Sabrina, looking as elegant as ever in a designer evening pantsuit with her dark blond hair twisted in a French plait and her blue eyes sparkling, embraced Dana and kissed her cheek. “I’m happy you could join us, Dana.”
“Thank you for including me.”
Markus took her hand in both of his and gave it a squeeze. He looked to be in one of his jovial moods tonight. “It’s the least we can do since our son is working you around the clock.”
Her smile wobbled. Max must not have said anything about their being a couple now. But what could he say? He could hardly call his mother and say, “I slept with Dana today, so I’d like to bring her to dinner tonight as my date.”
Okay, Dana admitted, maybe her expectations had been a little skewed. “I’m enjoying the challenge of my new position, and Max is teaching me a lot.”
“May I fix you a drink?” Markus offered.
She did a quick scan of the room. Everyone seemed to be holding a glass. “A glass of white wine would be nice. Thank you.”
“Sweet or dry?”
She wrinkled her nose. Living in California hadn’t made a devoted wine fan out of her yet despite her vacation through Napa Valley on an educational winery tour. She’d learned a little about wine, but only enough to get by. “The sweeter, the better.”
“I have something you might like.”
Markus went one way. Sabrina took Dana’s hand and led her in the opposite direction toward Max’s brother Dev and the very slender brown-haired woman by his side.
“Dana, did you get a chance to meet Valerie Shelton, Dev’s fiancée, in France?”
“I did, but only briefly. It’s nice to see you again, Valerie.” Dana shook her hand. Valerie was Dana’s age, but seemed much more reserved. Dana had yet to figure out what about the cynical Dev appealed to the innocent and reserved Valerie other than looks and money. He was as rich and handsome as the rest of the Hudsons. But she’d always considered the COO of Hudson Pictures to be a bit aloof.
“It’s nice to see you, too.” Valerie gave her a shy smile. “I heard you’ve had a promotion since returning.”
Sabrina nodded. “Dana is Honor’s associate producer now.”
“That sounds exciting.” Valerie glanced at Dev. The adoration shining in her violet eyes made Dana’s breath catch. She hoped her feelings toward Max weren’t as obvious to everyone around them. She’d have to be more careful.
Dev didn’t seem to notice Valerie’s tender regard. In fact, his cool blue eyes were watching Dana. Was he also concerned about her dinner with Doug? She prayed Doug would come through with the script so she could put both Dev’s and Max’s minds at ease.
Dana forced her attention back to Valerie. “It’s a dream job, but it’s also hard work. No one wants to disappoint Lillian.”
Markus returned to Dana’s side and offered her a wineglass of pale gold liquid. “Try this, Dana. It’s a German Riesling, 2006 vintage.”
She accepted the glass and dutifully sniffed and sipped and rolled the wine around on her tongue as she’d been taught before swallowing. “It’s very good. Nice and fruity. Thank you.”
“Excellent. Let me know if you need a refill.”
A tap on the shoulder made Dana turn. Bella, Max’s baby sister, stood beside her. She had Max’s blue eyes, and her grandmother’s auburn hair. “Doesn’t look like Max has you tearing out your hair yet.”
“Not yet.” Dana’s gaze tracked him to the opposite side of the room where he now stood talking to his cousin Jack and David, Max’s uncle and Jack’s father, with his back to her. David was Honor’s director. She tried not to feel hurt by Max’s neglect, but she had expected to be by his side tonight, not on opposite sides of the room.
Dana returned her attention to Bella. They’d known each other superficially for years because of Hudson Pictures, but not all that well until they’d gotten to know each other better while on location in France. Bella was not only beautiful, she was feisty and a lot of fun—when she wasn’t wrapped up in her costar.
Dana scanned the room for Bella’s man of the moment. Bella had played Lillian in Honor. Ridley Sinclair, a box-office star and Bella’s current beau, had played Charles. Dana wasn’t crazy about Ridley and thought Bella could do better than a guy so self-absorbed, but their off-screen romance had burned pretty hot.
“Is Ridley joining us tonight?”
“No. He’s off doing…whatever.” She waved a dismissive hand, but sounded a bit put out.
Markus patted his daughter on the shoulder. “I’ll leave you ladies to catch up.” He left to rejoin his wife.
Bella hooked her arm through Dana’s. “Excuse us, Valerie and Dev. Dana, do you remember Cece, Cousin Jack’s wife?”
“Yes, I do. Max worked quite a bit with Cece on fine-tuning the script.” But Dana let herself be led to Jack, Cece and Max’s side, hoping Bella hadn’t seen the same lovestruck expression on her face that Valerie had displayed earlier. David stood on the fringe of the group.
Cece was a petite brunette, a brilliant scriptwriter and obviously in love with her husband. She grimaced as Dana and Bella approached. “They’re talking shop again. Didn’t Lillian forbid that tonight?”
“I did,” Lillian called out. She winked at them and beckoned Dana.
“Excuse me,” Dana said before going to Lillian’s side. She kissed the papery cheek.
Lillian squeezed her hand. “You’ve made progress.” Dana drew back. “I’m sorry?”
“He was watching you while he was talking to me.”
Dana’s heart skipped a beat. She started to turn and look at Max, but Lillian caught her hand. “Don’t look, dear. Never give all your secrets away. It gives a man too much power.”
“Max was watching me?” she whispered.
Lillian nodded.
A blush scorched Dana’s cheeks. “We’re spending a lot of time together. Working,” she added hastily, because there were some things you just didn’t share with a man’s grandmother.
On one of Dana’s recent visits Lillian had confessed she’d known about Dana’s crush for years and kept hoping her grandson would wise up. But she’d also warned Dana that Max’s love for Karen had been all-consuming and her loss devastating. She wasn’t sure Max would ever love that deeply again.
“Of course you are, dear. I’m glad he’s giving you a chance to pursue your dream and that he brought you tonight. Keep up the good work. And remember, Dana, the best things in life are worth waiting for.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll try not to forget.”
“Take care of him.” The after I’m gone remained unspoken. But those silent words put a lump in Dana’s throat.
“You know I’ll do my best as long as I’m with him.”
Lillian shoed her back to Max’s side. Dana desperately wanted to take his hand, but didn’t know if the gesture would be welcomed.
“No little man tonight?” she asked Cece.
Cece and Jack both smiled at the reference to their son—the son Jack hadn’t known about until he’d tracked Cece down to ask her to write the script.
Cece shook her head. “We left Theo at home. This would be too late an evening