Incidental Happenstance by Kim Desalvo

appeared so she could pull them out and look at them anytime she wanted. She pulled out the “Sexiest Stars” issue with Dylan on the cover, and another magazine graced by her own face. It was a picture taken on Oscar night, three years ago, and if she did say so herself, she was stunning. Her dress was a DeHoya, made exclusively for her, and it perfectly accentuated her figure and the new breasts she’d splurged on six months earlier. The neckline plunged daringly, and she dripped in borrowed diamonds. They’d given her ‘best dressed’ honors that night and although she hadn’t won the Oscar, she’d been the darling of the after parties. She held the two covers next to each other to see how they’d look as a couple. He oozed masculinity--the faint scruff on his chin and cheeks, the longish, wavy, carelessly unkempt ovee hair, the incredible blue and expressiveness of his eyes rimmed in long dark lashes, a firm jaw line. He wore what could almost be called a pout and his lips looked made for kissing. They would look good together, and as a couple they would knock Jason and that Italian slut off the covers of the magazines. She flipped through the issue until she came to Dylan’s photo spread. Great smile too, she thought, and the picture of him singing on stage clearly showed the passion he had for music. She held up several combinations of the two of them together, and liked what she saw. Suddenly, she couldn’t wait to get started on reclaiming her place at the top.
                She booted up her computer and checked out his web site, scrolling through more photos and reading his bio. She had to do her homework, know a little about him, so that when they met they’d be able to slide effortlessly into a relationship. That’s how things work in Hollywood she thought, relationships were more about appearances than they were about love. Love was overrated, anyway—it was all just an act, really, and she knew how to act. A guy like Dylan Miller would be easy enough to wake up to every morning, and everyone seemed to love him. He never got bad press, and being attached to someone like him would soften the hard edges she’d acquired over the years. Her excitement mounted as she read—they even had a few things in common besides acting.
                She checked their tour schedule, and figured, why wait? Let’s get this party started as soon as possible. One call to her assistant Angela and the arrangements were already being made. Chicago wasn’t too bad at this time of year. Not warm yet, but a few sessions in the tanning booth and she’d have a healthy glow that would look great against the fish-belly-white Chicagoans who’d been covered up all winter.
                She’d just show up at the concert and surprise him with the news that she’d be his costar. The studio wasn’t planning to make the announcement until the following week, so he’d hear it first from her, and it would be a valid excuse to show up at his concert unannounced. Obviously he’d show her the professional courtesy of meeting her, and then the romance could begin.
                She drew herself a bath, pinned her long blonde hair on top of her head, and slipped into the luxurious salts harvested straight from the Dead Sea that Jean Phillipe had insisted she buy. Good for the skin, he’d said in his obnoxious French accent. Rid your body of impurities. Hell, she’d just rid her life of impurities, and she was ready for a fresh start. Just a few days to primp, and then it was off to the Windy City, and her new lease on life.
     
     
     
     

 
     
Chapter 5
     
                “So, where are we going?” Tia asked.
                “Are you up for some adventure and a little fun?” Dylan answered with his slightly crooked smirk and slightly cocky accent. 
                “After what just happened in Last Stop ? I don’t know if I need any more adventure, but