The pool in the back of the mansion was sparkling blue in the bright California sunshine. Lounging on the side, the gorgeous bikini-clad woman should have been happy. She wasn't, however. She had a body men would die for, enough money to run the world, a couple of Oscars and a zillion other awards. She jet-setted all over the world and was rumored to date every good-looking man she ever acted with… and then some.
In fact, the lady did enjoy it all. Beauty, brains, talent and money. Her personal assistant -slash - secretary observed her, exasperated that someone as beautiful, talented, warm and funny as Diana Lynch was so miserable. The only time the fabulous Di, as she was known, became genuinely happy was when her Sleepyside friends came to visit. It was only then she could unwind and be herself.
Diana appeared to relax poolside, glasses hiding her famous, incredible violet eyes, contemplating her existence while pretending to read the paper. She did have it all. Everything she worked so hard for all these years. All those years training in Juilliard, taking innumerable acting classes and putting everything else in her life on hold.
Including Martin Belden.
And that was the crux of her problem. She loved Mart since she was six years old and she loved him now. But, he didn't want to leave Sleepyside, and she needed to go. She had to pursue her dreams just as he pursued his. Why couldn't he see it that way?
So, he dated and she dated, making sure their exploits were relayed back to each other through the other Bob-Whites. Of course, that was until everyone figured out what they were doing and stopped participating in their silly game. Diana did feel childish at involving everyone in her and Mart's problems.
And here she was, in a spectacular mansion in Brentwood, alone. And there he was, living in some New York City apartment, a famous investigative journalist, alone.
She laughed at herself, maybe with just a smidgeon of bitterness. All those thousands, maybe millions, of guys out there; they'd never believe Diana Lynch was lonely. And if they did think she was lonely, they would certainly want to correct that situation. The problem was, the only solution was back home in New York and was just as stubborn as she was.
Lisa, her personal assistant, secretary and stand-in best friend came out with an ice-cold glass of milk. "Brooding again, Diana?" She arched a plucked brow.
Diana gave a little snort through her elegant nose. "You know me too well, Lise." She took the icy glass and sipped daintily. "It just doesn't get any better."
"Both of you are just too stubborn. Neither of you is going to make a move. You know, I hate to tell you this, but Mart Belden is a good-looking guy. One of these days, one of your Sleepyside friends is going to call and inform you he's engaged. And then what are you going to do?"
"He didn't support my dreams, Lisa. He didn't want me to come out here. He didn't want me to leave New York. I was supposed to stay and support him and his dreams. It just so happened our dreams were 3000 miles apart." She ran an agitated hand through her jet-black hair.
"You were both young and hardheaded. Now you're going to grow old and be hardheaded. Is that what you really wanted? Or to marry somebody you're not in love with?" Lisa patted her employer on the arm. "If I were you, I'd get my ass on the next flight to JFK and go straighten this mess out."
"But what if he says no, Lise? There's still the fact that his job is out there and mine is here. How we can reconcile that?" She wouldn't be able to stand it if she went out there and laid her soul bare only to be rejected.
"You know what, Diana Lynch? You're spoilt. You have a curio cabinet full of awards. A manager, a publicist, a personal assistant, a gardener to take care of your grounds, just a bunch of people to take care of your every need. And never say no to you. What's the worst that could happen? He can say so sorry, moved on. And then you'll be able to move on, too."
"It's a good thing I love you Lisa, or else I'd sack your sorry ass for insubordination."
Lisa patted her employer's arm again. "True friends tell you the truth, Diana. That's why you love your Sleepyside friends so much. You're not Diana Lynch, the famous movie star to them. You're Diana Lynch, a poor little rich girl who found laughter and love with six great people. It's time you remembered that again." Lisa's cell phone began its incessant chiming, and she left the pool area to take care of whatever crisis in Di's career that was occurring now.
Diana sat there for the longest time, thinking about what Lisa just said. With a new resolve in mind, she rose from the lounge chair and strode through the French doors.
She smiled that famous thousand-watt smile that launched a million male fantasies.
Mart Belden, late of Sleepyside, New York and currently resident in the greatest city in the world, was not going to know what hit him. She would make damn sure of that.