by Paige Tyler
I can’t help but blush a little bit as he gives me a wink, even though I know he’s simply being friendly. It’s just been so long since I’ve had a boyfriend or even been on a date. Back in the day, I used to have a different guy on my arm every week, before G&G went viral, but now I have work to think about—as well as my online reputation. With the rigorous demands of the Glossed & Glammed channel, as well as all the editing I have to do behind the scenes, I don’t have much time for myself anymore. And I definitely don’t have time to date anyone.
Sighing, I return the bouncer’s smile and step through the door and into the trendy club where everyone who’s anyone in Hollywood hangs out.
Once inside, I stop and look around, taking in the colorful decor. I immediately spot the staircase leading up to the terrace and I know I definitely have to take a peek up there, but right now, I make a beeline for the bar. Couples grind and twirl on the dance floor as servers weave in and out between small tables and plush couches to serve fancy cocktails and posh hors d’oeuvres.
The bartender swoops over as soon as I lean against the bar.
“Long Island iced tea,” I request, sliding him a nice tip when he immediately whips up the drink and slides it over to my side of the polished bar.
Condensation drips from the glass and forms a ring of water around the cocktail napkin underneath it. I pick it up and take a small sip. I’m always careful not to drink too much when I’m out in public. You never know who’s recording, and all it takes is one slip-up and your internet fame is snatched away forever.
Living such a public life can be tough, but I thrive off it.
As one of five children, fighting for attention sometimes felt like waging war against my own siblings. Right smack in the middle of two older sisters and two younger ones, no matter how hard I tried, I felt like my parents didn’t notice me. Heck, when I was in elementary school, my mom forgot to pick me up from ballet class because she was shopping for a prom dress with my eldest sister. Then she and my dad couldn’t come to the dance recital where I had my very own solo because my second oldest sister had a softball game the same day. Even now, all these years later, thinking about how it felt to be the only little girl there without anyone in the audience hurts so much I want to cry. Maybe that’s why I ended up pursuing a theatre major at USC. Because I wanted people to finally notice me. Looking back on it now, I know it was the best decision I ever made. And not simply because I’m famous. But because I met Liv and Kali there. So, while the rest of my sisters all picked more normal jobs—dentist, teacher, librarian, and stay-at-home mom—and even though I work just as hard as all of them, I often feel like my parents are much more accepting of their choices than of mine. Sure, they love me, but would they be happier if I’d become a CPA like they wanted? Yeah. But at least, I'm living my dream.
I pull my phone out of my purse and absently start scrolling through social media while I sip my drink. I make sure to capture a few solid shots of the club’s lights gorgeously reflecting in the glass of melting ice and alcohol so I can add them to the G&G feed later. I have to get a few good shots with the celebs at the party, too. The crowd here tonight is definitely as elite as I’d hoped. I’d made the right decision in coming despite the fact that I’d done so on my lonesome. I spy with my little eye numerous superstars, other high-profile influencers, and even some swoon-worthy athletes and big business types. This is a great chance to rub some elbows and make some solid connections, at least online. Half the battle of being famous is portraying a relationship with someone notable even if there isn’t really one. It can be tiring at times to fake those connections, but it’s a must when it comes to the world of influencing.
As I scroll further through the feed, I come across a picture that makes my heart lurch. Wincing, I take another long sip of my Long Island iced tea. I can feel the booze warming my whole body now. My veins are slowly starting to simmer. The sensation is pleasant and warm, but it doesn’t do much to ease the sting of the photo on my phone.
Apparently, Kali had taken my advice about posting a picture of her and Grayson all dressed up. In the photo, the loving couple affectionately gaze into each other’s eyes as they stand in the doorway of the beach house.
Will I ever have a boyfriend who looks at me like that?
Because that’s some fairy tale, romance movie-type love Kali and Grayson share. The kind that’s almost too good to be true. The kind you almost don’t want to believe in because you’re not sure you’ll ever have even a taste of it.
The comments on the post are just as tough to handle. There’s a flood of heart-eyed emojis and joyous comments, and the number of likes on this photo makes it one of our most popular pics ever. She and Grayson are breaking all kinds of records in the G&G world.
I try to remember the last time I posted anything that garnered that much attention, but I come up empty.
How am I supposed to compare with Kali and Grayson’s love story? Turns out the Glammers are a bunch of romantics at heart, not that I can blame them. I mean, look at Kali and Grayson. Not only are they perfect for one another, but they’re also gorgeous beyond belief.
Heck, even Liv has something extra special in the cute, mysterious way she tries to edge out of our pictures and videos. Fans are always begging for more posts of her because they’re rarer than ones of Kali or me.
What do I have?
What makes me special?
How long until I fade completely into obscurity?
Throat suddenly tight, I shove my phone back in my studded clutch. I think it’s time I order a second drink.
Before I can finish slurping down the first one, the barstool beside me squeaks and someone slides into it. A wave of cologne follows, stinging my nose and almost making me gag.
Has this guy bathed in the stuff?
I spare one glance toward the newcomer only to realize that he’s already staring at me.
“’Sup?” he says with a crooked grin. He’s manspreading so wide that his knee bumps against mine and almost pushes me out of my seat.
“Not much,” I answer with a forced smile.
Politeness is always my go-to just in case the person I’m chatting with is a Glammer on the down-low. Judging by this dude’s skintight white shirt and black leather pants that threaten to rip, he’s not a subscriber. Liv would never recommend that kind of style.
He leans closer and loops an arm around the back of my chair. His fingers brush across my skin and send a shockwave of disgust rolling through me.
Jerking away from him, I snatch up my drink and hold it up like it’s some kind of shield that will protect me from him, but the jerk doesn’t even seem to realize that he’s gotten on my bad side. I play nice most of the time, but this guy is pushing it.
He drags a hand through greased hair and winks at me. “This party is hella lame. How about you and I bounce?”
“Bounce?” I echo, voice rising. A few people around us are starting to glance over at us and I lift my drink a little higher. “Oh, I’ll bounce. I’ll bounce you straight to—”
“Darlin’, I was just looking for you,” a deep and husky voice drawls suddenly, interrupting me before I can make a scene.
To my surprise, another man has eased up next to me.
I turn my head to look at the newcomer, who simply smiles knowingly at me. I don’t recognize him at all, but I can tell he’s trying to save me from the sleazeball on the other side of me. Not only is this new guy cute, but he has some serious style too. He’s wearing a fitted black suit that makes his blue eyes absolutely glow. A thin, black tie rests against a white button-up shirt that strains over visible muscles. His is a classic style, but it fits him flawlessly. His gaze is gentle and warm before it narrows warningly on the other man. He pushes the gross guy’s hand away from me and sweeps me to the side so that there’s space between me and the creeper.
“How about we go get some air, darlin’?” the stranger masquerading himself as my suitor suggests. When he speaks,
he has the sweetest southern twang I’ve ever heard in my life.
They don’t make men like this in LA, that’s for sure.
Before I can even fathom a response, he’s whisking me toward the staircase leading to the rooftop terrace. I can only dazedly follow along.
Who is this guy?
And why are his eyes the most dazzling shade of blue I’ve ever seen in my life?
CHAPTER THREE
“After you,” the handsome stranger says as he pushes open the door leading out onto the terrace, then steps aside to allow me to walk out ahead of him.
Smiling at him a little uncertainly, I slowly take a step onto the rooftop promenade.
The music playing out here is much more mellow than the pulsing beat downstairs, and long garlands of lights strung around the pergola twinkle brighter than the stars above us. I catch my breath. From way up here, I feel like I can see all of LA. It’s like being on top of the world. It leaves me feeling breathless and invigorated. I’m so glad that I came to the party tonight, if only for this sight.
My rescuer waves over one of the servers carrying a plate of drinks and puts in an order for the both of us before leading me to an empty couch situated in the far corner of the terrace.
“I thought we could sit here for a few minutes so you can collect yourself,” he explains as he sits down beside me. “Plus, we can also see if that ruffian decides to follow us up here.”
I’ve never heard anyone use the term ruffian before, and it makes me giggle. I’m not too worried about the jerk bothering us, but the couch is comfy and I’m very curious about who this mysterious man is, so I oblige him.
It’s a little chilly way up here and I find myself shivering just as the server arrives with our drinks—another Long Island iced tea for me and what looks like a Jack and Coke for him.
“Are you cold?” he asks.
He doesn’t even wait for me to answer before he starts shrugging out of his suit jacket. Concern makes his dark blond brows draw together as he holds it out to me.
Just who is this guy who’s willing to give me his jacket before he’s even given me his name?
No other guy I’ve ever met has ever been that chivalrous. I feel like most men in LA—Kali’s boyfriend, Grayson, excluded, of course—have never even heard of gallantry.
I consider myself fiercely independent—which is probably part of why I haven’t been in a relationship in a while—but it’s nice when a guy shows some common decency for once.
“I’m a little chilly,” I answer honestly.
He drapes the jacket around my shoulders and the lingering heat of his body and the scent of his cologne on the soft, expensive material warms me up even more than the cocktail I had a few sips of earlier.
The guy is not only sweet, but he’s also handsome as can be. Dark blond hair hangs into ocean blue eyes and his body is absolutely killer. He looks like a runner type, or at least someone super active. I blink hard in an attempt to stop my wandering imagination from conjuring an image of him running in a pair of gym shorts with the SoCal sun beaming down on his shirtless, chiseled bod.
Man, I really have been out of the dating pool too long if I can’t even have a conversation with a gorgeous guy before daydreaming about how he looks half-naked.
“I’m Boone Hammond,” the stranger who is a stranger-no-longer explains, sticking out his hand.
We shake, and when he releases me, my fingers keep tingling.
“Sutton Fox,” I say, reaching up to tuck my long, dark hair behind my ear. “Hey, thanks for being my knight in shining…suit down there. That guy was a major creep.”
Boone chuckles and eases back in his seat. He folds his muscled arms over his well-built chest. “I’d recognize a damsel in distress anywhere,” he quips before playfully winking. “But to be honest, I wasn’t worried about you. I was worried about him. If I waited for another second, I think you might’ve decked him.”
I flash a glossed grin, glad now that I had Kali get me all dolled up before I left for the party. I suppose you never know what cutie you’re going to run into, especially at an affair like this. I might not have any time for a relationship, but I can have at least one flirty conversation before I go.
“I’m pretty good at taking care of myself,” I admit with a laugh. “It’s nice when someone else steps in to help though. A bar fight probably wouldn’t have helped my brand at all.”
“Brand?” he echoes, gorgeous blue eyes curious. “Wait, let me guess. Are you one of those…what are they called?” He pauses and his face twists one way and then the other in deep thought. “In-flu-enzers?”
He pronounces the word like he’s speaking another language entirely and puts a weird, southern emphasis on the middle syllable.
“In... flu... enzer?” I repeat, jaw dropping.
I laugh until I can’t breathe. It’s probably not the sexiest look in the whole world, but Boone merely looks pleased to have brought me so much amusement. His chest is puffing a bit with pride despite the hilarious tears building in the corners of my eyes.
“Tell me you did not just say that,” I finally manage to pant. “It sounds like you’re talking about a deadly disease. I’m a beauty influencer. My two best friends and I have a popular YouTube channel where we post a lot about lifestyle, makeup, fashion tips, etcetera. Believe me, there’s definitely no infection involved.”
Boone chuckles, eyes gleaming. He has an attractive laugh, one that suddenly gives me an old-fashioned hankering for sweet tea and buttery biscuits. When he crosses one ankle over his knee, his foot jiggles slightly and the overhanging lights glint against the leather of his black shoe.
“I guess I’m pretty out of the loop when it comes to social media things. My coaches have always been pretty strict about what we should post online, so I just don’t.”
“Oh. So you’re, like, a sports dude?” I ask, intrigued.
“Athlete,” he corrects with an amused grin. “But yes. I play for the Coyotes, the professional rugby team here in LA. I actually just moved here last year.”
I narrow my eyes playfully on the handsome athlete. “Rugby? That’s kinda like real football, right?”
“Says the in-flu-enzer,” he teases right back, grin widening.
We burst into laughter again as we sip our drinks, appraising each other curiously at the same time.
“Are you a California girl, born and raised?” he finally asks.
When I nod, he gives a thoughtful hmm and gazes down into his drink before swirling the glass gently. Ice clinks against the backdrop of soft music and the muted conversation of other people on the terrace.
“Where are you from, Boone?”
He smiles again, but this time it’s a small, almost bittersweet smile. “Texas. They say everything is bigger in Texas, but here in California, everything is way more overwhelming. It’s all hustle and bustle and rush and fuss. It makes a country boy’s head spin. I’m definitely not in Texas anymore.”
I set down my drink on the small table in front of us, then slip off my heels and curl up on the couch with my feet beneath me. Nestled in Boone’s jacket, it almost feels like I’ve known him forever, even though he’d only just whisked me away moments ago. With him, I don’t feel this pressure to be a picture-perfect girl. I can simply chat with him, person to person. He has my curiosity piquing.
“I can definitely imagine a move like that being overwhelming,” I say. “I grew up not far from here, so I’ve never had to truly relocate. Did you come out here all by yourself?”
He drags a hand through his dark blond hair and an uncomfortable expression flashes across his face. Just when I'm regretting saying anything, he shakes his head but the movement is so small I almost blink and miss it.
“I actually moved here with a girl—Lucy. We’d been together since high school, but in our tiny town, that wasn’t unusual. She ended up cheating on me a little while after we got here.”
“I'm so sorry,” I whisper, wincing.
> Boone shrugs strong shoulders. “I’m over it now. I mean, I’m way too busy with the Coyotes’ intense training schedule to date anyway, so maybe it was for the best. Plus, we hadn’t exactly been happy before the move.” He pauses and strokes his chin before laughing quietly. “Honestly, the hardest thing about being single lately is the team’s fangirls. They’re relentless! I can hardly walk down the sidewalk without one of the Coyotes’ groupies tackling me. It was never like that in Texas.”
I paw playfully at his shoulder. “That’s because you’re special here! That southern charm of yours is going to attract girls for miles.” I sigh. “I get what you’re saying, though. The only men whose interest I seem to catch are sleazeballs like the one downstairs. If I had time for romance, it would definitely not be with someone like that.”
“Why does being single have to be so complicated?” Boone muses before sipping his drink again.
“Tell me about it,” I say with a snort. “Don’t people get that not everyone is actively looking for a relationship? Fans are always asking when I’m going to find a boyfriend, but running the G&G channel is more than a full-time job. It’s practically my existence.”
Boone grins. He rests his head against the back of the couch as the music swells and changes.
“Sometimes, I think about hiring someone to come with me to these parties,” he chuckles. “I know that sounds insane, but it’d keep the girls from flocking all over me. I can’t even enjoy myself at these parties most of the time because so many women keep trying to get my attention.” He lifts his head again and turns toward me with a faint frown. “I have to be honest, Sutton, that was part of the reason I scooped you up tonight. I would’ve helped anyone who was being tormented by that gross guy, but I was hoping you would hang out with me for a bit so I had a chance at having a good time tonight. I mean, look, we haven’t had a single person come bug us since we sat down.”
