“Feels phony,” I said, trying not to blink as lights went off in my peripheral vision.
“You remember what to say if you get cornered with a microphone?”
“Yes, you drilled it into me when you were getting me ready. I’m happy to be here. Proud to support my good friend, Steve. Everyone should try the food. It’s phenomenal.”
“Great. Yeah.” Stella’s eyes narrowed. “But say it with some enthusiasm.”
We took our places closer to the ribbon as Steve positioned the scissors to cut it. A series of flashes and clicks and the ribbon collapsed. Moments later, the crowd dispersed. Some guests went inside to sample the food — it was a restaurant, after all. I decided that was a good idea since I hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast with Dallas.
Inside, it looked like a normal restaurant with tables strategically placed to maximize the number of seats while still allowing for safe passage through the large room.
What would’ve been used as the waiting area contained two tables, beautifully decorated with herbs, lilies and little blue flower clusters. And lots of finger foods.
Stella stuck close to me, which discouraged anyone from interviewing me. “Check out all these cheeses and dips,” she said.
“I just tried the basil and roasted bell pepper. It’s divine on that bread.” I flicked a thumb to my left.
Stella stepped away from me toward the dip or sauce or whatever they called it. Red hair appeared at my right. I instinctively shrunk back, but Lisa, the reporter from Exposed, closed in before Stella could return to her spot.
“Eating for two?” She smirked.
After the trash she wrote about me — or Jackie — I was in no mood to listen to her crap. The urge to leave right then rose up and I started to set my plate down to do just that. Wait, why was I giving Lisa any power over me?
“It doesn’t matter what I say. You’re going to make up your own story anyway,” I fired back.
Her gaze faltered. Was that guilt I saw in her eyes? A moment later, she bounced back with a smirk. Guess not.
“Nice try,” she said. “Picture this headline: Jackie Refuses to Deny Baby Rumors.”
Stella squeezed between us and growled, “She’s not pregnant, Lisa. Go find a real story.”
Lisa’s tone became syrupy sweet. “I guess the extra food is assuaging your grief over not landing that role, huh?”
Nudging Stella out of the way, I took a step toward Lisa as I looked her up and down. Stella cleared her throat and I stomped on the words at the tip of my tongue. Instead, I settled for, “No comment.”
“Friends Worry Over Jackie’s Erratic Behavior,” Lisa said as though it were another dramatic news headline. She smirked.
A cold fury filled me. I couldn’t believe how Jackie put up with this badgering. No wonder she’d been ready to crack. More of Lisa’s lies were the last thing Jackie needed right now.
How did Lisa get away with being such a liar? Weren't journalists supposed to report the truth? People who attacked other people, just for fun, deserved what they got. I opened my mouth, ready to let Lisa have it, but Stella thrust an arm in front of me.
“Okay, you two,” Stella said. “Lisa, why don’t you go harass someone else? Far away.”
She gave Stella a tight smile. “No.”
“Good afternoon, ladies.”
My head whipped around to see Luke Holtz, star of Otherworld. He wore a sexy grin and a white button shirt that fell over faded blue jeans. Just as gorgeous as he always looked on the show. “Lisa, nice to see you again,” he said.
Her smile softened and her eyes gleamed. “Luke, what a surprise,” she purred.
“I need to chat with Jackie for a minute. Why don’t I come find you in a bit and we can catch up?”
“I’ll be waiting.” Lisa gave him a sultry smile. Her gaze rested on me a moment and her smile froze. Her eyes flicked over to her left, behind Luke and Stella. A man aimed a video camera our way, the little red light announcing it was doing its job. No doubt, the camera man got every minute of our heated conversation. After one last sneer, Lisa wandered off.
I blinked. “Uh… thanks for the distraction,” I told Luke. Behind him, the cameraman followed Lisa.
“I’ve seen Lisa go after stories pretty hard, but I’ve never seen her be so bitchy. Probably because she knows she’ll never be as beautiful as you,” he said, his eyes gazing into mine. “No matter how skilled her plastic surgeon is.”
Stella cleared her throat. “I wasn’t told you’d be here, Luke. Trying to steal Jackie’s thunder?” she said in a teasing voice.
“I make my own thunder. Which is anywhere my publicist sends me,” Luke answered, his unwavering gaze resting on me.
Uh-oh. I knew that flirty look. Mr. I’m-hot-and-you-think-so-too was going in for the kill. But I wasn’t playing. Even if I did have an itch to date one of my favorite stars, I’d choose Dallas and his dreamy gray eyes over Luke’s too-suave green ones any day.
Both guys were blazing hot and both could eventually get any girl right where he wanted her. Luke would do it by flirting, and unspoken promises with his smoldering eyes, and sexy smile. Dallas would earn it the old fashion way by draping his jacket over a girl’s shoulders when she’s cold, or taking too-high shoes off her aching feet, or feeding her when she’s starving.
As tempting as it was to ride Mr. I’m-so-hot’s thunder, I’d always been an old fashioned girl. But all of that was a moot point, since both guys thought I was Jackie. I refused to flirt with a guy who didn’t even know my real name.
“Well, thanks for getting rid of Lisa,” I said, breaking eye contact with him for just a moment to finger a piece of cheese.
“No worries.” He shrugged, then sent a meaningful glance to Stella. Hinting for her to leave us alone?
Stella wasn’t playing either. “Jackie, we really should get going.”
He swiveled until he had his back to Stella. “You said you were a big fan of the show. Thought you might like a guest spot. I can talk to the producers. If nothing else, you should visit the set.”
Oh, that did sound exciting. But Luke’s eyes hinted at strings attached. He seemed more like Jackie’s type anyway. Which was exactly why I didn’t want to blow him off. If I didn’t burn that bridge, when my sister returned, she could date him if she wanted.
“Sounds great.” I flashed him the same smile I’d given to the photographers moments ago. “I’ll check my calendar and get back to you.”
He leaned in and his lips brushed my cheek. “I’ll see you soon,” he whispered.
I shivered.
“Oh, look. Your other date just arrived.” Stella’s tone held a world of disappointment. I didn’t need to ask who she meant.
I scanned the restaurant. “Where?”
“Three o’clock.”
Dallas was heading our way in jeans and black boots, with a faded black t-shirt exposing his muscular arms. Interviewers were already moving toward him. Others turned and snapped pictures. Moments later, he stood next to me.
“Upstaging or stalking me?” I beamed. When he was around, I didn’t feel so out of place.
He laughed. “Stalking you would’ve been more fun, but no. Just thought I’d stop by and say hi to Steve. I texted you about driving together, but you never answered.”
“Oh. I didn’t see it come in.” Which was the truth, since Jackie’s phone was with Jackie.
“And it would be impossible to upstage Jackie Bloom. No one outshines you.” He grinned, but immediately narrowed his eyes. “Apparently, Luke Holtz agrees.”
So he’d seen Luke kiss my cheek. "You've got nothing to worry about. I hear I'm carrying your child."
His dark hair fell over his forehead and his deep gray eyes sparkled as the corners hinted at something wicked. Not Luke Holtz kind of wicked who swept you off your feet before you realized what happened, but the Dallas kind of wicked that slowly seduced you until you were completely under his spell.
Was he remembering our last
kiss? Or maybe that was just me who couldn’t stop thinking about it. I was in way over my head.
“I’m going to give Steve my congratulations,” Dallas said. “Will you be here when I get back?”
“We’re leaving,” Stella answered.
“I’ll see you at home then.” The way he said home sounded so intimate. He gave my hand a quick squeeze and I watched him stroll toward a makeshift stage where Steve was about to speak.
Stella cleared her throat and I glanced her way. She gave me a what the hell are you doing? look and I realized how I’d been so obviously lost in his eyes. Whatever. She wasn’t my mother or my boss.
“It’s fine.” I lowered my voice for her ears only. “I can do this.”
She shook her head. “Even Jackie would be challenged if she became the filling in a Luke and Dallas sandwich. Be careful.”
* * * *
Stella had a family emergency and had to cancel our plans to watch a movie together. She dropped me off at my apartment, promising to pick me up the next morning for the Vanity Fair spread.
I was alone again in Jackie’s condo. After five minutes, I found myself roaming her house aimlessly and tapping my thigh.
Grabbing my cell, I dialed my sister. She needed an update.
“So you’re doing okay?” I asked.
“A bit better. But hold on. Back up to what you said about Luke. He was hitting on me?”
“Yep.”
“Intriguing.”
I could almost hear her smile through the phone. “And he’s definitely not married. At least there's that.”
“Yeah,” she sighed. “Luke-freakin’-Holtz. Damn. Too bad I didn’t meet him two months ago. Right now, I can’t imagine dating anyone ever again. I’m going to become a nun.”
I laughed and we chatted about the last episode of Otherworld. After a few more minutes, we hung up, and I was idle again.
Taking pictures always relaxed me. It was therapeutic and might take my mind of my temporary neighbor.
I grabbed my camera and shot out the door.
* * * *
I stayed in the Tesla to take pictures so no one would see me. I’d found a great spot in the hills to get a perfect shot of the Hollywood sign, then I cruised the Boulevard and snapped the Mann’s Chinese theater and the Capital Records building.
Hunger eventually drove me back to the condo. Just as I exited Jackie’s car, my phone beeped.
E/thing ok? Stella texted. Need a/thing?
I texted back that everything was fine and I’d see her in the morning, then I headed upstairs.
Dallas stood in front of his open door, staring down at a stack of papers in his hands. As I got closer, I realized they were photographs. In my sneakers, I could do what they were meant for — sneak. I paused right behind him and peeked around his shoulder.
“Bad lighting,” I said.
Dallas jumped. “Didn’t know you were there.”
I grinned. “I know.”
He returned my smile. “I just got my new publicity photos. I’m not sure I like them. What do you think?”
“Weird shadows around your eyes.” My index finger waved over his face in the picture. “The background washes you out. And who picked out that shirt?”
“Sounds like you could do better.” He raised one brow.
“Maybe. Depends if there’s a good spot to shoot you.” I went around him and let myself into his place. The days were long in the summer, so it was still light outside. I could probably get some decent pictures if he had a space with plenty of natural light. The living room had canned lighting, but I wasn’t sure if they were bright enough.
He trailed after me. “You’re serious?”
“Can’t do any worse than those pictures, right?” I continued through his condo, scanning the spaces as I went.
He chuckled. “I guess not.”
I passed through the dining room, making a mental note to return if I didn’t find something better, then stopped in front of a door, unsure whether to barge in.
“Go ahead,” he said.
I turned the knob and it opened. Light pushed through white curtains billowing over a breeze from the open window. A very high king size bed was strewn with white sheets and a cream comforter.
Lots of white. Dark furniture. Perfect.
I walked to his closet and pulled out a white button down shirt, then tossed it at him. “Put that on. Do you have a pair of white pants?”
He blinked. “You know what you’re doing?”
I lifted a shoulder. “You have another option?”
“Not anymore.” He grinned and peeled off his t-shirt.
I turned around to avoid the sight of his touchable bare chest, and headed back to his closet. I really didn’t need that six-pack to distract me.
T-shirts and jeans sat neatly folded on shelves. I sifted through the pants section until I found what I wanted. The off-white pair looked like something he’d wear at the beach. I plucked them off the hanger and exited the closet to find Dallas looking scrumptious in the white shirt.
“Your coloring looks good against white.” I threw the pants at him and he caught them. “Put those on. I’ll be back.”
Inside my condo, I closed the door and leaned against it. Damn, he looked hot. I itched to bring out all that sexy and get him some fantastic shots. But I had to keep my mind on business. I’d have to and that was all there was to it.
After a few deep breaths, I headed back into his apartment. The clothes were perfect on him. I turned on my camera and checked the settings. “I want you on the bed,” I said. Realizing how that sounded, I pressed my lips together.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” A smile teased his lips.
“Wait.” The bed hadn’t been made and the sheets were rumpled — only on one side. I liked it. “Lie on that end by the window.”
He obeyed, letting the mattress take his weight, then he leaned against the massive headboard.
I backed up and aimed. “Right arm up on the pillow above your head.”
Click. Click. “That’s great.” Click. Click. Click. “Turn your head toward the window.” Click. Click. Click. Click. “That’s it.”
“Give me a broody look,” I ordered. He did the exact opposite, grinning. Perfect. Click. Click.
Doing this for a living would never feel like work. Maybe I’d reconsider my college plans…
“Show me what you felt like when you landed the lead in Angel from Hell,” I said, as my finger tapped the button. “Now think about the last time you kissed a girl.”
Oops. That last girl was probably me. It had better have been me. A slow smile crept up on his face as he turned toward the camera. Holy hotness. Click. Click. Click. Click. I’d definitely keep the pictures for myself. “Nice.” Click. Click. Click. “Undo a couple of the buttons on your shirt.”
He laughed. “I swear if you’re trying to seduce me, I’m already there.”
I forced myself to keep a straight face and not encourage him. Oh, Lord, but it was hard. I was in big trouble, because when he looked at me that way, my heart rate picked up as I imagined him laying a real kiss on me. “You want the pictures to turn out or not?”
“Can't I have both?” he answered, his fingers reaching for the top buttons.
“Shh!” Click. Click. Click. I set the camera on the foot of the bed, rearranged his legs and backed up again. Click. Click.
“I didn’t know you were such a pro with a camera. Where did you learn?”
“My dad used to be a photographer for the army. When he opened the jewelry store for my mom, he realized he had a head for business and he liked managing. He still does publicity photos and that kind of thing on the side sometimes and I help him.” Click. Click. “I did all the shots for our last catalog.”
“Really? So you take time off from work to visit family and end up working?” Dallas asked.
Crap. Right. Today, I wasn’t Maddie. I was Jackie. Jackie. “My dad was in a jam, so I helped out. Now
stop talking and strike a pose.” I grinned, hoping that would keep him quiet. “Okay, stand by the window.” I waited while he did as I asked. Click. Click. Click. “Right hand on the window sill.” Click. Click. “Don’t look at me.” Click. Click. Click. “Ooh, that’s sexy.”
He laughed and dropped his hand. I rested the camera on the bed again and closed the distance between us to roll up his sleeves a few inches. I paused a moment, then reached for the buttons of his shirt and set his gorgeous six-pack free. He looked much more relaxed, which fit the scene better. If the shirt caught a breeze, it would be a great shot.
“Perfect.” My knuckles brushed his warm skin and I froze as the urge to kiss him nearly overpowered me. I raised my gaze to meet his.
Mistake. Big mistake.
“That’s what I’m thinking,” he said in a husky voice. His gray eyes darkened and he reached a hand up around the nape of my neck. He gently brought me closer and fastened his mouth to mine. Our tongues tangled, heat scorching my senses and dulling all the reasons why I shouldn’t take more.
My hand raced up his torso and I pushed myself against him. He bumped against the window frame. Startled, he released me and stared, like he was trying to figure me out — which wouldn’t have been necessary if I were behaving like Jackie would.
But I wasn’t her. Maybe I kissed different than Jackie and that’s why he looked confused.
I nudged him away and turned. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this.”
His hands dropped. “You could a second ago,” Dallas said, tilting his head. “What’s wrong?”
From Fame to Shame Page 6