"You okay?"
"Yes, thanks. I used one of the guest toothbrushes."
"That's what they're for."
The two women sat down to eat, and Annelie waited until Carolyn had managed half of her serving before continuing their conversation. "Want to talk about it?" Her voice was noncommittal.
"What do you mean?"
"I see you're not feeling well, and it looks like you're not at all as rested as you should've been after going away for the weekend."
"It wasn't that kind of going away. I had to fly up to D.C. to check on some family matters, and I…" Shoulders slumping, Carolyn laced her fingers into her hair. "I'm worried about my sister. She acted fine around me during the weekend, and yet…There's something. I don't know. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it."
"You care a lot about her."
"She's fragile right now. I know she's a grown woman, but she's the baby of the family." Carolyn lifted a shoulder in a shrug. "You could say she and her husband Joe are my only family."
Annelie thought there was more behind the light words than Carolyn let on. "Families are important," she murmured, the words leaving a hollow feeling in her heart.
Carolyn leaned forward, her eyes clouding over with a darker shade of gray. The hurt in those eyes made Annelie's heart skip a beat. There was a raw, naked pain in Carolyn's voice that sounded genuine as she spoke. "Yes, families can be everything. I just wish Jared's family didn't have to be my concern right now. I've got too much on my mind at the time."
"What do you mean?"
"Jared's parents, sister, and brother-in-law are flying down from Boston. They're going to be staying with him for a few days."
"Sounds a bit crowded." Annelie fought to sound casual.
"It's not that. The condo is big enough. His sister never gives up on wanting to pair us off. His mother, on the other hand, never gives up hoping we never do." Carolyn sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Right now it's more than I can deal with. I think I'll have to return to New York for a while."
She has to leave? Unwilling, and perhaps unable, to examine the quick stir of panic, Annelie thought quickly. From a professional standpoint, it would be easier to deal with the casting situation with Carolyn out of town. But I don't want her to go. Recoiling from her muddled motives, Annelie knew what to do. Sensing she would have to make the offer sound matter-of-fact and logical, she waited until Carolyn had finished her omelet.
"You know what? I have an idea." She smiled innocently, extending a hand across the table. "Come with me."
"But I'm not dressed," the actress objected as Annelie took her by the hand again. "Where are we going?"
"I want to show you something. Don't worry, it's not far."
Not letting go of the small hand, Annelie again led Carolyn through the kitchen door, into the garage. Carolyn quirked an inquisitive eyebrow at her. Annelie smiled broadly at her and opened the garage door. Outside she took a left turn and climbed a narrow staircase. Pulling out a key card, she pulled it through the reader next to the white door at the top of the stairs.
"There you go, please step inside," she invited her surprised guest.
Carolyn hesitated for a moment, giving Annelie a cautious smile. "Should I be concerned?"
"Don't be silly. Go on."
They entered the small garage apartment, and Annelie watched Carolyn walk from the tastefully decorated living room into the small kitchenette and then examine the bathroom and two small bedrooms.
"Do you like it?" Annelie asked.
"Yes, it's wonderful. What a lovely little apartment."
"Can you see yourself spending a couple of nights here?"
There was a stunned silence. Annelie knew she had to convince Carolyn this was a good idea. "Look at it this way," she continued. "I know you have some family issues going on—and I'm not prying—and you're about to be swamped by opinionated relations of a friend. Here you can relax, just hang out, and take your swim. The place is fully equipped. You can make calls…and there's a computer installed in the niche over there—" Annelie's voice broke off, and she had to laugh at the disgust on Carolyn's face. "Okay, so you don't have to use the computer—just the phone, then."
"You wouldn't mind me staying so close to you?"
Annelie opened her mouth to answer but closed it again. Was there something more behind Carolyn's question? "It's just for a few nights, so I'm sure we wouldn't crowd each other. You'd be my guest."
Carolyn turned around, looking the elegant apartment over again. "I'd be a fool not to accept," she replied, her voice soft. "Thank you, Annelie. I appreciate your offer."
"You're welcome. You can just pick up a few of your things at Jared's. I'm sure he'll understand."
"I don't keep many personal belongings at his condo." Carolyn walked toward the bedroom overlooking the patio. "I think I'll sleep in here, away from the driveway."
"Good point. Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help."
Carolyn pivoted and walked up to Annelie. Looking up, her eyes calmer than before, she said, "You've done so much already. Today's been…different. I'm not used to anyone taking care of me like this."
Annelie was stunned to hear this. Somehow she had pictured someone as renowned as Carolyn being fawned over everywhere she went. Furtively, she studied the other woman as she moved around the living room, looking at the delicate figurines on a shelf. Instead of pushing her shoulders up and hunching over as before, Carolyn now seemed more relaxed.
"Then I'm glad I can offer a refuge of sorts." Annelie flipped her ponytail back over her shoulder. "Take your time looking around. I'll be in my study working if there's anything you need."
To Annelie's surprise, Carolyn raised her hand and quickly brushed two fingers along her benefactor's cheek. "You're truly a kind person."
Trying to swallow past the sudden lump in her throat and feeling her skin tingle, Annelie only nodded. She gave Carolyn a quick smile and then disappeared down the stairs.
***
After watching Annelie leave, Carolyn slowly turned around, taking in her surroundings. The living room was tastefully decorated in the same earthy tones as the main house—browns, blues, and yellows. The leather couches faced a large window, to the left of which stood an open fireplace.
The bedroom, decorated in different shades of white, featured a queen-size bed and a fully stocked linen cabinet. As she glanced out the window, Carolyn saw her bag still sitting by the pool. Feeling energized, she walked through the apartment and down the stairs to retrieve it.
She had brought a change of clothes and would only need to pick up a few things from the condo for her brief stay. Returning to the apartment with the bag, she walked into the bathroom. As she checked her reflection in the mirror, Carolyn saw her hair fall in tousled waves around her shoulders.
In the drawers next to the sink, she found a hairdryer, which she plugged in and used with her hairbrush to form her trademark shiny, straight hair. Her makeup kit held everything she needed to emphasize her eyes, and Carolyn expertly hid the dark circles beneath them.
She hung up the bathrobe and wandered into the kitchenette. Though the cabinets held most items needed in a kitchen, she would need to stop at the grocery store before stopping at Jared's. She thought of buying something she would be able to share with Annelie. Carolyn didn't cook, but she knew where to get excellent takeout.
She grabbed the car keys and left the apartment, making sure the
door was locked before she left. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she met Annelie.
"You look much better. My magic omelet, no doubt."
"No doubt. I'm off to do some shopping and pick up my things."
"Good. Can I help you with anything?"