You’re on…
Which was how I was in a current predicament with Frank.
“I’m going to the airport,” I demanded inside my trailer, my legs crossed while sitting in a robe, full makeup on my face, my hair sleeked straight.
“I don’t know why. It’s going to cause a scene, Bill.”
He’d shortened my name on a scowl, and I spoke softly. “I want to smack that look off your face. Stop with this.”
His look ran deeper because he knew there was more to my wanting to pick up Cal. Guilt.
Frank continued to sit at the table, drinking a cup of coffee, knowing I’d never slap him even though I was giving him a look of death.
I tried to change the mood. “I’ll stay in the car. I’m excited. That’s all.”
We’d been on the set for a couple of weeks, filming a few scenes before we went out on location, and I was ashamed to admit how elated I felt when Cal mentioned the potential visit. I wasn’t able to go back east at the moment with the production schedule, and he wanted to accommodate me.
Celebrities were not supposed to get butterflies in their stomach, but his willingness made me giddy.
Which was one reason I wanted to go to the airport—to get Cal and show him how genuinely happy I was over his visit. Among other things eating away at me.
With me banished to the back seat with blackout windows, Sampson drove while Frank rode in the passenger seat on the way to LAX. When we pulled up, I stayed put while Frank went in. He didn’t take a sign, which made me laugh. Usually he liked to be formal, but he was in a mood lately.
I’d asked him if his chakras were off, and he didn’t appreciate it so I laid off.
“There she is…” The car door opened and Cal’s voice filled the car and my heart.
I felt the broad smile take over my face again, and there was no amount of acting experience that would allow me to wipe it off. “How are you?” I said to the man making me blush, and he winked.
“Better now that I see you. Not that I didn’t love my greeting party.”
Frank turned sideways and gave Cal a smug look. Cal made an upside-down V with his fingers and motioned to Frank he was watching him.
“I see you’re dressed for winter,” Cal teased, eyeing my fur-trimmed boots.
“It’s cold. Only forty-five degrees.”
Smirking, he responded, “That’s balmy back home.”
“Thanks for coming.” I lowered my voice while I spoke, wanting my words to only be for Cal.
He nodded. “You’re my Valentine, right?”
This had me laughing. “By default. Considering all your partners wanted President’s Day weekend off, so you got lucky with a free V-Day.”
“It worked out to my advantage.”
I felt the blush seeping back up my cheeks.
Looking out the window, I watched the traffic pass, and wondered what to do about the following night. It was a kettlebell sitting on my chest—thank God I can act—forcing me to smile through the pressure.
“What’s your work schedule?” Cal asked, his tone genuine. “We good to golf in the morning? After we let Chip out, of course…or is someone coming?”
This made me giggle. Cal had served me a fair amount of shit over my team of dog walkers. It was all in jest; he knew I couldn’t randomly head out on walks without being swarmed.
“Daniel is flexible and can make time for us when we want, but he suggested morning. This way, he can make sure it’s a bit more private along the course. They have some control during that time period.” He gathered my hand in his, running his thumb along mine.
Daniel was a former PGA player Cal knew somehow…I couldn’t recall exactly but he had offered to play with Cal anytime. Cal apparently still had it when it came to golf, I’d overheard him say when talking to Daniel last time he visited. Problem was, I didn’t know if Daniel was as excited to play with me. Except I was desperate for time with Cal. Too desperate, if I thought about it for longer than five seconds.
