"Yes, if she hadn't been completely starstruck with you then— who knows where the two of you would be now?"
"Hey, stop talking about me like I'm not here," Annelie grumbled good-naturedly. "Margo, is this enough to discredit my…father?"
"More than discredit him, girlie. This isn't simple mudslinging. Stuart Clint's trying to damage your reputation. By the way, several organizations you're working with have sent supportive e-mails and telegrams, Annelie."
"I've had several e-mails too. I hope they feel the same way when all this is over."
Margo nodded. "I'm sure they will. The custody papers help prove that Stuart refused to provide for you after you were seven. Even before that, your mother was the one who put food on the table. I know, because I was there and watched her stay up sewing till after midnight every night after she'd worked all day at her real job clerking at the courthouse. And what's more, he's never tried to contact you. This'll blow him right out of the water, sweetie."
"Some facts remain," Annelie objected, her voice almost betraying her. "He lives in poverty. He's on disability. In spite of everything, he's still my father."
Margo frowned. "You don't owe him anything."
"No, maybe not, but it wouldn't cost me much to get him into a program and buy him a decent home."
Carolyn exchanged glances with Margo. "You've got plenty of time to think about that after the press conference. By the way, when is it?"
"Tomorrow at three in the conference room at the office. I'll just stick to these facts. Then the ball's in Stuart's court. I also have our investigator digging for more information. He promised he'd be through by Thursday, at the latest."
Shuffling the food aimlessly around her plate, Annelie looked uneasy. "Sounds like you've got everything covered," she murmured. "I appreciate it, Margo. It's just…"
"Yes, I know." Margo reached for Annelie's hand and patted it. "I know, girlie."
Margo and Carolyn chatted while they finished their meal. Annelie gave up trying to eat any more. Listening to the other women talk, she leaned back in her chair and heard the familiar sound of her mother's voice in the far distance. After all, he is your father, Annie.
***
The women on the couch listened to jazz vocalist Diana Krall and watched two logs burn in the fireplace.
Carolyn sat sideways, her back against the armrest and her legs cradling Annelie's body. Lost in thought, she combed through long, silky hair with slow fingers. To relax like this, holding Annelie in her arms, was almost unfathomable. Surreal. Carolyn inhaled the citrus scent of Annelie's shampoo. She's so quiet tonight. I hate to see her suffer. If I could get my hands on this son of a bitch, I'd…I'd do anything to protect her. Before she left, Margo asked me to look after her and, damn it, I will.
Annelie raised her head. "Carolyn?"
Pulled out of her dark thoughts regarding Stuart Clint, Carolyn glanced down at her lover, her expression transforming into a soft smile. "Yes, love?"
"Are you sure you're comfortable? Feels like I'm crushing you."
"I'm more than comfortable. Lay your head back down."
As Annelie rested her head on Carolyn's shoulder again, Carolyn kissed her lover's temple, transfixed by the clean smell of lemons. "This feels so good. Can you relax?"
"Uh-huh. I'm finally getting warm."
"Great. You're not shivering anymore. A good sign."
"I liked helping you unpack earlier, but what do you think I enjoyed the most?"
"What?"
"Watching you put the little photos of your sister and her family, and John, on the bedside table." There was a brief silence. "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Things are moving so fast. Do you have any second thoughts about our relationship? Maybe feel I'm more than you bargained for? I'd understand if you do."
Carolyn gently tipped Annelie's chin back so she could look into her eyes. "Listen to me, love. Of all the places I could be right now, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be. Holding you, cuddling you by the fire like this is simply marvelous. You're the most amazing person I've ever met, and you're handling this situation so well. I'm honored you've let me in. I love you."
Tears welled up in Annelie's eyes but remained unshed as she clung to Carolyn, turning on her side and burying her face at the base of Carolyn's neck.
"I love you too. I guess I just needed to be reassured. Again." "As many times as it takes, love. I'm all yours." Carolyn could feel Annelie swallow hard. "Yes." Pulling the blanket tighter around them, Carolyn nuzzled her lover's hair. "Close your eyes and relax. I've got you."
A slight tremor reverberated through Annelie before she let go.
***
"All right, let's see…Helen, wrap your arms around Carolyn from behind. Yes, like that. Carolyn, some more of that gorgeous smile. Good. You love her. Show it."
The camera clicked several times as Hernandez, the young, dark-haired photographer, shot the cast in different groupings.
"We need them closer together. They're a couple, after all," the director, Regina Carmichael, told Hernandez.
"Okay then, let's do it this way," he said. "Carolyn, turn your head a little toward Helen. Yes, that's it. Keep looking at the camera. Helen, look at Carolyn. Good."
"Now we need a picture of them embracing," Regina decided.
"All right. How about the scene at the office?"
"Oh, God, the scene," Helen murmured behind Carolyn. "The one the Maddox fans are all dying to know how we'll pull off."
"We can't hide like we did in the audio version," Carolyn whispered back, trying to keep from snickering at Helen's dry tone of voice.
"How about a black background, a wooden desk and chair, perhaps a silhouette of a window behind them, with a pale moon outside?" Hernandez suggested. "I can easily put the window and the moon in digitally."
"Sounds excellent." Regina nodded. "Try it. We need these photos for the convention in L.A. Saturday."
"Got it." Hernandez had his assistants set the scene, then called the actresses back. "Okay, ladies, how about if we try this…" He guided Helen's right arm, arranging it to support her as he made her lean back slightly. "Like this," he continued, taking Helen's other hand and placing it just below Carolyn's right shoulder. "It can either look like you're holding Maddox back or wanting to pull her closer. Tip your head back, Helen. That's it. Carolyn, look at her lips, not her eyes. Great."
The camera clicked as Hernandez took a series of pictures. Carolyn looked at Helen's mouth and suddenly saw Annelie's full lips, knowing so well how they tasted as they parted beneath hers and how they felt against every inch of her body. Feeling her cheeks blush and her eyes narrow, Carolyn held her breath.
"Wow, brilliant, Carolyn. That look's just what I need. Now, Helen, look at Carolyn. Yes. That's it. Good." When he was satisfied, Hernandez unfastened his camera. "Great work. Thanks, ladies."
Regina joined them, waving Helen and Carolyn over. "We'll start tabletop rehearsals tomorrow and take all next week. That's it for today."
Carolyn couldn't wait to see Annelie, since the press conference was probably over. She worried about how it had affected her, knowing how she despised being in the spotlight. Pulling out her cell phone, she walked back to the makeup room with Harvey and Helen.
"How's Annelie doing?" Helen asked in a low voice.
"As well as can be expected. As for the whole sordid thing…I don't know. Margo Dillon was confident about the outcome, but you never can tell."
"Just tell Annelie I said hi, and that all of us know her father's lying."
Carolyn's expression softened. "Thanks, Helen. I'll tell her. Right now, as a matter of fact." She pressed the speed dial on her phone.