Chapter 8

Nick stared at the waves. He had slipped out of bed without waking Bridget. They had attended an art gallery event in Santa Monica then headed to �Daddy�s Beach House.� The beach house happened to be a five million dollar home with a mile of private beach nestled in a row of homes next to Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

Goldie doted on his only child and the house was one of his presents on her 18th birthday. She had been making noise about being on her own, but his little girl couldn�t live just anywhere. A year and $1.3 million in renovations later, she announced she couldn�t live there, because the waves going under the house at high tide freaked her out. Daddy promptly let her pick out a place in the Hollywood Hills, but kept the beach house for playtime.

Nick looked over the edge and saw the waves only making it about halfway to the house. Sighing, he pulled out the folded piece of paper he�d been carrying around for the last two days. He could see the paper was wearing thin in the creases. He didn�t think he had played with it too much, the wear told a different story. The sky was clear and the moon allowed enough light for him to read the numbers, he had quick scrawled. Bridget had prodded Bear into giving her his card with his cell number. She had shown it to him when they got home the other night. Nick had waited until she was in the shower to sneak the card out of her purse and copy the number.

He carefully folded the paper again and put it back in his pocket, before dropping down on a lounge chair. Scrubbing his hand over his face, he blew out an exasperated breath. Damn it! He had everything he was suppose to want. He got the solo deal. He got the freedom. He had the girl��The� girl. So why the hell was he thinking about Abe?

He allowed himself to conjure up images of her. The first image to float past his mind�s eye was from the other night. He had felt shame that night when he was undressing Bridget, because he imagined it was the green satin slipping off Abe�s shoulders and not a dress he couldn�t remember now dropping from Bridget�s body. The next image to come into focus was the look on Abe�s face when he gave her the dragon back when they broke up. His hearted twisted with pain at the memory. The last image was of her when they had made love the last time.

�Was AJ telling truth? Did you really forget about the bonus?� He asked the waves the most important question he wanted an answer to. �Did you really love Me, Bella?�

There was no reply, only the sound of the waves gentle breaking on the sandy beach.

The only one who could answer was Abe. He had been tempted to call at least a 100 times since getting the number. Finally, the not knowing was too much.

�I�m talking to the fuckin� waves,� he berated himself as he pulled his cell out of his other pocket and began to dial.

Two thoughts slammed through his brain, when he heard the call connect on the other end. First, the time. It was somewhere between three and four a.m. Second, this was Bear�s number, not Abe�s.

�Hello.� Bear sounded groggy.

�Uh�Wrong number,� said Nick, trying to disguise his voice, before quickly disconnecting.

His heart was pounding and a thin layer of sweat covered his brow.

�I�m such an idiot!�

********

A knock rousted Abe from a deep sleep. �Yeah?�

Bear opened the door. �Sorry to wake you, but can you look at something for me?�

Abe turned on the bedside lamp and they both blinked until their eyes adjusted. She was surprised to see Bear was only wearing a pair of shorts. All the lines of his body were well defined. Her eyes swept upward to take in the rest of him. His hair was standing on end and his eyes were still sleep clouded. A smile tugged at his lips. Abe never remembered him looking this�this sexy and the realization caused a small jolt of electricity to race through her. Clearing her throat, she asked, �What did you want me to look at?�

�This number,� he said handing her his cell. �They said they got the wrong number, but��

She didn�t need him to finish. �Nick. It was Nick.�

�Thought so,� he chuckled, taking the phone back.

�I�m sorry he woke you up.�

�It�s all right�so are you going to call him?�

�No!� She answered a little too quickly.

He held her gaze. �Liar.�

Her shoulders drooped. �Yeah. Cause he�ll keep callin� if I don�t.�

�Need the number?� The look on her face made him laugh. �Never mind. Goodnight.�

�Night.�

He hesitated at the door. �Come to my room if you need to talk.�

�Thanks Bear.�

Closing the door, he fought the urge to stay and listen. He knew it wasn�t right, but he was curious. Running a hand through his sandy colored hair, he went back to his room.

He couldn�t get comfortable. He had been tossing and turning. Looking at the clock, he saw he had been in bed thirty minutes. He strained his ears, listening. The same part of him that had wanted to eavesdrop was the same part of him that wanted her to come to him when she finished the call.

He couldn�t believe how she had changed. She had always been cute, but now she was becoming beautiful. She also had poise and confidence. How she handled the photographers at Deluxe was proof of the changes. What hadn�t changed were her sweetness and good heartedness.

It surprised him how easily she had fit into his world. For the first time he could see someone sharing his life. He always believed his was a life of solitude. He traveled too much and was too focused on business. All the women in his life had grown tired of waiting for him. In Abe, he found a kindred spirit of sorts. She was a loner too. She didn�t need anyone to entertain her. She took care of herself.

That thought stopped him, because he realized he wanted her to need him. He also realized he could let himself need her. This thought brought all his thinking to a screeching halt. He got up and cracked his door listening. Everything was quiet. Sighing, he shut the door. Once in bed, he decided it was okay that she hadn�t come to him tonight. There would be time�

********

�Hello.�

�Hello Nick.�

He could feel his cheeks heating up.

�Hi.�

�You called.�

�Yeah,� he said. By her tone, he was sure her foot was bouncing.

�Why?�

�I dunno.�

�Bye Nick.�

�Wait!�

�Talk!�

�Did you really give the money back?�

�No.�

Well that stopped him.

�I tried to give it back, but Roger wouldn�t take it.�

�I know that. Shit! You�re making this hard.�

�Spit it out.� The words were harsher than she meant. Her tone softening, she said, �Sorry. What do you want to know?�

�Did you really give the money to the charity?�

�Yes.�

�Did you really forget about the bonus?�

�Yes,� she replied, feeling the sting of tears. �Anything else?�

He hesitated.

�Nick?�

�Yeah,� he said, just above a whispered.

�Ask.�

�Did you really love me?�

He heard her breath catch. Her voice was shaky when she spoke.

�Does it matter?�

He blinked back tears. �It does to me.�

�Yes�Night Nick.�

�Night Bella,� he replied, but she had already hung up.

Dropping his phone on the lounge cushion, he pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes, as he gently rocked and cried.

Chapter 9

Michele rushed into the house carrying all her shopping bags. She practically threw the items into the cabinets and refrigerator. Taking a seat at the kitchen table, she laid out all the magazines and papers and began meticulously going them.

Putting the last one down, she reached for the phone and dialed.

�Hey, Chele,� greeted Abe, recognizing her best friend�s number on her cell.

�So you had lunch with Nick.�

�How did you know?�

�The same way I know you attended a party with Bear and AJ. Oh, and that Nick was there, too.�

�You�re freakin� me out Chele.�

�I saw pictures.�

�Where?�

�At the checkout stand in the groceries. Abe, you�re in all the tabloids.�

�I�m in what,� squeaked Abe.

�All the tabloids and magazines. So, what�s new in your life?�

�Michele!�

�Me? I�m fine. Tim is fine. Everything here is great. Thanks for asking.�

�You�re enjoying this,� accused Abe.

�Actually, I�m hurt you didn�t call me. Come on Abe, you had lunch with Nick! That�s a huge thing.�

�I know. I�m sorry. I�ve had interviews and Bear has been showing me around LA, but it�s no excuse. I suck.�

�Apology excepted. Now spill it. Did you actually make plans to have lunch with Nick and his new girlfriend.�

�Heck no! Bear took me there for lunch the first day and they showed up. Bridget wants to be in Bear�s new movie and took advantage of Nick knowing him.�

�She seems�interesting.�

�What a PC way of putting it,� snorted Abe. �It�s not that she�s a bad person, just very self-absorbed.�

�How was it seeing Nick?�

�Horrible, but I guess it could have been worse.�

�How so?�

�We could have crossed paths in a less public place. He�s so hurt and angry. I�m sure he would have blown like he did at the party.�

�Why didn�t you tell him the truth about the money.�

�He knows.�

This surprised Michele. �How?�

�The party�hey about the pictures.�

�Finish the story, then I will tell you,� interrupted Michele.

�Fine,� sighed Abe. �Nick and I had words at that party. He questioned me about having a relationship with Bear, then accused me of moving on to my next victim.�

�Jerk!�

�I used the word asshole.�

�Even better. So that�s when you told him.�

�No. AJ and Bridget appeared. I didn�t plan on ever telling him.�

�Why not?�

�I didn�t think it would make a difference. Anyway, AJ, the little shit, told Nick.�

�Good for him.�

�Yeah, well, the call I got a 3:45 in the freakin� morning a few nights later is how I found out he knew.�

�Nick called?�

�Yes.� Abe began to chuckle. �He got Bear�s number from Bridget and called it. He hung up when Bear answered.�

�Doofus! Doesn�t he realize his number is displayed?�

�That�s my Nick,� replied Abe, feeling a jolt of pain at remembering he wasn�t. �Anyway, I called him back. He asked if AJ had told him the truth.�

�And?�

Abe tried to blink back the tears. �He asked me if I really loved him.�

�Did you tell him?�

�Yes.�

�Then you hung up. Didn�t you?�

�Yes.�

�Anna Bella Cavett,� admonished Michele.

�What does it matter? He�s got a new and improved girlfriend.�

�Because he didn�t know.�

�He slept with Angelica. He�s sleeping with Bridget. He doesn�t love me. I doubt he ever did.�

�I think he did.�

�Whatever. Now what about those pictures?�

Michele knew to back off. �People showed pictures of you four having lunch at The Ivy. How was that place?�

�I wouldn�t go back, because of the prices, but it�s alright.�

�Nuff said. US and In Touch showed pictures of The Ivy and the party. You were listed as a friend. They accompany articles on the new �It� couple.�

�Lovely.�

�I know. You made the cover of the three tabloids. Two have articles about the couple. The third one has the headline �Backstreet Boy and Millionaire Playboy In Tug of War Over Mystery Woman.��

�What,� exclaimed Abe. �You�re kidding!�

�I kid you not,� laughed Michele. �The article details your visits to the Ivy and the party. Did AJ and Bear really argue on the red carpet about who was your date?�

�They were joking and everyone laughed. I explained it.�

�They mentioned that, but didn�t believe you. However, they did conclude, after talking to someone at the restaurant, that you are a friend of Bear�s and nothing more.�

�Well thank God for small wonders.�

�The dress is very pretty and very green.�

�Thanks and it was green for a reason.�

Michelle started singing, �I�m looking for something in green.�

�You got it,� laughed Abe. �So, is everything really okay there?�

�Yes, it really is. Tim got a promotion. He�s now lead on the new systems upgrade for his company.�

�That�s great! Tell him, I said congrats.�

�I will. Back to you. How goes the job hunt?�

�Eh, I�m not sure I�m cut out for LA.�

�Then don�t limit yourself.�

�I�m not. As a matter of fact, I got a call from Lee.�

�Creed�s manager?�

�The very one. I asked him for a reference and sent him a copy of my resume. Well, he called me yesterday and asked if he could send my resume to a friend of his in Nashville.�

�Really?�

�Yep. It seems this guy is starting his own management firm and he needs someone to handle his live events area.�

�Are you going to talk to the guy?�

�I already have. I changed my return flight to Nashville, in order to meet with him in person.�

�What does Bear think of all of this? What exactly has been going on between you two?�

�Nothing�s been going on between us. Besides, he doesn�t know the change of plans. I just set up the interview a few minutes before you called. I don�t see where he would care.�

�You might be surprised.�

�Meaning?�

�Meaning you might be surprised,� hedged Michele. �I need to go, but may I suggest two things?�

�Sure.�

�I suggest you keep an open mind about Bear. I know you are still not completely over Nick, but Bear has some really great qualities.�

�Yeah he does, but he�s not interested in me.�

�You never know.�

�Your other suggestion?�

�Call you mother.�

�Oh crap!�

�Do it.�

�Mom never reads those things.�

�They�ve never had one of her children on the cover.�

�Maybe she hasn�t seen them.�

�If she hasn�t, one of her friends have and Abe you know how they love to talk.�

�Crap.�

�Suck it up.�

�You call her.�

�No gonna do it,� said Michele in her best Ross Perot imitation.

�Fine. See if I call your mother for you when you�re in the tabloids.�

�Don�t think it will be an issue.�

�Neither did I. Neither did I, my friend.�

Chapter 10

They were having dinner at Ashton Kutcher�s restaurant, Dolce, on Abe�s last night in town. Bear used his cloth napkin to wipe the tears from his eyes.

�Its not funny,� declared Abe, pout firmly in place.

�Do you know you look just like you did when we were in high school?�

She stuck her tongue out and sent Bear into another fit of laughter.

�Your mom is naturally curious.�

�Nosey,� she countered.

�Abe cut her some slack. A new round of tabloids came out yesterday.�

�Yes and she would rather believe them instead of her own daughter.�

�Does it make you feel any better to know my mom called me?�

�She did? I can hear her now, �Winslow, darling, please tell me you aren�t involved with that dreadful Cavett girl.��

�Now Abe.�

�Now Bear. You know your mother has never forgiven me for breaking your arm, which I might add was not my fault. You followed me up onto the garage roof and jumped off.�

�It was my manly pride that caused it.�

�Manly pride? At age 10?�

�Shut up,� he said, but merriment danced in his green eyes.

An interruption prevented Abe from arguing.

�I thought that was you.�

Abe turned to see a very tall, leggy blonde walking up to the table.

�Hi Tamara.�

�Hello. How is my Baby Bear,� she cooed, leaning over to hug him.

He returned the hug quickly. Pulling away, he could see his friend trying to not laugh.

�Tamara, let me introduce you to my friend, Abe.�

�Hello Tamara.�

�Hello�Abe. You two been dating long?�

�Years,� replied Abe with a straight face.

�Really?�

�No.�

�Huh?�

Bear interceded, �Abe is just pulling your leg. We�ve been friends since the playground.�

�Ahh�that makes more sense,� replied the girl, after giving Abe an appraising look.

The food arrived and Abe refrained from tossing it on the girl.

Turning her attention back to Bear, Tamara said. �I�m here with friends, but I would love to get together soon. Call me.�

�Enjoy your evening.�

Tamara walked off without saying another word. A smirk played at Abe�s lips as she watched her friend squirm under her gaze.

�Subtle.�

�Shut up.�

It was Abe�s turn to laugh. Catching her breath, she purred, �Baby Bear.�

He started to admonish, but the tone of her voice stopped him. Where the hell did that voice come from? It was like velvet sliding over his skin and made a shiver skid up his spine. One thing was certain, he had to figure out a way to get her to use that voice more often.

They moved on to other topics as they ate. However, they were soon interrupted again, when a couple walked up to the table. Bear stood to greet them.

�Hey Jason! How are you,� asked Bear, shaking the man�s hand.

�Good. I don�t think you�ve met my wife, Soleil. Honey, this is Bear Ralston.�

Extending her hand, the girl said, �Hello Bear. Nice to meet you.�

�You too, Soleil. While we�re introducing, this is my friend Anna.�

�Hello. Nice to meet both of you and please call me Abe,� she said, shaking hands and arching an eyebrow at her friend.

�Were you heading out,� asked Bear, ignoring the look.

�Yeah. We are hooking up with Ashton and some others. Are you guys almost done? Would you like to go with us?�

�Sure. Let me take care of our check,� replied Bear.

�Please, your dinner is on the house.�

�Thanks. Abe you ready?�

Her response was to smile as she stood up and followed. The moment they stepped outside, camera flashes started going off. She hesitated, but Bear reached for her hand and lead her over to the Valet. Autograph seekers and paparazzi surrounded them as they waited for their cars to be brought around.

�So Ralston, you gonna tell us who your new girlfriend is?�

Abe gripping his hand like a vise altered Bear�s response. �She just a friend.�

�Well, does your friend have a name?�

�Of course,� he laughed. �We will have to continue this next time guys. Our car is here.�

Abe got in the car as quickly as possible. She didn�t speak, until they pulled away from the curb and began following Jason�s H2.

�Okay friend, thanks for asking me.�

Glancing at her, he saw she was not happy.

�I�m sorry Abe, but this is business. I�ve had a couple of meetings with Jason and Ashton about working together on a project. I can�t pass up this opportunity to hang out with them. I really think they are going to sign on, but I can�t risk pissing them off by refusing an invitation. You know how the business is.�

She sighed. �Yeah, I do.�

�I promise we won�t stay long. Your flight is the perfect reason to leave without questions.�

�Glad I could help,� she said, not able to keep the sarcastic edge out of her tone.

�Don�t be that way. I am sorry.�

�I�m sorry, too.�

********

True to his word, Bear made their excuses after an hour. Abe had to admit it had turned out to be not so bad. Jason�s wife, Soleil, had made a point of pulling her into conversations with the others in their entourage. Michele would crack-up, when she told told her about hanging out with Punky Brewster. Ashton, while a bit on the obnoxious side, was tolerable. The rest of the group was nice.

Bear stopped just inside the doorway from the kitchen. Abe was standing at the floor-to-ceiling window, staring out at the city lights. The room was dark. The only illumination came from moonlight streaming in through the window.

Her shoes had been discarded and her hair set free of the clip that had been holding it all night. Again, he was struck by the feeling she belonged in this room�this place. It would be lonely, without her and this realization surprised him.

Feeling his eyes on her, she turned and smiled. He had slipped into sweat pants, but no shirt. His body was lean and his muscles were very defined. Realizing she was staring, she felt her face grow warm.

�I thought a glass of wine would be nice,� he said, a smirk on his face.

�Thanks,� she replied, shyly. Taking a sip of the light, fruity liquid she smiled. �Mmm�That�s good.�

�Glad you like it.�

She turned back toward the window. He was so close she could feel the heat of his body. They watched the city spread out before them. Abe broke the silence. �I really appreciate you putting me up.�

�Anytime. You could stay longer.�

�You�re sweet, but I�ve cramped your style long enough.�

�You didn�t cramp my style. I�ve enjoyed you being here. As a matter of fact, the place will seem empty without you.�

She looked at him. He leaned closer and then closer. Her eyes shut and she felt his lips brush hers once, twice, three times, before deepening the kiss.

Just as quickly, he pulled away. Resting his forehead against hers, he whispered, �I know you�re not ready yet. I�m only asking you keep an open mind and remember Nick�s not the only man that could love you.�