Judy bit her lip, chagrined. She shook her head. “Please don’t tell Livvy. We need the money, and this pays better than any other dancing gig in town.”
He should march back in there and tell Livvy the truth right now. He saw the way Livvy fretted over her sister; she would want to know what was happening. And Livvy wouldn’t think twice about the money they lost if Judy quit—not if it was a choice between that and keeping Judy safe. He ran a hand down his face. “Can’t you get a job at a soda fountain or something?”
Judy squared her shoulders and jutted out her chin, trying to look braver than he knew she was. “No. I’m a dancer.”
“Ah. Can’t get in the way of your dreams, now can we?” Flynn was annoyed on Livvy’s behalf. He’d seen how much she had given up for Judy. How she made herself smaller, all in the name of protecting her sister. And the kid didn’t even appreciate it.
Something fiery flashed in Judy’s eyes. “No, it’s nothing like that,” she fumed. “It is my dream to be a dancer. But I’d give it up tomorrow if that would make Livvy happy.”
“And what makes her happy is seeing you happy.” He could almost hear Livvy saying the words herself, as if she were there in the drive with them.
“No. I mean, yes. But if you tell Livvy, she’ll have us packed up as quick as if we were running from a house fire. She’ll move us back to Saratoga if she thinks that’ll keep us safe. Livvy never wanted to be an actress. She only said yes to the audition for the Hollywood Bowl talent scout because I begged her to. But since we got here, Livvy’s changed. She’s happy. I haven’t seen her like this in a long, long time. Since before our parents died.”
The words crashed into Flynn like a tidal wave. Suddenly, all the puzzle pieces were falling into place. The reason for Livvy’s overprotectiveness. Her wariness around Flynn. The strange mix of disgust and fascination she seemed to hold for him.
Judy’s eyes filled with tears. “Livvy brought us here because I begged her to. Because I knew if we didn’t come to Hollywood, I’d never get my shot. Sure, I don’t want to give up before I’ve even had a chance. But more importantly, I don’t ever want to see Livvy go back to the way she’s been these last four years. She was a shell of the sister I grew up with. So, please don’t tell her. I promise I can handle it.”
“Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. You’re not what I expected,kid.” Flynn had been far more narcissistic when he was eighteen than this slip of a girl. But Livvy and Judy were two peas in a pod, loving each other into martyrdom. He sighed. “Fine, I won’t tell your sister. It’s your business anyway. But Livvy’s right, you know. Billy Wilkes is bad news. You should find a job elsewhere. I can call some people for you if you like, try to pull some strings.”
Judy’s eyes widened and she shook her head with shocking vehemence. “No, don’t go out of your way for me. Livvy would find out, and then she’ll know I’ve been lying to her. I can take care of myself. Really, I can.”
If he had any sense, he’d march back in there and tell Livvy exactly what was happening. Not only because he was skeptical Judy Blount could handle a man like Billy Wilkes, but because he knew, without question, that this was not what Livvy wanted for her sister. But he’d heard what Livvy had said—that she shouldn’t have been off eating enchiladas.
Selfishly, he needed Livvy to stay in Hollywood too. If it weren’t for her tonight—first rescuing him from Rhonda’s clutches at the fundraiser, and then her quick thinking with that kiss in front of El Cholo—he’d already be on his way to becoming Hollywood’s chief persona non grata. He’d been reluctant to participate in this charade, but if anyone could turn his reputation around, it was Livvy. What’s more, he liked spending time with her. Talking to her. Making her so peeved that she got a little wrinkle between her eyes. Sparring with her—metaphorically and literally.
Flynn absolutely loved life. Maybe a little too much. Good food, good drinks, good fucking. They were all things he could never get enough of. But tonight, for the first time, he’d discovered the pleasure of watchingsomeone elseabsorb the best this world had to offer—both things he loved, like an El Cholo enchilada,and things he’d never had time for, like classical music. He had friends, sure, and they knew how to have a good time. But this was different. Livvy was becoming someone he wanted to ensure was enjoying herself.
Judy said this was the first time she’d seen Livvy happy in a while, and part of him hoped it was because of him. He was certainly happier with Livvy in his life. He had scarcely even thought of his brother’s last telegram lately. Instead, he’d thought of Livvy. The way she’d jumped on him when they’d won the regatta. The glimmer of want in her eyes when he flirted with her. And tonight, the way she’d responded to his kiss. How she’d turned pliant and passionate in his arms. Tonight had been special. And if Livvy knew the truth about Judy’s black eye, there wouldn’t be another night like this.
He turned the key in the ignition and looked at Judy, her bruise a deep plum in the shadows of the moonlight. “It’ll be our little secret.”
Chapter 14
“I look ridiculous.” Livvy glared at the mirror as she tried to pin her hat in place.
“Don’t be silly, you’re the prettiest Peter Pan there’s ever been,” Judy trilled. She took the hat and affixed it jauntily to Livvy’s head. “There.”
Livvy studied herself in the bathroom mirror. Judy had pinned her black curls up into a sort of bob, so it looked like she had a pixie cut. She turned her head from side to side and fingered the collar of the green suede blouse Evelyn in wardrobe had lent her. “I do look quite fetching, don’t I?”
Judy giggled and hugged her from behind. “Of course you do.”
“I wish you were coming with me tonight. It’s supposed to be the biggest Halloween party in town.”
Judy squeezed her tight. “I know, I wish I was too. But I have shows at eight, nine thirty, and eleven tonight.”
Livvy sighed. The bruise on her sister’s face had faded to a sickly yellow, even if Livvy’s guilt was as potent as ever. The bruise was practically invisible with the aid of a thick foundation. Since then, Judy hadn’t sustained any further injuries. At least not any that Livvy was aware of. But she still didn’t like Judy working at the Sphinx Club.
“Besides,” Judy said, “you’ll have more fun without me.”
“I doubt that very much. I’m only going because it would look very odd indeed if the gal who was rumored to have captured Flynn’s heart didn’t make an appearance at his party.” If Judy was going tonight, she’d have someone to talk to. Someone to distract her from Flynn Banks and the way her heart beat faster whenever she caught him looking at her.
Leda Price had once dubbed Flynn’s house “Cirrhosis By the Sea,” so notorious were the drunken exploits of his house parties. Having to face that alone… Well, she was going to need all the faith, trust, and pixie dust she could muster. Maybe she could feign a headache after she convinced the other guests that she and Flynn were together.
Judy opened a lipstick tube and rotated it before passing it to Livvy, who applied it carefully. Judy sighed dreamily. “No one at the party will be able to keep their eyes off of you. Least of all Flynn Banks.” She waggled her eyebrows at her sister in the mirror.
Livvy rolled her eyes. “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a hundred times that it’s an act. It can’t be more than that.”
“That was until tonight.”
