Or maybe he had.Being pushed out of the family’s nest had hurt.Angry and feeling rejected, she’d packed up her things and joined Chris in Hollywood.Working with her family now was like coming home.
Jillian reached up and kissed Chris’ cheek.“I’m sorry for forcing you to keep my secret.”
“Yeah, right.Me, strong-armed by a hundred-and-forty pound girl?”He was six-four and twice Jillian’s weight.“Oh, before I forget, do you have an outfit for the producer’s party?”
Jillian grimaced.“Do I have to go?”
“Yes.”He shot her a look that said she had to be nuts.“You don’t miss a producer’s party, especially this one.”
Yeah, the reclusive billionaire who’d saved this movie when the studio had planned to pull the plug.
“Fine, worrywart,” Jillian said.“I’ll be there.”
“Can you find a date?”
Jillian made a face.She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a decent date.
“You can come with us,” he offered, reaching for gloves.
“Oh, is that pity in your voice?I’m not going to be a third wheel.I can go with one of the gang.”
“Not your cousins.They’ll empty the guests’ pockets and slip away before anyone realizes they’ve been robbed.”
Jillian grimaced.“They never raided parties or paying customers.They were honest thieves.”When Chris rolled his eyes, Jill grinned.“You know what I mean.They robbed the rich and gave to the poor.”
“And lined their pockets, too,” Chris retorted.
“We weren’t exactly loaded.Besides, we gave free performances.”Of course, she’d known they were breaking the law, but at the time she hadn’t cared.They’d seemed invincible, like renegades or modern day Robin Hoods.
“You’re going to spread yourself too thin working day and night.You need a life.I promised your mother I’d make sure you wouldn’t waste your youth working yourself to death.”
Jillian went still.Her throat shriveled.Her Mom.She missed her.The pain was still there.
“She worried about you.You were a teenager, and all you cared about was performing and hanging out with your cousins.You need to find something better than this.”He indicated the trailer with a wave.
“I have.”And she couldn’t wait to do it again.She was at her best when she performed in front of adoring fans.
“I’m not talking about a job, sweetie.You need someone to love you and put you first,” Chris continued.“And that someone isnotKeith LeBlanc.”
Jillian made a face.Keith was the lead actor in her new film.“What made you think of Keith?”
“He’s been monopolizing your time since we started filming.”Chris studied her intently.“And he’s Hollywood’s latest Wonder Boy, which translates to a big ego.”
“Keith is like a sponge, always wanting to learn stuff, and he thinks I’m witty.”She gave Chris another toothy smile.
Chris snickered.“He’s not suitable for you.”
Suitable?Sometimes Chris sounded so old-fashioned.It had been a while since he’d warned her against dating someone in show business.Her first Hollywood romance had burned hot and fizzled fast.Chris hadn’t approved.Twice after that, she’d opened herself to love, and each time the same thing had happened.Her conclusion?Hollywood men lacked romance, imagination, and skills.Or maybe she had high expectations and was easily bored.
“Don’t worry about me.”She tucked her long hair under a wig cap, then pulled the wig on.“I have new rules.No more dating Hollywood bad boys with wicked smiles, cute butts, and shiny toys.They have the attention span of a cocker spaniel on Viagra.No more dealing with cocky attitudes and excusing bad habits,” she vowed.
Chris laughed and threw the skydiving gloves to her.“I’ve heard that before.”
“I’m serious this time.I’m done with show biz guys.”
“I didn’t mean you should write off every man in show biz.Just don’t confuse troubled for interesting.Find someone with solid family values.Not all guys around here are bad.”
“Yes, they are.You just got lucky.”
