“Needs must.” She croaked out the words before clearing her throat and continuing. “A Flynn Banks swashbuckler would hardly have been my first choice. But the studio decides the picture, not me. Even Joan Davis had to make some stinkers beforeshe won her Oscar.”
Flynn choked back a laugh. He’d have to tell Joan that later. Of course, this woman admired Joan. He recognized the same fire and curiosity in her that his best friend Dash’s wife had in spades. But Olivia’s was softer, more genteel, more…innocent. “Ah, so you do know the pictures then. If you know Joan Davis.”
He leaned his chin on her shoulder, and she shrugged him off in a move he could only describe as a harrumph. “Of course I know Joan Davis. She’s a great actress.”
He slid in front of her and sat on the ledge of the vanity in front of the mirror, his knees practically touching the tops of her thighs. “But I’m not a great actor… Is that it?”
She bit her lip and studied him, mulling something over, but then she squinted and shook her head. “Now, Mr. Banks, how would I know, considering I don’t remember whether I’ve ever seen one of your pictures? But my guess is that you could be a good actor if you didn’t let your ego get in the way.”
“My ego is not as big as you think it is.”
She gave a pointed look at his crotch, and he realized a moment too late that he’d opened himself up for further ridicule.
He jumped up off the dressing room counter and spluttered, “That’s not what I meant.”
She laughed—a warm, resonant sound that made his heart beat a little faster. “Mr. Banks, last night you were incredulous at the thought that I’d never seen one of your pictures.”
“I was surprised, that’s all. I’ve been the number one box-office star three years running.”
She closed her eyes and inhaled, as if he was trying her patience. “Your box-office success aside, you’re telling me this little exchange we’ve just had isn’t about soothing your wounded ego? When I suggested your advances might be unwanted, youtried to seduce me. Or have I misunderstood your intentions? Was this he-man act of yours about something other than proving that you’re irresistible?”
He tried to think of a witty retort, but their exchange was cut off when Evelyn came back with an enormous mass of taffeta and ribbons in tow. She was followed by two more wardrobe assistants. Only Evelyn’s eyes were visible over the mounds of the dress. Awkwardly trying to fit through the narrow doorway, she told Flynn, “Connie is ready for you down the hall.”
“Good,” he snarled, and cursed himself for sounding like an absolute prig. He stomped his way out of wardrobe, shoving his hands in his pockets. He was nearly out the door when he turned back to face his costar. “Miss De Lesseps, you may have a point about my ego. But if I ever try to seduce you, I can assure you, there will be no question as to my intentions.”
Chapter 4
Livvy swore she’d tried on every costume on the Evets lot by the time they let her go for the day. They were beautiful pieces, swaths of satin and silk lining bodices and skirts, some decorated with fake gemstones. She had never dreamed of dressing so grandly. Back in her threadbare sweater, tweed skirt, and scuffed loafers, she felt almost bereft without the beautiful clothes. But being trussed and primped and pulled and pinned within an inch of one’s life was exhausting. At least tonight, she didn’t have to drive Flynn Banks all the way to Malibu.
As she barreled down Sunset, her jalopy catching every bump and groove in the road, she counted the seconds until she was home. She soon saw the small green sign that read GARDEN OF ALLAH and made a left past the hotel toward the bungalows in the back. Or, as they advertised them,villas. Run-down shacks was more like it.
She and her sister shared the teeny one-bedroom they could barely afford. It had taken every cent they had to move down here, so they weren’t in any position to be choosy about their living conditions. Hopefully Judy would find a job soon. Then, when Livvy’s weekly studio salary started coming in, they could pool their earnings and find someplace better.
Livvy parked in front of their residence and quickly locked thecar. All she wanted to do was toe off her shoes and collapse face-first onto the sofa. It was moth-eaten and needed to be restuffed, but she was so tired that she didn’t care a lick. She stuck her key in the front door, but her sister opened it before she’d even turned the key in the lock.
“Livvy!” Judy squealed and threw her arms around Livvy. Judy was eighteen years old, only four years younger than Livvy. But they’d lost their parents four years ago, and they were all each other had.
Livvy smiled and returned a quick hug before kicking her shoes off and making good on her desire to throw herself on the bottle-green couch.
“How was it?” Judy fluttered around the room, setting a glass of water on the coffee table for Livvy. “I want to hear everything.”
She groaned, not bothering to lift her head from the couch. “It was good…mostly. Just…long and exhausting. It’s going to take me awhile to get used to people calling me Miss De Lesseps. I keep thinking they’re talking to someone else.”
Judy stuck her nose in the air, pulling the tip of it up with her index finger and assuming an exaggerated French accent. “But Liv de Lesseps is soooo Frennchhh. It is chic, it is the essence of je ne sais quoi.”
Livvy shook her head, chuckling. “That may be. But it’s not my name, and it never will be. Not really. But tell me about your day. Did you find a job?”
“I think so? I won’t know until tomorrow.” Judy wanted to be an actress and star in musical pictures like Ginger Rogers or Eleanor Powell. But Livvy was the one who had caught the eye of Harry Evets. She’d trade places with Judy in a heartbeat if she could. Though maybe she’d ask to keep one of those gorgeous dresses she’d tried on today.
Judy sat down in the armchair covered in faded and stained floral upholstery. They had, for peace of mind, determined that the rust-colored blob on the seat cushion was a coffee stain.
“Promising?” Livvy turned her head from the throw pillow she’d face-planted into so she could see Judy more clearly. The kid was hopping up and down in her chair with excitement, her ponytail bobbing with her fizzy energy. But now that Livvy had a moment to take a good look at Judy, she noticed a brace on her sister’s wrist.
“Very! It was an audition to be a waitress and a dancer at the Sphinx Club.”
Livvy popped up and grabbed for Judy’s arm. “Judy, what happened? You’re hurt.”
Judy pulled her arm back, tugging out of Livvy’s grasp. “It’s fine.” She refused to meet Livvy’s gaze. “I slipped during my audition and twisted it a little when I caught myself. It’ll be right as rain in a few days.”
