Chapter 1
“A penny for your thoughts.”
Harlow Wynn turned to find her best friend, Eryn Marquette, quietly watching her. “I feel like a stranger in a strange land.”
Eryn slipped in next to her, gazing out the apartment’s window at the endless miles of blacktop and pavement. Off in the distance were peaks and valleys, mostly filled with homes, a far cry from the charming island that she—and Harlow—called home. “It’s…” She struggled to find an accurate description.
“Cold?”
“Somewhat.”
“Congested?” Harlow asked.
“It is, but this isn’t the word I was looking for.”
“Crowded.”
“Yes, crowded, congested and cold. Maybe it’s a combination,” Eryn said.
Harlow nodded absentmindedly, staring out at the concrete jungle and comparing it to Lighthouse Lane, the cozy stone cottage on the shores of Lake Huron she’d recently purchased and was in the process of renovating. The jungle came up way short as far as she was concerned.
The two were night and day. Hollywood glitz and glam versus laidback Mackinac Island. Two totally different worlds and vibes.
Despite the stark contrast between her worlds, Harlow could feel her excitement grow at being back in LA to wrap up some loose ends for her new movie project.
She had quickly slipped into “movie star mode,” accustomed to the paparazzi, schmoozing and hobnobbing with Hollywood’s movers and shakers, the elite group who ran the entertainment industry.
Poor Eryn was clearly out of her element. Bless her heart, she’d quickly learned less was more. Fewer words, fewer facial expressions. Despite catching on fast, Harlow knew her friend better than anyone and sensed she felt overwhelmed by it all.
Throw in a tense phone conversation with her ex-husband and still-manager Robert Barbetz, and Harlow was right there with Eryn…ready to hightail it back to the peace and tranquility of her beloved piece of paradise.
The stopover at her new rental, the condominium where she would “hang her hat” when she was in town, at least for the next year, to grab her keys and check it out, was more of an afterthought but now that Harlow was here, she was glad they’d taken the time to swing by.
Eryn ran a light hand over the cream-colored leather sofa. “At least the furniture is nice.”
“And I’m paying a nice price for it. Although I’m not complaining. Vic and I will be comfortable living here.”
Vic Stern, Harlow’s personal bodyguard, had met up with her the previous day to go over her schedule. Despite him living in Hollywood, they had worked out an agreement. He would move into the condo, keep the rental under his name for security reasons, and be available to accompany her out in public while she was in town.
It was a win-win for both of them. Vic could be flexible to take on other projects, yet carve out time in his schedule to help his close friend.
Eryn sank down on the sofa, leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “I could take a nap right here,” she murmured.
Harlow padded over and plopped down next to her. “Exhausting, isn’t it?”
“No kidding. All those parties, meetings, not to mention sneaking around to avoid the nosy news people.”
Harlow laughed out loud.
“I’m serious. That one guy was no joke.”
“The paparazzi can be…persistent.”
Eryn sat upright, having gotten her second wind. “So, what’s on the agenda for the rest of today?”
“I have one more meeting in Studio City.” Harlow consulted her watch. “It shouldn’t take more than an hour, hour and a half. After that, we’re free as birds. Free to blow this popsicle stand and fly home.”
Her bestie slowly stood, lifting both hands over her head in a long stretch. “I have to admit, I’m disappointed. We haven’t had a single sighting.”
