Hollywood Ever After (Red Carpet 1)

“Love you too, Mom,” she said before closing the bathroom door.

I met Helen in the hall as she closed Will’s door. I smiled. “He go down without a fight?”

She nodded, following me down the stairs. “You must have led him through the entire countryside searching for his dragon. He was falling asleep before we even finished the story.” We both laughed.

Josh was sitting at the piano, his eyes catching mine as I came into the room with Helen. The butterflies in my stomach went crazy as a smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. Nathan and Mom sat staring at a chessboard between the two of them. I shook my head at them and went to perch on the piano bench by Josh. It all seemed so normal, so blissfully right.

He finished his song and turned to me, his eyes serious. “Is Will sleeping?”

“I’m not sure. Helen was in charge of bedtime tonight. He was exhausted, though, so I don’t expect to hear from him again tonight,” I answered softly.

He nodded and started playing, his eyes straying to me now and again. I watched his hands flying over the keys, amazed and a little envious at his ability to produce such beautiful melodies. I glanced at him, my breath catching as our eyes met.

“There’s tea for you, Claire.” Nathan inclined his head in the general direction of the tray holding my mug.

“Thank you.” I stood and doctored my tea, softly humming along with Josh as he played.

“Do we have everything ready for tomorrow?” Mom asked me while considering her next move.

“Not entirely. Natalie’s not cooperating. I had to explain that not packing her things won’t prevent us from going.” I tried to sound light-hearted.

Nathan chuckled. “Can’t blame her for trying.”

“I don’t.” I laughed too.

“Will and I were trying to come up with a good name for me. We’re torn between Aunt Helen and Helen the Great. But Will did request that we find something a bit shorter altogether. Lenny was his pick.” She giggled then sighed. “I’m going to miss him terribly!” She looked at the chess board, then leaned down and whispered something

in my mother’s ear.

“Now, now, that’s hardly fair, Helen. Marty has trounced me the last two games,” Nathan moaned.

“What did you decide, then?” Josh waited. “As a suitable name for yourself?”

“We decided we should think on it a bit more.” She shrugged, looking crestfallen. Her father picked up a chess piece and moved, causing her to cluck her tongue in disapproval.

I took a sip of my tea then returned to Josh’s side, kissing his cheek.

“That was very nice,” he whispered against my ear. I was very content to look at him, let my eyes travel over him leisurely.

“Ha! Checkmate!” My mother clapped her hands and Helen laughed.

“Damn.” Nathan rubbed a hand over his face, truly displeased.

“Da, I’ll go easy on you if you’d like another match?” Helen patted her father on the shoulder.

“Go ahead, Helen,” Mom said, shaking her head. “After such a delicious meal, I feel a bit guilty beating him so soundly.”

Josh watched the exchange with a tolerant smile on his lips. He caught me watching him and his eyes narrowed a bit, his voice low as he asked, “Can I do anything to help?”

“Packing?” I paused. “No. Other than Nat’s rebellion, I think I have it handled.”

“What time is your flight tomorrow, then?” Nathan came to stand at the piano.

“Twelve-fifteen I believe?” Josh answered, cocking his eyebrow at me in question. I nodded.

Mom and Helen were setting the board up for another match.

“And you’re going through New York on your way back to Los Angeles?” Nathan asked.