Unexpected Chances

“You bet.” He debated whether to tell her about the land now or wait to give her her gift until Christmas Eve, like in his dream.

A chimelike ring sounded from the kitchen, drawing his attention. “I didn’t realize I left my cell here.” He thought he’d left it at his mother’s place.

Holly nodded. “It’s been ringing all afternoon. I’m guessing your voice mail picked it up.”

He could hear the withdrawal in her voice, and he rolled his suddenly stiff shoulders. The last thing he needed or wanted was his other life intruding on the headway he’d been making with Holly, but he couldn’t afford to be out of touch for too long.

He glanced towards the kitchen. “Let me check the messages and then we can talk, okay?”

She nodded. “Sure. I’ve got some gifts of my own to wrap,” she said with a wink and left him alone.

He grabbed a pen and a sheet of paper and retrieved his messages, jotting down notes of who’d called. Then, he returned the most pressing messages.

Holly entered the kitchen to find Dylan on the phone, pad and paper in front of him. She stepped inside, not wanting to bother him, but he gestured for her to come in, indicating she wasn’t intruding on a private conversation.

Still, he was obviously absorbed in the discussion, and as she passed by the table, she saw he was noting figures and names on the paper, then tossing alternative numbers and people back at the person on the other end of the phone. He was animated and engaged, and it was obvious to Holly he loved what he did, down to what she assumed was negotiations on starring in a movie.

She was as much intrigued by his business as she was dismayed by the realization that she’d never truly have him. Not if it meant him settling in their small hometown and leaving the glitz, glamour and business of Hollywood behind. If she’d held any illusions or hopes, they were dispelled that instant.

Yet as much as the realization hurt, she’d never want to take something away from him that he loved so much. For the first time, she understood what he meant when he said he’d left so she could pursue her dream and not resent him later on. She wouldn’t want him to resent her either. She cared too much. So she would gladly take all he offered now and be grateful for this time they shared. A time she intended to make the most of as soon as he got off the phone.

While she waited for him to finish his call, she pulled a jar of Marshmallow Fluff out of the cabinet and a spoon from the drawer. She hopped up on the countertop the way she sometimes did when she was eating in a rush and feasted on her favorite snack.

“Yes, yes, I’ll think it over and get back to you,” Dylan said, his deep voice interrupting her thoughts. He paused before adding, “No, I’m not calling Melanie back. My decision about this has nothing to do with whether she takes the lead female role.”

Holly’s stomach jumped at the mention of the other woman’s name. She scooped a heaping teaspoonful of Marshmallow Fluff and stuffed it into her mouth for good measure.

Meanwhile Dylan groaned. “Can you call Harry for me? I don’t care how much he hates you, I pay you to run interference,” he said and finally clicked off, ending the call.

“My agent,” he said, turning her way. He shot her an apologetic look. “Sorry about that. It took longer than I thought.”

She shrugged. “It’s business. I understand.”

He rose and strode over to where she sat. “Do you picture me as a superhero?” he asked.

“Would you have to wear tights?”

He laughed. “Why? Do you have a problem with my legs?”

“Nope.” They were as strong and powerful as the rest of him. But something told her that despite their banter, this wasn’t a lightly asked question. Rather, he was asking her opinion on his next role. “Wasn’t your last film more serious?”

“You saw Last Dawn?”

She forced a nod. Hard as it was to admit, she’d seen all his movies. She made it a point to go alone to the theater in order to spare herself questions, comments and innuendo from her friends.

“My guess is that now you’re worried if you go back to an action film or one based on a comic book character, you’ll be taking a step backward when it comes to being taken more seriously as an actor.”

“How’d you know?” he asked, surprise evident in his tone. Yet by the warm smile and gleam in his eyes, he was obviously pleased she understood his concerns without him having to explain.

“I watched the evolution of your work.” She stated the truth for his benefit alone. Admitting she’d followed his career made her feel even more vulnerable to him than she already was.

“And what’d you think?” A muscle ticked in his jaw as he leaned against the counter beside her.

She wondered if the insecurity she sensed was a figment of her imagination or if he really cared about what she thought of his work.

She placed the jar down on the counter, pushing it out of the way. “Last Dawn was a real stretch,” she said of his portrayal of a convict on death row. “You showed depth and range. Real growth.”

“And?” he asked, correctly sensing she wasn’t through critiquing him yet.