“And I can still . . . do what I do?”
“You can still sleep with every woman on the planet, yes.”
“Every woman except my wife,” Rex said, smiling and taking another sip of his drink.
“You just can’t get caught.”
Rex waved me off, as if my worry wasn’t a concern.
“I’m serious, Rex. Cheating on me is a big story. I can’t have that.”
“You don’t have to worry,” Rex said. He was more sincere about that than anything else I’d asked of him, maybe more than any scene in Anna Karenina. “I would never do anything to make you look foolish. We’re in this together.”
“Thank you,” I said. “That means a lot. That goes for me, too. What I do won’t be your problem. I promise you.”
Rex put out his hand, and I shook it.
“Well, I should be going,” he said, checking his watch. “I have a date with a particularly eager young lady, and I’d hate to keep her waiting.” He buttoned his coat as I stood up. “When should we tie the knot?” he asked.
“I think we should probably be seen around town a few times this coming week. And keep it going for a little while. Maybe put a ring on my finger around November. Harry suggested the big day could be about two weeks before the film hits theaters.”
“Shock everybody.”
“And get them talking about the movie.”
“The fact that I’m Vronsky and you’re Anna . . .”
“Makes the whole thing seem tawdry when our marriage will make it seem legitimate.”
“It’s both dirty and clean,” Rex said.
“Exactly.”
“That’s your bread and butter,” he said.
“Yours too.”
“Nonsense,” Rex said. “I am dirty. Through and through.”
I walked with him to the front door and hugged him good-bye. As he stood in the open doorway, he asked, “Have you seen the latest edit? Is it good?”
“It’s fantastic,” I said. “But it’s almost three hours long. If we’re going to get people to buy a ticket . . .”
“We have to put on a show,” he said.
“Precisely.”
“But we’re good in it? Me and you?”
“We’re absolutely dynamite.”
PhotoMoment
November 26, 1962
EVELYN HUGO AND REX NORTH HITCHED!
Evelyn Hugo’s at it again. And this time, we think she’s outdone herself. Evelyn and Rex North tied the knot last weekend at North’s estate in the Hollywood Hills.
The two met during the filming of the upcoming Anna Karenina and are said to have fallen in love instantly, smitten with each other even during rehearsals. These two blond lovers are sure to heat up theaters in the coming weeks as Anna and Count Vronsky.
This is the first marriage for Rex, although Evelyn has a couple of failed marriages behind her. This year, her famous ex Don Adler is separating from Hat Trick star Ruby Reilly.
With a brand-new movie, a star-studded wedding, and two mansions between them, surely Evelyn and Rex are having the time of their lives.
PhotoMoment
December 10, 1962
CELIA ST. JAMES ENGAGED TO QUARTERBACK JOHN BRAVERMAN
Superstar Celia St. James has been on a hot streak lately in the film department, with her period drama Royal Wedding and her stunning turn in the musical Celebration.
And now she has even more to celebrate. Because she’s found love with New York Giants QB John Braverman.
The two have been spotted in Los Angeles and Manhattan, dining out and enjoying each other’s company.
Here’s hoping Celia turns out to be a good-luck charm for Braverman. That big diamond on her finger has sure got to feel like a good-luck charm for her!
Hollywood Digest
December 17, 1962
ANNA KARENINA WINS BIG AT THE BOX OFFICE
The eagerly awaited Anna Karenina sailed into theaters this Friday and took the weekend.
With rave reviews for both Evelyn Hugo and Rex North, it’s no wonder audiences are flocking to the film. Between the world-class performances and the chemistry both on- and off-screen, excitement for the movie has reached a fever pitch.
People are saying a pair of Oscars might be just the perfect wedding gift for the newlyweds.
As a producer on the film, Evelyn stands to make boffo numbers off the box office.
Brava, Hugo!
THE NIGHT OF THE ACADEMY Awards, Rex and I sat next to each other, holding hands, allowing everyone a glimpse of the romantic marriage we were peddling around town.
We both smiled politely when we lost, clapping for the winners. I was disappointed but not surprised. It seemed a little too good to be true, the idea of Oscars for people like Rex and me, beautiful movie stars trying to prove they had substance. I got the distinct impression that a lot of people wanted us to stay in our lane. So we took it in stride and then partied the night away, the two of us drinking and dancing until the wee hours.
Celia wasn’t at the awards that year, and despite the fact that I searched for her at every party Rex and I went to, I didn’t lay eyes on her. Instead, Rex and I painted the town red.
At the William Morris party, I found Harry and dragged him into a quiet corner, where the two of us sipped champagne and talked about how wealthy we were going to be.
You should know this about the rich: they always want to get richer. It is never boring, getting your hands on more money.
When I was a child, trying to find something to eat for dinner besides the old rice and dry beans in the kitchen, I would tell myself that if I could just have a good meal every night, I’d be happy.
When I was at Sunset Studios, I told myself all I wanted was a mansion.
When I got the mansion, I told myself all I wanted was two houses and a team of help.
Here I was, just turned twenty-five, already realizing that no amount would ever really be enough.
Rex and I went home at around five in the morning, the two of us downright drunk. As our car drove away, I searched my purse for keys to the house, and Rex stood beside me breathing his sour gin breath down my neck.
“My wife can’t find the keys!” Rex said, stumbling ever so slightly. “She’s trying very hard, but she can’t seem to find them.”
“Would you be quiet?” I said. “Do you want to wake the neighbors?”
“What are they going to do?” Rex said, even louder than before. “Kick us out of town? Is that what they will do, my precious Evelyn? Will they tell us we can’t live on Blue Jay Way anymore? Will they make us move to Robin Drive? Or Oriole Lane?”
I found the keys, put them in the door, and turned the knob. The two of us fell inside. I said good night to Rex and went to my room.
I took off my dress alone, without anyone there to unzip the back of it. The loneliness of my marriage hit harder in that moment than it ever had.
I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and could see, in no uncertain terms, that I was beautiful. But it didn’t mean anyone loved me.
I stood in my slip and looked at my brassy blond hair and my dark brown eyes and my straight, thick eyebrows. And I missed the woman who should have been my wife. I missed Celia.
My mind reeled with the thought that she might be with John Braverman that very moment. I knew better than to believe any of it. But I also feared that I didn’t know her the way I thought I did. Did she love him? Had she forgotten me? Tears welled in my eyes as I thought about her red hair that used to fan across my pillows.
“There, there,” Rex said from behind me. I turned around to see him standing in the doorway.
He had taken off his tux jacket and undone his cuff links. His shirt was half buttoned, his bow tie undone, hanging on either side of his neck. It was the very sight that millions of women across the nation would have killed for.
“I thought you went to bed,” I said. “If I’d known you were up, I’d’ve had you help me get my dress off.”
“I would have liked that.”
I waved him off. “What are you doing? Can’t sleep?”
“Haven’t tried.”
He walked farther into the room, closer to me.
“Well, try, then. It’s late. At this rate, the two of us will be asleep until evening.”
“Think about it, Evelyn,” he said. The lights streaming in through the windows lit his blond hair. His dimples glowed.
“Think about what?”
“Think about what it would be like.”
He moved closer to me and put his hand on my waist. He stood behind me, his breath once again on my neck. It felt good to be touched by him.
Movie stars are movie stars are movie stars. Sure, we all fade after a while. We are human, full of flaws like anyone else. But we are the chosen ones because we are extraordinary.
And there is nothing an extraordinary person likes more than someone else extraordinary.
“Rex.”
“Evelyn,” he said, whispering into my ear. “Just once. Shouldn’t we?”
“No,” I said, “we shouldn’t.” But I was not wholly convinced of my answer, and thus, neither was Rex. “You should go back to your room before we both do something we’ll regret tomorrow.”
“Are you sure?” he said. “Your wish is my command, but I’d like it very much if you changed your wish.”
“I won’t change it,” I said.
“Think of it, though,” he said. He raised his hands higher up my torso, the silk of my slip the only thing between us. “Think of the way I’d feel on top of you.”