“Always the charmer.” She laughed, then kissed his cheek before she turned to the woman beside him. “And you are Lillian. How lovely that we meet at last. B.C. has told me so much of you, I feel we’re old friends.”

Lillian measured the woman across the threshold and lifted a brow. “Oh?”

No fool, this one, Monique decided instantly, and liked her. “Of course, that was all so long ago, so we must get to know each other all over again. Now, please come in. B.C., you’d be kind enough to open a bottle of champagne.”

A bundle of nerves, B.C. crossed the room to comply. A drink would be an excellent idea. He’d have preferred bourbon, straight up.

“Of course, I’ve seen you many times,” Lillian began. “I’m sure you haven’t made a movie I’ve missed, Ms. Dubois.”

“Monique, please.” In a simple, gracious gesture, she plucked a rosebud from a vase and handed it to Lillian. “And I’m flattered. From time to time I would retire, this last occasion has been the longest. But always, going back to the film is like going back to an old lover.”

The cork blew out of the bottle like a missile and bounced off the ceiling. Calmly Monique slipped an arm through Lillian’s. Inside she was giggling like a girl. “Such an exciting sound, is it not? It always makes me happy to hear champagne being opened. We must have a toast, n’est-çe pas?”

She lifted a glass with a flourish, and looked, to Lillian’s thinking, just like the character she’d played in Yesterday’s Dream.

“To fate, I think,” Monique decided. “And the strange way it twists us all together.” She clinked her glass against B.C.’s, then his wife’s, before drinking. “So tell me, you are still enchanted with sailing, B.C.?”

He cleared his throat, no longer certain if he should watch his wife or Monique. Both of them were definitely watching him. “Ah, yes. As a matter of fact, Lillian and I just got back from Tahiti.”

“How charming. A perfect place for lovers, oui?”

Lillian sipped her wine. “Perfect.”

“Et voilà,” Monique said when the knock sounded. “The next guest. Please help yourself.” It was now Act two. Having the time of her life, Monique went to answer. “Blake, so kind of you to come, and how charming you look.”

“Monique.” He took the hand she extended and brought it to his lips even as he calculated just how long it would be before he could make his escape. “Welcome back.”

“I must be certain not to wear out the welcome. You’ll be surprised by my other guests, I think.” With this she gestured inside.

The last two people he’d expected to see in Monique’s suite were his parents. He crossed the room and bent to kiss his mother. “Very surprised. I didn’t know you were in town.”

“We only got in a little while ago.” Lillian handed her son a glass of champagne. “We did call your suite, but the phone was busy.” Just what stage is this woman setting? Lillian wondered as Monique joined them.