Hollywood Ever After (Red Carpet 1)

“I’ll give him a ring and let him know we’ll be round later, then.” He stood, winking down at me as he pulled his phone from his pocket. I nodded, the cookie still choking me.

Will hopped up. “Is that a goose? Can I feed it? Come on, Uncle Arthur. And bring the light saber just in case.” He scowled at the goose, anticipating the worst.

I handed him the bag with three remaining cookies and gave him a stern face. “Will, be kind to the animal, please.”

Natalie stood. “I’m not going to miss this.” Helen and Natalie followed Arthur and Will, talking animatedly.

My view was pretty idyllic, lying on a blanket in Regent’s Park. My children were happy. My mother and my best friend looked relaxed and peaceful. And the man I loved was smiling at me while talking to his father about a tea-time visit.

My smile dampened somewhat. Meeting his father?

“I had no idea what I was asking, did I?” My mother turned warm eyes on me. “When I asked you if you had something to tell me, I mean.”

Shannon shook her head. “It wasn’t planned, Marty. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man more determined in pursuit. As you can see, he’s really pretty, and genuinely sweet. Claire didn’t stand a chance.”

I shrugged, feeling my cheeks grow warm. “Josh and I just kind of…clicked. I’m not really sure how it all happened.”

“Do I want to know what ‘all happened’ means?” She didn’t sound horrified; she was smiling. But she was my mother, so I couldn’t help the heat that continued to fill my cheeks. “I knew something was up, but I had no idea what. You came home different, confident in a way I haven’t seen in years.”

Shannon nudged me.

“There was the picture in the papers. And he is who he is, so I learned a bit about him following that picture. But I wasn’t convinced there was any truth to it until I saw you. His televised declaration threw me a little.”

“You’re not the only one,” I murmured.

“The compass you wear every day, I’m assuming that’s from him?” she asked. I nodded.

“He’s totally in love with her,” Shannon added.

“I know.” My mother turned to look at me. “And how do you feel?”

I looked down, trying not to give myself away. Too late.

“Oh. I see.” My mother’s smile grew.

“I’m glad you’re not denying it.” Shannon laughed.

I shook my head. “Nothing is set or committed or anything like that. Not at all! There are a lot of complications…” My voice faded as Josh joined us.

He smiled down at me on our blanket, sliding his phone back into his pocket. “He’s looking forward to meeting you.” He glanced around the blanket curiously. “Where did everyone run off to?”

I pointed toward the pond, where Arthur and the kids were throwing the remaining cookie crumbs to the ducks swimming on the water. They didn’t see the goose as it came up behind them and grabbed Will by the seat of his pants. Arthur went rigid, eyeing the goose angrily while keeping Will out of harm’s way. We watched as Will squealed and ran frantically toward Natalie.

“That damn goose is going to hurt him,” Shannon snapped.

“I’ll go. The only good goose is stuffed and on the table.” Josh ran, closing the distance between our blanket and the children rapidly. He took his hat off and charged at the animal. In a flurry of gray feathers and frantic honking, the goose ran away without a backward glance.

Will cheered, jumping up and down. He reached out and Josh scooped him up, settling him, squealing, onto Josh’s shoulders. Arthur smiled in our direction, his stance relaxing visibly.

Mom laughed. “Nicely handled.”

Warmth filled my chest as I watched Josh carry Will on his shoulders, galloping around the pond for a victory lap.

“I think I’ll join them.” My mother stood and stretched. “Keep them out of trouble while we wait for our tea appointment.”

I smiled at her. “Good luck.”

She shook her head at me. “I don’t need luck, kiddo. I’m Super Grams. According to Will, anyway.”