Mr. Hollywood (Celebrity #1) (12 page)

“
It
’
ll be fine. There
’
s nothing they could say that will
cause any problems. Besides, I don
’
t think they would want to cause
any problems.
”
It made me pleased to hear
him speak this way about my parents, knowing that he still trusted them.

“
And
you know this how?
”
the lawyer
—
what was his name
—
added.

“
They
’
re good people. I
’
d trust them with my life.
”

“
How
do you know them?
”
Penelope asked, confused.

Sighing, Zane looked at me.
“
Shall we tell them our secret?
”

I wanted to shut him up; still afraid I
’
d lose my job over this. Nerves
danced inside me.
“
I don
’
t
know.
”
The less people who knew, the less
likely someone might slip up later and spill the beans.

Smiling slightly, he glanced at the other two.
“
Aubrey was my girlfriend in high
school. We dated for a year.
”

“
Wow.
You know each other. I thought you were just trying to hit on some poor girl
when you asked to go to her facility,
”
the lawyer said.

“
Nope.
I saw it as an opportunity to repair some old bridges. Something I haven
’
t been having much luck with it
seems. But I
’
m hoping my luck will change.
”
His eyes never left me, their blue
depths full of questions.

I kept silent, having no clue what to say. All I could
think of was how angry he was going to be when he found out what I was keeping
from him.

“
Have
you ever been to an event?
”
Penelope asked, thankfully
changing the subject.

I shook my head.
“
No. I
’
ve
never done anything remotely like this. Most of my life has been spent going to
school and working. There wasn
’
t really a whole lot of time for
doing much else.
”
I sounded like the lamest
person on earth, but there was no way I was mentioning Dustin to anyone right
now. I didn
’
t care what people thought of me.
As long as he was protected, that was all that mattered.

Zane addressed Penelope.
“
I want her to be pampered, no
expense spared
—
the best dresses by the hottest
designers for her to choose from, and get her in with one of the big stylists
if you can. I
’
ll pay whatever is needed.
”

“
No!
That
’
s way too much. Really. I can just
run home and pull out a cocktail dress or something. Don
’
t worry about me. It
’
s not a big deal.
”
My palms were sweaty just imagining
the kind of money he was talking about.

The three of them laughed together as if I
’
d said something really funny.

“
Actually,
it
’
s a very big deal,
”
Penelope said.
“
You
’
re
going as the date of the most sought after celebrity in Hollywood. You can make
or break this night for him depending on how you look on his arm. Everyone will
be speculating about who you are, what designer you
’
re wearing, and who did your hair
and makeup. You need to be stunning.
”

“
She
’
s already stunning,
”
Zane muttered under his breath and
heat flooded my cheeks.
“
It
’
s
hard to improve on perfection.
”

“
Planning
to lay it on thick tonight, are you?
”
 
I arched an eyebrow, hating
that his words pleased me so much.

“
Just
calling it like I see it.
”
He seemed so confident and
sure of himself. It was as if just being back in the limo had put him back into
his Hollywood persona. Somehow he even seemed larger than life. Yet, he was
still wearing the same t-shirt and jeans he had been earlier.

“
I
already have a call into Dominic Florin. He
’
s
pulling dresses for her as we speak. After the dress has been picked, we
’
re going to Chico
’
s for the hair and makeup,
”
Penelope said.

Shock filled my system as I recognized the names of
the people she mention, celebrities in their own right in the fashion world. I
might not have the funds for all the designer labels, but it didn
’
t mean I didn
’
t know who they were. I often
looked through magazines on my breaks at work. It was fun to see designer
outfits and try to copy them with cheaper, more affordable items. Fashion was
fun.

“
I
.
 
.
 
. I don
’
t know what to say,
”
I stuttered out like an idiot.
“
Thank you.
”

“
There
’
s no need for thanks,
”
Zane said.
“
We are the ones thanking you for
helping to make this happen. It will save a lot of mess in the future.
”

“
Well,
then, I
’
m glad I could help.
”
Surprising myself, I realized I
actually meant it.

“
I
am, too. You have no idea how glad.
”

Hours later, I stood waiting at the door for the limo
to come pick me up at Chico
’
s salon. I wasn
’
t going to lie. While today had
been crazy, and full of some very exciting and intimidating experiences, I now
felt like the prettiest princess in the world.

My long, red, designer dress hugged my form perfectly
and showed off plenty of cleavage. It was slit to mid thigh, and the hem of the
dress dragged slightly on the floor behind me, as it was supposed to. The sexy
designer shoes I was wearing, matched the silver clutch in my hand, and also
the silver chandelier earrings I was wearing.

My hair had been piled on top of my head after some
warm honey highlights had been added, and my makeup made my eyes look huge,
like they were going to pop out of my head. I
’
d
never known my eyes could look like this.

During all the pampering, Penelope had been filling me
in on a list of do
’
s and don
’
ts. I was to be arm candy and not
to speak unless spoken to. I
’
d memorized the names of all the
designers whose products I was wearing, so I could answer if asked. And if
anyone wanted to know who I was, I was just to say a friend of Z
’
s and do my best to turn the
conversation back to him. And no matter what happened, I was never to use his
real name. I was to call him Z.

I was a little terrified, but excited at the same
time.

The car pulled up to the curb and Zane hopped out,
looking very dashing in a smartly cut tuxedo. Instantly, my heart rate picked
up. It was easy to see why everyone had fallen in love with him. He was
extremely good looking, and oh so charming, too. Yep. I should know. I was the
girl he
’
d charmed the pants off of. Sadly,
I wasn
’
t the only one. That thought was
like a knife twisting in my chest.

The door opened and he stepped inside, stopping in his
tracks as soon as he saw me.
“
Dear heaven above,
”
he said in a low voice as his eyes
trailed over me from head to toe, before he glanced at Penelope.
“
You won
’
t have to worry about the press
wanting to know anything about me. All they
’
re
going to see is her.
”

Penelope grinned, seeming pleased.
“
If we are lucky .
 
.
 
.
”

Moving toward me, Zane
—
Z
—
offered me his arm. For some
reason, he even seemed like his alter ego tonight. 
“
You look incredible, Aubrey. I
’
ve never seen anyone more
beautiful.
”

I blushed.
“
You
’
re
just being nice.
”

“
I
’
m being totally serious.
”
His eyes roamed over me again.
“
If I had my way, we wouldn
’
t be attending this event.
”
There was fire behind his words.

Heat filled my face. I knew exactly what he was
hinting toward.
“
What makes you think I
’
d let you take me anywhere?
”
I smiled slightly, taking his arm
and he chuckled.

“
You
’
re letting me take you somewhere
right now.
”
Leading me out, he paused and
let the driver open the car door for us.

“
Only
because you suckered me into it,
”
I replied, refusing to give
into his charm, even though I wanted to. Despite my hurt feelings, he still
made me feel everything I used to. I
’
d missed feeling beautiful in his
arms.

“
Best
thing I
’
ve ever done.
”
Ever the gentleman, he helped me
slip inside, following behind me.

“
Where
’
s Penelope?
”
I asked, when the driver shut the
door behind him.

“
She
always rides up front to these things.
”

“
Oh,
”
I said, feeling slightly uneasy.
Zane and I were completely alone in the back of this car.

“
Are
you nervous for tonight?
”
He stared briefly at my hands
in my lap.
“
You
’
re
shaking.
”

“
I
am.
”
There was no reason to hide the truth.
It was obvious.

“
Don
’
t be. You look amazing, and I
’
ll make sure you
’
re never left alone. Just be you
and enjoy yourself.
”

“
I
’
m hoping no one will notice me
because they want to see you.
”

Laughing heartily, he shook his head.
“
Let me know how that works out for
you.
”