Page 101 of Stone Promises

“Oh, come on, Thad. We happened to be in town and Paul invited us,” she says. “He’s Lila’s manager now, too.”

“Really?” I’m a little surprised at that, but also happy for Lila. Paul is a highly sought-after man in the entertainment business.

“That’s right,” he says. “I’m going to shoot her straight to the top, just like I did you.”

Paul likes to take credit for everything. Well, not everything. He takes credit for successes. Failures will land you right out on your ass in his book.

“I’m sure Lila could do that withanymanager,” I tell him. “Can I talk to you for a second, Paul?” I walk to the end of the hallway by the stairwell. “What are you thinking bringing Heather here? You know I don’t get along with her. Do you have some ulterior motive?” I look back over at Heather and Lila and it dawns on me. I lean against the wall and let out a sigh. “Thomas changed his mind, didn’t he?”

Paul just stares at me.

“Of course he did,” I say pacing back and forth. “And you’ve brought reinforcements to try and talk me into signing on, too. Am I wrong?”

He shrugs a smug shoulder.

I walk back to where Heather and Lila are standing and address them all. “I’m telling you right now that I’m not doing it. So if you’ve come here to beg me to do theMalibumovie, you can leave now and not waste your breath.”

The door to my apartment opens and Mallory spills out of it, obviously tipsy from the free-flowing champagne. “What’s going on out here?” Then she sees Heather and her smile falls. “Oh.”

Shit. I really wish she wouldn’t have opened the door. Mal is too nice to send them away. Even though she despises Heather. I walk over and put my arm around Mallory. “I was just telling Paul that they might be more comfortable somewhere else.”

As anticipated, Mallory looks at me in horror. “Uh, I invited him. You can’t send him away.”

“Yes,” I say, smiling while speaking through my tightly closed jaw. “But he’s brought unexpected guests, babe.”

“I can see that,” she says, looking embarrassed that I’m not being hospitable. She holds out her hand to Lila. “Hi, we haven’t formally met yet, Lila. I’m Mallory. Thad has told me very nice things about you.”

Lila shakes her hand. “It’s good to meet you, Mallory.”

“Heather,” Mallory says in the driest of acknowledgments. After all, the last time she saw her, Heather’s hand was on my bare chest in the living room of my house. She motions them all in. “I trust you will all respect that this is our home and this party is to welcome Thad to New York.”

Heather scoots by us before Mal has a chance to change her mind. Lila thanks her and ducks in as well, followed by Paul, who doesn’t seem to give a shit what Mallory or I think.

I pull Mal close. “Just say the word and they’re gone.”

“It’ll be fine,” she says. “Do you know how many people in there have our backs?”

I look in the apartment, feeling damn lucky to have these friends and family in my life. And it’s all because of Mallory. She brings out the best in everyone. She brings out the best inme. “You’re right. Come on.” I pull her behind me. “I think I’ll have my drink now.”

She giggles and offers to get me one. But before she leaves, she whispers to me. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’ve already had three. My judgment is not the best right now. Obviously,” she says, giggling again while motioning to Heather. “And I might just let you feel me up in the bathroom. But, shhhhhh, don’t tell anyone.”

I laugh as I watch her walk away. I’m one lucky motherfucker.

I notice Heather heads straight for the bar. Nothing ever changes with her. I swear if she brought drugs into my home, I’ll call the goddamn police on her myself. She’s trying her best to mingle when most of my guests want nothing to do with her. “Who are you?” she asks Julian, pointing at him rudely.

“I’m Julian, Thad and Mallory’s friend from way back. I’ve also escorted the lovely Ana Garner to this fine party.” He smiles at his beautiful date.

“Oh . . . my . . . God,” Heather says dramatically. “Not again. Is there something in the fucking water here?”

“Shut up, Heather,” Hayden says, coming over to run interference. He pulls me aside. “For the love of God, why did you let that woman in?”

“I didn’t, Mal did,” I tell him. “She didn’t want to be rude.”

“Well, I have no problem being a prick. I’ll kick her ass out where it belongs.”

I shake my head. “No, don’t do that. Not unless she does something stupid.”

Mallory comes up behind me, kissing my neck. She’s definitely feeling good right now. She never gropes me in public. I reach my hand behind her head and press her lips further into me. God, she smells so good.

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