Page 2 of Switching Places

“Like you did?” Emma asked slyly.

Lily laughed and shook her head.

“Pierre was wonderful. I was crazy about him and he about me. But we just burned out. Too much, too fast, I guess. But he rang chimes like Quasimodo. And we have a friendly enough divorce. We still enjoy each other’s company when our paths cross.”

Emma didn’t ask what enjoying each other’s company entailed—she could imagine. Probably exactly what she’d do if she had a French playboy ex-husband.

She smiled at the sister she hadn’t seen in more years than she wished to count. Of course, they hadn’t been raised together. Still, they should have managed more get togethers than they had.

“When do you leave?” Emma asked.

“In the morning. I’ll only be gone a week or so, two tops. I can’t believe the timing. Two days ago the schedule called for me to leave in a month. Then the studio contacted me to say they were rearranging the filming sequence because Miss Adams got sick and I have to get there right away. Then your call came. I thought you might not come if you knew I wouldn’t be here the entire time. But don’t you dare leave—plan to stay right here. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“They’re filming in Mexico?”

“Yeah, down on the Yucatán. When the lead actress got sick, they decided to continue filming as much as they could of the other scenes—to keep from interrupting or delaying the schedule. We’ll film all my part, then I’ll be back.”

“I think it’s wonderful you’re in another movie.”

“Just a bit part, Emma, nothing like the leads Dad gets. I’m restless, can’t settle on anything. I’ve been a bit player in acouple of other movies and would love to have a stronger role, but I don’t want to make this my life. I don’t know what I want to do. But the filming won’t take long, then I’ll be back and we’ll do the town.”

“Nice—even if it is a bit part.”

“Perks of being the daughter of Damien Carter.”

For a moment the old hurt resurfaced in Emma. She, too, was the daughter of Damien Carter, but there had been no perks for her. Their famous movie star father had waltzed out of her life when he’d divorced their mother. Each parent had taken a child to raise.

While her mother made an effort to keep in touch with Lily, her father only remembered he had a second daughter on her birthday and at Christmas. A hasty call to make sure she was doing all right was about as involved as Damien managed.

Sometimes she suspected his presents were purchased by a secretary. No notes ever accompanied the gifts, no invitations to come visit had ever been issued. Only vague promises to get together “soon”.

She touched the wooden railing, leaning over a bit to study the path that led to the top of the bluff. There must be a way down to the beach. Afraid her sister might pick up on her anger, she concentrated on the sandy path.

It had not been fair. She, too, would have enjoyed experiencing some of the glamorous life Lily took for granted. Would it have hurt Damien Carter to invite his other daughter out for a visit once in a while?

“You okay?” Lily asked, touching her lightly on the shoulder.

“Sure.”

It wouldn’t do to complain to Lily. It wasn’t her fault. They’d been seven when their parents divorced. Emma still remembered the heartbreak of being separated from her sister,her twin, seventeen years ago. But Lily had had no more say in the arrangement than she’d had.

It was all water under the bridge now.

Smiling, Emma met her sister’s gaze.

“I’m dying to see your house. Show me around.”

“Come on. I love it—purchased it with my divorce settlement. It’s just what I wanted.”

Lily had done all right as a result of the divorce from her former husband, French playboy Pierre Antoine Rambeau.

As they wandered through the large house Emma couldn’t help thinking that Lily appeared far wealthier than Emma would ever be. Lily moved in socially exalted circles, a darling of the Hollywood crowd, a friend of numerous high-placed government officials courtesy of her diplomatic corp ex-husband, and the sweetheart of the posh jet-setters of the French Riviera, thanks to Pierre and their celebrity father.

Wistfully Emma listened as Lily recounted where she’d purchased her paintings, or the statue that graced one table. The whole house seemed more like a movie set than a home. Yet Lily fit in perfectly. It suited her.

When the tour ended, Lily put Emma’s suitcase in the master bedroom.

“I’ll be gone, so you might as well enjoy the room. The bath has a whirlpool feature and staying in here beats traipsing through the hallway to use the tub. Besides, it’s my favorite room and I know you’ll love it, too.”

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