by T Gephart
And when the day was over I went home, shut down all my electronic devices, shuffled under my covers and closed my eyes.
The next day was more of the same, minus the hangover of course. I didn’t even get a chance to eat lunch, Katrina having to go it alone as I continued to work through. I hadn’t minded so much, grateful for the distraction until it was time to go home.
Oh, I hadn’t forgotten about my commitment to the group dinner. It wasn’t like I slipped, fell and had given myself a concussion. Although as I got ready to face my fake boyfriend who was on a real date with someone else, I wondered if faking a brain injury wouldn’t have been smarter.
Ugh, it was a little late in the game now to try to change the play so I guess I was going to have to stick with the original plan. Besides, I was putting too much stock into this.
Dave had probably already forgotten about the email, the phone call and everything else I had done which could have been classified as weird. Besides, they were isolated incidents on what was an otherwise unblemished record, so I was fixating on the negative for no good reason.
And with those words of wisdom tucked into my proverbial pocket, I finished getting ready and waited for the car.
I left my long mane of red curls loose, sweeping the front away from my face. And threw on a dress that maximized my thin waist and curved hips. It also did nice things for my boobs, the smoke-and-mirror silhouette making my B cups look more like a C.
Not that I was trying to impress anyone, no. I just wanted to make sure I looked fancy enough for the party we were going to go to after. The thirtieth birthday of a model I barely knew wasn’t my idea of time well spent, but it was a friend of Liz’s, and it beat sitting around my apartment spending the night alone. It was a good thing we were eating before we went too because I highly doubted there was going to be any food there.
My phone buzzed with a message the driver was waiting for me downstairs, so I grabbed my purse and phone, locking up behind me as I left my apartment.
I was glad to not have to worry about parking, the driver holding the door open for me as I climbed inside the black Lincoln.
Shit.
“Jess.” The amusement in his voice evident as he cocked his head to the side. “Ready for our first date? Or was the coffee shop our first? I’m just trying to keep a mental tally so I can keep track of our special anniversaries. I read an article on BuzzFeed that said it was important.”
I shuffled into my seat, shutting the door behind me as I tried to get a handle on my shock. “Heyyyyy. You’re here . . . in the car. I thought you were meeting us at the restaurant. And I believe you’re on a date with Katrina, not me.”
Wearing dark blue dress pants with a crisp white shirt, it wasn’t just his presence that was throwing me off my game. He even had a hint of stubble on his jaw, making his vibe sexier than it needed to be.
“Really?” He sounded genuinely surprised. “She didn’t mention that, only asked if I wanted to come have dinner with all of you guys. I thought this was a group thing?”
I hadn’t meant to expose Katrina’s plan, that I—along with everyone else—were the decoys in what was a poor attempt at asking him out. But I hadn’t expected him to be in the car, or look that good, or be in the car.
Shit. I’d thought that twice.
“It’s a group thing. Totally a group thing.” My attempt even worse than Katrina’s as my words fooled no one.
He shook his head, his smile tightening as the car started moving. “If I’d known she was asking me on a date, I’d have said no.”
“Really?”
I wasn’t sure if I was surprised or relieved by his revelation, but the new development had renewed my faith in God. And no, not because I was jealous and glad he didn’t want to date her. It was for far more selfish reasons than that. Us talking about Katrina and her misguided intentions meant we didn’t have to discuss me, my drunken email, or the phone call that followed.
I was a terrible person.
“I like her, and she is great. But I’m not interested in Katrina in that way.” He added, his eyes flicking to mine, “She’s not my type. Plus my girlfriend would be pissed.”
“Dave, you know you don’t have to stop dating just because of me,” I said even though I’d happily have him be celibate during our fictional relationship.
Because that was fair and made perfect sense.
Not.
He shook his head, leaning in closer as he smirked. “Are you trying to sabotage my first time as a lead? I literally just got out of the doghouse and you’re trying to put me back in? Frankly, Jess, I’m a little shocked you’d be so unsupportive.”
I laughed, the reference to his famous commercial quickly changing the tone.
“Just don’t hurt her, and let her down easy, okay?” My conscience finally decided to show up and be concerned for my friend who was probably going to be crushed.
“I’ll be a perfect gentleman, I promise.” He rested his hand on his heart. “Stringing women along on isn’t my MO.”
He was right about that. Despite looking the way he did, and having a famous last name, he could have his pick of beautiful women and leave a trail of broken hearts in his wake. But he didn’t. Or at least, none that we knew of.
I relaxed in my seat, my tension slowly easing. “I know, you’re one of the good guys.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” He laughed as his eyes darkened. “So, let’s talk about your file. It was very . . . detailed.”
All my earlier feelings of relief evaporated as I was thrown head-on into a conversation I was hoping to avoid. I assumed the time would come and we would address my lapse of judgment, but I was hoping that wouldn’t be this evening.
There was a choice to make. Either I stutter around like an idiot—something I’d done far too often recently—or just own the fact I had overshared information of a personal nature.
“Well, you said you wanted to know everything, so there it is. You know everything.” I met his gaze, not allowing it to drop for a minute despite the temptation to look at the floor.
“Mmmm,” he hummed as he stroked his chin. “And it made for fascinating reading. Reverse cowgirl, huh?”
Heat flushed across my skin but I still didn’t look away. “It’s underappreciated in my opinion.”
He blew out a breath. “Yeah, I’d have to agree. Maybe we should start an appreciation society, I’ll happily volunteer to be its president.”
“Big of you.”
“So is the rumor,” he said with a smirk. “You read mine?”
I coughed, fighting oxygen as I nodded slowly. His had been nowhere near as scandalous as mine. “I think it’s only fair you give me a little more to work with now you’ve read mine.”
The car slowed, coming to a stop in front of Katrina’s apartment, our time alone approaching its end very quickly.
“I’ll send you more before our big debut.” He winked. “And I know we have to keep this on the lowdown, but I’m really looking forward to meeting your family.”
“Huh?” My eyes widened. Like a bucket of ice water had been tossed in my face, the future dirty email getting sidelined with the mention of family. “Dave—”
I didn’t have a chance to finish—probably for the best because I had no idea what I was going to say—the door opening as Katrina stepped in.
She looked like a million dollars, dressed in a figure-hugging piece of couture that could reverse erectile dysfunction. Clearly she wasn’t leaving this up to her warm and bubbly personality.
“Oh hey!” She looked surprised to see me in the car. “I thought we were going to get you guys after me?” She looked to the driver who had yet to shut the door.
“Sorry, Ms. Wagner, I must have read the brief in the incorrect order. My apologies.”
Her smile faltered for a second before she looked at Dave and beamed. “No apologies necessary, we’re all here now. Let’s get to the restaurant, Liz is meeting us there.”
&nb
sp; Dutifully I allowed Katrina to dominate the conversation as we drove, with Dave graciously answering all her questions. He remained polite, but as promised nothing he said or did could in no way be construed as overly interested.
But God love her, Katrina kept trying, leaning suggestively so he could get a better eyeful of her cleavage and pursing her lips in a perfect pout.
She didn’t seem deterred he had yet to fall under her spell, remaining upbeat as we arrived at the restaurant. Dave continued to be incredibly sweet, holding the door for her as she strolled into the crowded eatery.
In a city where almost everyone had some level of fame, Dave was relatively small fry. Of course he was recognizable, drawing looks from diners as we walked in. But when they saw he was the most famous person in our posse, they went back to their Wagu steaks and overpriced salads with little fanfare.
“Larsson.” Liz stood offering her hand while she sipped an Old Fashioned. “Or should I say woof.” She finished with a smirk.
While Liz Langley completed our group of three amigos, she was firmly on the Dark Side. An actress, who had worked with both Dave and Nick in the past, she was no stranger to the company we were keeping, or the cursory looks we’d no doubt attract. She also was from Texas and had very little tolerance for bullshit, one of the reasons why we’d became friends four years ago when Jeremy signed her on.
Dave laughed, tipping his head as he shook her hand. “You’ll be sad to know my days with pampered pedigrees are over, I’m moving on to bigger and better things.”
“Oh, how sad.” She laughed, taking a sip from her tumbler. “But it is good to see you in the company of the two-legged variety.” She tipped her drink in our direction.
“Hey, gorgeous.” I reached over and gave her a hug before taking my seat. “Hope you weren’t waiting long.”
“Not at all.” She greeted Katrina before she retook her chair. “I was just enjoying a pre-dinner drink.”
The additional members—ring ins—of our group hadn’t arrived yet, leaving us to order our own pre-dinner drinks while we waited, a waiter walking over to me first. “I’ll have soda and lime, and can we also get a Cosmopolitan and a Dos Equis, please.” I ordered for the rest of the table, a habit when we all went out.
“Soda and lime?” Liz held her hand up, stopping the waiter from walking away. “Put a shot of vodka in it for her, she isn’t driving.”
I shrugged, agreeing that my abstinence from the feel-good juice was probably not going to last the night. How long had I held out? A few hours? I would totally suck in a hostage situation. “Fine, add the vodka.”
He nodded, making his way to the bar to fill our order.
Dave smiled at me with appreciation before turning his attention to Liz. “So tell me, Liz, how’s cable life treating you?”
“How did you know what Dave wanted to drink?” Katrina leaned into whisper while Dave was momentarily engaged in conversation with Liz. “I know we’re predictable, but I know his drink preference isn’t written in his employment file. I’ve read it like five times, I’d have remembered if it was.”
She was right about that, it wasn’t written there. Instead, I had read it on the specially prepared fake boyfriend dossier he’d given me. Which funnily enough I’d read five times too.
“Oh, you know.” I played it down, pretending like it was no big deal. “It’s my job to know stuff like that. Favorite drinks, places clients like to go, who they follow in sport. Lord knows, Jeremy wouldn’t be able to remember.”
Her look of concern eased, my explanation seeming to make sense. “Of course.” She shook her head, a smile crossing her lips. “I should have known you’d have insider information. You can give me all the extra dirt later.”
I hated not telling her the truth, that instead of being a walking talking Hollywood encyclopedia like I’d just implied, I’d been given a helping hand courtesy of the man himself.
But the fewer people who knew about our arrangement, the better. Too much was on the line—my job, my reputation, my family disowning me—so for now, it would have to stay my dirty little secret. Ironic since that’s what Dave offered to be. And even my closest friends, with whom I shared almost everything, would have to remain in the dark.
“You found a date yet for Lana’s wedding?” Liz asked, pulling me back into the conversation. “Or should we shop for funeral dresses for when you tell your mom the truth?”
“Nobody yet.” I smiled, deliberately not looking at Dave. “I still have a few weeks though.”
“I know a guy you can use,” Liz offered. “I dated him for a week, good take-home-to-momma material, but has a weird doll collection.” She shivered at the memory. “Creepiest thing ever, but as long as you stay out of his bedroom, you’re good.”
Dave laughed, covering his mouth as he pretended to cough into his hand.
“Thanks, I’ll take my chances finding someone on my own.” I kicked him deliberately under the table.
My threat of violence did nothing to curb his grin, tilting his head to the side as he spoke. “Now, Jess, I don’t think you should rule out Liz’s suggestion so quickly. Doesn’t one of your aunts collect dolls?”
“How did you know that?” Katrina asked, her brow knitted in confusion.
And it was a fair question, the information not something a lot of people knew. Unfortunately, Dave and I had info-loaded each other and were both having trouble remembering where the line was of what we should publically know.
“I must have mentioned it to Dave when Nick went for that audition for that horror movie last year.” I stumbled around the explanation like a drunkard trying to find a light switch in the dark. “You know, freaky dolls are scary.”
“Actually you told Nick and Nick told me, but yeah it was when he went for the audition,” Dave continued seamlessly, his bullshit story rolling of his tongue like it was utter fact. “We toyed with idea of sending you a Chucky doll anonymously. You can thank me for convincing him that was a shitty thing to do.”
My eyes widened, not needing to pretend I was horrified. “Umm . . . thank you?”
“Ladies.” Matt arrived with a friend in tow, saving my ass. “Sorry we’re late, the traffic was terrible.”
Katrina introduced everyone. The additional company distracted her from our near miss as the waiter delivered our drinks before taking an order for our newcomers. Matt sat next to me while the guy he’d walked in with—Joe—almost fell into the seat beside Liz. He wasn’t even trying to hide his excitement, his jaw hitting the table as he stared at the blond, blue-eyed starlet he was obviously not told about.
We ordered more drinks and dinner as the conversation flowed easily. Matt was a nice guy—good looking, great job and warm personality. Which would have made him prime dating material except, despite knowing him for a while, there had never been any chemistry between us. Joe, who was new to our group, was having trouble stringing words together. He was miraculously still managing to charm the pants off of Liz, her laughter getting more animated as the night wore on. All the while Katrina was doing her best to beguile Dave.
It was strange watching the interaction, her slow sexy dance of seduction while he politely and gently rebuffed her advances. He was kind and attentive, listening to everything she had to say while making sure he engaged everyone else in conversation as well.
“She’s really into him, huh?” Matt leaned in, whispering in my ear.
I discreetly leaned back, trying to work out who we were talking about. “Liz?”
“No, Katrina. She hasn’t taken her eyes off him for a second.”
Oh?
Oh!
My head snapped to him, my eyes following his as he glanced over at her. She was laughing at something Dave had said, her eyes closed as she tossed back her head.
“I knew this was a group thing.” He shrugged, his puppy dog eyes looking slightly defeated. “But I thought maybe I’d have the chance to . . . you know, get her alone for a minute or two.”
“There’s still time, and I don’t think anything is going to happen beyond this date.” I offered words of encouragement. “Maybe I can distract Dave for a while, give you a chance to talk to her?” I pretended to not be as excited as I was at the prospect.
His eyes lit up with hope. “You’d do that?”
“Of course. Let’s get the check and when we get to the party, I’ll say I have some business to discuss or something. While we’re gone, you can show her how awesome you are.” Giving him an encouraging punch in the arm.
He nodded, giving my hand a squeeze. “Right. That’s exactly what I’ll do. Thanks, Jess, you’re the best.” I was fairly sure that I wasn’t, but arguing the point wasn’t going to be beneficial for anyone either.
That I would enjoy being Dave Larsson’s distraction was another story entirely.
KATRINA, DAVE AND I PULLED up to a beach house in Malibu shortly after ten, finding the party in full swing.
Liz had arrived before us—her driver breaking the land speed record—while Joe and Matt got there soon after.
The supermodel’s birthday had apparently attracted quiet a crowd, the house packed with beautiful people and a few token regular folk added for diversity.
“Hey.” I grabbed Katrina before we got too far involved in the noise. “Mind if I steal Dave for minute, there’s a director he should meet.”
She smiled, looking at Dave before turning back to me. “I don’t mind tagging along. Who we meeting?”
“I’ll keep you company,” Matt offered. “Let them take care of business and we’ll grab drinks for everyone.”
I had to hand it him, he wasn’t the kind of man to let an opportunity slip through his fingers. Bravo, Matt. Bravo.
And either Dave had read the situation, or needed a break from the full body onslaught he’d been battling all night, tapping her arm as he moved closer to me. “It’s probably best if I just go with Jess. It will no doubt just be boring conversation. Work, scripts, pretentious actors.” He pulled his face into a fake grimace. “The less people that see behind the curtain, the better.”
