Page 44 of 7 Miles High
“Thank you. Come in, you two.” Parker steps aside to let our guests in.
“I need a big drink. Matt drives like a maniac. He almost killed us three times.”
“That’s a gross exaggeration, darlin’. It was only once,” he says as if once is acceptable.
As the door closes behind them I hear another car pulling into the driveway.
“Think we’ve got another arrival.”
“Oh! That’ll be Nicki, Bliss’s business partner, and her husband. I told you she was married to Jack Alden, didn’t I?”
Immediately I see Maggie’s wide-eyed expression. Pretty sure it mirrors mine.
I may be having a stroke. Jack Alden is coming here? Oh shit! My blood pressure just spiked.
“No you did not! He’s coming to our dinner party?”
I barely hear Parker’s answer because I’m in another zone, on a different planet. This is so freakin’ exciting! I grab Maggie’s hand and we hold on for dear life. As if we are about to meet the Queen.
“You two are funny,” Parker laughs. “He’s just a regular guy. You’ll love both of them.”
My mouth suddenly goes dry. Every ounce of moisture is sapped from my lips. Are my hands shaking?Get it together, Natalie!
“Open the door. I’m going to get the drinks started. Don’t pee your pants, ladies. It wouldn’t be a good look,” he chuckles.
All I can think of is he wants me to introduce myself to the movie star and his wife. I hold on to Maggie’s hand, not giving her any opportunity to leave my side. This is awesome and frightening at the same time. I want to stop time and call Jenna who I wish was here. She’s the Hollywood lover. The star chaser. And tonight I may join her. Maggie too. She’s remained silent. Only her face is giving away the excitement.
She and I stand arms linked as I open the door. Before I have a chance to think about what I’m doing. Oh crap! They’re out of the car and Jack’s put a hand on Nicki’s back, guiding her up the stone stairs that lead to Parker’s house. They both look up at the same moment, to find Maggie and I staring.
He must see this look on a regular. Star-crossed fans googling the actor whose face we have only seen on the big screen.
“Look at his hair! I was hoping it was going to be wild! I love how it’s so crazy!”
God he looks so handsome! I squeeze Maggie’s hand so hard my ring digs into her flesh.
“Ow! Shit!”
No time for apologies. Here he comes. I have to pee.
“Hi!” Nicki says, breaking our spell.
I let go of my friend and extend my hand. I’m trying to act cool. Yeah. He’s just a man. So what if the entire planet knows who he is? So what? Then he smiles and all bets are off. There’s the face we all fell in love with. I’m so friggin’ excited!
“Hi. I’m Natalie, and this is my friend Maggie.” That went smoother than I thought it would.
Nicki takes my hand and covers it with her other one. “I’m Nicki. So nice to meet you Natalie, Maggie.”
“I’m Jack. Nicki’s better half.”
Maggie and I both laugh a little too much for his comment, but it just happened without thinking. Hope he doesn’t think we’re fools.
“Hello, Jack. We’re both big fans of course.”
“Well that’s a great way to start the night. Thank you, girls. Now where’s that man of yours, Natalie? I’m ready for one of his margaritas.”
They walk inside and make their way to where Parker and Matt are standing. As they pass by us, Maggie opens her mouth in a silent scream. That’s hysterical. Usually she’s the cool one. Always she’s the cool one. But not tonight. She is just as gobsmacked as I am.
Within the hour, all eight guests have made their way, claimed their margaritas and relaxed into the sort of conversations only old friends can have. Bliss and Steven arrive after a bumper to bumper drive. James and Elizabeth were the last to show. Think they were having an argument because there is a look on her face I recognize. She’s pissed about something. He doesn’t look too happy either.
