The camera lights and photoflashes lit up the nighttime sky. I sat there completely helpless, watching Ryan become blinded as the volume of
excited screams became deafening.
I slid across the leather seat to exit the car at the curb but Marla was blocking my way. Once Ryan was safely across the street I was allowed to
get out of the car. “This way Miss,” some man in a suit ordered.
I was removed from the car and was allowed to watch the mayhem unfold across the street from a discrete spot near the hotel entrance. People
were screaming and shouting at Ryan for his autograph and for pictures. “Ryan, Ryan, over here, Ryan,” the crowd screamed for him over and over
again. Hundreds of cameras flashed like strobe lights in his eyes while he willingly subjected himself to the call of fame. He signed autograph after
autograph and posed with every person who had a camera.
Marla and David, his “handlers,” hovered dutifully behind Ryan while he played his part. I wanted so badly to run across the street and drag him
away from all of that insanity. He was a person, but he was treated like public property. Everyone wanted a piece of him and I doubted there were
enough pieces of him left to go around.
After almost ten minutes, Ryan was finally escorted back across the street by his security team. He was immediately ushered to a carpeted
area where the press was waiting.
Ryan wasn’t alone on the carpet; several of his cast mates were also giving interviews. Ben and Cal both tapped Ryan in the arm when he
passed by. I stood off to the side while Ryan posed and spoke to reporters; he appeared to be in his uncomfortable business mode again. I didn’t
know whether to be proud or concerned for him.
“You look gorgeous!” Kelly whispered in my ear. I turned around to see her standing behind me.
“Oh, Kelly!” I hugged her, relieved that I wasn’t standing alone anymore. “You look fabulous too!”
Suzanne’s limo pulled up to the curb and she was immediately escorted to the carpet where Ryan and the guys were standing. She didn’t
hesitate stepping over to Ryan’s side.
“I’ll see you inside.” Kelly patted my arm as Cal whisked her away. I watched as they both posed as a couple for the paparazzi.
I stood there by myself again, placed off to the side and out of the way by one of Ryan’s handlers. They had me hiding inconspicuously next to
some topiary in the dark, where I could feel like an idiot privately in my three thousand-dollar outfit. I definitely felt out of place.
“Good evening, Taryn,” David greeted me in the shadows.
I was momentarily stunned by his sudden friendliness. He was a lot more standoffish towards me yesterday. His wandering eyes glanced over
my body and his creepy demeanor sent a twinge of revulsion through me.
“Good evening, David,” I said politely, even though his eyes were stuck at viewing my cleavage.
“So… you’re the one giving Ryan bad career advice,” David surmised, laughing every so slightly. “I was wondering who was filling his head with
nonsense. Now I know.”
I glared at him; his moment of niceties was blatantly over.
“Well, we obviously have a difference of opinion of what’s considered bad career advice, David.”
“You could say that again!” he said arrogantly. “And you certainly are imposing your opinions freely on him.”
Great, another confrontation. Apparently he was still bitter that I infringed on his territory.
“He and I talked about the scripts, that’s all. Ryan is a grown man. He makes his own career decisions,” I retorted. I was watching Ryan from a
distance while he spoke to a reporter.
“He used to make his own decisions, but that doesn't seem to be the case lately,” David stated curtly. “Oh, by the way, that was a real risky
move you made at dinner the other night - speaking to Follweiler like that! Perhaps you should consider leaving the career management activities
to those of us whose job it is to do so. Okay, sweetheart? Your job is to just look pretty on his arm.”
What nerve this jerk had! I didn't know if I wanted to slap him in the face or knee him in the crotch. Instead, words flew out of my mouth.
“You know, David, you are so far away from having a clue that I’m surprised there’s even air for you to breath there. You did nothing to prep
Ryan for that meeting and then you left him hang out to dry when Jonathan asked him about seeing his film!
“The way I see it, I kept that meeting going and saved Ryan from being embarrassed and humiliated. So instead of bashing me, perhaps you
should consider thanking me.”
I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Ryan was walking towards us.
“We can go in now, Honey. I’m done out here.” Ryan took me by the waist.
“David, I’ve made my final decision. No aliens,” Ryan said firmly. “I’ve read both scripts and I agree with Taryn. She’s got great instincts and she
feels Isletin is going to be a hit and a high point in my career. I agree with her. You’re my manager. I want you to push Aaron for the sleeper.”
“Ryan! There’s no money there!” David defended. “You’re making a huge mistake!”
“Then that’s my problem. By next fall I’ll have over fifty million in the bank. Maybe I’ll get involved in producing the film, or I can retire and grow
grapes, but it will be my decision. Please, just do what I ask.”
“Ryan!” David tried to stop him. “You’re going to take advice from your bartender girlfriend?”
Ryan turned and glared at him. “Just do what I ask David, or I’ll find someone else who will.”
Chapter 28 - Holidays
“It’s so good to be home,” Ryan sighed, dropping his duffel bag and suitcase on the floor. He flopped backward onto our bed and smiled.
“Mmm,” he moaned, shoving his nose into his pillow. I crawled on all fours to join him, glowing in the fact that he felt my apartment was his home
too. It was certainly a home with him in it.
“I know we just got off of two planes, but what are we doing for Christmas? Do you want to fly out to Pittsburgh and see your mom and dad or
not?” I wanted him to make a final decision so I could make travel arrangements. Christmas was just five days away.
Ryan groaned loudly. “As much as I love my mom and dad, I don’t want to fly anywhere. I only have two weeks off.”
“Well, you could always put your family on a plane and have them come out here,” I suggested.
He wrinkled his nose. “No. We have to go or I’ll never hear the end of it. You know what I really want to do for Christmas?” He wrapped me in his
arms, pulling me close. “I want to go cut down a big evergreen and have my first real Christmas tree,” he stated. “My parents put up the same fake
tree every year. I’ve never had a real tree, even when I lived on my own.”
I smiled and softly kissed his lips. Being normal sounded wonderful.
The next morning we borrowed Pete’s pickup truck to go get a tree.
“Here’s the directions Pete wrote down.” Ryan handed me a piece of paper. “After I get on the highway, where do I go from there?”
I flipped the paper around, noting that we just passed a place that had cut trees for sale. But Ryan wanted the experience of cutting his own
Christmas tree down.
“Go five more traffic lights and then turn left. We need to get lights and a tree stand too. There’s a store there.”
Ryan put the truck into park and I saw the panic attack start to well up on his face. “I can’t go in there,” he whispered.
“Sure you can,” I softly replied. “It’s a small mom and pop hardware shop. See? They have Christmas lights and stuff.”
He shook his head, indicating that he was staying put.
“It will be okay. Not everyone on the planet knows who you are.” I tried to ease his worry. “Besides, you haven’t shaved in a couple of days… it’s