Tame An Older Man

The audience clapped. A few of the men whistled and made catcalls.

Wyatt died a thousand horrible deaths. His show was veering off course like a sailboat in a hurricane. He was going to throttle Kelly-she knew better than to stray from the script. And Phoebe… Where was Phoebe, anyway?

She had disappeared.

Chapter 14

Phoebe made a beeline for the dressing rooms. There was no way she was going on camera, not with braided hair and a shiny nose. Hell, not even if she'd just walked out of a salon. She wasn't going in front of a TV camera unless it was to announce the launch of Bio-Techniques.

Someone called her name, and she walked faster, pretending not to hear-until she realized the voice didn't belong to anyone on the crew. She skidded to a stop and turned around to find the last person she expected to see backstage.

'Elise?'

Elise caught up with her. She wore a visitor's badge and carried a rolled-up paper sack. 'Where are you running off to?'

'Anywhere but in front of those cameras. They were trying to put me on the show. What are you doing here?' She took Elise's elbow and steered her into Kelly's dressing room. No one would think to look for her here. She tried not to look at the white fur rug.

'Wow, this is kind of a weird room,' Elise said, gazing around at the red walls imprinted with huge, purple lips.

'It belongs to Kelly, our hostess. She's a bit of an eccentric, but very sweet. Have a seat. Oh, unless you want to watch the show from backstage.'

'I can do that some other time,' Elise said, settling onto the white sofa. 'What's up with you? Why are you so freaked out about the idea of going on camera? I would think you'd be immune to stage fright by now.'

'It's not stage fright. But that part of my life is over-the Vanessa Vance part. I just wish everyone would forget it.'

'Are you ashamed of the work you did on that show?'

'Yes,' she answered without hesitation.

'I don't know why. Lots of great actors got their start on soap operas and TV commercials.'

'But I don't want to be an actor.'

Elise gave her a sage look. 'Kiddo, I think you're taking this much too seriously. You are not the only person in the world to make a career misstep. For my first summer job I answered the phone at an illegal escort service.'

'No way.'

'It's true. I didn't have a clue what was going on until the vice squad raided the place. I had to call my parents from jail.'

'That's so sordid!'

'It is, but I can laugh about it now. Stop taking yourself so seriously. Life is pretty hysterical most of the time, and if you can't laugh about the twists and turns you might as well join a cloistered convent in Tibet and give it all up.'

Phoebe did crack a smile. Elise was so wise. 'What's in the bag?'

'Oh. Something really important.' She opened the sack and pulled out several fabric swatches. 'I really came by to show you these and get your advice. I thought maybe we could grab lunch on our way to campus. You have a twelve-thirty class, right?'

'Yes, but I have to take Mama home first, so I won't have time for lunch. Sorry.' She examined the lush fabrics-satins, brocades, lace; some in white, some in ivory. Elise had settled on a traditional design with a fitted bodice, puff sleeves and a gently flounced skirt with a train.

'This plain ivory satin is gorgeous,' Phoebe said, unable to disguise the longing in her voice. 'The brocade and the lace are too busy-they would compete with the beautiful details of the gown. This satin will move beautifully with you and give a softer look to the dress.'

'You don't think plain satin is too, well, plain?'

'Maybe some scalloped lace at the hem and neckline. Well, I'm sure your dressmaker can handle those details.'

'I knew you would have the answer,' Elise said. 'I can't wait to see what sort of wedding dress you choose for yourself.'

'Hah! At the rate I'm going, I'll get married about the same time I draw Social Security. You'll be pushing me down the aisle in a wheelchair.'

'So you haven't patched things up with Wyatt, huh?'

'No.'

'Are you going to try?'

Phoebe sighed. 'I don't know that I'm ready for a relationship with a man like Wyatt.'

'Maybe not, but what if, when you finally do feel ready, no guys are available? Think about Daisy's predicament.'

'I wish I could give Wyatt to Daisy.'

'Oh, you do not. If Daisy showed the slightest interest in Wyatt, you'd scratch her eyes out.'

Phoebe grinned. 'You're right, I would.'

'Hey, do you think I could meet Jane Jasmine? I'd like to thank her in person for helping me find James.'

'Go talk to Wyatt. He'll introduce you. I'm going to hide out back here a few minutes longer.'

'Scaredy-cat.'

'Yup.'

* * *

Wyatt breathed a huge sigh of relief when the closing credits rolled. The show had gotten back on track, thanks to Jane's smooth segue into the next guest's problems finding a man.

Someone tapped his arm, and for a fleeting half-second he hoped it was Phoebe. But it was Elise Foster, of all people.

'Hi, Wyatt,' she whispered, since the cameras were still rolling. 'Phoebe said you might introduce me to Jane Jasmine.'

He nodded. 'Sure.' As Phyllis pumped the audience for that last little bit of applause, Wyatt led Elise toward the stage. 'Don't trip on those cords. I'll introduce you to Jane if you tell me where Phoebe's hiding.'

'And… CUT!' Phyllis bellowed. 'Great job, everybody.'

The applause died down and the studio suddenly buzzed with conversation and activity.

Elise smiled. 'Kelly's dressing room. But don't tell her I gave her away.'

Jane already had a crowd around her. Wyatt grabbed Phyllis as she passed. 'This is Elise. Will you make sure she gets a private introduction to Jane Jasmine?'

Phyllis smiled. 'No problem. Hi, Elise.'

The two women struck up a conversation, and Wyatt made his escape. If he didn't hurry, Phoebe would slip out a side door-and he would have to track her down at home. He'd do that if he had to, but he preferred not to delay their confrontation. If he didn't say what was on his mind now, he might never get up the nerve again.

He found her without too much trouble, probably because she figured no one would look there. She sat cross- legged on the sofa hugging a pillow, and when Wyatt walked in without knocking, she shot him a look that might have vaporized a less determined man.

'That was rotten of Kelly to try to drag me on stage without asking first, and I stand firmly behind my decision to run like a scalded cat.'