“In order for this to work, I need you here in LA by tonight.”
“Perfect.” Adrenaline surged through him. Finally an action he could take. One that didn’t include wearing a deeper path into the dirt under his boots. “Send me the address and I’ll head out now.”
“Good. Where are you calling from?”
“Southern Nevada,” he answered. “About an hour from the airport.”
“You’ve been camping?” she assumed.
When he didn’t answer right away, Marsha continued. “I’ll book you the first flight out, arrange for a driver to pick you up from the LA airport, and put you up in the hotel across from the station. If you leave right now, you’ll have time to shower, choose from one of the tuxes in your room, and meet me at the network by seven thirty sharp. You’ll fly first class; they’ll serve you dinner on the way.”
This sounded like something with all sorts of strings attached. First class flight? A tux waiting for him at some suite? But who cared if it would lead him to Ivy. To protecting her reputation and name.
“Can you at least tell me if Ivy will be there?”
An extended pause filled the space. Easton pressed the receiver against his ear.
“She will,” Marsha finally said. “And I apologize if you’ve had trouble reaching her. Something’s gone amiss with the company phones for a few of our employees. From what I understand, they’re not even able to access their contacts anymore. It’s terrible. We’re trying to fix it.”
That explained the automated message. “Let me guess,” he said. “Ivy’s the only employee whose phone shut off.”
“You know, I can’t really say,” Marsha said in a blasé tone. “But we don’t have time for this sort of chat. Get to the airport, get to the studio, and then we can talk.”
The line went dead, leaving Easton to his task of packing up and heading out. He broke into a run toward the campground to do just that. At least now he wasn’t waiting around and dodging his fate. He’d had enough time to think about what he wanted. And he’d do what it took to get it.
Chapter 19
Ivy glanced at the mounding traffic beyond the company’s Cadillac limo. Panic built within her as she glanced at the clock beside the crystal glasses and bottles of champagne. It was already 7:15. The preshow started at 7:30, which meant, ideally, they’d be getting seated right now. At least the show itself didn’t start until 8:00.
The traffic had gone from slow and steady to stop and go a few miles back. Not a big deal since they’d had plenty of time to get to the station. But over the last half hour, the stops outweighed the go’s ten to one. Snails could make laps around them in the time it took to move so much as an inch forward.
“Are Danny and Ronny acting weird?” Jackie asked, brow furrowed as she looked at her phone.
Taya sipped a bit of champagne and grinned. “Weird how?”
“Ronny’s being really weird,” Joelle affirmed, scrolling along her screen as well. “He said they were going to the game, which doesn’t even start for another hour, but suddenly he’s saying they’re already at the arena and he can’t talk.”
“Yeah, Paul too,” Jackie said. “Mom and Dad said they were going too. Maybe I’ll try them.”
“What’s wrong, Ivy?” Taya asked.
Ivy pulled her gaze off the road. “I’m getting nervous about the traffic. We’re supposed to be there in fifteen minutes, but I think it just took us a half an hour to move three feet.”’
“Oh, no.” Taya ducked her head to look out the windows as well. “I wonder what’s going on out there.”
“Yeah, me too.” But more than that, Ivy wondered what in the world would happen at tonight’s show. Would Easton surprise her by showing up after all? It wasn’t as if she would know. Not only had her phone service shut down completely, meaning she couldn’t receive texts or calls, it had blocked access to her existing contacts.
The only benefit, she decided after going without her phone, was that she could tell herself that Easton might have texted or called her by now. She had no evidence to prove otherwise. But even as she tried to convince herself of that very thing, Ivy knew deep down that he hadn’t. And that he probably wouldn’t either. The rejection was hard to bear. Sure, she could think back on some of the things he said and come to conclusions that buffered the blow. Like when he’d admitted that he didn’t believe in love. But that did little to comfort her. Because Ivy was convinced that he did. And that if he didn’t find it with her, he’d surely go on to find it with someone else.
The mature side of her would want that very thing for him. The less developed side of her was another story. Could she handle watching even one episode if Easton actually showed up tonight and went on into the mansion?
No. Definitely not. But would she really be able to resist? And with her job as it was, the whole station would be abuzz with all the things happening on and off screen at the mansion. She could hear it now. Easton Sparks fell for the vegan chick. He’s sworn off meat and vows to only eat tofu until he dies.
A knot of nausea moved through her stomach. Come on, traffic. Move!
It didn’t, but the window separating the back cab from the driver did. One slow glide. “I apologize for the wait, ladies. Seems as if there’s an accident ahead. It’s a few miles up. Once we get past it, we’ll be on our way. We’re not far from our destination.”
“Thank you.” Ivy spotted an oversized flatbed truck in front of them. Odd, seeing that it held no cargo at all.
“I hope we make it there in time,” Joelle said.
“Me too,” Ivy agreed.
“Well, no matter what happens,” Taya said, “this has been one incredible day. Let’s just sit back, have a little bubbly, and enjoy our time in this amazing limo.”
“Good idea,” Jackie agreed. She handed Ivy a champagne flute while Taya gave one to Joelle. Joelle’s glass, of course, held sparkling cider since she was expecting. “Cheers to sisterhood, unexpected adventures, and…and Looking For Love!”
Ivy extended her glass, clinking it gently with each of her sisters, and took a modest sip, recalling the effects of those moonshine peaches. And as she set her gaze out the opposite window, taking in the night skyline of LA with its brilliant city lights, an inquiry came to mind. One she’d been questioning for days. I wonder where Easton is right now.
Easton glanced down at his watch as he waited in the greenroom. 7:35. Marsha was late. And for someone who prided herself on timing—she was the producer of several live TV shows, after all—that seemed uncharacteristic.
It didn’t help that his mind was treading water in a sea of regret. A sea that was growing deeper and higher with each minute that passed by. He should have given Ivy the benefit of the doubt. She had shown him, during their time together, exactly the type of woman she was.
Ivy was faithful and loyal, a woman who wouldn't betray anyone in such a way. Today, amidst the waves of guilt and remorse crashing about, Easton was finally seeing things clearly now.