Chapter 31
31
Keith finished a scene with Diane and walked back to his room. He opened the door to find Chip waiting for him.
“That was perfect. Only two takes, and let’s just say you two looked like y’all were ready to devour each other.”
Keith chuckled. “Glad you approve.”
“Everyone was mumbling about how professional y’all are to be able to pull off that scene so quickly.”
“Professionalism had nothing to do with it. I was picturing Michelle the whole time.” Keith cocked an eyebrow. “Makes life both easier and harder. If I became aroused, Steve would’ve hit the roof if he were here.”
“Damn, you’re good.” Chip laughed.
“Well, now I need a cold shower. When’s my next scene?”
“Down at the corral after lunch. You have time for a shower and eat before you’re due in makeup and wardrobe.”
“Perfect.”
“I’ll swing by and get you when they break for lunch.”
“Thanks,” Keith said as he towed off his boots.
Michelle decided to thoroughly clean her house before people arrived. Every house needed it, right? And add the fact that Keith Mason, the Keith Mason, was going to be in her house tomorrow—her personal space—she was on a mission. Cleaning was an understatement for what she did to her house. Top to bottom, end to end, every nook and cranny... spotless.
Physically tired, she stopped to read what she’d written the night before when her phone rang. Without looking at the screen, she answered. “Hello?”
“Michelle, it’s Gene.”
“Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon. What have you been up to?”
Michelle paused, not wanting to explain anything to Gene. “Working, cleaning.” Neither of which was a lie. “You?”
He chuckled. “I can relate to half of that. Work has been taking up a lot of my time lately. You know how it is when the market drops. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing.”
“It’s good to be busy.”
“And it’s good to know when to relax as well. Would you join me for a drink at the Scot’s Place this evening? They’re having live music starting at nine.”
“Thanks for the offer, Gene, but I have company coming tomorrow. I need to get my work done, cook, and finish cleaning my house before they get here.” She crossed her fingers for telling the little white lie. The cleaning was done. “I’m sure you can find someone else to join you.”
“Are you avoiding me?”
“No.” She sighed and thought about her words. “To be honest, Gene, I’ve met someone. We’ve hit it off, and he has me thinking I may want something more than a friendship. I want to see where this goes, and I’m not willing to do anything to screw it up. I hope you understand.”
“I do. Thank you for being honest with me. If you ever want to go out for drinks or something, give me a call.”
“I will. Thank you for understanding, Gene.”
“Have a good day, Michelle.”
“You too,” she said before she ended the call.
As the time grew closer, Michelle became more nervous. She’d spoken with Jackie a few times, but not at great length about anything. She practically jumped out of her skin when she heard, “Michelle?”
Michelle rushed up the hallway to see Jackie’s disembodied head peek around the corner of the doorjamb. “What are you doing here?”
“Well, you haven’t been to the gym since Monday.”
“You know I’ve been busy.”
“Are you breathing? I know you’re freaking out about Mr. Wonderful coming here tomorrow.”
“You have no idea. Does the house look all right? I’ve cleaned everything.”
“What has gotten into you, Ms. We’re Just Friends?”
“You know me, I’m going to clean my house like there’s no tomorrow for anyone coming over for the first time.”
Jackie laughed. “I know you do, but I still think it’s silly.”
“I know, I know.”
“What are you cooking tomorrow?”
“An Italian chicken dish that all the children love. Not to mention it won’t be too heavy. I learned when I ate lunch with Keith on set that actors don’t like to eat heavy meals when they’re working. Something about the camera not being kind to ‘food babies.’”
“I knew women thought like that, but who would’ve guessed men did.”
“Well, he does, so I want to be respectful of that.”
“You’d do that for anyone, Michelle.” She raised her shoulder in concession, and Jackie hugged her. “It goes to show that Keith Mason isn’t just a pretty face. The man is smart too. That’s why he’s trying to woo you, my friend.”
“I hope you’re right, Jackie. I didn’t want to tell the kids about him until I felt comfortable with him.”
“From the way you told me he insisted on being here tomorrow night, I think it’s kinda obvious. Have you told him about your books?”
“Not yet. I’m trying to figure out how. He’s told me how people expect things from him because of who he is. I don’t want anything from him regarding my books. I don’t even want him to read them.”
“Why?”
“They’re a part of me. Me before him. I don’t know how to explain it any better than that.”
“Let me ask you this, are you going to stop seeing his movies?”
“Of course not, well, not unless he wants me to.”
“This man is your favorite actor. You’ve seen every movie he’s ever made, and now you’re willing to never see another because you’re friends or whatever you decide to become?” She waved her hand in the air. “Are you serious?”
“When you put it like that, it sounds silly, but if he asked me not to go see this movie he’s making now, I wouldn’t go.”
“What if he asks you to see it with him?”
“I don’t know, Jackie. I guess by then it’d depend on where we are in our relationship.”
Jackie grinned. “So, you’re admitting there is a relationship.”
Michelle threw her hands out to her sides. “Yes, there’s a relationship. A friendship is a relationship.” She grinned with a knowing look.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. You don’t go around kissing your friends.”
“I know what you meant.” Michelle massaged her forehead. “It’s heading that way, I guess. But to be truthful, we’ll know more tomorrow.”
“Fair enough.”
“When was the last time you spoke with him?”
“We talk every night.”
“Y’all are so cute.” Jackie gushed.
“No different than you and Oscar.”
Jackie’s face lit up like a Christmas tree at the mention of his name. “I feel like a young girl again, Michelle. And Pete likes him.”
“Have you met his children?”
“Over FaceTime. Both boys live in the Dallas area. We’re going out in the spring for a visit.” Jackie poured herself a glass of water. “Are you going to meet Keith’s children? I mean, since he’s meeting yours?”
“At some point, I suppose. He’s told the older about me but not the younger yet.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“Again, I don’t want to go through all that if this isn’t going anywhere. Maybe we’re merely a fling while he’s making his movie. When the filming is done, will we be too?”
“Fair point.”
“That’s why I’m trying not to get my hopes up for more. I’m letting him take the lead.”
“You have a say as well,” Jackie said as her phone rang. A broad smile graced her face as she showed Michelle the screen on her phone. “Hey, babe,” Jackie said into the phone. “I’m at Michelle’s, but I was about to leave. Let yourself in and I’ll be there in a few minutes. Love you too. Bye.”
Michelle raised her brows. “Love?”
Jackie blushed. “Yeah, I do love him, Michelle. I never thought I’d say those words again after Mr. Almost Right, but it’s taken me a while and I know this is love.”
Michelle hugged Jackie. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks. I’ve gotta go. He brought dinner.” Her eyes danced and her hand patted her chest. “He knows how to win my heart.”
Michelle laughed as she walked Jackie to the door. “Go, enjoy your dinner.”
After closing the door, Michelle poured a glass of wine and rummaged through the refrigerator for her dinner.
As the evening wore on, she showered and settled in with a book she was reading. She hadn’t heard from Keith. It wasn’t like him not to call when he said he would. Maybe filming ran late tonight. She looked at the time and opened her book. She made it through a paragraph when her phone rang.
“Good evening.”
“Were you in bed?”
“Nope. I thought I’d read for a bit before turning in.”
“Do you want me to let you go?”
“Not unless you want to.”
“I’m asking what you want, Michelle.”
“I’d like to talk with you. How was your day?”
“Long. We had busy scenes today, a lot of cast members. It took several takes to get each one right. I didn’t think we’d ever finish. I wanted to call before it got too late.”
“I’m glad you did.”
“What have you been doing?”
“Worrying.”
“About?”
“You coming to my house.”
“What? Why?”
Michelle chuckled. “Oh, let’s see. The Keith Mason, A-list movie star, is coming to my home. A house that I’m sure could fit two or three times inside one of his.”
“Mich—”
“Don’t tell me not to worry.” She released a heavy breath. “I worry when anyone new comes to my house. The thing is, I try to think of you, just you, when we’re together or when we talk, but sometimes, who you are to the world creeps in. I enjoy Keith Mason, the man, and try not to think about Keith Mason, the movie star.”
“I love that you do that. I can’t tell you the last time someone treated me that way. I’m just a man, Michelle. I put on my pants the same way everyone else does.”
“Yeah, but your pants cost three to four times what other people’s pants cost.”
“That’s not true. I wear Levi’s that Chip picks up for me or orders online. No different than anyone else.”
“That makes me feel better.”
“Good. What else have you done today?”
“I had a chat with Jackie. We haven’t really seen each other for a few days.”
“Why haven’t you seen her?”
“I’ve been busy. I have a bunch of people coming to my house tomorrow.”
He softly laughed. “Speaking of coming to your house. I can’t wait to get there. I want to see you.”
“Me too.”
“Since I’m scheduled to be on set at six, I’m due in makeup at five, which means I get up at four. So, I’m not going to keep you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Have a good night and be careful tomorrow.”
“Sweet dreams, my sweet Michelle.”