As they entered the dining room and were swept up in laughter and conversation again, Annelie stole a glance at Carolyn. For some reason, she was sorry to see the vulnerable woman from the kitchen had disappeared. In her stead Carolyn Black, the ambitious actress, once more took possession of the room.
***
Mary set coffee cups on a side table while Annelie handed out the chocolate mousse. Jem took the chair next to Carolyn's, and Annelie resumed her seat on her other side. Carolyn caught her breath at the brush of that lithe body so close to hers. Her heart was still thundering, as if trying to escape her rib cage. The incident in Annelie's kitchen had caught her off guard.
What had gotten into her? Only her ability to slip into her star persona had saved her from running away and embarrassing herself further. Standing there with two leftover raspberries in her hands, she'd acted on impulse. Annelie had stood there, her hair like a golden cloud around her narrow shoulders, looking at her with darkening ice
blue eyes. I could have sworn she responded to me at first. Carolyn wondered what the publisher was thinking now.
Having been approached by several lesbians over the year, most of them working in her line of business, she had more or less standardized a way of politely letting them know she wasn't interested. She used the same technique with most men; she was nowhere near the man-eater some gossip columnist had pegged her to be. Sure, she used her sex appeal when it suited her, but compared to some of her colleagues, she was practically a nun. Is that what I instinctively did? Glancing around the table, she barely kept from biting her lower lip as it began to tremble. She didn't think anyone noticed.
Carolyn felt Annelie's presence next to her like heat radiating against her skin. She had never felt even the remotest attraction toward a woman. How could I possibly find the catty, competitive women I know even the slightest alluring? It's not like we're buddies, exactly. Annelie was not a friend, nor was she a colleague or rival. She holds my future. The thought made Carolyn swallow hard and almost forget to smile toward Kitty, who was discussing something with Annelie. Focus. Don't let them see you lost your footing. Carolyn sighed. Why did I do it? Why the hell did I lower my defenses like that?
"Oh, chocolate mousse," the woman across from her exclaimed, interrupting Carolyn's thoughts. "I've loved this since I was a child."
"So does my niece," Carolyn added, trying to find her bearings by willing her thoughts in a different direction. "Pamela loves chocolate, just like I do."
"How old is she?" Gillian asked.
"She's four, going on forty."
"I know the feeling. My best friend's daughter is just like that!"
"Pamela is quite inventive and, being an only child so far, she's used to getting her own way. Once, when she was barely two and I was taking care of her for the weekend, she wanted to go out and play in the sandbox in the park. I told her no, it was raining and we'd have to wait until the sun came out."
"I guess this didn't go down well."
"It did, at first. She could see the rain from her window and seemed to take no for an answer." Carolyn sipped her coffee, pleased to see everyone hanging on her words. Somehow it helped her find her bearings again. "Anyhow, I was doing some ironing for my sister… now, don't look so shocked, Kitty. I can iron."
Ignoring the comment after giving Annelie a half grin, Carolyn continued. "You know how suddenly you realize the house is way too quiet—which normally means the kid, or the pet, in question is up to something. I went looking for Pamela and—speaking of pets—I found her in their cat's litter box, scooping kitty litter into her little plastic bucket."
"Ew." Jem frowned. "And God knows what else."
"Exactly," Carolyn said. "And, of course, she used her most angelic smile when she looked up at me and said ‘sandbox, Auntie Lyn,' looking absolutely adorable."
The women laughed, shaking their heads as they commented on children and pets they had run into.
"‘Auntie Lyn'?" Annelie murmured next to Carolyn. "It sounds very cute."
Carolyn raised an eyebrow at her hostess. "Don't even go there."
Annelie only laughed. "We'll see."
***
Annelie waved goodbye to her guests who were returning to their hotel. The cabdriver holding open the door for them watched in bewilderment as the four laughing women seemed to literally take over his vehicle.
"See you soon!" Annelie raised her voice for them to hear, and they waved back.
Annelie turned to Jem, who remained by her side, waiting until the cab drove off before walking to her own car.
"Aren't they great? I think the luncheon was quite the hit."
"It was and, of course, having Carolyn Black as a surprise guest of honor didn't hurt."
Annelie smiled. "No. I thought Sam was going to faint when Carolyn hugged her."
"True, but Carolyn only had eyes for you."
Annelie had started walking toward the living room where Kitty and Sam were waiting, but now stopped in her tracks. "What do you mean?"
"It was very subtle but also very obvious, at least to me. I think the rest of them were so enthralled with her presence, they weren't paying attention. But she couldn't take her eyes off you."
Looking at her good friend, Annelie didn't know what to say. "Was it that obvious?"
"Maybe only to me. When you came back from the kitchen, you looked flustered, and she put on quite a show with the story about her niece. Did something happen?"
"We decorated the chocolate mousse," Annelie managed, trying to sound casual. "That's all."
Jem's eyes softened. "I don't think that's all, honey, but I won't pry, 'cause it's none of my business. I'm just looking out for you. Carolyn wants that part, and who knows what she's prepared to do to get it."
Annelie winced at the candid words. "I know," she whispered. "And yet, she has her vulnerable moments, Jem. When she's just Carolyn and not acting…I've seen it."
"Just don't buy into it too much, kiddo. Be careful and think of what's at stake here." Jem put her arm around Annelie's waist and hugged her quickly. "I don't want you to get hurt—or used."
"I won't."
"All right, fair enough."
They walked back into the living room where Kitty and Sam looked decidedly sleepy.
"The jet lag has set in, I see," Jem remarked. "I think it's time for me to head home, but I look forward to seeing you in the office Monday before you leave for Orlando, Kitty. I still have three chapters of your latest novel to edit, and I'll try to finish them this weekend."
"Excellent." Kitty yawned. "I'm honored you'd work through the weekend for my sake."
"Not a problem. I'd go with you if I had the time. I may try to visit Disney World after the convention, unless everything goes crazy around the office afterward."
"I think we can leave it for Gregory to handle," Annelie suggested. "You should take a few days off then. I know how you love Epcot."
Jem grinned sheepishly. It was a standing joke around the office how much the strong-willed, classy editor adored "the House of Mouse."
Sam rose from her slumped position on the couch, stretching and making a face because of her sore muscles.
"I don't know about you, but I'm off to bed. I'm exhausted." She gave Annelie a quick hug. "Today was wonderful and Carolyn Black was great."
"I second that," Kitty said, and followed her partner's example. "She was very nice and a lot of fun to talk to. She honestly seems to like us."
Annelie nodded. "I think she had a great time too—she told me so before she left."