Accidental Romance

by Melanie Brown

  I just nodded as I stopped crying. I sat there for a second. “Can you hand me a tissue? After crying, I must be a total mess by now.”

  Nathan reached over to an end table and plucked a tissue from a box there and handed it to me. He then ruffled my already thoroughly ruffled hair and said, “You’re always gorgeous.”

  I just shook my head as I gently wiped around my eyes and leaned back in the chair. Nate sat on the chair’s arm and absently stroked my cheek as we waited in silence for Mom’s and Steph’s return.

  We didn’t have long to wait. I sat there in total dread mode. I was sure Mom was going to just slap me and storm out the door. I was shocked when they both came back into the house giggling like school girls.

  Mom walked up to me smiling and said, “Bobby. Why aren’t you dressed yet? Go put something on and fix your make-up. Steph’s taking us to lunch. She knows this great place downtown where you always see a few celebrities hanging out. And after lunch, we’re going shopping on Rodeo Drive to get me a dress to wear to the Oscars! Isn’t that exciting?”

  I stood up and said, “The… the Oscars? You’re going? How… ?”

  Steph said, “We can bring some VIP guests. I think your mother counts as a VIP, don’t you? You two look so alike. You two even wear the same dress size… except your boobs are bigger.”

  I felt dizzy. I said, “I don’t see how we can do this…”

  Steph pulled me to one side and whispered in my ear, “Relax, girl. I called Dad and advised him of the situation and he’s taking care of everything. You and your mother will be going to the same salon together to get ready for the Oscars. Isn’t that cool?”

  I stood there stunned, “Oh yeah. Another item off my bucket list.”

  Steph started to walk back to Mom, but I caught her arm and whispered back into her ear, “Wait! How do we explain her? We can’t say she’s my mom. She doesn’t have a daughter.”

  Steph shrugged and said, “If we have to say anything, she can be your aunt or something. We just introduce her as Mrs. Johnson and leave it at that.”

  “Isn’t that kinda chancy?” I asked.

  Frowning, Steph said, “Short of wrapping her in duct tape and shipping her to Brazil, what do you suggest?”

  I stood there for a moment giving that serious consideration. Then I grimaced and nodded to her. “We’ll just wing it.”

  Steph turned to Nathan and handed him the bulging manila envelope. She said, “Mr. Adams, Dad wants you to go over these script changes and get back with him this afternoon.”

  Nate said, “What about lunch with Amber and you guys?”

  Steph shook her head and said with a smile, “Girls day out. No men allowed.”

  Nathan just laughed. “What about later? I have that aftershave commercial to shoot this evening. You three want to come watch? The production company is trying to squeeze in a lot today and they have me scheduled to shoot around five. It’s a real quickie. I walk in, wardrobe, make-up, say two lines and I’m done. Then maybe dinner? All of you have cocktail dresses?”

  Stephanie said, “You’re inviting me too?”

  Nathan said, “You think I can handle these two by myself? If it’s okay with Tony of course.”

  Steph laughed, “You guys want to go?”

  Mom said, “Oh my. I think that would be exciting.”

  Steph nodded to Nathan, “We’ll meet you at the studio.”

  * * *

  Mom was having a blast spotting celebrities as we munched on our house salads, which were actually quite good. She was never a brooding person, but this was the most I’d seen her giggle and smile. It was fun watching her watch the rich and shameless.

  “Thank you Stephanie for bringing me here,” said Mom. “I buy all those stupid magazines to see what celebrities are up to, and here they’re walking right past you.”

  “You’re very welcome, Mrs. Johnson,” smiled Steph. “I thought you’d get a kick out of it. Amber and I have been here several times.”

  Mom said as she touched Steph’s arm, “I told you. Please call me Carol.”

  Mom stared at me for almost a minute. I couldn’t read her expression at all. She folded her arms and leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. She said, “Bobby, I know you and Nate explained to me this morning why I’m sitting here looking at a daughter instead of a son. I don’t like it, but I get it. It helped Nate get this “buzz” thing you kept talking about and has actually boosted his career some. I get it. What I don’t get, is what doing this does for you?”

  I readjusted my seating position and pulled my hair back from my face. I said, “At first it was just a way to help Nathan out, Mom. While he was going to wait until after the Oscars, he was going to dump his girlfriend, but I accidentally caused that to happen sooner. And at first, I really hated it. I don’t have to tell you guys how much of a pain it is to put on make-up every day, or pick out clothes to wear that matches. I never used to worry if my shirt, pants and shoes matched. Now I try to put on nail color the night before that won’t clash with what I’m going to wear the next day. And that’s just the superficial stuff.”

  I took a drink of my green tea and held up my hand to keep Mom from interrupting. “And then there’s the emotional angle. Mom, except for a crush on Nathan from when we were kids, I never liked guys or thought of guys in any kind of romantic way. But, I fell in love or at least deep crushes on not one, but two guys. Don’t look at me that way. I’m sorry Mom, but it’s true. I don’t know why. It just happened.

  “But to answer your question,” I continued, “what I get out of this? It’s up and down like anything else, but overall, I’m happy. For the longest time I felt that the world was created solely to annoy me. I’m truly happy. Maybe for the first real time in my life. God help me, Mom. I love being a girl. I went from total nerd nobody, to being on magazine and tabloid covers, I’ve been on TV, I’m dating the hottest movie star in the world today, and now I’m an in-demand fashion model!

  “I know it won’t last. But I’m confessing for the first time to both of you, I love being a girl!” I spread my arms wide as I finished speaking and almost knocked a tray out of a waiter’s hands.

  Stephanie beamed a wide smile at me. She exclaimed, “Finally! I knew I’d finally make a girl out of you. I knew it was only a matter of time after you got your boobs.”

  Mom frowned slightly and shook her head a little. She said, “Bob… Amber, you are truly gorgeous. Not to brag, but you look just like me when I was your age. I’m glad you’re happy. I’m amazed at what you’ve done in so short a time. But here’s the deal. You didn’t earn it. It’s been manufactured and handed to you. You’re happy to be a girl now, but you don’t and can’t share the life experience that Stephanie and I have had. You’ll never have to worry about a monthly visitor and by the same token worry that you might be pregnant after a night with that totally hot actor. And when being a girl becomes too much of a burden for you, and it will, you can just walk away from it. Steph can’t.”

  “She’ll earn her tits,” said Steph seriously.

  Mom looked at my breasts and said with a frown, “I’m afraid he’s already been awarded them. It’s all been too fast, too easy. And… and you haven’t even spent your life trying to get into a bra like all those trans-people you see on TV talk shows. Basically, you haven’t paid your dues.”

  I swallowed my bite of salad and said, “You know, Mom. It’s not like I asked for any of this. It was pushed on me, and I’m trying to make the best out of it.”

  Before Mom could say something else, a tall, thin man with long scruffy hair and a few days beard growth, dressed in a gray t-shirt and black sport coat started to pass our table, stopped and then grinned and pointed at Steph, “Ms. Demarco! It’s good to see you.” He looked at me and said, “Entertaining a client?”

  Steph shook her head and said, “Not really, Mr. Cage. Amber is my dad’s client. She’s just my friend. Good to see you.”

  He continued to grin and
said, “Good. Good. Give my regards to Tony and be sure to tell him I’m interested in any kind of vehicle that will put me and Nathan Adams in the same movie.” He pointed at me and said, “Honey, I’d love to work with you too. I had a story pitched to me yesterday that you’d be perfect for the daughter. Hey, I gotta run. Don’t forget.” And he was gone.

  Steph looked embarrassed and said, “Sorry. That happens a lot. Some people forget that I don’t work for my dad.”

  Mom said, “Don’t be sorry, dear. That was kind of fun.”

  I frowned. “Since when do you not work for your father?”

  Steph took a drink of her kiwi and lime green tea and said, “Not officially. Give me a break. I’m only nineteen.” She looked at her phone and said with a grin, “Okay, Carol. Let’s go get your Oscar dress!”

  * * *

  Steph parked her car on a side street next to Rodeo Drive. Before we got out, she said, “I know a great little store. They have really cute dresses there. It’s where I got my prom dress.”

  “Is this where we get our evening dresses or where we get Mom her Oscar dress?” I asked as I shut the car door.

  “Yes,” Steph said. “But we’re not going to make her wear the same dress tonight at the Oscars. We’ll get her two dresses.”

  As we walked down the sidewalk, I said, “Can’t I just wear the same dress I wore at the gala? I mean, It’s a pretty dress and I’ve only worn it that once.”

  Steph shook her head and said, “Don’t be silly. A girl can’t have too many dresses. And we’re going to get you a little black dress. You’re Nathan’s date. We’re just tag-alongs.”

  “Are you getting a new dress too?” I asked.

  Shaking her head again, Steph said, “No. I have some nice dresses to wear already. I don’t think Dad would be happy if I bought another one.”

  Mom stopped looking around and said, “You know, hun. These dresses are going to be expensive. I really don’t need to go to fancy dinners or even the Oscars. I can’t ask you to pay for these.”

  Steph smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Mrs. Johnson. I have Dad’s credit card. And besides, he’s going to bill all this to Nathan.”

  Mom said, “Does Nate know this?”

  Steph just shrugged with an enigmatic smile, “The store is this way.”

  As we entered a narrow store with tall windows, a smartly dressed woman in her mid-thirties approached us. “Ms. Demarco! How pleasant to see you again.” She nodded towards Mom and me and said, “Ladies. How can I be of service today?”

  “Nice to see you again, Ms. Beckwith,” said Stephanie. “I’m hoping you can help these two clients select a few dresses. We’re crunched for time, so your excellent boutique was the first to come to my mind.” Pointing at me, she continued, “She needs a classic ‘little black dress’.” Then pointing at Mom, Steph said, “And she needs a nice evening dress and also an elegant gown for Oscar night. No, she’s not walking the red carpet, but she’ll be a guest of Nathan Adams.”

  Ms. Beckwith smiled broadly and said, “Thank you so much for your confidence. I’m sure we’ll be able to dress these two beautiful ladies to your satisfaction.” She then pointed down the length of her store and added, “Evening dresses are along the right side of the store and floor length formals are along the left if you wish to browse the selections. I’ll be more than happy to advise on your choices. In fact, if you’ll follow me, I think I know the perfect black dress.”

  Ms. Beckwith pulled a black dress from a rack and held it out. “I think this would be perfect, Ms. Demarco.”

  Steph took the dress and held it front of me and said, “It’s beautiful, Ms. Beckwith. I knew I could count on you! Go try this on, Amber and let one of Ms. Beckwith’s associates measure for any alterations.”

  “A little bossy, aren’t we, Steph?” I whispered as I headed towards the indicated changing room.

  Steph folded her arms as if I’d insulted her, “I’m creating your image, Amber. Dad made you my responsibility, and you want to look good for Nathan. Don’t you?”

  Mom said, “She’s just trying to help you. She’s your best friend here in Hollywood. You need to trust her. This is what you signed up for, after all.”

  Mom then pulled a dark blue cocktail dress from the rack and held it front of her. She said, “What do you think, Stephanie?”

  Steph smiled and said, “I think you have excellent fashion sense, Carol.”

  Maybe I shouldn’t mind, but I stood fuming in the changing room looking at how the dress fit in the floor length mirror. I wanted to pick out my own dress. Steph has thought my fashion sense was good before. I knew we were short on time, but I wanted my dress to be my choice.

  As I stepped out of the dressing room to get measured for any alterations, I ran into Mom as she was heading in to try on her dress. She stopped for a moment and just looked at me. Her face was a complete mask to me. I couldn’t read her expression at all. She then gave me a weak smile and entered the dressing room.

  Steph said to Ms. Beckwith, “We’ll pay the premium to have the alterations expedited. When can you have the dresses delivered to the agency?”

  Ms. Beckwith said, “Will five this afternoon be a good time?”

  Steph smiled with satisfaction, “That would be excellent!”

  Stephanie seemed to be becoming more my manager than my friend. She’s definitely her father’s daughter. It’s obvious she’s trying to show Tony she can do the job. But it’s one thing to go shopping with a friend and quite another to have a handler making decisions for you. I prefer Stephanie as a friend.

  * * *

  The receptionist looked at her display and said, “Nathan Adams is shooting his commercial in Studio Five right down the hall and to your right. No one is allowed in after they start shooting so you’ll need to hurry.”

  Steph nodded, “Thank you.” To us she added, “Let’s hurry, ladies.”

  As we walked quickly down the hall, Mom said to me, “So, Bobby. How long are you planning on staying a girl?”

  I shrugged, “I’ll stay a girl until sometime when Nathan returns from Europe. We’re planning on staging a breakup and then it’s all over. He won’t need a house sitter any more. While he’s gone, I’ll stay Amber so I can do some modeling as well as working for Tony to organize his office.”

  Mom stopped and looked me straight in my eyes. “Think about what you just said. Stage a breakup with Nathan? Do you think you can do that? I’ve seen how you look at him. I don’t know what’s happened to you since you came out here, but I’m not stupid, Bobby. You have feelings for him. And I saw how your eyes lit up talking about being a model. Can you just walk away from both Nathan and modeling in a year?”

  I was stunned by her question. “I have to, Mom. That’s the agreement.”

  Frowning, Mom persisted. “I don’t care about any agreement. What’s in your heart? Can you walk away from two things you love?”

  I frowned back at her and said, “I don’t love Nathan. He’s a guy and I’m a guy. And I’ve only modeled once. I might not like it.”

  Mom slightly shook her head. “I’m not so sure.”

  Steph held the studio door open and said, “Guys, come on! They’re just getting set up.”

  Nathan was standing on a green sheet that curved up to hang as a backdrop to him. I couldn’t help but smile at him as he waved at us as we walked through the studio door. He was dressed in a sweater and sport jacket and looked very handsome. He motioned us over to him.

  “Girls, Ms. Johnson,” said Nate, “glad you could make it. Walter the director is still fussing with the camera so we have a few minutes.” Mom frowned again when Nate bent down and gave me a quick kiss.

  Walter the director called out to us, “Ladies. I need you back here behind the camera please.” He then added, speaking to the room, “I want to get this in two takes tops. Okay, Nathan. We’re going to have you say your line with a long shot. Then we’ll move the camera in close and you’ll say the sam
e line again. Everyone ready?”

  Somehow I thought making a commercial would be a bit more glamorous. It was actually kind of boring. Whatever background they wanted for Nate would be added in later. They could put him anywhere.

  Walter said, “That’s great, Nathan. Stay there a minute. I might want to try a different angle. I’m not sure I liked that.” He then turned and took a long look at me. He said, “Do you have a name, honey?”

  I looked around to make sure he meant me and said, “Me? I’m Amber Johnson.”

  “Why are you here?” Walter asked.

  “Nathan invited me,” I said suddenly feeling out of place.

  Steph chimed in with, “She’s also a professional model.”

  Walter looked at Steph and said, “Who’s she with?”

  Smiling, Steph said, “Anthony Demarco.”

  Turning back to me, Walter said, “I like the way you look, and I love what you’re wearing. I don’t have much of a budget for this shoot. Can you work for scale?” All I was wearing was tight faded jeans, suede boots and a sweater over a t-shirt. It certainly wasn’t anything special.

  Steph said, “I represent Anthony Demarco’s agency. She can. Are you hiring her?”

  Walter said, “I’d like to. This shot is missing something and I’d like to have her walk up behind Nathan after he says his lines, he turns to face her and she gives him a kiss. The aftershave is supposed to make him irresistible to women.”

  I glanced over at Mom and then back to the director and smiled. “I think I can handle that.”

  Walter said, “Excellent. Stand on that mark behind Nathan and out of the frame and wait for my signal. Take two or three steps to get to Nathan, pause for a beat and then kiss him as if you find him irresistible.”

  Steph laughed.

  Oh my God, I thought. I’m going to be in a commercial! With Nate no less. Suddenly, shooting commercials seemed exciting. I walked over to the indicated mark. Nathan gave me a broad smile as I passed by him.

  When the director gave me his signal and I started walking towards Nathan, I had planned to just give him more of a playful kiss. But something snapped inside me when he turned to face me. Just like the night of the gala, a wave of emotion pulsed through me as I looked into his eyes. This wasn’t my old chubby gaming buddy or a guy whose house I was going to be sitting for. This was my boyfriend. I can’t explain it. I never looked at guys before. But at that moment, being Nathan Adam’s girlfriend was all I wanted to be.