“I’m going only if I sit at his table. Make that clear to whoever’s in charge.”
“All right, Wynn.” She paused. “Can I ask why, all of a sudden, you’re keen to attend an event in Hollywood when you never do?”
“I go to my premieres,” he reminded her, though it was left unspoken that occurred under duress from the studio’s PR machine.
“Enough. Let me finish my run and then I’ll whip out that wand and make the magic happen.”
“Why don’t you pull out your broomstick and fly home so you can get started on making this reality?”
Cady hung up on him.
Wynn grinned. He would get to meet his idol tonight—and let Rhett introduce him to Scarlett.
CHAPTER 2
Scarlett smoothed the skirt of her midnight blue cocktail dress as she swung her legs from the car and handed the valet her keys. It was an hour before Rhett’s gala would start but she wanted to be on hand to help with any last-minute problems. No matter how meticulously the event planning was, something—or someone—always threw a wrench into the night. She loved being a problem-solver and would do whatever she could to make this night go well for her brother.
Entering the ballroom where dinner would be held, she gazed at the elaborate table arrangements and knew how hard the staff had already worked at making tonight successful. Spying Sarah Hartnett on her cell and pacing frantically, she moved in that direction.
“Miranda, the seating arrangements are set in stone. I can’t move him to Rhett’s table. There’s nowhere to put him.” Sarah paused. “Yes, Miranda. Of course.” She ended the call and saw Scarlett standing nearby.
“Trouble?”
Sarah blinked back tears. “I have sweated blood over where to seat everyone. Even those idiots who didn’t RSVP. I called every one of them individually and got commitments and planned and shuffled and balanced to perfection. Now, Miranda tells me she assured Wynn Gallagher’s assistant a couple of hours ago that he could sit at the head table. He wanted to sit at Rhett’s table or not come at all.”
“That’s a coup, Sarah. Gallagher never attends public events.”
“I know. Miranda insisted that he sits at Rhett’s table. It didn’t matter who needed to be moved. You know Miranda.”
Both women said at the same time, “Make it happen,” the foundation head’s trademark motto.
“I can’t lose my job over this but I don’t know where to begin.” Sarah waved the seating chart around in her hand. “There’s literally no empty seat in the entire ballroom. I guess I can pull in another table to start . . .” Her voiced faded.
“First, Rhett would never let you be fired over something like this,” Scarlett assured the assistant. “Second, I volunteer to move. It’s only me tonight.”
Surprise filled Sarah’s face. “Chaz couldn’t make it?”
“Chaz and I gave up the ghost a few hours ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Scarlett.”
“I’m not. I can do better than Chaz. Besides, it solves your problem. Take our two seats for Gallagher and his plus-one and don’t worry about adding another table and shuffling someone to sit with me. I don’t need to eat. I can stand in the back. The casino party always has appetizers circulating and plenty of drinks. I’ll nibble when it begins.”
Relief washed over Sarah. “You won’t have to do that, Scarlett. Wynn Gallagher isn’t bringing anyone with him. I’ll park him in Chaz’s spot. You can sit and make nice with him. Flirt a little. He’s one of the foundation’s biggest donors the past few years.”
“Really? Interesting. I’ll be sure he’s taken care of. Any other crisis to deal with?”
“Thankfully, no, though I do want to check on those vegetarian dinners.” Sarah hugged Scarlett. “You are a life saver.” She hurried off.
“What fire is Sarah running to put out now?”
Scarlett turned and saw Rhett, looking every bit Hollywood’s biggest star in his custom Armani tuxedo. She hugged him tightly, proud to be his sister.
“A little seating snafu but it’s been taken care of,” she said vaguely.
His eyebrow shot up. “Sarah has seating down. I know because I okayed it over a week ago.”
Scarlett linked her arm with his and began moving around the room. “Miranda threw a last minute curveball. Seems none other than Wynn Gallagher decided to show up tonight and he didn’t have a seat. Oh, he wanted to sit at your table, by the way. Or not come at all.”
“Wynn Gallagher? He’s been a steady contributor for several years. I’ve never met him but I’ve wanted to.”
“Why? So you can talk him into letting you and Kyle on the set of a Carbon Man movie?”
Rhett chuckled. “Maybe. Actually, Cadence is just as big a fan as Kyle. Personally, I preferred Gallagher’s work from that medical show he did on ABC. He won an Emmy for that.”
“Two,” she corrected. “And he should’ve gotten one for the legal show he did. I wonder why he decided to attend tonight.”
“No idea,” Rhett said. “He’s a real lone wolf, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in Hollywood. Staying out of the fray adds a little mystery to an actor, which can add longevity to a career. Where’s Chaz?”
“Gone. For good,” Scarlett declared.
Rhett’s smile revealed his true feelings about the lawyer to Scarlett for the first time. “I’m glad. He wasn’t for you.”
“Why do you say that?” she asked, curiosity filling her.
Rhett stopped and faced her. “Because I only want the best for my baby sister. I have a feeling you’ve hit a point where you want more out of life than strictly having a career, no matter how fulfilling it is. Chaz seemed a little too self-absorbed for you. You need a man who’s your equal and will treat you that way. Someone who’ll make a great partner, friend, and lover.”
“When did you get so wise?” she asked. “I’ve only realized it myself. I do love what I do but my heart wants a family. Love.” She paused. “My biological clock started pounding in my head recently. If
