Free All My Tomorrows by Colette L. Saucier

others bounced around ideas, Peter walked
to center stage next to Mrs. Jellyby. “I would like to offer my home for the
celebration,” he said, evoking unanimous shock as well as flustering Mrs.
Jellyby.
    “But, no, you’re the guest of honor.”
    “If I truly am responsible for this, then I should
take responsibility for the celebration as well.” He faced Alice when making
this illogical pronouncement, as if it were her decision.
    The crew called out requests like children
planning their birthday party.
    “A band!”
    “No, there’s no time to book one.”
    “I think a band can be arranged,” Peter said.
    Why does he keep staring at me like that? She decided to up the ante. “What about an eighties cover band.” Let’s see
him pull that out of his ass.
    He smiled at her. “Whatever you want.”
     
    After a quick knock on her door, Rich came in
before she could respond.
    “Where were you?” she asked. “You missed the big announcement.”
    “I heard – great news!” He stepped around the desk
and sat on the edge of it next to Alice.
    “I suppose you also heard about the party. Are you
going to come even though it’s at Peter’s house?”
    “They did say all the cast and crew were invited,
and that includes me. Why should I miss out? It’s his problem, not mine.” He
leaned over and brought his lips onto hers before she could protest against
kissing at work. “See you tonight?”
    She nodded, and he kissed her again. Oh, what
the hell . Then he stood up and walked out, closing the door behind him.
    That night after their date, Alice and Rich stood
once again under the lamp over her front door.
    “I don’t suppose I make it across the threshold
tonight?”
    “No, sorry. Maid’s day off – the place is a mess.”
    “Hmm. So when do you think the maid will clean?”
    “Not sure yet. She’s new, and we’re taking things
slow.”
    He stepped closer, putting his hands on her waist,
and kissed her, pulling gently at her lower lip with his teeth and awakening
every nerve in her body.
    “So,” she said, “you’re definitely coming to
Peter’s party, I mean, the cast party.”
    “Of course.  But I’ll have to meet you there. I
have to drive out to Malibu to help a friend move some stuff.”
    “But you will be there?”
    “You think I would miss an opportunity to see Lord
Voldemort’s castle?”
    She closed her eyes as they kissed again, and at
his lips urging, she opened her mouth. She put her arms around his neck, and
his tongue touched hers. Peter.
    Her eyes flew open. Peter? What the hell? Why
would I think of Peter while I am kissing Rich? I really like Rich. And I can’t
stand Peter. It’s probably because we were just talking about him. Yeah, that’s
it.
    Her confused brain distracted her from her present
situation until a hand on her breast alerted her to the tongue in her mouth,
and she broke the kiss and stepped back and faced a red-faced, panting Rich.
    “Wow,” he said. “That was some kiss. You sure I
can’t come in?”
    Uh-oh. “Sorry, not tonight. Goodnight,” she
said as one word and escaped behind her door before he could react.
     
    ☼
     
    Alice would not describe Peter’s house in the
Hollywood Hills as a castle – more of a palace. Palatial could be the only word
appropriate for the tastefully decorated mansion. She tried not to gawk up
toward the high ceiling and around at the expanse of marble tiles and all the
rich furnishings, which brought to mind the Bellagio. She had arrived late,
since she came alone and wanted to ensure at least most of the others would
already be there; and when no one came when she knocked and rang, she had let
herself in only to stand by herself on the other side of the door. She could
hear music in the distance but not clear enough to determine the direction.
    “I had begun to think you wouldn’t come.”
    Alice turned to Peter’s voice behind her. “I…uh.
Sorry.”
    “I was afraid that…well, you did come. If