Chapter 10
Cal
Cal had worked at the studio long enough that every aspect of his job felt like a job.
He used to enjoy it more. Now he couldn’t remember when it had stopped seeming enjoyable and started becoming a routine.
He tried to recall the last time he’d been excited about his work and he couldn’t drum up anything in recent years.
He’d long since lost the thrill of seeing his name in the tabloids and his image in print.
His name on marquees was nothing new. The spark of flashbulbs was an expected annoyance.
As he observed Morgan’s reaction to the article, Cal wondered when he’d grown so detached from such things. He’d seen plenty of new stars whoop with joy at the sight of themselves. He’d even seen them shed tears. But he still wasn’t prepared for Morgan’s emotional response, quiet though it was.
Cal felt something twist in his chest at the huskiness in Morgan’s voice.
He’d forgotten what it was like to still be full of wonder at the magic of Hollywood.
He hoped everything Morgan experienced as a new star would fill him with that same sense of awe.
More than that, Cal wanted to be there when it happened.
He wanted to be present when Morgan saw his name on a poster or theater marquee.
Hell, what he wouldn’t give to see Morgan watch himself on the screen for the first time.
How was it possible for one man to make him see his own world through such different eyes?
He muddled through all of this as he and Morgan went to their costume tests, followed by hair and makeup tests.
Seeing Morgan in shorts had been another surprise that day, but somehow seeing the man in well-fitted pants and shirts was even more appealing.
There was no doubt about it: Jesse Morgan was going to capture the hearts of movie audiences. All Cal had to do was not let him down.
* * *
When he got home from the studio, Cal was met at the door by a smirking Fred.
“Wasn’t it lucky that I was nearby with a copy right when you needed to impress little blue eyes back there?”
Cal rolled his eyes. “I could have done without the teasing, but yes.”
Fred chuckled and pulled a cigarette out of his gold case, tapping the end of it against the metal. “What are you wearing to the Powells’ party tonight?”
“I hadn’t made it that far,” Cal admitted.
“You should wear the argyle tie.”
“I don’t have an argyle tie.”
“Sure you do.”
“Since when?”
“Since I took the polka dot one.”
Cal groaned. “You know most employers would be upset about their secretaries stealing their clothes.”
“I replaced it. And this one will look better on you anyway. You’re welcome.” He lit his cigarette and began to walk away.
“Wait, am I picking anyone up for the party?”
Fred turned to give Cal a sly grin. “I think they’re bringing the newcomers over in a bus. That’s the usual procedure. But I could set up a call if you want to tell—”
“No, it’s fine,” Cal said quickly.
Fred gave a snort and left.
When Cal went up to his room to change for the party, he found a copy of The Stargazer on his pillow. Pushing aside his annoyance with his secretary, he sat down on the bed and read the entire article.
* * *
Cal smoothed down his argyle tie as he got out of the car.
Much as he hated to admit it, it did suit him better than the polka dots.
Greeting the footman by name as he peeled off his coat and took off his hat, he looked around the space.
He’d been to Kay and Jack Powell’s mansion more times than he could count.
The sprawling Spanish-style estate had a picture-perfect view of the city, while still maintaining a feeling of grandeur in the hills.
He was far from the first one to arrive, but judging by the crowd, there were still a lot of guests who hadn’t arrived yet.
He sought out his hosts. Kay was a woman in her forties, beautiful and glamorous, even if she insisted on wearing fashion from the decade prior.
Jack was in his late sixties, a millionaire who’d made his fortune on oil.
He’d been only too glad to indulge his movie starlet wife with a production studio of her own.
It turned out to be a sound investment as Kay proved to have savvy know-how in the industry, and Jack had handled the finances better than most NYC execs.
Kay gave Cal air kisses on both cheeks, as was her wont, and Jack gave him a firm handshake.
“How’s our new musical star?” Kay asked.
Cal huffed. “Still getting used to the exercise.”
Jack laughed and waved at one of the waitstaff to bring over a tray of cocktails. “You’ll get there. You always do.”
“Thanks. I’m doing my best.” The tray was full of wine glasses, snifters, and rocks glasses. Cal grabbed a rocks glass, even though those weren’t his favorite.
“You’re working with a new kid now, right?” Jack asked, passing some wine to his wife.
“That’s right. Jesse Morgan. He’s doing great.”
“Saw his feature in The Stargazer,” Kay said. “He’s a cute little thing. Glad Ezra snatched him up.”
Cal’s chest got warm at the memory of Morgan’s reaction to seeing his photograph. He cleared his throat. “Ez has always had good instincts where talent is concerned. Although, from my understanding, it was Kincaid who discovered him.” He felt he owed the man that much at least.
Kay hummed as she took a sip of her wine. “When do you start filming?”
“I think we’re on set tomorrow. Though I haven’t looked at the callsheet too closely yet.”
“Well, I just can’t wait to see it,” she gushed.
Cal smiled and moved his way farther into the crowd. He dropped off his drink at the first opportunity, only for it to be snatched up by Edie.
“Cal Campbell, what do you mean wasting perfectly good liquor? Is Prohibition already a distant memory for you?”
“Jack keeps thinking I’m a scotch on the rocks man.”
“Mm. You could tell him you’re not.”
“After pretending I am all this time? No, thanks.”
She rolled her eyes and hooked her hand around his elbow.
This was one of the biggest reasons their divorce had been such a disappointment: Edie made everything seem so easy and natural.
People still wondered if they were a couple when they saw them together, even after their very public separation.
Edie led the way through the rooms, and they both did their duty as resident stars by greeting everyone they passed.
“I wonder where he is?” Edie asked at length.
“Who?”
She quirked a grin up at him.
Cal groaned.
“His feature turned out great.”
“Yeah, it did. He was very pleased to see it, I think.”
“I’m so glad.”
He decided to ignore the teasing tone in her voice. Thankfully, he was saved from having to respond when they heard the unmistakable voice of Hilliard Burke in one of the smaller parlors. As they crossed the threshold, Cal saw that Hilliard was talking to a bird, of all things.
“I thought I heard that sweet Southern drawl,” Edie said.
Hilliard turned and smiled at them before returning the bird to her perch. “How did the shorts work out for you?”
Cal felt his face get hot at the memory of how ridiculous he felt in his rehearsal clothes.
When he thought of how Morgan looked in his, the heat spread to his chest. And when he thought of the way Morgan’s eyes had taken in his own long legs, the heat moved farther still.
He moaned. “I’m not in the mood to talk about shorts. ”
“Mmm,” Edie said, giving Hilliard a peck on the cheek. “Is that what we’re calling him? I do love a good pet name, and especially one so fitting. You could tuck that boy in a handbag.”
Cal wondered if the teasing would end when the picture was released. He hoped so. Thankfully, before it could get too awkward, Edie saw someone she recognized and vanished, leaving Hilliard to tactfully redirect the conversation as they left the room.
As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Cal really did want to know where Morgan was.
Had he made it to the estate all right? Was he wearing a new outfit?
Was he making friends? Did the party feel as strange and new to him as the Pink Peacock?
Cal wanted to find him and find out. It would be nice to give Hilliard a better introduction, too.
But when they stepped outside, Cal finally clapped eyes on the man in question and his good mood evaporated instantly.
Montgomery Kincaid had his arm around Morgan’s waist and was leaning in for a kiss.
He barely registered that Morgan was wearing a dark grey suit, that his face was flushed, and that Hilliard was saying Cal’s name in a gently warning tone.
He barely registered anything as he moved to the couple.
He knew how strong Monty’s magic could be.
He knew how much of a flirt the man was.
He hated the idea of Morgan being charmed into bed.
Even worse, he hated the idea of Morgan reciprocating the interest, although he pushed that image away the moment it surfaced.
Without a second thought, he placed himself between them.
“Mr. Morgan,” he said, directing his focus to the younger man in front of him. “Is everything all right here?”
Morgan frowned at him. “It’s swell.”
“He said no and I stopped,” Monty said.
Cal couldn’t resist the wash of relief he felt at those words.
“We were just having a little fun,” Monty added.
Before he could think better of it, Cal said, “That seems to be a recurring theme in your life as of late.”
The incident at the Pink Peacock made headlines and from what Cal had seen, Monty was in no hurry to correct his image as a dashing troublemaker.
But Cal knew he’d been cruel to point it out, so he wasn’t entirely surprised by the shove at his back.
“At least I work for the things I want. I don’t get everything handed to me. Especially when I don’t deserve it.”
A voice in Cal’s head told him that Monty was right, that his role had been stolen from him and given to someone who didn’t have the skills required for it. But he was too angry to have any sympathy for Monty, so he simply put a hand on Morgan’s shoulder and guided him away.
For his part, Morgan let him, but as soon as they were in a more secluded space, he turned and crossed his arms over his chest.
“I can handle myself.”
“I know you can, but Monty isn’t like other people. His magic makes him uniquely charming and it comes out in full force when he’s flirting with someone.”
Morgan seemed to process this for a moment.
“Huh,” he said, almost to himself. “That explains the pull I felt when he smiled.” His frown returned.
“But I still pushed him away. And he listened.” He shifted his weight.
“I know I’m supposed to play the part of the wide-eyed newcomer, but I’m not naive and I’ve had my fair share of handling unwanted attention.
Handsy movie stars are no different than anyone else. ”
Cal let out a long breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He took a step back and leaned against the wall. “I remember how overwhelmed I was when I first got into this business. I want to make sure you’re okay. That’s all.”
Morgan dropped his arms to his sides. “I know,” he said quietly. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. “It was sweet of you to be worried though.”
Cal was surprised by the effect that small smile had on him. If he hadn’t known Morgan’s magic lay in his feet, he might have wondered if he’d been dazzled by a charm like Monty’s. He cleared his throat. “It was nothing. I’ll be more tactful next time.”
Morgan quirked an eyebrow. “You think there’ll be a next time?”
“I’m sure of it. Maybe not with Monty. But…” He paused, wondering if he was about to cross a line.
“But?” Morgan offered.
He cleared his throat. “But you’re an attractive man and a soon-to-be movie star. People are going to make advances.”
Morgan huffed out a laugh. “People make advances on delivery boys, too. I’ll be fine.”
Cal knew he was right, but he still hoped to be there the next time it happened. Just in case.
“How are you liking the party?”
“It’s all right. I tried caviar.”
“What did you think?”
Morgan wrinkled his nose and Cal laughed. The tightness in his chest from when he’d seen the almost-kiss finally loosened.
“You ready to start filming tomorrow?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Morgan replied. “You?”
“I sure hope so.”
Morgan smiled at him. “I’ve seen your movies, Mr. Campbell. You’re going to do great. We’re in this together, right?”
Something light and bubbly fizzed in Cal’s chest. “Right.”