said Lana, knowing the opportunity would never arise.
‘Well,’ said Elisabeth, squeezing lemon on to her plate with gusto, ‘as a matter of fact, I’ll be performing at the after party.’
‘At the premiere?’ asked Cole. ‘Isn’t that a bit unusual?’
‘We pride ourselves on leading, not following,’ said Robert.
Lana had to admit his plans sounded sensational. Robert described with passion how the sets were under construction, florists and caterers working round the clock to perfect every last detail; plans for accommodating a flood of A-listers were under way across the Parthenon, as well as logistics for bringing guests to the Orient’s red carpet. He was frank about his desire not only to showcase Eastern Sky but also his hotel. They were, he explained, made for each other. Lana, relishing the chance to watch him while he spoke, had to look away.
‘Which brings me to your own accommodation,’ Robert finished. ‘I’d like to invite you both to stay here at the Orient as our very special guests.’
Cole was pleased. He had expected preferential treatment. ‘We’d be delighted.’ He nodded, failing to consult Lana.
As Elisabeth elaborated on the show she had planned, Lana listened politely and pretended not to notice Robert’s every move. When he filled up her wine glass she watched his capable hands, his long fingers and the colour of his wrists. She missed his skin.
Elisabeth and Cole were locked in conversation about performance techniques. Robert leaned forward. ‘Actually, the bathroom’s that way,’ he said, thumbing behind him. There was a smile on his face that she hadn’t seen all night. It lit her up inside.
She laughed and the release was giddying. ‘I guess I just went for a walk.’
He was still smiling. ‘Find anything nice?’
‘It’s all nice.’ It felt like such a limp compliment, but it was all she could think to say.
‘Can I show you the view?’ he asked, standing up before she could object. Cole’s eyes shot to Lana but Elisabeth was still talking and manners won out.
‘I’d love that,’ said Lana, thrilled. She liked Elisabeth, she felt bad, but she had to do this–she had to try.
The panorama from the north side was breathtaking. Lana watched it quietly for a moment before turning to Robert. They were far enough from the table not to be heard.
‘Robert, I … I don’t know where to begin.’
‘Don’t,’ he said, staring ahead. ‘You don’t need to say anything. Let’s just get through this evening.’
She watched his handsome profile. ‘I can’t forget,’ she whispered. ‘You might be able to, but I can’t.’
He turned to her, his eyes flashing. ‘You didn’t leave me with a lot of choice.’ His voice was even. There was sadness in there and she clung to it like a raft.
‘I’m sorry,’ she mumbled. ‘I had to leave, I–I thought it was the right thing.’
‘It was,’ he cut in.
Tears sprang to her eyes. Don’t you dare cry.
‘What happened is behind us,’ he went on. ‘We can get along; we’ve a premiere to share, after all. Let’s keep this professional.’
‘I’m proud of you,’ she said, desperate to get through to him. His eyes came to meet hers, their gentle brown so familiar. ‘It’s beautiful. You did it.’
‘Of course he did it,’ interrupted Cole, suddenly at her side. ‘He built the whole thing from scratch, isn’t that right, St Louis?’
Robert straightened. ‘Well, I had—’
‘Let’s go back, shall we?’ Cole put an arm across Lana’s shoulders in a fatherly fashion and guided her gently. She followed Robert, watching the gleam of his heels.
‘Robert and I have an announcement,’ said Elisabeth when they’d all sat down. ‘Well, sort of.’ She was clearly slightly merry and tapped the top of her glass with a long fingernail as if she was about to make a speech. ‘I just can’t keep quiet a minute longer. Darling …?’
All three of them turned to look at her. Robert appeared perplexed.
‘What is it?’ he asked.
She gave him a look. ‘Sweetheart, come on. Do you want to invite them, or shall I?’
Realisation seemed to dawn. ‘Elisabeth, I don’t know if now is the right time.’
‘Oh, don’t be such a spoilsport-this is barely notice as it is!’
‘What is it?’ asked Cole, looking from one to the other.
Lana had a horrible feeling she knew what was coming next.
‘We’d like to invite you both to our wedding,’ Elisabeth said happily. ‘In August.’ She looked at Lana. ‘Robert and I would be thrilled if you could come.’
‘Just what in Christ’s name is wrong with you?’ demanded Cole, tugging off his tie.
It was midnight and they’d been shown to their suite after Elisabeth had enjoyed one too many celebration cocktails and fallen off her chair. Not terribly dignified, but at least she’d been having a good time–unlike his wife.
Fuck! Lana had been in a shitty mood ever since they’d arrived, hardly uttering a word through dinner. It was apparent that St Louis and his fiancée were extremely important people in this town–God only knew what conclusions they had drawn from Lana’s doomed expression. Cole and his wife were meant to be the happiest couple in Hollywood–if she’d forgotten that, she needed to get with the damn programme.
‘Nothing,’ said Lana blankly. She was sitting quietly on a chair, her hands in her lap. Mercifully their suite had separate sleeping quarters, but Cole was on a rampage and wouldn’t let her out of his sight until she’d accounted for her behaviour.
‘Is that all you can say?’ Cole shook his head in disgust.
‘All night you’ve been distracted, acting like I dragged you here against your will.’ He momentarily ran out of steam at the corner he’d walked into. Moving on, he stormed, ‘Even when they invited us to the wedding you couldn’t slap on a goddamn smile!’ He stalked into the bathroom and slammed the door.
A second later it opened again.
‘Don’t think I don’t know what this is about,’ he said.
Lana laughed humorlessly. ‘Sure.’
Cole walked towards her, a muscle twitching in his jaw. ‘Just what is that supposed to mean?’
‘Forget
