True. She’d dated her fair share of leading men, unknowns, and once a cashier at the gourmet food store, who was six foot one and had a strong jawline and hair that hung over his forehead. He’d been a real sweetheart until he figured out who she was and pitched a fit about her income being an insult to every hard-working American outthere.
He was kind of a passionate activist with an odd sense of self-righteousness.
Boy, she could pick ’em.
Her eyes fell on the open walk-in closet door and she became curious enough about the mystery dress April had hung in there that she rolled off the couch and made her wayinside.
The garment bag unzipped with nary a sound, and yards of cherry-red fabric spilled out. She pushed the bag off the hanger and took a goodlook.
The dress had a collar—not quite mandarin in style, but with a hint of the Orient. Which was appropriate. She’d asked for something that would complement the movie’s theme without making it look like she’d dressed as her character. She wanted a sophisticated nod instead of a gushing bow, and Earl Deveron delivered beautifully. The bodice was lined with bone to allow the fabric to drape and gather perfectly while still forming to hershape.
At the hip, a cluster of pearls and diamonds sparkled and then cascaded down the slit to the floor, where they exploded over the hem. She stepped back and eyed it critically, determining the hem would brush the floor as shewalked.
She reached out and fingered the fabric, letting the softness caress her. For a brief moment, she pictured herself walking the red carpet with London at her side. He filled out a tux in all the best ways, and they’d be stunningtogether.
Not to mention she’d have more fun with him than if she wentalone.
She sighed and turned away, leaving the dress to air out. “I’ve spent too many hours thinking of you, London Wilder. No moredaydreams.”
Now that she’d seen him in person, had a bit of closure, she could finally put the past to rest. It was time to look for a man to replace London in herheart.
Chapter Six
“Is theresomething you want to tell me?” askedJay.
London leveled his signature “hard core” stare at his agent, the one he used on receivers to let them know he had his eye on them, and they weren’t getting away with jack. “I don’t play these types of games.” Not since the last time his dad tried that one. London’s ribs ached as if haunted by the ghost of thatnight.
“Fine.” Jay whipped out an eight-by-eleven envelope with a well-known logo on the front. “This came to my office for Mr. London Wilder.” He laid the envelope down and slid it across the glasstabletop.
The restaurant, named Transparency, rubbed him the wrong way. He didn’t like the glass tabletops, didn’t like looking at his feet while he ate. If he wanted to do that, he’d eat standing up in hiskitchen.
Then there were the glass “walls” around each seating area. As if the glass was supposed to give a semblance of privacy when all it did was make you want to look through it. Like when he ran at night and passed a house with all the lights on—he couldn’t help but turn to look. It wasn’t like he particularly cared about the people on the other side of the glass, or even had a desire to peek into their lives. It was the spotlight of being behind glass like exhibits at the zoo. That was it—he felt like he was ondisplay.
Which is why he hesitated to pick up the envelope. Whatever was in there would be visible to all. He ignored it and took adrink.
Jay chewed purposefully. “The auction and the date were fantastic. Would you mind doing anotherone?”
London choked on his water. He had to use his napkin to clean up hischin.
The auction experience itself wasn’t all that bad, but the date had been less than average. Anna was nice—a divorcee with two kids, she had a lot on her plate and admitted that after their date, she was going back to her yoga pants and yoga studio. She wasn’t ready to jump back into the dating scene, but thanked him for a lovelyevening.
He’d honestly tried to make the best of an awkward situation. Jay had gotten wind of the whole gazebo comment and set up a romantic dinner for two at sunset in a gazebo. London didn’t find out about the plans until he was already in the middle of them. And then the guilt set in. A gazebo was a magical place, one he’d only ever shared with Maia, one he only wanted to share with her for his whole life. He could barely sit through dinner with his thoughts circling aroundher.
“Excuse me?” he asked Jay toclarify.
“You scored some major points with female fans by being pegged as a romantic by Maia. Women make up forty-five percent of the NFL fan base—that’s huge. The more they love you, the more football lovesyou.”
He shook his head. “You’re getting close to that line.” When London first hired Jay, he drew a line in the sand where he was comfortable promoting himself. If Jay ever crossed the line into pimp, he’d be out of ajob.
Instead of responding, Jay pointed at the envelope with his fork. “You really should open that,” he said before pushing a piece of steak into hismouth.
London resisted the urge to look over his shoulder to see who was watching him as he put his silverware down and opened the envelope. Inside he found a ticket, an eight-by-ten glossy, another envelope stamped and addressed, and a handwritten note. He removed everything but the picture. For some reason, he felt like that picture was going to change things, that it was important. Ignoring the photo, he glanced at the ticket first, surprised to see that it was to Maia’spremiere.
Just one ticket. That was weird. He opened the note, hoping for anexplanation.
Dear Mr. Wilder,
You are invited to attend the premiere ofThe Princess and the Well of the World’s End.Your ticket isenclosed.
