“Oh, definitely.” The kind welding made with noises like nails on a chalkboard.
Finn walked up behind him and palmed his shoulder, whispering, “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” Angus paused. “Have you seen the fourth finalist?”
“Nope. Barb won’t budge. I’m guessing a total ettin.”
Angus shook his head. Barb wouldn’t pick an ogre for him, but she would pick someone she thought he’d like. “Barb wouldn’t do that.”
“The ugly ones have good personalities.”
Angus eyed Finn. “And you wonder why you can’t find someone? Grow up, Finn.”
“I’m kidding.” Finn laughed as he moved off the set.
If only he was funny. The only reason Angus kept him around was because he was comfortable. Lately, Angus felt that reason wasn’t good enough anymore. Finn could be a buffer while the show was filming.
“And now we’re back.”
Angus quickly put on his red-carpet grin.
“Are you ready to meet our last finalist?” he asked as he turned to Angus.
He nodded. “Absolutely.”
Vincent waved his hand toward the double doors leading to the outside balcony. “This is our contest winner, Penelope Cooper. She’s from Destin, Florida, and owns her own dog-grooming business.”
The doors opened, and the woman Barb had picked walked in. She certainly wasn’t cookie-cutter like the rest. Her wavy, honey-blonde hair hung down her back, and by the looks of it, there were no gels or sprays in it. She didn’t have pounds of makeup on, and her plain white cotton dress complimented her sun-kissed skin and deep-green eyes. Penelope wasn’t stick-thin. Not overweight, but Angus couldn’t count her ribs either. She was no less than a foot shorter than his six-one.
If he was honest, he’d say she was a natural beauty. Different from the others in the way she carried herself. She wasn’t trying to win him over, show off, or be something she wasn’t.
She walked to where they were standing but stopped four feet away from Angus, surprising him. She made no move to shake his hand or even so much as bat an eyelash. If he had to gauge temperature, he’d say she was an arctic blast. Even taking into consideration his bad behavior, women still flirted with him, but not her, which set her apart.
Angus tilted his head and studied her. She seemed as uninterested in him as he was her. He was glad she won. “Hello.”
“Hi,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.
The other women hadn’t seemed nervous at all. There was something appealing about that. He quickly doused that thought. She could be appealing to someone else.
“So, Penny…” Vincent began to say.
“Penelope.”
“Penelope, were you excited when you found out you were going to be on the show?”
Her hand trembled as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. It was clear she wasn’t comfortable being in front of a camera. “Not really. My sister entered me and didn’t tell me,” Penelope replied, clasping her hands in front of her.
Vincent blinked and coughed, clearly not expecting that answer. “Uh, well, what do you think now that you’re here?”
“I think I’d hate to be in charge of cleaning this place. I bet the taxes are astronomical. And that lawn? Who mows that thing?”
Definitely different. She actually didn’t want to be on the show. Angus wasn’t sure if he liked that or not. On one hand, he wouldn’t have to worry about letting her down easy, and on the other, why wasn’t she interested in being on the show? Everyone wanted fifteen minutes of fame. And he wasn’t that bad of a catch, was he?
“Well, that’s our contest winner, Penelope Cooper. It sure was nice to meet you.”
She gave what appeared to be a forced smile. “You too.” Instead of taking her place with the other contestants, she marched back out the doors.
Angus stood stunned as he watched Penelope exit the room. “Well, at least she’s honest,” he said under his breath.
Vincent covered the mic again. He kept his game-show smile and whispered, “A little too honest. Looks like you’ve got three viable choices.”
“I don’t know.”
“She’s not nearly as attractive as these other ladies,” Vincent continued to whisper. He turned his camera face on and took his hand off the mic. “How about a little mingling before we chat with the finalists alone?”
As if on cue, Zora sauntered up to them. She lifted an eyebrow. “So, are the bad-boy ways gone for good, or is there a little of him left in there?”
He didn’t have to worry about falling for this one. “I think bad-boy Angus is gone. I’ve had plenty of him for the foreseeable future.”
Zora pouted. “Aw, too bad. All good and no bad makes you dull. It’s okay to have a little fun.”
“Aye. A little fun, yes, but I wasn’t having a little fun. I was being mean and vindictive. My behavior was uncalled for,” he said with as much conviction as he could muster. It was the truth. He was done with the wild parties and behavior. Clara might have him in a vice for the next two years, but that didn’t mean he had to destroy his life.
“Well, I wasn’t expecting such a convincing response.” She was inching uncomfortably close.
Amber and Jeanie approached from the right.
“Is this overwhelming for you?” Amber asked.
Angus caught a slight eye roll from Zora.
“I doubt it. I bet you’re used to the attention and love it,” Zora said.
Jeanie leaned in. “I’m just gonna come out and say it. I adore you, and I think you’ve gotten a bad rap. I bet underneath all that red hair and temper is the sweetest man alive.” She giggled.
Vincent looked at Angus with his game-show expression, expectantly waiting for him to charm her and the audience.
Angus grinned and looked down. “I’m trying, at least.” The show had just started, and he already wanted to leave.
Chapter 5
Penelope stood just outside the doors, avoiding all the hoopla. Paige would pay for this. When Penelope had flown to LA to meet the producer, she’d never imagined actually being on the show.
She watched as the show’s host, Vincent, and Angus schmoozed with the other three finalists. Blech. Zora, Amber, and Jeanie all seemed to be interested in Angus. Cameras were everywhere. Every so often, one of the women would bark with laughter. The flirting was disgusting.
By the time Jeanie squealed with laughter for the umpteenth time, Penelope was done with the show and the showmanship. She stalked to the back patio overlooking the massive grounds. Maybe if she was difficult enough, she’d get sent home for being ornery. It was certainly worth a shot.
She had to admit the place was beautiful. The three-story lodge was nestled in the mountains, and green grass spread out in all directions. When standing at the front door, the large covered patio she was standing on could be seen through ceiling-to-floor windows along the back of the building. The patio was inviting with plenty of seating and a large gas fire pit. A second seating area with a large wooden fireplace with logs as big as her calves glowed red in the corner with four chairs sitting in front of it.
When she’d first walked into the lodge and looked up, the dark wood beams crisscrossing the ceiling were high enough to cause nosebleeds; despite how cavernous it was, it exuded a feeling of hominess and warmth. Outside, it looked like a log cabin, but inside, smooth walls were painted in warm earthy browns. The great room was filled with leather sofas and a large stone fireplace that went from floor to ceiling.
From what she understood, Barb and the film crew would be using the top two floors. That area was off-limits. Otherwise, they were free to go anywhere they wanted. Of course, they’d have cameras following them everywhere they went.
Too bad she was going to be sent home. Other than being filmed, it might have been nice to have a little vacation there.
“Penelope! I thought we’d find you out here.” Vincent’s voice boomed from behind her.
G
reat. She grimaced and turned. “Hi.”
“I thought you’d like another chance to speak with Angus.”
“Why?”
Vincent’s eyes widened, and he stammered before finding his voice again. “Uh, well, are there any questions you have for him?”
“Not really.” She stared straight at Angus.
Angus returned her stare. “So, your sister entered you?”
Penelope swallowed hard. She was fine until he held her gaze. “Yes.”
Up close, Angus was gorgeous. His classic red hair was combed back and long enough that it rested on his shoulders and complimented his piercing ice-blue eyes. Normally she hated facial hair on a man, but his was flattering. Her heart thrummed in her ears.
“You don’t want to be here?”
She needed to get it together. He was a pretty face, a great actor, and she wasn’t interested. “Uh, not at all.”
Angus squinted. “May I ask why?”
As beautiful as he was, he was bad news. She couldn’t get that video of him yelling at that fan out of her head. Stupid Facebook.
Penelope squared her shoulders. “Because you and I both know this is a show. It’s a stunt aimed at fixing your image so you can bring in movie roles again.”
“I can assure you it’s not.”
Maybe if she was a big enough jerk, Angus would force them to send her home. She lifted an eyebrow. “Please. Do women fall for that stuff you’re shoveling? Because I’m not. You behaved badly, and now you’re using this relationship nonsense and us to show the general public you’ve changed. I’m not buying it.”
“You don’t know anything.” Angus’s voice rose.
“By the way you responded, I’d say I’m closer to the truth than you want me to be.”
Vincent cleared his throat and looked from Penelope to Angus. “Well— “
Angus’s eyebrows were pinched together, and his face was nearly as red as his hair. “You don’t know anything about me.”
True, but she needed off this show without getting Paige locked up. “I know enough. You celebrities are all alike. You get a taste of fame, and all of a sudden, the world needs to worship you. You think because you whisper sweet nothings and give false promises that you can sweep a woman off her feet and pretend long enough that people will forget your bad behavior. This show is a fake, and so are you.” Ha! She knew they wouldn’t keep her there now.
“And it’s time for a break,” Vincent said, pulling Angus with him off the patio.
Penelope trembled as she braced her hands on the railing. Her heart raced. She hated being so mean, but she didn’t want to stay. With as much editing as the producers were going to have to do on her clips, they would be lucky to have anything left for the first episode.
“It seems you made an impression,” Barb said as she sidled up next to her.
“I’m sorry. I just have no desire to stay.” Her stomach was in knots.
Barb giggled. “You do remember this first night is being filmed live, right?”
“No,” Penelope whispered, touching her fingers to her mouth. She could feel her face draining of color, and she closed her eyes. Great. She didn’t remember reading that. Though, the fine print on the contract hadn’t seemed important since she wasn’t planning on sticking around.
“Oh yeah, and our audience loves you. You said exactly what they were thinking. You put Angus on the spot, and they ate it up.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “I didn’t mean to…I thought it would be…”
“You thought it would be cut.”
Penelope nodded. “I did.”
She felt awful. Angus was so mad, and maybe even a little hurt. If she’d known it was live, she wouldn’t have been so hateful. Of course, she would have been honest, but there were ways to do that without being rude.
“Angus isn’t the one calling the shots on this show. At least, not where you're concerned. That little showdown got us ratings. But if you’re determined to go home, I guess I could remember that your sister is the one that signed the contract and committed fraud.”
Penelope’s eyes widened. Oh, Paige. What had she gotten Penelope into? She’d been a complete jerk to him, and she still didn’t get to go home because she didn’t want Paige in trouble. “It’s just…even if this was for real, I’m not his type. You saw those other women. They are tall, beautiful, and definitely more his style.”
“Yes, but you are authentic, and the audience loves that. You’re good television.”
“Doesn’t Angus want me gone after what I said?” Goodness knows she would if someone spoke to her like that.
Barb regarded her. “You won the contest. He doesn’t have a say in whether you come or go.”
Great. Maybe Barb would let her have something of her normal routine as a compromise. Penelope sagged. “About those accommodations you offered? Since I have to stay, could I get fresh ingredients to make omelets in the morning? Farm fresh eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, cheese, sour cream, and salsa. And real cream for my coffee.”
“I think that’s a decent compromise. You’ll have them tomorrow morning.”
“Are you sure you want me here?”
Barb walked to the doorway and paused. “Darling, I’ve always loved fireworks.” She shot her a grin and left.
Penelope’s jaw dropped.
How was she going to manage living here for the next twelve weeks?
Chapter 6
“Simmer!” Finn faced off with Angus as soon as they were back in his room.
“Simmer? That insufferable woman! She has no idea what she’s talking about.”
Finn leveled his gaze at Angus.
“Fine, there was truth in what she said, but she didn’t have to say it in front of the whole world.” Angus placed a hand on his hip and ran the other through his hair. “She’s going to ruin everything.”
“Or she could help fix everything.”
“How?”
Finn hooked a thumb at the door. “That woman, Penelope Cooper, is your ticket to reviving your career. You convince her you’ve changed, and you’ll convince the entire general public you’ve changed. You can win them over at the same time.”
Angus glowered at him.
“Look, you know I’m right,” Finn said. “Plus, she’s not bad-looking. Charming her shouldn’t be too difficult.”
Not bad-looking? Those were not the words Angus would use, but there was the uncomfortable truth in what Finn said. Winning Penelope over would definitely help him. But he hated the idea.
“So, use her?” Angus shook his head. Like Clara used him? “That’s great. Let the public figure that out. They’ll roast me.”
“I’m not saying romance her. I’m saying let her see a change in you. Be kind, charming, funny…be an actor.” Finn gripped his shoulder.
Angus dropped onto the edge of his bed. “This only gets worse and worse. I want my career back, but the cost seems to be getting higher and higher.”
“I know, and if there was another way, I’d say do it. This is your last shot. Now, go back out there and be Angus MacLachlan, the man women love.”
Angus rolled his shoulders. The tension had built until his muscles were tight and burning. He stood and walked out the door.
“Better?” Vincent asked.
He nodded.
Jeanie pounced the moment he walked into the great room. “Feeling better?”
No. Angus inhaled and grinned. “Yes. Thank you.”
“Would you like to take a seat on the back patio? Maybe we could talk a moment?”
“Sure.” Angus held his elbow out, and Jeanie hooked her arm in it. “Where are you from again?” he asked her.
Cameras followed them as they walked through the house. Angus was used to them when it came to filming movies. Here, in this setting, even he had to admit it was a little unnerving.
“Delaware.”
“I don’t think I’ve been there yet.”
“It’s beautiful. I love livin
g there.”
They stopped in front of the fireplace, and each sat in a chair. Jeanie angled herself toward Angus. He leaned back and crossed his ankle over his knee.
“So, you’re a pharmacist?” asked Angus.
“Yes, I am.”
“Interesting. Do you like it?”
“I love it. It’s the only career I ever considered.” Jeanie tucked a piece of her bobbed dark-brown hair behind her ear. “How about you? Did you always want to be an actor?”
Angus ran his hand down his beard. “Actually, I wanted to be a veterinarian, until I auditioned for a play while I was in high school. I was hooked the moment I hit the stage.”
She grinned. “You like animals, then?”
“I have four dogs and two cats.”
Jeanie’s eyes lit up. “I’m surprised.”
He chuckled. “Why?”
“You don’t seem the type, I guess.”
Angus chewed his lip and smiled. “I can see how people would think that.”
“So, you were in a play and got hooked on acting. Was it hard leaving home?”
“It was, but I loved acting so much I…”
“Had to do it?” Her smile was warm, and it reached her brown eyes.
Finn had picked Jeanie when Angus mentally checked out during the casting call, and Angus could see why. Even though she was far from the south, she had a Southern Belle type of personality. Sweet, friendly, and charming with a natural grace. He liked her. And while she was attractive, he wasn’t attracted to her. At least she’d be pleasant to talk to while the show was filming.
“Aye. I had to do it. Most of my family was supportive.”
“Most…” Jeanie began to say.
“May I join you two?” Zora asked as she took a seat as though the question was a formality.
“Uh, sure,” said Angus.
She crossed her legs and leaned back. “What are we discussing?”
“Just career choices,” said Jeanie.
“Oh.” Zora nodded.
Angus glanced at Zora. “I’m sorry. I forgot what you do for a living.” Given that Angus had picked her, he should’ve remembered, but it’d been a month since he’d so much as thought about her.
Mending The Billionaire Movie Star (MacLachlan Brothers Romance Book 1) Page 3
