After quite awhile working together, Chris and I had gradually begun separating. Not in the sense of marriage, but in the jobs we took. Chris had a better head for business than I did and he started to stay behind to handle more and more of the financial decisions. It was his company after all, which meant I was going out on more of the actual jobs than he did. We'd still team up on the Tigress projects and anything out of state. That was fine with me. I began to feel like he was my agent and the next assignment was my next film role.
Marty O'Brien was still our "connection" as well and he had a new one for us. He had just snared a new client for the music side of her career.
"And who's the lucky contestant?" I asked when he called to tell us.
"Oh, some young hottie named Vanessa Hudgens." He said casually.
"The girl from 'High School Madness'?" I said.
"Very funny...and it's High School Musical, my friend." He replied "Look, just be up at her place tomorrow, she's doing an interview for Entertainment Weekly and her manager wants some good photos. Apparently they know you and requested you guys."
"OK, what's the address?"
"1000 Bravo Drive, be there at 3 tomorrow." He said before hanging up.
Why did that address sound familiar? I remember Paris' place was up there, Rihanna had her rented house there, probably just a coincidence. And neither was in town as far as I knew. I doubt Paris still had that house we had our first tryst at.
It was one of those classic hot Southern California days as I drove the winding streets up to her place. When I finally found the address, I still had this sense of déjà vu` when I pulled up. There was a white Mercedes convertible and a green Mini Cooper.
"Wait a minute..." I thought
"Hello, luv!" I heard a Scottish woman's voice say.
I had to rub my eyes, it was Gail, Laura Croft's manager. I remembered how I'd been sent up to her place by Laura ostensibly to discuss some new projects. We discussed those projects by her pool. Then in her pool, her shower, and in her bedroom. And the following morning, Laura joined our "discussion". And now I was back again where it all started.
"Oh, you look so good!" Gail said as she hugged me "just as hot as ever!" she said in that great accent.
"Uh, yes I thought I recognized the address." I said, still trying to see what was in store.
"Well, you just get yourself inside, luv, everything's all set. Vanessa is just getting ready." She said.
"Uh-okay." I said as she led me inside.
Gail still had the same curves I remembered. And she obviously remembered me when I got an affectionate pat on my ass, which made me jump slightly as she showed a mischievous smile.
I didn't remember all that much about the interior of the house, but the pool area was exactly the same as I remembered it. There was a large expanse of perfectly manicured green lawn surrounding the pool, along with a small cabana house whose white curtains were fluttering slightly in the breeze, revealing a pair of lounge chairs. The stone work around the pool was a brilliant white, making the pool water a shimmering shade of blue.
It turned out the reporter from Entertainment Weekly had met me on the Triple Threat Tour when it stopped in New York, so we spent a few minutes catching up before Vanessa arrived.
"Hi! I'm Vanessa!" she said with a bubbly voice and smile as she trotted out to the pool area. She looked fabulous in a bright red Hollister clothing co. t-shirt and yellow shorts, her black hair looked incredible against her light brown skin. After some introductions by Gail, she sat down and immediately started discussing her new film with the "EW" reporter. I snapped photos as she chatted. She never seemed to stop smiling and giggling throughout. Her eyes seemed to follow me around as I snapped photos. Gail beckoned me over with her finger and we went inside her house.
"So good to see you again, Jim." She said
"Well, like I said I thought the address sounded familiar and..."
Gail's hand went to my crotch and I could feel her tits pressing against me, the nipples clearly felt erect.
"So good, Jim...soooo good." She said with that now ultra-sexy accent.
"Whoa, Gail...I've gotta a job to do here, you know." I said half seriously as she began to kiss me. Her hand was gently rubbing my pants and I could feel myself getting excited at her touch, very excited.
"You know, um, Vanessa's out there and..." I said, hoping Vanessa didn't notice us.
"Yes...I know..." Gail said as we continued to kiss. "And she won't mind..."
"She won't?"
"Of course, she's a grownup."
"Wait a minute..." I started to say as her cellphone rang.
In a way I was glad I was "saved by the bell". I picked up another camera and caught Gail smiling at me as she chatted on the phone. I went back out and snapped a few more shots of Vanessa.
"OK, I guess that'll do it for today. We'll chat some more tomorrow night?" the reporter asked.
"Great! It was so nice meeting you." Vanessa replied as they parted.
As I was gathering up my gear, I could hear Vanessa behind me.
"So what's your story? How'd you get into photography?"
"Oh, well, buddy of mine has a business out here and he convinced me to move here." I replied
"I saw you and Gail over there, you two seem to know each other."
"Um, yes, uh we have a mutual friend." I said hesitantly.
"Laura Croft?" Vanessa said with a smile.
It took all I had not to drop the $2,000 digital camera I had in my hands at that moment.
"I met her last week. She's another of Gail's clients. She's the one who recommended your company."
"Oh yes...she's a g-g-great girl. I mean lady, I mean..." I tried to explain.
Vanessa laughed at my hesitation.
"Yes, she's really nice." She looked at her watch "Oh! I gotta get ready for tonight, it was great meeting you Jim." She said as she went back inside. Gail soon returned.
"So what do you think of her?" she asked.
"Oh, she's a beauty. Zac's a lucky guy." I said.
"So am I." Gail said with a smile. "if I didn't have to go with her we'd have some fun here wouldn't we?"
"Uh, yes we would." I said as we kissed again "Yes we would."
"Well, I'll call you soon, luv." She replied.
I quickly gathered up my gear and headed home. In a way, I was kind of glad to get out of there. It just seemed to be getting too weird, what with this nubile young starlet casually bringing up the name of a Playboy girl I'd had some wild times with, (and seemingly knowing all that went down between us) and her older mature, manager looking to pick up where we left off before. It was time for "Hollywood Jim" to get outta Dodge as quickly as he could.
The interview ran as a cover story in Entertainment Weekly and our names had a prominent mention in the photo credits, was this really happening to us?
Soon after the story ran, I got a text message on my cell inviting me back to 1000 Bravo. I smiled a little, knowing what was in store. At least this time I knew what to expect from Gorgeous Gail from Glasgow. So I headed back up to Gail's place. The sun was definitely out that afternoon.
But as I pulled up I noticed that both of Gail's cars were gone and in their place was a white Porsche Cayenne. Odd, I thought.
The door was slightly open and I slowly walked in, but nobody seemed to be home. I had seen the side door to the pool area was open and I immediately walked over there, something told me this was the better way.
The door creaked open and I looked inside, the pool area was just as before but it was much quieter. I could see someone reading a magazine on a lounge chair but it didn't seem to be Gail.
"Hello?" I said hesitantly.
