“Ready?” he turned to Gwen and asked.
“Ready!”
Between the media attention after her marriage to Michael and the dead neighbors at the Tarzana house, Karen hadn’t had a private moment alone in weeks. She didn’t like the fact that Gwen had run off with Neil, regardless of what everyone else thought. Neil was a bit quiet for her taste. Hard to read. It wouldn’t take a lot for Gwen to jump in the Neil truck because of her unrequited desire for the guy. But what happened when the sex grew stale and Gwen realized that Neil was running from the shadows of his past and dragging her along with him?
Karen reminded herself that if Neil was actually overreacting to the neighbors’ final dip in the hot tub, then there was a real possibility of someone watching her…someone trying to scare her.
It worked. Karen was scared.
Then again, now that she and Michael were married perhaps the birds would stop.
Karen turned onto the street of the Boys and Girls Club for the first time since she said I do. She picked a quiet day as to not cause too much of a stir with the kids. Until they grew used to the fact that she was married to a movie star, she would keep her visits brief. Sooner or later, they’d realize she was the same person. Just one who hung around with the rich and famous.
She parked her car in her usual spot and twisted the key out of the ignition. Her gaze fell on the ring on her finger. Not overly huge, but not a chip off the diamond block either.
So far, the temporary marriage thing was a breeze. She didn’t even feel guilty about saying “I do” when she clearly didn’t. Michael described it as a yearlong role where they’d both get a payout in the end.
His publicist had shown up shortly after they arrived from France to congratulate them on their marriage. And then Michael’s agent made a house call, too. His producer sent flowers and champagne and some of his actor friends insisted they have a reception. Karen agreed to do whatever Michael wanted. As she told him…this is his movie, I’m only acting in it.
She only wished that Gwen was back and all the dead bird crap was over before their party.
And what about Aruba?
What was wrong with her? People were dead, a couple were running from God only knew who or what, and here she was thinking of engagement parties and trips to Aruba.
Karen pushed out of the car. The Hollywood lifestyle is already getting into my veins.
Inside the walls of the club, the kids noticed her one at a time. The girls jumped up first and rushed to her side. “Oh my God, Miss Jones. I can’t believe you’re married.”
“It’s Mrs. Wolfe, now,” said one of the kids.
Karen wasn’t going to correct them. They decided not to change her name. Actors almost never changed their names for their spouses. If the reporters in the tabloids found out that Karen didn’t make the change, they wouldn’t think anything of it.
“Hi, girls.”
Amy hugged her with open arms and Nita piled in, too.
“Is it true you went to France in a private plane?”
“We did. It was amazing.”
“You’re in all the papers. I told my teachers that you were you…Mr. Jenkins didn’t believe me until the news van showed up here the day after you guys ran off.” Amy’s eyes brightened as she told her story.
By now, the boys started to meander closer. In typical teenage fashion, they listened with one ear in and the other on the buzz of their cell phones.
“Are you just here for a visit, or are you sticking around?” Steve asked.
“Trying to get rid of me, Steve?”
He pulled his eyes away from his cell. “Just wondering.”
“I have to get a few things settled, but I’ll be back. Think you guys can stay on top of your homework without me for a couple of weeks?”
Steve shrugged and several kids said they’d work hard.
Jeff walked from one of the back offices, grinning as he approached.
“I can’t believe you actually married him!” Jeff hugged her.
“Think I should have held out for someone else?”
The kids started moving away. Still she felt their eyes on her as she and Jeff moved to the back of the room.
“Not sure if there is anyone who can compare to Michael Wolfe.” Jeff lowered his voice when they were away from the kids. “You just met him, Karen. You sure about this?”
Ahh, how sweet. Who knew Jeff cared? Karen lifted her left hand and wiggled her fingers to flash her wedding ring. “Little late now to have second thoughts, Jeff. But I’m sure.”
“I guess this means you won’t be around anymore.”
“Are you kidding? I’ll be here more. Sure, I’ll be taking a few more vacations…or trips. Michael has some shoots in some great locations this year. But I won’t have to work at my day job. I told them I’d help out remotely for a while. Let’s face it, Michael can afford me.”
Jeff’s smile fell. “Living in someone else’s shadow gets old after a while.”
Had she married Michael for love and forever, she’d do things differently. That wasn’t the case…and therefore not something she needed to worry about. “I won’t forget who I am. I’ll be OK.”
“As long as you’re happy.”
“Thanks, Jeff. I’m happy.”
Jeff nodded to a back room. “There’s something else I want to ask you about. Have a minute?”
“Sure.” She followed him to a private room. “What’s up?” she asked when he closed the door.