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was blown away by the restaurant-grade kitchen tools and equipment.
    “The kitchen is the most important room in my house,” Ava said, obviously noticing Charlie’s bewilderment at how elaborately her kitchen was outfitted.
    “I can assure you it’s the least important one in mine,” Charlie blurted out, not really realizing what she was saying. After all, she was alone in a room with Ava. Her brain refused to function under the circumstances.
    “Maybe we should try and change that someday,” Ava said with a mischievous smile on her face. “I can teach you some basics if that’s what you’re after.”
    What am I after? Charlie had no idea, but if Ava was offering to spend time with her, she would gladly take it. For now, all she could do was chuckle self-consciously.
    Ava rummaged in the freezer and unearthed a container of ice cream. “Homemade, of course.” She lifted the lid, and even though Charlie was not very hungry, she couldn’t wait to taste it. “I’m going to put dollops of this in hot coffee, so they’ll need to go out fast. That’s why I asked you to help.”
    “Of course. At your service.” Charlie tried to lean against a cabinet nonchalantly. She suspected she was failing miserably. But Ava must be used to silly admirers like Charlie, so, instead of worrying about how she came across, she focused on how swiftly and methodically Ava worked. A few minutes later the first two desserts were ready to go, and Charlie did her best not to trip on the way out.
    When she returned, Sandra was in the kitchen with Ava. “I’ve got these, darling,” she said. “Do sit back down.”
    The sun had completely set by now, and the ocean was a dark mass against the night sky. Charlie tried to imagine Ava coming out here in the morning in her robe, enjoying a cup of coffee before starting her day. Perhaps the side of her robe would slip off and display some of the lusciously smooth—
    “Here you go.” Ava planted an affogato in front of Charlie. “Enjoy. As of now, it’s my time to fully relax.”
    “I thought feeding your friends scrumptious dishes was your way of relaxing,” Nick said.
    “It is.” Ava took a bit of ice cream and then licked her spoon in a way Charlie wouldn’t be able to forget any time soon. “But I’m a woman in my mid forties, and I do get tired after dark these days.”
    How refreshing, Charlie thought. A working woman in Hollywood who wasn’t ashamed to admit she was over forty. Throughout the evening, Ava had impressed her time and again.
    After an elaborate goodbye involving hugs and cheek kisses, Charlie found herself in the backseat of Nick’s car again.
    “And they say you should never meet your heroes,” she mused. “They—whoever ‘they’ are—are so very wrong.”
    “How’s that crush of yours evolving, Charlie?” Nick asked. “Not going away anytime soon, I take it?”
    “I didn’t even know people like her exist in real life. I have to revise my position on make-believe in this town.” Charlie sighed. “She’s perfect. She has zero faults, making the rest of us look like frumpy, unaccomplished wannabes at life.”
    “Speak for yourself.” Nick playfully punched her in the arm. “I consider myself fairly accomplished.”
    There were so many things Charlie could say, but she didn’t have the energy for it. All the vigor she had left in her for the day went to conjuring up the image of Ava licking a dessert spoon.

CHAPTER FOUR

    “Do we really need to go to this thing?” Charlie asked Liz. The network had sent a car for them, and they were cruising over Mulholland Drive, up to one of the most lavish mansions in the hills.
    “ You don’t. You’re Charlie Cross. You’re basically going to make this guy a shitload of money. However, I do.” Liz patted Charlie on the knee. “Thank you for helping me suck up to my employer, buddy.” Liz batted her eyelashes. “You can ask me for anything you want in return.”
    “You introduced me to the