Chapter 16
Back in their suite, Willow collapsed onto the plush sofa with an exhausted sigh, her head falling back against the cushions as the day's accumulated tension finally caught up with her.
The confrontation with Trevor in the lobby had left her more unsettled than she'd wanted to admit, dredging up memories of feeling constantly hunted and exposed during her most vulnerable years.
She could hear Casper's fingers moving across his tablet with methodical precision, and when she lifted her head to look at him, she found him seated in the chair facing her, his dark eyes focused intently on the screen.
His expression was unreadable, but something in the set of his shoulders suggested he was compiling information she might not want to hear.
"I want to ask what you're working on," she said finally, "but I'm afraid of what the answer might be."
A rueful expression crossed his face as his lips tightened, and he nodded slowly. "I think you've got some genuinely good people in your life, Willow, and that doesn't surprise me. You're a sincere, very real person in an industry where that's a rarity. And that makes you valuable.”
"Valuable?" She sat up straight, her gaze pinned on him.
"Valuable as a friend. Your attorney, for instance. I assume Christopher probably handles many of the biggest entertainment names in this city, but I could tell by the way he looked at you and talked to you that he considers you family."
A warm, gooey feeling spread through her chest, and she smiled with genuine affection.
"You're absolutely right. Christopher has always had my best interests at heart, even when I was too young to understand what that meant.
I've always thought of him as my protector.
He made sure my trust funds were properly managed, my contracts were airtight, and no one took advantage of me.
He's been doing that since I was about five years old. "
"It's interesting that he started representing you so young, especially since your parents would have been in control at that time."
"I think they chose Christopher because he had such a prestigious reputation in the industry. But he's told me since that he took one look at me and one look at my parents, and decided he wanted to represent my interests, not theirs."
Casper nodded thoughtfully. "He's probably worked with enough young clients who were exploited to recognize the warning signs."
She leaned forward, her hands clasped together as she held his gaze. "Exactly. I didn't understand it at the time and didn't fully appreciate it for years, but he was always looking out for me when no one else was."
"And Nathan?"
"He became my agent when I was a teenager.
I think I was assigned to him because he was fairly new in the business, and I wasn't considered a major client yet.
But when the show became successful, I fought to keep him as my representative.
Like Christopher, he never made me feel like I needed to do or be more than I was comfortable with.
Now that I no longer pursue acting roles, he focuses entirely on my screenwriting career.
He's become as much a friend as a business partner. "
She gestured toward his tablet with curiosity. "Are you going to let me know what you're documenting?"
"I don't keep secrets from you, Willow. For everyone we've met today or you've mentioned in your life, I've requested in-depth background checks from my team. That also includes Max, Gloria, and Trevor."
"Well, I'm hoping tonight will give you a chance to meet more people I'm genuinely happy to call friends."
"What's the dress code for this party?"
The last thing she wanted was for Casper to feel uncomfortable or out of place among her professional circle. "Wear whatever makes you feel confident."
"I was planning on a suit," he replied.
She smiled, feeling a flutter of anticipation at the thought of seeing him in formal attire. "I'm beginning to appreciate the many different facets of Aldo Caspani."
He chuckled, the sound sending warmth through her. "I'm looking forward to meeting more of the people in your world."
Two hours later, they were both transformed for the evening.
Willow had chosen a midnight-blue cocktail dress that skimmed her body without being too revealing, paired with elegant heels that added confidence to her step.
Her hair was styled in soft waves, and she'd applied makeup with a slightly heavier hand than usual.
She never wanted to look unnatural, but understood how to use makeup subtly to enhance her features.
When Casper emerged from his room, she felt her breath catch.
The black suit fit him perfectly, emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean waist while somehow making him appear both more civilized and more dangerous.
He'd left the top button of his white dress shirt undone and forgone a tie, maintaining just enough of his casual edge to remind her of the man who'd shared coffee with her on quiet Nebraska mornings.
"You look incredible," she said, meaning every word.
"You're stunning," he replied, his eyes moving over her with an appreciation that made her pulse quicken.
The black SUV that arrived to collect them was another of Nathan's thoughtful touches. It was comfortably spacious, with tinted windows for privacy, and staffed by a driver who understood the entertainment industry's need for discretion.
As they neared their destination, Casper looked over. “Once we’re inside, you can move around freely as you normally would. I’ll be near the side of the room—”
“No,” she rushed, her brows coming together. “You’re here as my guest, Casper. I know you have concerns, but these really are my friends.”
She pressed her lips together, trying to understand why she had burst out with the demand that he be close to her.
I just don’t want to appear pretentious to my friends by having security around.
But she knew that wasn’t the only reason she wanted him close.
While she might not be able to put words to her thoughts, she had grown fond of him in the past couple of days.
Having him stand off to the side as though he were the hired help wasn’t what she wanted.
“Willow,” he began softly. “You need to be free to enjoy your time since the gathering is in your honor. And this will give me a chance to see some of the other people in your orbit without pretense or having to play a role that doesn’t fit what I need to do.”
She understood and heaved a sigh. Nodding slowly, she offered a little smile, but knew it was more forced than real. The SUV stopped at the curb, halting any more discussion. It was probably for the best… soon, I might start begging him to stay close to me just because I like being near him.
Nathan chose an intimate, upscale restaurant with a private dining room for his cocktail party. Soft lighting, comfortable seating areas, and a well-stocked bar created an atmosphere that encouraged both professional networking and genuine social connection.
The moment they walked through the door, a whirlwind of warm greetings enveloped Willow. One man stepped up and wrapped her in an enthusiastic bear hug, lifting her feet off the ground. "There's my favorite writer," he said with genuine affection. "How's the Nebraska exile treating you?"
"It's hardly exile when it's voluntary." She laughed. Turning to make sure Casper was close by, she introduced them. “This is Ryan Mitchell, the producer who champions my screenplays. And this is a friend of mine, Aldo Caspani.” She held her breath for a second, then once again, breathed easier as the two men shook hands. She could see the curiosity in Ryan’s eyes and the assessment in Casper’s.
Breathing a prayer that the evening would go well, she was quickly greeted with air kisses from Carol Larson, a director she'd collaborated with on two successful films.
"Darling, you look absolutely radiant," Carol said in her cultured voice. "Rural life obviously agrees with you."
She laughed. “You should try the fresh air. It beats the smog anytime!” Turning, she spied Casper now moving toward the far wall near the bar. Easily seen yet hidden. As she looked back at Carol, her friend was casting a speculative gaze toward Casper.
“My, my. The great outdoors certainly breeds men who look like men,” Carol said with a smile.
Willow’s face heated. “He’s a friend… um, in security.”
Carol’s head swung around. “Are you having problems?”
“No… not really. Just having my home’s security system updated. I asked him to accompany me on this trip, and he was more than kind enough to agree.”
Carol stared at her until Willow wanted to squirm. Thankfully, another friend walked over and interrupted.
Paul Manning, the studio executive who'd green-lit her last three projects, appeared at her elbow with a glass of champagne.
"We need to talk about your next screenplay project.
I have three different studios in a bidding war, and they're all throwing around numbers that would make your accountant very happy. "
As she made her way through the room, she continually glanced over to see that Casper didn’t stay in one place.
He moved around the room, but it was strange how inconspicuous he was.
He quietly greeted anyone who stopped him.
When he was near, he didn't hover beside her like a typical bodyguard, but instead moved naturally while his intelligent eyes continuously swept the room and regularly found her face.
She treasured those moments when their gazes met across the room.
It was as though everyone else faded into soft focus, leaving only the two of them connected by an invisible thread of awareness.
The feeling was intoxicating and slightly dangerous, this growing attraction to a man whose job was to protect her, not romance her.