Page 86 of Beautifully Scarred

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The movie has endedand we’re out in the large Art Deco lobby of the theater at the after party. Luckily, I haven’t had any run-ins with any more members of the press, and most people who approach us are more interested in talking with Hollywood’s up-and-coming hot new star than me. I smile, nod, and laugh in all the appropriate places.

Everyone around us sips on alcohol—wine, champagne, beer, hard liquor.

Calder Fox and his wife, Francesca, approach us. Jimmy greets them and introduces me. They’re both a big deal in this city and fell for each other on the set of a movie they were working on a few years ago. One that ultimately won Calder an Oscar. He’s had his fair share of trouble and was front page news after a car crash left his friend dead and him in rehab.

After the three of them chat about studio stuff, Calder turns to me. “So, how are you doing?” The concern in his eyes and the sincerity in his voice reveal he’s looking for more than a surface answer.

I shrug, glancing at a waiter who walks by with a bunch of half-empty wine glasses on his tray. “Hanging in there.”

“It gets easier.” Calder takes Francesca’s hand. “I hated these things when I first got sober, but I’ve gotten used to attending them without a drink in my hand. I just don’t stay as long as I used to.”

The four of us chuckle. It’s somewhat comforting that I’m not the only one sober here tonight.

“My time away was good for me. Something had to give.” I shrug.

Jimmy wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his side. “Lilah’s been working really hard. I’m proud of her.”

Calder smiles, and I’m reminded of exactly why he’s a movie star. It’s hard to look away. Just like Jimmy. “That’s great. Keep working the program. If you ever need someone to talk to who understands, I’m only a phone call away.”

“Thanks, that’s really nice of you.”

“I mean it. In fact, give me your phone right now. I’m going to program my number in, so you have it.” He holds his hand out between us.

“Better just do it. He’s not going to quit badgering you until you do,” Francesca says and rolls her eyes.

“Okay then.” I pull my phone from my purse, seeing that my agent has called again.

I’ve been avoiding Mina because she wants to discuss some type of game plan for my future, but the truth is, I’m not sure I want to model anymore. I have too many bad memories attached to that work, too many triggers waiting to drag me back down. I clear the notification, open my phone to my contacts, and pass it over to Calder.

He adds himself and hands it back. “There you go, and don’t hesitate to use it. I mean it. Day or night.”

I give him a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

Truth is, it would be nice to have someone to talk to who understands the pressures of this town and how they make it harder to navigate sobriety. Maybe he’s willing to be my sponsor.

“Well, we’d better work the room before we leave. You know how it is,” Calder says.

Jimmy chuckles. “I do. Good to see you guys again. Have a good one.”

They smile and disappear through the cluster of bodies surrounding us.

Jimmy turns to me, wrapping both arms around my waist. I raise my hands to circle his neck, my evening purse dangling from one hand.

“How are you doing?” he asks, concern lacing his face and voice.

“Pretty good. But I think I’d like to go soon if that’s okay.”

He nods, his forehead creasing. “We can go right now if you’re finding it too hard.”

“It’s not that. Well, not entirely.” I rise to my tiptoes so I can whisper in his ear, “You look so good in this three-piece suit that I want you all to myself.”

He growls, and I draw back to meet his eyes. “I’ve been undressing you all night. This dress looks killer on you. I can’t decide if I want to fuck you while you’re still wearing it or strip it off your body and have you just keep the heels on.”

Desire flutters low in my belly, and I suck in my bottom lip. His dark eyes turn molten with promises of the things to come when we get home.

I open my mouth to speak, but the sound of his name has me snapping my mouth shut.

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