His Larkville Cinderella

chapter ELEVEN



TWO days later, Megan stood in the workroom sorting through the dry cleaning she’d picked up earlier. Wardrobe pieces needed to be labeled and organized. Tedious work, but detail oriented. It kept her distracted, something she needed right now.

She yawned, stretching her arms over her head. She needed more coffee or an energy drink to get her through the day after not sleeping well last night.

Megan ripped off the plastic covering a crisp, white button-down oxford shirt that had been laundered and lightly starched. She removed the cleaner’s inventory number stapled to the tag, relabeled the shirt with the character name, Maxwell, and scene number seventeen so she could stick the clothes in the proper garment bag and hung it on the rack. Adam’s rack. She grimaced.

She didn’t want to think about him, but traces of him were everywhere. Here and at home.

A bouquet of wildflowers had been sitting by her front door when she arrived home the day she found out about his taking Lane instead. A note card had been attached.

“Let me make this up to you.”

Nothing more than Adam feeling obligated to make amends like he had with lunch after they’d met. Well, that was his problem, not hers. She had given the flowers to her neighbor, Mrs. Hamilton. The tears glistening in the elderly woman’s blue eyes let Megan know she’d made the right choice giving the flowers away.

But she had been serious about not wanting anything from Adam. She wanted to put this behind her, move on and...grow up.

Being disappointed was one thing. But that had been part of her daily life for as long as she’d been alive. When her older sister, Jess, the Golden Girl of Larkville, had gotten herself knocked up by a man who wanted nothing to do with her or their baby, Megan had thought her mother would see her differently, perhaps more positively. Instead, her mother had said she always thought Megan would be the one coming home pregnant, not Jess. Even when Megan did everything right, she was still wrong.

What bothered her most about what happened with Adam was how she’d ended up feeling so hurt over this. Going to the Viewers’ Choice Awards would have been fun and an interesting experience. But the excitement she felt, the anticipation of Saturday night, revolved around Adam, not the awards show.

Yes, Adam had been a jerk the way he handled this. He couldn’t help that she’d heard from Lane, but he still hadn’t been planning to tell Megan about it until lunchtime, a few hours late. That was inconsiderate. But knowing her father, her brothers and Rob, she got that men didn’t always think like women. Their sense of timing seemed off. Case in point, Rob.

She also understood that Adam had a choice to make. He chose his career. Yes, it sucked to be her in this instance. She didn’t like what he’d done. But if push came to shove wouldn’t she have made the same choice? She’d told Eva as much.

What was she to Adam, anyway? Not his girlfriend. Not his best friend. Not a close friend if you went by how long they’d known each other and the amount of time they’d spent together. She would have been his date for one night. Nothing more.

The bitter truth stung because Megan had wanted to believe it could be more. Different. Better. But it was just like...

Rob.

Realization washed over her with hurricane force winds. Her legs wobbled. She leaned back against a table.

What a fool she’d been.

Megan had taken all her wishful thinking about Rob and transferred it onto Adam. Another crush on a friend. Dreaming about what could be rather than the reality of the situation. Pretending things would change when they never would.

She was still the same little girl who loved to escape into animated princess movies where the evil mother—make that stepmother—would be defeated, the princess would be rescued by a handsome prince and all would live happily ever after.

None of what she’d been feeling and thinking had been any more real than the fairy-tale cartoons. Not with Rob. Definitely not with Adam.

In some ways, Megan was still trying to do what her mother wanted. Fit in and gain respectability so she wouldn’t be seen as odd or different. With Rob, the grandson of the mayor. And with Adam, the handsome movie star and lead actor on the set.

She straightened and squared her shoulders.

No more.

No more crushes.

No more wanting what she couldn’t make happen.

She didn’t need anyone to define her or give her respectability or help her fit in. She could do all those things herself. She should have a long time ago.

But it was never too late to start.

She tore the plastic wrap off a purple silk blouse. One of Lane’s wardrobe pieces.

Megan swallowed a sigh. Moving forward, she reminded herself.

Kenna and Rosie burst into the workroom with laughter and glowing faces. The two looked like they had won the lottery.

Rosie waved a white envelope in the air. “You’re not going to believe this!”

Megan hung the purple shirt on a rack so it wouldn’t wrinkle. “What is it?”

Kenna rubbed her hands together. “Three tickets to the Viewers’ Choice Awards. One for each of us. They’re up in the balcony, but who cares? We get to go!”

Rosie bounced from foot to foot. “Plus we’re on the lists for the after-parties and have a limo at our disposal for the entire night. We’ll be living the high life.”

The sinking feeling in her stomach told Megan where this high life had probably come from. “Adam.”

Rosie touched Megan’s arm. “Please don’t let what happened with Adam stop you from going out. Our having a blast doesn’t have anything to do with him.”

Megan stared at the tickets. “I told Adam I wanted nothing from him.”

“So? He’s given all three of us something.” Kenna grinned. “He’s obviously trying to get back on your good side.”

Megan wasn’t going there. “More likely trying to assuage a guilty conscience.”

“Who cares what his reasons are?” Rosie did a little dance. “We’re going to the awards show. We have our own seats. We can get into the after-parties. Nothing else matters.”

Uncertainty rushed through Megan like water released from one of the dams on the Rio Grande. “I don’t know.”

“Well, I do,” Kenna said firmly. “You’re disappointed. I would be, too. But you’ve put on a brave face and haven’t been all mopey or let it interfere with your work.”

Megan knew throwing herself a pity party wouldn’t solve anything so she’d thrown herself into work.

“That’s how it’s done in Texas.” She had no idea what was happening back home on the ranch. Or Austin. She hadn’t heard from Rob since he let her know he’d received Adam’s autographed picture. Truth was, she didn’t miss hearing from him. Her feelings for Rob weren’t as deep as she originally thought. Rob was safe, stable and familiar, not the love of her life.

As much as she longed to escape Larkville, she now realized she’d wanted something to keep her connected. Otherwise, she feared she would be all on her own. Her parents were dead. Her siblings were too busy with their own lives. That was where Rob had come in. He’d shown interest. Made her feel wanted. So had Adam. But she wasn’t wanted. Not by her family or Rob or...Adam.

“My dad used to say everything happens for a reason. This is no different.” Maybe what happened with Adam was so she’d figure out what had been going on all these years with Rob. And with her. “I think the two of you should go and have a great time. Tony can use my ticket. I’m going to sit this one out.”

“You are not sitting this one out,” Eva announced from the doorway of the workroom.

When had she showed up? Megan hadn’t noticed her standing there.

Eva strode into the room as if she owned the place. Given she was the costumer designer on the shoot she sort of did. “You’re going to the awards show, but not with Kenna or Rosie.”

Megan stared in confusion. “Adam—”

“You’re not going with him, either,” Eva interrupted. “My godson, Zachary Carleton, will be your escort. He’s been nominated for Best Action Hero and his date had to have her appendix removed. Her loss is your gain.”

Kenna shook her head. “Nothing like this ever happened to me when I was interning.”

Rosie nodded.

Zach Carleton was an up-and-coming handsome actor who was around Megan’s age. Hot didn’t begin to describe him. She wanted to pinch herself to see if she were dreaming. “I appreciate all that you’ve done for me, Eva, but I have to be honest. I don’t understand why.”

Eva’s eyes softened. “Once upon a time, a young costume designer fell in love with an older handsome actor. She thought he’d fallen for her, too, but instead he got bored and the costume designer was fired.”

Megan’s mouth gaped. “You?”

Eva nodded once. “But I didn’t handle myself as professionally as you have. These past few days you’ve shown what you’re made of. And after seeing your gown, it’s obvious you have talent. You deserve to go to the awards and sit up front.”

A chill shivered down Megan’s spine. “I don’t want to embarrass your godson. I’m going to be so nervous.”

“It’s okay to be nervous,” Eva counseled. “Just don’t let it show. Whatever you do, don’t drink too much during the day and especially before the show starts. You don’t want to have to spend all your time in the ladies’ room and miss the fun. Because I can guarantee you’re going to have the most wonderful time. Zachary will see to it.”

Firebreather was a fairy godmother. “Thanks, Eva.”

“Be here at eleven o’clock on Saturday morning,” Eva said. “By the time we’re finished with you, Mr. Adam Noble is going to be kicking himself for taking the wrong princess to the ball.”

* * *

Outside the Shrine Auditorium, Adam held Lane’s hand as she exited the limousine. Her fingers were thin and bony. He wished he were holding Megan’s hand.

Don’t go there. Stay in the moment. The cameras are rolling.

The sound of applause and camera shutters going off filled the afternoon air. Things started early on the west coast so the show could be shown in prime time on the east coast.

A female shrieked.

A chorus of women yelled, “Neptune!”

Lane raised a brow. “Such devoted fans.”

With a smile in place, he waved at the ladies. “The best fans in the world.”

The hem of Lane’s gold-colored gown swished around her feet. Her gold, jewel-encrusted designer shoes—she’d told him in the limousine how much Hugh had paid for them—added four inches to her height, but she was still half a foot shorter than Adam. Diamonds dripped from her ears, wrist and neck. More presents from Hugh, Adam assumed, but Lane hadn’t said. The magic of double-stick tape kept the extremely low-cut bodice from allowing a wardrobe malfunction, much to the dismay of males in attendance. All except Adam. He wasn’t interested. Now if it were Megan...

He forced his attention back to the red carpet.

When he released her hand, Lane didn’t let go. “Smile at the cameras, darling.”

He pasted on his most charming smile, one he’d practiced and perfected over the past two years. A photo-shoot smile that had graced many a magazine cover. If Megan had been his date, his smile would have been real.

Don’t think about it. Her.

Two steps down the red carpet reporters tossed questions at them like Frisbees on the beach.

“Where’s Hugh?”

“Who designed your dress?”

“Is it true your onscreen romance has become an offscreen one?”

“Are you wearing an Armani tux?”

“How’s the shoot going?”

“Are you excited about the premiere of Navy SEALs?”

Adam’s smile didn’t falter as he answered questions. His fans watched the red carpet shows on television so he didn’t rush through the gauntlet, but strolled at a snail’s pace from reporter to reporter.

Lane rose up on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “Isn’t this fun?”

Every minute with Lane sucked five minutes of life out of him. But this was part of the job. Movie magic carried over to life in Hollywood. Much of it wasn’t real. Pretend couples, public relation lies, phony smiles, sucking up. Whatever he said would be repeated back to Hugh Wilstead so Adam had to be careful and keep his guard up. That took all the fun out right there. “Superfun.”

“Make the most of it.” A twinge of desperation sounded in Lane’s voice. “If they don’t all want you, you’re done.”

No wonder she went after her male costars. She needed to be the queen of the set to prove she was still desirable. That she wouldn’t be tossed aside by someone newer and prettier. That was why she’d had Annie fired. Jealousy.

Adam never would have thought he’d feel sorry for Lane, but he did.

Behind them at the beginning of the red carpet, a flurry of activity announced a new arrival. The high-pitched female screams were deafening.

“One of those teen idols must have arrived. The girls always go crazy for them.” Lane waved to a girl in the crowd, who stared at the actress with total adoration. “Is it anyone we should bother saying hello to?”

Adam glanced back to see Zach Carleton signing autographs. Security was holding back crying girls. There’d been ongoing discussions about Zach and Adam playing brothers in an action movie that had been green-lighted, but the two had never met. “It’s that new kid. Zach C. He’s up for Best Action Actor.”

Adam knew this because he’d never been nominated for an individual acting award before. Best Kiss—he’d won twice. Best Ensemble—Neptune. Best Onscreen Couple—he’d know if he won that later tonight.

“Oh, he’s cute. Young, but lots of staying power.” Lane smirked as she waved to more fans. “Or so I’ve been told. Who’s he with?”

Adam glanced back. Zach held on to the hand of a woman with long, dark curly hair as she pirouetted, showing off a sexy shimmering purple gown with an even sexier slit up the side. The woman was jaw-droppingly gorgeous and young like the actor.

Adam took a closer look. She almost looked like... His heart stalled. It was. Megan. He exhaled a sharp breath.

“What?” Lane asked.

Zach rested his hand at the small of Megan’s back.

Adam’s jaw tightened.

Zach whispered something into her ear. She smiled shyly. Zach laughed.

A wave of jealousy crashed through Adam like a sneaker wave.

The two looked cozy, comfortable with each other like a...couple.

Adam’s blood pressure spiked.

“Oh, my...” Lane sounded like she had seen a badly decomposed body. “Look at the way his ascot matches her dress. Purple shimmers, really? It’s all so senior prom-ish.”

Maybe, but in a refreshing, wholesome, appealing way. Megan captivated him. It looked like Zach felt the same way.

Adam could hardly swallow. Sweat dripped down his back. “They’re young. Attractive. It works. The press seems to agree given the attention they’re getting.”

“Well, I’m not impressed.” Lane blew a kiss to the fans in the grandstand. “Zach’s date looks familiar. She must be one of those television actresses.”

Adam waved to the crowd, but his gaze kept straying to Megan. He couldn’t help himself. “She’s not an actress.”

Lane struck a pose for a photographer. “I recognize her from somewhere.”

“She’s Eva’s intern.” The words barely made it past the lump in his throat.

Lane froze. “Texas?”

Adam nodded, afraid if he said anything he’d reveal how upset he felt.

She glanced back at the couple that had barely moved two feet due to all the attention they were receiving. “How did she end up with him? Looking like that? Here?”

Adam knew Megan had been hiding something, but he hadn’t realized it was this. “I have no idea.”

But he intended to find out.

* * *

Megan felt like Cinderella at the ball. She’d been feted on the red carpet, allowed to talk about the gown she’d designed for herself with a fashion reporter, made to feel like a fairy princess by her charming escort, Zach. He even kissed her on the cheek when he won the award for Best Action Actor.

Now she was at an after-party with Zach thrown by a top studio. No expense had been spared with the elaborate decorations. An award-winning DJ mixed the music. Stars from television, music and film filled the dance floor. Rosie, Kenna and Tony were here, but Megan had lost track of them for the umpteenth time that night.

She held on to Zach’s hand, mindful of the other dancers around them. “Tonight has been magical. I feel like Cinderella.”

He grinned. “Except there’s no reason to be home by midnight. I can assure you the limo won’t turn into a pumpkin.”

As he twirled her around, one of her shoes flew off. She would find it after the song ended.

“I owe my godmother for finding me such a beautiful date,” Zach said.

She stared up at him. “Thank you.”

She did like Zach, but unfortunately she just didn’t feel any sparks. Only friendship.

“I wish I didn’t have to fly back to the shoot and be there for the next three months,” he said. “It would probably sound stupid to ask you to wait for me.”

Affection for Zach grew. The kind she had for her brothers. “Not stupid. Extremely sweet.”

Hope filled his eyes.

“Who knows where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing in three months. Same with you. But you’ve got my cell number,” she said honestly. “Give me a ring when you’re back in town.”

By then he’d surely have found someone else to pin his hopes on.

He nodded enthusiastically. “I will.”

The music came to an end. A man waved at Zach. “Would you mind if I said hello to someone?”

He really was a nice guy. Younger than her, but very cute. “Go ahead.”

As Zach pushed his way through the crowd to reach his friend, Megan searched for her missing shoe, hobbling with one shoe on, being careful so she wouldn’t twist an ankle. She searched the dance floor, but didn’t see it.

Where could her shoe be?

Adam appeared at her side.

Her heart danced a jig. He looked so handsome in his tux. Tom Ford, if she wasn’t mistaken.

“Lose your date?” he asked.

“He’s saying hello to a friend. But I did lose a shoe.”

Adam pulled something from behind his back. He held up her silver slingback heel, the match to the one on her foot. Eva and the wardrobe department had purchased the shoes for Megan. A gift for their favorite intern, they’d claimed. She reminded them she was their only intern.

Megan reached for the shoe. “Thank you so much.”

He pulled it out of her reach. “I’ve got it.”

As Adam kneeled, she stuck out her leg, toes pointed. Her purple nail polish glimmered in the light from the ballroom chandeliers. He gently placed the shoe on her foot. As he pulled on the strap, his thumb brushed her ankle, sending a rush of sensation up her leg.

Her temperature surged.

“How’s that?” he asked.

She cleared her dry throat. “Fine.”

Adam stood. He held out his hand, palm up. “Dance with me.”

Temptation flared. She shouldn’t. “Our dates—”

“Are off with others,” he interrupted. “What’s one dance between friends? I do consider myself your friend even if you don’t think so.”

Megan wasn’t ready to have this conversation. If she danced with him, she wouldn’t have to talk to him. “One dance.”

She placed her hand on top of his. Adam led her onto the dance floor.

“You’re the most beautiful woman here tonight.” He took her into his arms. His hand rested possessively at the small of her back, pressing her close while he held her other hand. His thumb stroked her palm, sending little pleasurable thrills sliding over her.

“Thank you,” she said, awash in sensation. She hated the way her body reacted to him. “I had lots of help.”

His gaze raked over her. “The dress?”

“I made it, but others refined my design.”

Appreciation warmed his green eyes. “Stunning.”

“I’m happy how it came out.”

“I’m jealous.”

She drew back. “Excuse me?”

“No favor is worth seeing you with another man.” Contrition echoed in his voice. “I should have never agreed to bring Lane.”

A mix of emotion swirled through Megan. She wished his words didn’t bring her so much pleasure. She needed to be cautious around him. But she also knew she would remember this moment, this dance, forever. “Some lessons are hard to learn.”

Desire shone in his gaze. “I won’t make the same mistake twice. Come on.”

Holding on to her hand, he led her off the dance floor and into an alcove outside the grand ballroom. Megan didn’t want to cause a scene so went with him.

As soon as she knew they couldn’t be seen, she pulled her hand out of his. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“It’s time I admit defeat,” he said. “I want you.”

She half laughed, half choked, a reaction based on a combination of nerves and self-preservation. “This isn’t the real me.”

“I know who you are.” Adam’s appreciative gaze traveled the length of her. “The way you look now. That part has always been inside or you would have never made the dress. You’ve been too nervous, too scared, to show anybody who you really are. In Larkville, in college and here.”

Adam knew who she was. He understood her. The realization pleased her as much as it scared her. Crushing on Rob had been safe. Adam was proving to be as dangerous as she’d originally thought.

“I’ve seen the real you,” he continued. “I like what I see. And I’m finally ready to admit that.”

Her heart pounded double-time to the music in the ballroom. If the rapid tattoo of her heartbeat continued too long she might hyperventilate. A part of her wanted to flee, to pretend none of this had ever happened. It was too risky, too dangerous to her peace of mind, to her heart.

But the look in Adam’s eyes held her captive. She couldn’t have moved if she wanted to. But she also couldn’t forget the way he’d acted and treated her.

Megan stared down her nose at him. “So you’re going to apologize and call it good? And when it happens again? And again—”

“I’ve been a lousy friend.” He sounded sincere. “I’m sorry about that, but when I’m around you I don’t always think straight.”

That she understood. Being near him seemed to short-circuit her brain. “I know the feeling.”

“I want us to try again.”

All the reasons this was a bad idea shouted inside her head at once, the noise deafening. But she couldn’t deny the excitement pulsing through her at the same time. “At being friends?”

He nodded. “We have to start somewhere if we’re ever going to be more than friends.”

Her lips parted in surprise.

More than friends.

The words echoed through her trembling heart. Dare she hope?

Adam lowered his mouth. He kissed her with a hunger that took her breath away and left her wanting more. This wasn’t a practice kiss. There was no script he was following this time. The kiss was...real.

She clung to him for support and strength and more kisses. He left no doubt in her mind that he wanted her.

Megan couldn’t deny she wanted him.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. Megan went willingly. Her hands splayed his back. She relished in the moment, in the sensations pulsating through her. Kissing Adam was all that mattered. Being with him made her happy.

She pressed harder against his lips, exploring his mouth with her tongue. With each passing second, the heat intensified. An ache built deep within her. She wanted more, so much more.

A moan escaped her lips. At least she thought it came from her mouth, but she wasn’t certain.

Adam dragged his lips from hers. The desire in his eyes matched her own. He seemed as shaken as her.

Her lips burned from his kiss. She fought the urge to touch them. “Why did you kiss me like that?”

“Why did you kiss me back?”

Her cheeks burned. A part of her wished she were still kissing him. “I asked my question first.”

He traced her lips with his fingertips, sending goose bumps down her arms. “You mentioned you’d thought about us being more than friends. I wanted to show you what that might be like. Pretty good, huh?”

Awesome was the only word to describe it, but Megan couldn’t let Adam know that. She didn’t want to lose herself in another fantasy world. She needed to stick to reality and real relationships.

But Adam’s kisses had felt real. Tingles were still shooting through her. Maybe her feelings for him weren’t a crush as they’d been with Rob. Heaven knew, they felt more real and grounded in something true between them. “Mission accomplished.”

Mischief shone in his eyes. “I was hoping it might take a little more convincing.”

Megan was so tempted. “We’re here with other dates.”

Adam grinned. “I take full responsibility for that. But another kiss—”

“Zach and Lane might be wondering where we are.” The words spewed from Megan’s mouth faster than a bucking bronc into the rodeo arena. She was truly flattered, but nervous. “They might be looking for us.”

“I’m not going to let this drop.”

She didn’t want him to let it drop, but she needed time to think about things. About him. And what she wanted or didn’t want. She had to be careful. “I know.”

“I want a second chance.”

“I know that, too.” She moistened her swollen lips. “I’m not sure us being more than friends makes sense right now.”

“Think about more kisses and other stuff we could be doing together.”

Disappointment shot a hole through the haze of desire still pulsating through her. “I’m not up for a fling.”

“I don’t do long-term.”

She sighed. “I’m not sure where that leaves us.”

“We can agree to make the most of the time we have together during the shoot,” he suggested. “You should learn how to have fun and date. That doesn’t have to mean sex, but it can mean more kissing. I can show you what romance is all about.”

Megan knew there was more to being with a movie star than red carpets and dancing. Keeping sex out of the equation would allow them to get to know each other while they were busy working on the shoot. But she couldn’t forget one thing. “Eva—”

“Or not so much kissing and romance.” He didn’t hesitate at all. “I’m okay with that, as long as we’re spending time together. But it’s totally up to you.”

No one had ever given Megan a decision like this to make. She liked the way it made her feel. Empowered. Reckless. “Let’s make the most of the time we have left. I’m willing to have fun and see where this goes.”

Adam grinned. “Sounds good to me.”

Megan, too. She just hoped she wasn’t making a big mistake....