Out with some friends. What was the big deal? How come you called me twice?
Nothing, she said, feeling immediately defensive. I just wanted to check in and say hi. I thought you were seeing the kids last night. If he wasn't, why did he have to leave for San Francisco on Friday?
I was, but the flight got in late, and Joanie said they'd had a long day, so I called a couple of guys I used to work with. We hit the bars and just got to talking. Sometimes she forgot that he used to live there. I thought maybe something was wrong when I got in and saw you'd called, but I figured you'd be asleep by then. I guess I could just act like your clients and call anytime, day or night. He strongly disapproved of the calls she got late at night, but most of her clients only did that when they felt they really had to.
It sounds like you're having a good time, she said, trying not to sound as angry or disappointed as she was.
It's okay. Sometimes it's fun being back here. Last night was a kick with the guys. I haven't done the bar scene here in ages. It didn't appeal to her, but it was probably amusing for him to catch up with his friends. He worked so hard, he didn't do things like that very often. I'm picking the girls up at nine. I promised them we'd go to Sausalito and maybe Stinson for the day. It's too bad you couldn't be here, he said, sounding warmer again.
I'm going to have to see the police for Carmen this morning, and probably the FBI, since the letter came in the mail, and then I've got the awards tonight.
That ought to be entertaining, he said, sounding completely disengaged, as though it had never been part of the plan for him to be there. How was dinner last night?
Okay. The usual. The Steinbergs at their best and worst. Scott came home, so that was nice. Sam is getting a little big for her britches, these days. I guess it's the age, but I can't say I'm crazy about it.
That's because your mother lets her do anything she wants. If you ask me, that's the surest way to wind up with a spoiled brat, and she's getting a little old for that. I'm surprised your father doesn't put his foot down. She thought that Brandon was being a little harsh, and although she didn't completely disagree with him, she was nonetheless surprised that he was so willing to criticize her siblings. She was always especially careful not to say anything less than nattering about his children.
My father worships her. And she's been doing more modeling lately too. That probably gives her a fat head, and makes her think she can say anything she wants. She was still thinking about Sam's comments the night before, and now she was doubly annoyed at Sam for making her worry for nothing. It was interesting, though, that she had actually gotten to her, but Allegra knew it was only because she was so unhappy about his going to San Francisco for the weekend.
She'll get into trouble with her modeling one of these days. One of the photographers will come on to her, or they'll offer her drugs. I think that whole scene is unhealthy for her. I'm surprised your parents are willing to let her do it. To Brandon, it was all about the evils of show business, in all its forms and variations. It was something he emphatically disapproved of. And he frequently said that he would never let his girls model, or act, or do anything that involved putting them in the public eye. He always made it clear to Allegra that he thought their business was seamy and very unappealing, in spite of the fact that her parents had done extremely well at it, and she obviously enjoyed it.
You could be right, she said diplomatically, wondering if they were just too different, or if it was because he was away, and she felt as though he had let her down. Sometimes it was hard to know, even after two years, if this was the right choice for her. Most of the time, she thought he was right for her, and then occasionally, like now, she felt as though they were strangers.
I'd better go pick up the girls, he said, and then pacified her with, I'll call you tonight.
I'll be at the Golden Globes, she reminded him gently.
That's right. I forgot, he said, and the way he said it made her want to hit him. I'll call you tomorrow morning.
Thanks. And then, hating herself for it, she added, I'm sorry you won't be there.
You'll have fun anyway. I guess Alan Carr is a better date for that kind of thing than I am. At least he knows who he's talking to. I don't. Just make sure he behaves, and tell him you're my girl, Allie. No funny stuff, he said, and she smiled, faintly mollified again. He meant well, and he loved her, he just didn't get how important the awards ceremonies were to her. They were her life, they were important to her family, and to her business.
I'll miss you. And just for the record, I'd rather be going with you than Alan.
I'll try to make it next year, baby, I promise. He even sounded as though he meant it.
All right, she said, wishing he were there in bed with her. At least that was one area where she never felt the differences, but only the similarities, between them. Sexually, they got on extremely well. And eventually, the rest would probably smooth out too. Divorces were never easy. Have a nice time with the girls, sweetheart. And tell them I miss them.
I will. Talk to you tomorrow. I'll look for you on the news tonight. But she laughed at him. She'd be the last person he'd see. She wasn't a nominee, or a presenter, she was just one of the insignificant masses as far as the news cameras were concerned, unless they caught a glimpse of her as one of her parents won, or maybe Carmen. But they narrowed in pretty tight for the shots of the winners. The only thing that might attract attention to her was being Alan Carr's date, but as a relative unknown, she doubted if even that would get her on camera. She seriously doubted that Brandon would see her.
They hung up after that, and she felt better after talking to him. Sometimes he just didn't understand her milieu, and he'd been slow at sorting his life out, but he was a great guy, and she was always having to explain to everyone that she really loved him. It was a shame they didn't see his virtues as clearly as she did.
She got up and put a pot of coffee on, and then she called the police, the FBI, the security firm that covered Carmen's house, and eventually she met with all of them at Carmen's, and Allegra was satisfied that everything possible was being done to protect her. She had contacted both of her favorite bodyguards, Bill Frank and Gayle Watels, who had retired from the LAPD SWAT team, and fortunately both of them were free and had agreed to work with Carmen for a while. They were going to the awards ceremony with her that night, and Carmen was relieved to know she'd be so well protected. Allegra had sent Gayle to Fred Hayman for a dress, which was no easy task, since it had to conceal her holster, and all of her weapons. But the ladies at Fred Hayman were used to unusual assignments.
Allegra managed to get home at four-fifteen, while the hairdresser and makeup artist worked with Carmen, and she barely had time to shower and do her own hair, and slip into the long, slinky black dress she had bought to wear for the occasion. It was quiet and discreet, but beautifully cut and very striking. It had been designed by Ferre, and had a fabulous white organdy coat covering it, and she wore the pearl and diamond earrings her father had bought her for her twenty-fifth birthday. Her long, silky blond hair was piled high on her head, in gently cascading rolls and curls, and she looked sexy and sensuous when Alan Carr arrived, looking breathtaking in a new Armani tuxedo. He was wearing a white silk shirt with a narrow collar and no tie, and his dark hair was slicked back. He looked even better than he had in his last half dozen pictures.
Wow! he said, before she could say the same. She had a slit in her dress all the way up one leg that revealed a pair of black lacy stockings, and she was wearing high-heeled black satin sandals. Am I supposed to behave myself with you looking like that? he asked, pretending to be incredulous, and she laughed as she kissed him. He could smell her perfume on her neck and in her hair, and as he had before, he asked himself why he had never tried to rekindle their old flame in recent years. He was beginning to think their time had come again, and to hell with Brandon Edwards.