As I flipped through the channels, trying to put my mind on something else, I felt like I was going crazy. Nothing worked to distract me, so on impulse, I decided to go see Wes at his new place, though I had no clue what I was going to say or do when I got there.
I noticed Tommy getting into his car to follow me as I’d once again given him no information when I left the house. Eddie and Tommy had gotten used to having to scramble when it came to me.
I parked just down the street from Magnolia Apartments, where Wes had told me he was living now. My plan was to walk into his building and attempt to figure out which apartment was his. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the building. Before I got there, I spotted himat the café on the corner. My heart nearly stopped at the sight of Wes sitting across from an attractive blonde.
The Earth seemed to sway.He’s on a date? This was my fault. I’d led him to believe I was moving on with Allan, when that couldn’t have been further from the truth. But right now I needed to move before he saw me staring through the window like a creeper. So I forced one foot in front of the other, and rather than going to his building to wait for him, I hung my head and went back down the street to where my car was parked. I couldn’t bear to risk witnessing him taking that beautiful woman back to his apartment.
Oh God. I felt sick.
As I drove home, my mind churned.What the hell did you expect?I asked myself.That a gorgeous, virile man like Wes was going to just stay celibate, pining for you in perpetuity?I’d given him the green light to move on by showing up with Allan at the screening. Wes didn’t know I was still hung up on him.
When I got home, Tommy pulled in behind me a minute later. He’d obviously been on my tail and had seen my bizarre behavior. I just didn’t know if he’d figured out what I’d been up to.
“Everything okay?” he called from behind me as I was about to enter my house.
I stopped short of my front door and stared down at the ground. “Yeah. Everything is fine.”
“I saw you looking in the window of that café.” He paused. “I also saw Wes there with someone.”
Damn. I turned to face him. “I don’t know what to say, except that I don’t want to talk about it.”
“There’s no way he moved on that fast, Juliette. There’s got to be another explanation. I mean, all theflowers he planted outside this house? The man is crazy about you.”
“Yeah, well, there’s a lot you don’t know. This situation is more complicated than you could imagine, Tommy.”
“Complicated? When it comes toyoursituation?” He arched a brow. “You don’t say…”
I sighed. “I’m pretty sure Wes just realized he’s better off without me.”
“Well, like I’ve told you before, if you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
“Thank you.”
I was about to open the door when he called out again. “Juliette?”
“Yeah?”
“No man is better off without the woman he loves.”
***
A week later was the official premiere forAutumn’s Husband. This was an even bigger event than the early screening, and much more formal. Since I’d totally blown off Allan last time, when he asked me to accompany him again tonight—just as friends—I decided to give it a go. I figured it was one way to try to forget about Wes moving on.Trybeing the operative word. Plus, showing up alone seemed miserable.
Unfortunately, though, once we arrived, I realized quickly that there would be no forgetting about Wes tonight. I spotted him across the red carpet, this time looking even more gorgeous in a tux.I should’ve known he’d be here.He was working for Bradley, after all, who was expected tonight. And not only was Wes in attendance, but he was on the arm of the same beautiful blonde I’dseen him with at the café. I didn’t realize security guards could bring dates when they were on the clock.
Was it rude to leave the premiere of a movie you’d adapted? Because I was this close to getting the hell out of here. My head spun with jealousy. But I reminded myself that this was the bed I’d made when I’d refused to give Wes a chance after he returned to LA. And anyway, Wes was probably better off with someone else, since my father would make it impossible for us to live in peace. That thought hurt my chest.
When he and the blonde moved to a central spot on the red carpet for photos, a flurry of flashes surrounded them. It occurred to me for the first time that she must’ve been a celebrity.
I leaned over to Allan. “Who is that blonde over there in the pink gown?”
“That’s Shelby Warner,” he replied. “She’s on that new show that’s doing really well, the one about the wives who cheat on their husbands with each other. The name escapes me...”
Wes is dating an actress?I supposed I shouldn’t have been surprised in this town.
I let out a long exhale as I waited for my turn to be photographed. My red evening gown complemented my dark hair, but I felt like I was suffocating in it. Poor Allan once again unknowingly found himself the victim of my preoccupation with Wes.
As we entered the theater, I remained in a daze over Wes’s red-carpet debut. After the introductory speeches, the lights dimmed in the theater, and the opening credits began to roll.
