Page 6 of The Stars Over Hollywood

Tracy shook her head as she smiled, catching Hayden’s blond hair out of the corner of her eye, and she wondered how long she’d been there, standing outside the front door maybe unsure if she should come over.

Tracy waited for Hayden to see her and motioned her over while Charlotte was telling them about that time that Ada and Kerri nearly burnt down the set.

“You sleep okay?” Tracy asked, lowering her voice so that just Hayden could hear her now that she was sitting on the chair beside Tracy.

“Yeah. Like a log. I went to bed just a few minutes after you so I had plenty of sleep. I still feel a little off, but I’ll be fine by tomorrow.”

Tracy couldn’t help but notice how attractive Hayden was without any makeup on. She’d only ever seen her with smoky eyeshadow and mascara, smooth foundation perfectly applied. But this morning, Hayden looked just as good, her dirty blond hair longer than the last time Tracy had seen her.

Lara couldn’t take her eyes off Charlotte as she told them another story as Ada and Sydney joined them, and Tracy was aware of the fact that as long as Charlotte was there, Hayden might feel a little lost now that Lara had her partner here.

“Are you nervous about tomorrow?” Hayden asked, her voice low as the conversation continued around them.

“No. Are you?”

“Yeah. I feel like I shouldn’t really be here.”

Tracy took a sip of coffee waiting for Hayden to continue, but she didn’t. More laughter erupted around them, and Tracy didn’t want to get into a conversation like that now with everyone here.

“Do you want to come to town with me today?” Tracy asked her. “I don’t want to be in the way when they’re going through things with the wedding planner and making sure everything is ready to go for tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Into Marbella?”

Tracy nodded. “We’re the only two, well besides Lara, but she’ll want to spend time with Charlotte while she’s here, but we’re the only two who can go out without worrying about getting mobbed.”

“Yeah.” Hayden smiled. “I guess, I should really be glad that I can still go out and not worry about things getting out of hand.”

“Hey, I hope you didn’t think I was doubting you when I said there was more to life than acting. There’s dozens of examples of people who made it in their thirties despite what a lot of people would lead you to believe.”

“I think you might have found that balance.”

“What do you mean?” Tracy asked as she angled her body towards Hayden, taking another sip of coffee.

“You had a taste of acting, and I assume you decided it wasn’t for you even if it was what you thought you wanted. And now you have a business doing something you’re passionate about.”

Tracy let out a long breath. Decided wasn’t what she’d call what happened, but she wasn’t going to get into that with Hayden. “Maybe.”

Before Hayden had a chance to ask her any more questions, Kerri started telling them about the dinner plans for tonight.

“I know Charlotte was talking about renting a boat today, or whatever you guys want to do,” Kerri said, stifling a yawn. “Just be back by seven. We’re having a rehearsal dinner, without the rehearsal.”

Tracy caught Hayden’s eye as Sydney listed off the things she needed to get done today, and Charlotte got up to make a phone call about finding a boat to rent on such short notice. “I’m going to have a shower,” Tracy said before she finished her coffee. “And then I’m ready to go whenever you are.”

“Yeah. I’m ready now. Did you rent your own car?”

Tracy nodded. “Yeah. I came on my own, so I picked up one at the airport.”

Hayden stood up and helped clear the table. “I’ll be out here whenever you’re ready,” she said to Tracy before heading inside.

Ada arched an eyebrow when it was just the two of them left outside. “Should I be reading into this?”

Tracy stared at her for a second. “Hayden?”

Ada nodded.

“No.” Tracy shook her head. “She’s easy to be around, but no. Too young for one, and she’s straight, right?”

Ada shrugged. “She’s never really said.” She pushed herself off the chair and gently squeezed Tracy’s shoulder on her way back inside, leaving Tracy alone with her thoughts.

---