The Soulmate Edition

by Elizabeth Bemis

  I grimaced. I totally deserved that, but I really had thought… “I wanted to help.” I sighed. “I thought you’d like it—”

  “You couldn’t just say you were sorry? Why does everything have to be a show?”

  “I am sorry.” And I was, sorrier than I’d ever been for anything since…well, since Peyton and Nick. And since whatever I’d done to upset Ruth. It was becoming the week of apologies for me, and I was getting near my own breaking point.

  Apparently, some of what I was feeling must have broken through to Ginny. She sniffed, blinked. Then, finally, nodded. “That’s all I needed from you, Jack.”

  “I’m sorry about the stuff with Agatha too. I thought you liked shows.”

  “I did,” she admitted. “Until my life became one.” She looked up at me for a long moment. “I’m sorry too. God, we were wrong for each other.”

  There was a tinge of humor to her voice, dark as it was, and I saw a glimpse of the Ginny I remembered. “Were we?”

  “Maybe we were right for one another then,” she acknowledged, “but I’m not the same person I was before.”

  Me neither, I realized with a start. “I really am sorry I ghosted on you,” I said, and I meant that, too.

  “I understood why you did. Everyone vanished on me—and I didn’t blame any of you.”

  I shook my head, unwilling to be absolved so easily. “I shouldn’t have. I should have been there when you needed me. As your friend, if nothing else.”

  Surprising us both, I think, she edged up on her toes and gave me a quick, fierce hug. “You wanna make it up to me? You wanna make amends for your forgiveness tour? Do me a favor. Next time something like this happens, next time you have a chance, don’t take the easy way out.”

  I met her eyes and nodded. “Deal.”

  I held the door for her and she entered the hotel’s lobby, immediately spotting Agatha who sat in the hotel’s café at the side of the room.

  Ginny grimaced. “Speaking of not taking the easy way out, I think I have my own overdue apology to give.”

  Agatha gave Ginny a smile and a nod, clearly welcoming her.

  “Good luck,” I whispered as Ginny swallowed and began the walk across the lobby. But she would be all right, I knew. We’d both be all right.

  And then I thought of Ruth, and the strange, long silences that had developed between us. I racked my brain for reasons why…but I couldn’t come up with anything I’d done to upset her. Not recently, anyway.

  Rich, delighted laughter floated across the hotel lobby, and I turned back to the door. Maybe Ginny would be okay, but it looked like I wasn’t quite there yet.

  I set off in search of Ruth.

  Chapter Twelve: Ruth

  Seeing Jack kiss Ginny at the movie set the day before had stabbed me in the heart. Seeing him hug her now was even worse.

  It wasn’t too hard to figure out why, either. Ginny was exactly the sort of girl that Jack should be with.

  All of the women Jack had apologized to fit that same pattern, actually. Pretty, polished, confident. Even when the chips were down.

  Whereas me? Not so much. My only confidence came from my job, and my mother—God love her—often did as much as she could to undermine that, however unintentionally.

  Still, while I was very, very good at my work, there was a small part of me that wanted to be considered not just “competent” but “cute.” To never show up on BuzzFeed.com alongside a picture of Jack and a headline reading, “20 Hollywood Stars with Homely Girlfriends”.

  Then again…I wasn’t homely.

  In fact, I was perfectly, passably pretty with zero sense of style and a tendency toward awkwardness.

  And as every Hollywood stylist could (and would) tell you, “passably pretty” could become gorgeous with the professional application of makeup and hair products, style could be taught or bought and awkwardness… well, it could be worked with.

  I backed out of the lobby before Jack caught sight of me. Punching in the code before I could change my mind, I had my phone to my ear before I even hit the parking lot. “Mom, I need a favor.”

  Not twenty minutes later, I found myself sitting in the hair and makeup trailer on Ginny Jones’ movie set, under the understanding and overqualified hands of its head of hair and makeup, Judy Johnson. How this movie had ever scored her for their production, I didn’t know, but they’d lucked out, especially if she was working for scale. She’d won every industry award imaginable.

  “I need a makeover,” I said.

  “That’s what your mom said.” She turned the chair I sat in toward the mirror and eyed me critically. “You have the most gorgeous skin. Are you even wearing makeup?”

  I shook my head. “I’ve never been very good at it.”

  “Well, then it’s a good thing that you don’t actually need it.”

  A grabbed a curl and straightened it, letting it spring back into place.

  “I know a hundred actresses who would kill for your curls, too. You just need them out of your face.” She sighed. “I’m doing this as a favor to your mother, but under protest, because you don’t a makeover, sweetheart. You don’t need anything but a little confidence.” She took a long look at me. “Do you have contacts?”

  I nodded. “I don’t often wear them.”

  “Mm-hmm. Because you prefer to hide behind your glasses?”

  I smiled, feeling tears prickle behind my eyes. “Maybe?”

  She shook her head briskly. “No waterworks. It’s bad for the makeup.”

  I cleared my throat. “Yes, ma’am.” I pulled my contact case out of my bag and held them up. “I do at least carry them with me.”

  “Well, put them in,” she said. “Stop hiding. You’re gorgeous.”

  She crossed the short width of the trailer and stuck her head out. “Patrice! I need that black Vera Wang dress that we’re not using.” She turned to me. “You’re a size six, right?”

  I nodded.

  Moments later, a disembodied hand thrust a black dress, in a layer of dry cleaner’s plastic in the door. Judy pulled the covering off and held it up for my inspection. It was a simple knee-length LBD. The fabric over the shoulders was chiffon, making it a little dressy for day-wear.

  “Um—I’m not sure there’s anything to justify a dress like that,” I said, already wondering if this hadn’t been my smartest idea.

  “It’s Tuesday, right? That’s justification enough. Put it on and see if you like it.” Judy pointed to a sectioned off area at the back of the trailer. “You can change back there.”

  I did as instructed. Through some miracle of tailoring and forgivable fabric, the dress fit perfectly.

  As I came out from behind the screen, Judy whistled. “That looks even better than I’d imagined it would.”

  “Could you come dress me all the time?” I asked, only half joking.

  She rolled her eyes. “Get a stylist, honey. Hollywood is lousy with them.”

  Taking my hand, she led me back to her stylist’s chair and covered me with a black cape, then turned me away from the mirror.

  She spritzed my hair with water, and pulled out a hair dryer and round brush. I breathed slowly as she blew out my hair, wondering what Jack’s reaction would be to seeing the “new me.”

  Would he fall head over heels?

  Or would he take one look at me and think, “meh.”

  I shook my head at myself—metaphorically, since Judy had my hair in a vice. I couldn’t think that way. This was about Jack, admittedly and yet… this was also about me. Or at least, it should be.

  She opened a giant box of makeup. It went on in predictable layers. Foundation. Contouring. Highlighting. Powder. Eyeshadow. Eyeliner. Mascara. Lip-liner. Lipstick.

  “Are you ready?” Judy asked.

  I shook my head. The big reveal. What if it wasn’t enough?

  “Close your eyes,” she commanded, and then the chair twirled around.

  “Ta da!”

  I opened my eyes—a
nd kept widening them, staring at the mirror.

  “Oh my gosh,” I whispered, disbelieving. “You made me gorgeous.”

  My eyes smoldered under a light application of silver and charcoal shadow. My lips shimmered under a layer of a neutral pink gloss. She’d pulled my hair up and away from my eyes. She didn’t fully strip my curls, but she’d tamed them. Tiny diamond earrings, which my mother had given me upon my college graduation and which I rarely removed, twinkled unimpeded at my earlobes.

  Judy laughed and shook her head. “God and your momma made you gorgeous. I brought out your eyes a little, and pulled your hair out of your face. I just showed off what you have.”

  She reached stepped to a small closet and opened it. “You’ll need these, too, honey. Size eight, right?” She continued without needing my reply. Clearly my mother had filled her in. “There’s a lot that can be said for the confidence a good pair of shoes can give you.”

  I recognized the black Christian Louboutin’s from their red soles. The kitten heel was higher than I usually wore, but I’d still probably be staring Jack in the chin, as tall as he was.

  I slipped them on my feet. A perfect fit. “Thank you, fairy godmother,” I said, and Judy beamed at me.

  “It was my absolute pleasure,” she winked. “He’s not going to know what hit him.”

  Chapter Thirteen: Jack

  I completely understood how upset and worried Ruth had been when I went to the high school reunion without her. I couldn’t find her anywhere, and I was losing my mind.

  She wasn’t answering her cell phone. She wasn’t in her hotel room—or if she was, she wasn’t answering the door or the room phone. And the front desk was not willing to break into her room to find out. Apparently, I didn’t have as much pull as I thought. Or as much as she did. I’d run out of places to look.

  Rental car! I realized I hadn’t checked to see if the car she’d rented for us was in the parking lot. It wasn’t a big hotel or a big lot, so it should be easy to determine if the car was there or not.

  I traversed the entire length and width of it twice. The dark gray Chevy Sedan was nowhere to be seen.

  Back to the front desk, but they wouldn’t even tell me if she’d checked out. I thought about calling the studio, but even I recognized that made me seem a bit stalker-y.

  I went to the outdoor patio again, figuring she’d have to walk right past me to get into the hotel. And if she didn’t come back, then I’d have my answer… that I’d completely blown my chance with her.

  The bartender jumped to confirm my order. “Club soda with lime?” he asked.

  I nodded. “Good memory. Thanks.”

  I’d had my drink in my hand for no more than five minutes when a woman in a little black dress came strutting across the parking lot, all sexy-confidence and sass. It took me a full thirty seconds as she moved closer and closer to realize that it was Ruth, the object of my earlier search, and the object of my affection, coming directly toward me.

  I wasn’t the only one who noticed. The bartender literally halted in his tracks and stared. One of the actors who currently sat with a tech gave a very quiet “Day-um”.

  I should probably have told him to shut the hell up, but my brain—and along with it my tongue—had gone into some sort of stasis.

  I stood up.

  “Well, who do we have here?” I asked after a long moment. Had she done this for me? I kind of hoped not. She’d been perfect before…Though I wasn’t going to lie, she’d definitely gotten my attention.

  “Hi, I’m Jackie Sullivan,” she said, smiling shyly. “I’m looking for Bob Roark? He’s with the Iowa Corn Growers Association.”

  A laugh burst from my chest, unchecked. “That’s some bad luck,” I remarked with a bit of a twang in my voice.

  The smile slid off her face.

  I continued in the role. “You see, I’m the fellow you’re looking for, but I’m already in love with this special little gal named Ruth from back home.”

  The smile came back on a shuddering breath. “Oh yeah?” she asked, lifting her brows. “What’s so special about her?”

  I shrugged. “She gets my sense of humor. She’s pretty as all get out with girl-next-door looks that can’t be faked, with these big brown eyes and cute nerd-girl glasses. And then there are her curls, which make me want to run my fingers through her hair all the time. She’s real, which is extraordinary for a place like Hollywood. She’s a strong, independent and talented woman. And she’s got a bit of an adventurous streak, although I suspect that she would deny it. Her family is important to her, too. I’d bet she’d lay down her life for them, even when they drive her absolutely nuts. And finally, she makes me want to be a better person than I am.”

  Her gaze remained locked on mine, but her eyes were glittering now, bright with tears. “Well, why are you standing here, then?” she asked. “Why don’t you go after her?”

  I stepped forward. “Excellent suggestion.”

  I pulled her into my arms, and she came willingly, tilting her head up for my kisses.

  I heard cheers in the background, and I flapped a hand at the guys in the corner of the patio.

  “You’re in love with me?” she asked after a long moment.

  “Ruth Miller, you are the best, most real thing that has ever happened to me. I will work every day to be worthy of you…and I pray that you will never forget it.”

  Her laughter was the exact same low, husky chuckle that had captured my heart the very first time I’d heard it. And I’d never get tired of hearing the words that followed it either. “You know Jack Cooper,” Ruth said, looking up at me. “There are a lot of things I’m really, really good at. But I’ll never be any good at forgetting you.”

  Forgetting Jack Cooper…

  Jack Cooper, current Hollywood It man, has a blockbuster new movie in the works all about redemption—only he’s never had to apologize for anything in his life, and he knows how lucky that makes him.

  To prepare for the role and score some publicity points along the way, Jack undertakes a round-the-country tour to make amends to those whose lives he’s inadvertently harmed. Only what Jack doesn’t realize is that fate is taking a ride-a-long on his redemption tour, and each of his long-overdue apologies will lead to unexpected romance…

  See yourself how hard it is to try Forgetting Jack Cooper--five different times! The Forgetting Jack Cooper series features New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors Erin McCarthy and Jennifer Bernard, and award-winning authors Lizzie Shane, Elizabeth Bemis and Jennifer Chance.

  Forgetting Jack Cooper:

  The Big Idea Edition

  (A FREE PREQUEL)

  by Elizabeth Bemis

  Even as the successful, hardworking PR director for a major Los Angeles studio, Ruth Miller has never felt like more of a fraud. Browbeaten by her stage-managing mother, overworked and pathologically under-glammed, Ruth must deliver a knockout concept to publicize the upcoming movie of Hollywood It-Boy Jack Cooper…and she only has twenty minutes to do it. What happens next launches Ruth and Jack on a whirlwind tour through Jack’s less than sterling past…but could it open the door to Ruth’s future as well?

  Buy It | Read an Excerpt

  Forgetting Jack Cooper:

  The Stuntman Edition

  by Erin McCarthy

  If there’s one thing Toni Salvatore knows how to do, it’s make people laugh. Having embarked on a life of comedy back in college playing pranks with current Hollywood star Jack Cooper, she’s now a YouTuber with her own passionate following. Too bad her newest joke—a fake on-set kiss with Jack—results in an epic case of mistaken identity…and with Toni getting flattened by Jack’s stunt man and body double. What’s a girl to do but make the best of a bad situation?

  Chance Ashton takes everything seriously—he’s had to, because of his past. Then he mistakenly drops the hilarious and hot Toni to the ground in what he thought was an action scene, and he’s so intrigued he lets her kiss him after all. The r
esults? More explosive than anything he’s experienced filming movies. When Toni seems to be interested in more than a fast laugh, he knows better than to believe her…and yet…

  For the first time in her life, Toni’s pratfalled herself into what could just be a real romance. But can she convince the sexy stunt man she’s capable of more than just a joke?

  Buy It | Read an Excerpt

  Forgetting Jack Cooper:

  The Outlaw Edition

  by Jennifer Chance

  Always hanging out on the edge of trouble, Chantal Green didn’t so much mind taking the fall for Jack back in high school—it was worth it to get under the hood of old man Hassel’s prized Ferrari. Fast forward ten years, and Chantal’s racked up a string of misdemeanors and a whole lot of miles under her chromed-out wheels. She’s now the successful owner of Sex Machina, a high-end custom motorcycle and gear shop that has her on the road constantly, where she most wants to be. Sure, she wonders what it’d be like to have a real home and sense of community, but that’s not on the horizon for her.

  When Chantal gets Jack Cooper’s redemption-tour invite, her first thought is to ignore it. But the publicity would be sweet, so…

  For military vet Luc Martin, home has special meaning. He never expected to be caring for his great aunt and uncle—or taking over their French bakery in Panama City Beach—after his second tour of duty, but he can’t deny he loves it. He’s traveled the world over and he’s ready to stop and watch the sunset more, even if it’s a little lonely watching it all by himself. Then a vision in spiked motorcycle boots roars into his shop, and Luc suddenly finds himself wondering if maybe his definition of home is all wrong…and if maybe a tough-talking biker with a heart of gold is worth chasing, even if she’s mostly running from herself.

  Buy It | Read an Excerpt

  Forgetting Jack Cooper:

  The First Love Edition

  by Jennifer Bernard

  You never forget your first love … especially if it was a total disaster…

  Ten years ago, Peyton Locke got dumped right before the biggest moment of her life. Valedictorian with a side of heartbreak--thanks to Jack Cooper. If not for the boy with the second best grade average, Nick Kolanowski, she never would have made it through her speech. Now that she’s back in Everton working at the Urgent Care, she’s determined to return the favor and be the most amazing friend Nick ever had.