Love Unrehearsed

“No wonder celebs get into accidents,” Marie muttered. “I can’t see for shit. Look at them! Why the hell are they blocking the front of the car?”

The paparazzi were elbowing each other out of the way, trying to get more shots of us inside the vehicle. Ryan had his hand cupped over his eyes. I noticed Marie was doing the same thing. “You know, I always thought famous people did this because they were hiding from being photographed. Now I know it’s also to protect your damn eyes!” Her voice flashed back through my mind as we endured the same gamut of photogs trying to catch our flight out of LAX. Fortunately, only a few passengers with cell phone cameras were on hand when we landed in Reno, Nevada.

I was nervous, excited, and petrified as we hurried out of the airport, climbing right into a waiting chauffeured SUV at the curb. I had always wondered how celebrities were able to get carted away so quickly; it was all a matter of precise coordination.

Mike held the door, guarding our entry.

Even getting into cars was choreographed. I always got in first, followed by Ryan. Once the “principals” were stowed, Marie was in next. Mike always sat in the front passenger seat—always. He also handled receiving our luggage. Ryan Christensen didn’t wait at luggage carousels—ever.

I was beginning to think that Mike needed a big, fat raise. Giving him my best friend in the world with a big, red bow wrapped around her didn’t seem enough.

Ryan took my hand in his, giving me a reassuring squeeze and a smile. He didn’t need to ask me if I was nervous to meet my birth father; he knew. I’d barely slept a wink last night.

While we waited for our luggage to be loaded, Ryan toggled through his missed messages. “We’ve got a problem.” My first thought was that the paparazzi had followed us, assuming we came to Reno to get married. Well, that’s what Trish’s first thought was when I mentioned our destination. I did not need any more problems and from his distinct tone I could tell it was personal.

He turned to meet my waiting stare. “Got an email from Trish. Apparently one of Tammy’s friends posted on Twitter that she’s going to get to meet me at their wedding in September.”

My nervous energy burst into a blur of outrageous fury. “You’re kidding?”

“I wish I was.” Ryan shoved his cell back into his pocket. “Well, there goes that. I told them to keep this to themselves. No one ever listens. Their wedding is going to be a media circus. Son of a . . .”

He glared over at me. “You know it’s going to be crazy now. I told Pete how this could turn out. News travels that I might be stepping into a church and you’ll have fucking helicopters flying overhead.” Marie snorted from the backseat. “I wonder which idiot friend of hers did it.”

“Be nice,” I muttered, digging out my phone.

“Not likely,” she retorted with defiant sarcasm.

I rolled my eyes and started to call Tammy while the driver stowed our luggage in the back. “She’s not answering.”

“Of course she’s not answering. She knows I’m with you,” Marie added.

Ryan knew how much this dissension bothered me, having these moody, snippy attitudes floating around between what used to be the greatest of friends. I could only hope that it was the stress Tammy was going through making her crazy.

“I have to fix this,” I groaned.

“Why?” Marie snapped. “She wanted to have the bragging rights that Ryan was going to be in her wedding. This is her mess, not yours. She should have kept her damn mouth shut.”

“I agree,” Ryan muttered. “This isn’t your problem, Tar.”

I mostly agreed with them. Stilll. . . “When we get to the hotel, I’m going to try to call Pete. He has a right to know what’s going on, especially if there’s any chance his wedding might get ruined.”

The look in Ryan’s eyes said that it was already too late to prevent that.

The view coming up to the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Lake Tahoe was spectacular. The tall pines, majestic mountains, and impressive hotel complex beckoned us to come and enjoy luxury at its finest. Inside, a massive stacked-stone fireplace took central stage, towering from floor to “fifty-five feet tall,” as I had been informed by the concierge.

We were directed to a private floor, entering the most lavish suite I’d ever seen.

“Wow,” Marie breathed out. “I’m so glad you’re my friend,” she said to Ryan.

He smiled and took my bag off my shoulder.

Our suite had huge windows with gorgeous views of the mountains. Only one person we knew who would know how to find this sort of decadence. “Andrea?” Ryan winked. “Yep.”

“That girl needs a huge raise.”

“Who’s Andrea?” Marie asked, wandering around in a tight circle so she wouldn’t miss anything.

“She’s the goddess of all travel agents,” Ryan answered. “There are supposed to be two master bedrooms. Pick one. Mike and I will be here drinking this complimentary bottle of cognac while you ladies decide.” Marie and I wandered from room to room. “This place is bigger than the apartment,” she breathed.

I felt the elation hit my toes when I saw the extensive tiled shower stall. “I know.”

“I love having rich celebrities as friends,” she muttered, petting one of the white, fluffy towels folded on the counter as if it were alive.

“When is Joe coming here?” she asked.

“Tomorrow. He’s bringing the wife and kids.”

She wandered into another room that looked like a small living room or a den with a gorgeous view of the barren ski slopes.

“Why aren’t you going to his house?” My fingers skated over all the rich fabrics as I followed her path. Even the draperies were luxurious. “Ryan wanted neutral ground, but by the looks of this place, he’s got the upper hand. He also didn’t want a public meeting in case things didn’t turn out so well. It’s Ryan’s version of controlling the situation.”

We wandered through the central living room, checking out the other side of the suite, getting lascivious smiles from the boys on our way through.

Marie breathed out a curse. “With accom-modations like this, Ryan can get his control freak on any day he likes, as far as I’m concerned.”

“I’m calling dibs on this room.”

“Fine. They’re pretty much identical anyway. I’m glad there’s a huge room separating us.” She gave me a nudge. “Just try to keep it down tonight, all right?”