Page 44

One year later.

Sitting at the makeup table under the bright lights, Ashley carefully applied her makeup. She wanted to look extra special tonight because it was an important evening. Tonight, Ashley was her mother’s guest at the Academy Awards. “I’m so excited I can barely keep my hand still,” Ashley said, looking into the mirror while holding her mascara brush.

She heard Bryce laugh over Facetime on the cell phone propped on the shelf. “Don’t poke your eye out,” she said as Ashley worked on one lid.

“Are you giving me makeup advice, Bryce?” she asked, leaning back in her chair to appraise herself in the mirror.

“Absolutely not, Bryce said. “I think you look great without it.”

Ashley turned toward the camera on the phone. “Oh really?” Ashley said, giving the woman her most dazzling smile.

She watched Bryce’s eyebrows shoot up. “Whoa,” Bryce said. “You are a knockout.”

Tilting her head, Ashley appreciated the comment but couldn’t help teasing her girlfriend. “Now you like me better with makeup?” Ashley asked. Bryce held up her hands and leaned away from the camera, not saying another word. She was smart enough to leave that question alone. Ashley laughed. “I’m teasing you.” Fluffing her hair in the mirror, Ashley turned her head back and forth to see every angle. The likeness to her mother was uncanny.The red carpet will go crazy over it, I’m sure,she thought.Can’t be helped.

“I’m only glad I could change around my duty schedule so I can watch the ceremony,” Bryce said. “Only took two six-packs to find a volunteer.”

“Thank you for doing that,” Ashley said. “I know that must’ve been a little bit more difficult than you’re saying.” Ashley didn’t quite understand what Bryce did in Japan where she was stationed, but she missed her every day.At least we have technology in our favor,she thought. Most days they could Facetime, sometimes multiple times a day. Other days, Bryce was unavailable for a week or so, and she wondered what she did, but they could never talk about it.All part of being a Marine’s girlfriend.

“How is Drew holding up?” Bryce asked, interrupting Ashley’s thoughts.

She looked at Bryce. “Drew is a little overwhelmed,” Ashley admitted. “At least my mom was nominated once before so she had some idea what to expect, but awards season is a lot to handle.”

Bryce nodded. “Drew doesn’t like to be in the spotlight,” she said. “Unless she’s in her role as a nurse and then she takes charge. It’s amazing how she can be so incredibly confident in an emergency but so shy the rest of the time.”

Ashley sighed. “True. Well, at least she’s working things through with mom. They have never seemed happier.”

“Any chance they are going to move in with each other sometime soon?”

“I hope so,” Ashley said. “But it won’t be until they’re willing to come out about the relationship. Mom says she doesn’t care what happens, but Drew is worried about Mom’s career.” There was the sound of someone speaking to Bryce off camera. “I got to go, babe,” Bryce said. “I’ll be watching.”

As camera flasheswent off all around them, Tess held Ashley’s arm while they stood posing on the red carpet outside of the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. Award season had been exciting but crazy.Maybe crazier than last time, Tess thought.It seems like after the earthquake and all the reconstruction, people have a renewed energy for life. That included anything to do with entertainment. Thankfully, Ashley was a trooper and accompanied her to the many events. And although she loved being there with Ashley, she missed Drew and wanted to be holding onto her arm instead. They had come a long way over the last year. Drew was relaxed around Tess, and they spent most nights together. Plus, she was also no longer shy when Ashley came to dinner, and Tess would show affection.But we still have a long way to go. Even though Tess didn’t care who found out about them and didn’t think it would have much of an effect on her career, Drew was concerned. Not for herself but for Tess. She didn’t want to be the one who kept Tess from getting future roles. Once again, Tess reminded herself to be patient and let Drew take the lead.It will all happen when she is ready.

“So why aren’t you in the movies, Ashley?” the reporter interviewing them before the live cameras asked, bringing Tess back to the moment. “You and your mother are both so beautiful and look so much alike. Agents must beg you to consider it.”

“Thank you,” Ashley said, giving her a megawatt smile that truly did make her look like Tess. “But I’m not interested in the entertainment business. That’s my mom’s area of expertise.”

The reporter pursed her lips. “Then what do you do?” she asked.

Incredibly proud of her daughter, Tess squeezed Ashley’s arm and answered for her. “She is rebuilding on the Venice Beach boardwalk. Not only her original coffee shop but Ashley is helping the entire effort to rebuild and revitalize the location.”

“Wow,” the reporter said. “That’s a big task.”

Watching her, Tess saw the excitement in Ashley’s eyes over the project. “I could not be more energized about the new development,” Ashley said. “Landish Coffee will be back in business by the end of next month, and I hope people will be excited to come to the grand opening.”

“We will have to visit,” the reporter said, turning back to Tess. “So, how much impact do you think saving the life of State Senator Chamberlain had on your nomination?” Tess shook her head. When she and Linda had been chatting while the woman lay buried under the concrete, she never mentioned her last name or explained who she was. It wasn’t until later when there were headlines in the newspaper about the heroics of Tess Landish that she even knew.

The news started a flurry of interviews where Tess recounted the actions of that day. “First, I didn’t save her life. Others did that. As for the impact on my nomination, I’m not sure,” Tess answered. “But Linda and I are very close friends now, and that makes me happy.” Just then, a black limousine pulled up, and Tess watched Drew step out. She looked fantastic in her cream Armani suit, taking Tess’s breath away.

Working hard not to stare but apparently not well enough, the reporter waved in Drew’s direction. “You must be excited for your friend. What was it like working with her on this amazing film?”

Tess smiled. “It was life changing.”

Sitting nextto Ashley in the auditorium’s audience, Drew worked hard to keep her hands from tapping on the armrests. She was never more nervous than at that moment, and she wished she could be closer to Tess. Holding her hand for reassurance would make all the difference. Yet Drew insisted they let Ashley sit between them.If I was beside her, it would be impossible not to reach for her, Drew thought.And I can’t do that to her career, especially since the movie swept the awards, including the best actress for Tess. When Drew saw the woman up on stage tearfully accepting her award, Drew thought her heart would burst with pride. It was hard to believe that talented, beautiful, and loving woman wanted her, but she learned to accept it over the last year.

Finally, the next award coming up was Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay. It was the one she was nominated for tonight. Although everyone from the cast and crew sent her notes and reassured her that she would win, Drew could not quite believe it. Everything about the book had seemed like a dream, and eventually she had to wake up.And it could start with tonight,she thought as she sat and watched the two actors on the stage read off the names of the writers nominated. Drew held her breath, and for a moment, she heard nothing, and then Ashley was grabbing her with excitement. Only then did it register they had said her name. Rising from her seat, she felt Ashley hug her, and then she was in the arms of Tess. The place she loved to be, and every instinct wanted her to kiss her, but Drew kept her reserve and pulled away.

Tears were running down Tess’s cheeks. “I’m so proud of you,” she mouthed over the applause. Then as if by magic, Drew found herself walking up the stairs to the microphone. Amazed that she didn’t stumble, she looked over the audience under the bright lights, finally realizing everything wasn’t a dream and her life was real.

Clearing her throat, she began to speak. “When I started my book over ten years ago, I never imagined it would be published, let alone made into a movie that people wanted to watch. That part I could not have done alone, and I want to thank…” She listed the names of those who helped make the movie, and then she paused, her heart racing. Taking a deep breath, she looked at Tess. The woman covered her mouth with her hands and looked back. She started to nod and Drew smiled. “And most of all, I would like to thank Tess Landish. Not only because she made my character come to life but because she supported me through all of this—as my girlfriend. Tess, thank you so much for being patient. I love you.”

THE END