamisunderstanding,buttheyhadhimfacedownonthegroundbeforethat,withtheirgunsdrawn” “Now that’s what I call a warmwelcome,” Morgan said, still laughing at her. “Did he quit?” Sometimes her mother amusedher,andtheybothenjoyedagoodchuckle.Itwassomethingatleast.
“Notyet,butmaybehewill He’s anout-of-workactor,desperatefor work Ifeel kindofguiltyusinghimas anerrand boy. He’s a bright guy. He graduated fromJuilliard, has a master’s in filmfromUSC. I don’t know if he can act, but his credentialsareimpressive.”
“Hashebeeninanydecentmovies?”
“Apparentlynot,”Ardithsaid.
“Ishecute?”Morganasked,amused.
“Idon’tknow Isupposehe’sdecent-lookingwhenhecleansupandisn’twearinghisbiker/serialkillerlook Beniciaand Ithoughthewasgoingtobreakintothehouse,whichiswhyIhitthepanicbutton Hemostlyjustseemslikeaniceguywhen youtalktohim.Hedrovemearoundtodomyerrandstoday.He’sterrifiedofOscar,whichisalittleweird.”Ardithgrinned.
“Well,atleasthecanhelpyouwhileBillisgone.Maybeit’snotsobadthathe’saguy.”
“I guess so, althoughI don’t reallyneed muchhelp Benicia and I manage just fine, unless he wants to do heavystuff aroundthehouse,buthe’snothereforthat.TheyonlygavemesomeonetohumorBill.”
“Well,it’sstillnotabadidea,ifhe’sadecentperson.”
“Whataboutyou?Whatareyouuptorightnow?”hermotheraskedher,andMorgansighed
“Workingdouble time this week, while one ofthe senior partners is awayata conventioninKorea. I’mseeingall his patients,andmyown.Itwasalongdaytodayandwillbeallweek.Buthehassomeinterestingpatients,soIdon’tmind,”she
said, butArdithcould hear thatshe was tired Morganworked too hard, butshe enjoyed it There was never a doubtinher mindthatmedicalschoolhadbeentherightchoiceforher.
Ardithwenttobedthatnightthinkingaboutherdaughterandhowdifferenttheirinterestswere,althoughtheirworkethic wassimilar AndArdithwasmissingBill,butitwasthewrongtimetocallhiminEngland Withaneight-hourtimedifference, hewouldbeasleep.Sherealizedwhenhewasawaythateventhoughsheenjoyedhavingtimetoherself,afterlivingwithhim fortenyearshewasafixtureinherlife,andherdaysseemedemptywhenhewasn’taround.
Intheend,shewaiteduntillater,soshecouldreachhimbeforehisearlymorningstudiocallforhairandmakeup Hewas happytohearfromher.Hesoundedgreat,lovedthecast,andwasenjoyingmakingthemovie.Shehadreadthescriptandhe hadagoodpart.HetoldArdithallaboutit,andshewishedshewasworkingtoo.Shewasn’tjealousofhim.Shewashappy forhim,butshewasreadytogobacktowork Shejusthadtofindtherightproperty,witharoleforherthatwouldbeaperfect fit.Sheneversettledforless.
Shesmiledbeforeshefellasleep,thinkingofhowstrongandyoungBillsoundedwhenhewasworking.Itwasjustwhat he needed instead of following her around between films, but that was what he did when he wasn’t working on a movie. Sometimes she feltguilty, buthis constantclose attentionmade her feel claustrophobic attimes Itwas oppressive, and she likedhavingtime toherself,tothink,toread,todigestwhatshe’dread,sometimes togobackandreadthe bookagain.She neededspace,whichhedidn’talwaysgiveher,butinexchange,shehadcompanionship,whichshehadmissedwhenshewas alone Whattheyhadwasmoremarriedthanhermarriagehadbeen Shewasanindependentwomanwhodidn’tneedconstant companionship,whichwassomethingBillneverunderstood,andhisfeelingswerehurtifshedidn’twanttobewithhimand neededtimealone,nomatterhowoftensheexplainedittohim.Aneedforsolitudeandintrospectionjustwasn’tinhisDNA. Billwasn’tadeepthinker,buthewasagoodperson,andshewashappyforhimwhensheheardhimsoundingsopleasedwith the movie. She was going to visit himinEngland in a few weeks. There were friends she wanted to see there too, and a directorortwoshewantedtomeetwithtodiscussfutureprojects,andwhatevertheywereworkingonatthemoment. WhenJoshshowedupforworkthenextday,hewasproperlydressedandlookedlikeagrown-up.Thistimeshesmiledwhen herangthedoorbell.Helookedhandsomeandyoung,butnotlikeajuveniledelinquentashehadthedaybefore.Hehadeven trimmed his hair himselfand shaved before he came to work He was wearingclean, pressed jeans, a white shirt, a tweed jackethesaidhehadgottenatavintagestore,andrunningshoes.Helookedlikeareal assistantasshehandedhimacupof coffeefromtheespressomachine,andhethankedher.Hestilldidn’tlookhisage,buthenolongerlookedtwenty-fiveeither.
“Thankyou,youlooklovely,”shecomplimentedhim Hewashandsome,andthetimehespentatthegymhadgivenhim broad shoulders and a powerful build He had a perfect body, and onlooks alone, she thought he should have beengetting better parts, if he was evena halfwaydecent actor. She suspected that his lackof workwas due to a lazyagent, and was thinkingofsendinghimtoherown,ifheprovedworthyafterheworkedforherforawhile.Therewasnorush shehadtwo monthstogettoknowhimandtogetasenseofwhetherhewasasseriousashesaidabouthisactingcareer Shesuspectedthat hewas,andshelikedhelpingyoungunknownactorsgetaheadiftheyhadtalentanddrive.Shehadafeelingthathehadboth.
Inthemeantime,shehadhimhelpheruncrateapaintingshehadboughtatauctioninNewYork.ItwasabeautifulFrench paintingofamotherandchildbyalittle-knownImpressionistartist ItremindedherofMorganwhenshewasalittlegirl,and Joshwasmovedwhenhesawit.HehelpedArdithpicktherightplacetohangit,putitonthewallforher,andthenhelpedher lightit.Hewasflatteredwhensheaskedhisadvice.Theymovedafewotherpaintingsaroundtomakeroomforitandfound therightplacesforthemtoo
HetooksomepackagestoFedExforher,broughtbackalistofthingssheneededfromthehardwarestore,andhelpedher putanadditionalrackinBill’scloset,whichshehadwantedtodoforagesandhewouldn’tlether.Thedayendedinignominy whenshehadJoshtakeOscar tothegroomer andpickhimup,butfor oncethedogdidn’tsnarl athim.Hesatquietlyinhis specialcarseatandlookedoutthewindow LookingathimmadeJoshsmile,andthenlaughoutloud Twodaysbeforehehad lookedlikeabiker,couldgotothegymwhenhewanted,andwasridinghisHarley.NowhewasalternatelydrivingaBentley andaRangeRover,andchauffeuringatoypoodlearound.Thedogwasnotpartofthemachoimagehehadofhimself,buthe waspartofthejob,alongwithhangingexpensivepaintingsandridingaroundwiththemostfamousmoviestarintheworld It wasalottoabsorbinashorttime.Helikedthewaypeopletalkedtohimwhenhewasproperlydressed,assherequired.He
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