Page 34 of Dangerous Kiss
Chapter Fourteen
Agent Harris left after a little while without making any real assurances. Lars, Cosimo, and Channing went into a huddle, and the others drifted away. Biba had her arm around a quiet Stella as they made their way back to set. “You alright?”
Stella shook her head but didn’t say anything. She leaned against Biba, and Biba knew she needed comfort more than anything else. “Come on, Stel. We’ll go grab some hot chocolate and play some cards.”
Stella shook her head. “I’m grateful, Biba, but I think I’d rather be alone for a while.”
Biba watched her walk back to her trailer. Reggie massaged the back of his neck. “And here I thought this was going to be a relaxed, happy set.”
Biba didn’t smile. There was no doubt that this whole stalker thing cast a gloom over everyone. Both Rich and Gunter’s demeanors, which were usually so fun-loving, were now quite cowed and defeated.
A few days later, Reggie came to find her. “Pooks…I’ve got bad news.”
“More?” Biba was tired and stressed out worrying for Stella.
“My mom’s sick. I’m going to have to go up to see her on the weekend, instead of spending your birthday with you.”
Biba hugged him. “That’s no problem, boo, you have to be with Mary. What’s up with her?”
“A virus, I think. She went up to the cabin in the mountains to paint and caught a cold that she can’t shake.”
“Oh, poor thing. Do you want me to come with you?”
Biba had known Mary for years. Ever since Reggie and she had become friends, Mary had been a pseudo-mother to her—kind, comforting, and fun-loving like her son. Mary had always hoped that Reggie and Biba would get together, but somehow, they’d gone from new acquaintances to best friends without ever going through the ‘could we be more?’ stage.
Reggie smiled at her. “No, it’s okay. But she might appreciate a call if you have time.”
Biba was already pulling her phone out of her pocket and dialing, “Mary Moo, you have the flu?”
She put it on speaker, so Reggie could listen, too. Mary Quinn chuckled, her voice hoarse and croaky. “Biba, how lovely to hear from you, darling. Yes, I’m afraid so. Damn thing won’t shift. Reggie’s insisting on coming to see me.”
“And so he should. Shall I come, too?”
“Oh, no, dear. It’s your birthday, and I don’t want to risk infecting both of you. Besides, Reggie tells me you have a new man in your life.”
Biba grinned, her body relaxing at the mention of Cosimo. “You would love him, Moo, truly.”
“He’s a handsome chap. I Googled him when Reggie told me who he was working for… yes, a very pretty boy. Those eyes. Lucky girl.”
“I am that,” Biba said. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can get for you?”
“No, darling, Reggie’s been more than kind. Maybe next year, we can all spend your birthday together.”
“I would love that. Feel better soon, Moo. Love you.”
“I love you, too, sweet girl.”
Biba ended the call and smiled at Reggie. “If I haven’t already said a million times, you are so lucky to have a mother like her.”
“I think so, too.” Reggie chewed his lip. “I do worry about her being in the mountains. Cinnamon Lodge is fine in the summer, but at this time of year, it gets below freezing up there, and if she’s already sick…”
“She has heating, right? And the place is like a palace.” Reggie and his mother weren’t exactly poor. Reggie’s father had made his fortune in textiles, and Reggie had never wanted for anything. Biba knew he worried about his mom being alone, but Mary Quinn was nothing if not independent.
“Well, if she won’t let me visit, I’m at least going to send her a care package. You think you could bring it to her for me?”
Reggie smiled at her. “You’re the sweetest, and of course.”
Biba swung by that afternoon to go to a well-known Tacoma candy store. She spent a pleasurable hour choosing from the handmade chocolates, knowing Mary had a sweet tooth, then drove to the Tacoma Mall to find other little gifts for her de facto ‘Mom’.
