When he opened the door this time, the gardener was already at work, and the postman was in the driveway. “I’ll be home for late lunch or dinner,” he said. “As you know we’re not filming today, but I need to talkto my agent. Make sure the press knows we’re dating.”
“Good luck.” She squeezed his hand like they were friends.
He tugged her closer. They were pretending to be more. Everyone here needed to believe she was his, already, when he said, “Have a good day, hon.”
Her gaze narrowed but her lips pouted. He tortured himself, but claimed her lips again.
And once again he wasin paradise, where nothing else existed or mattered.
Chapter 7
Ashley drove the Bentley, smooth and easy to maneuver to Rodeo Drive. It was like this was someone else’s life, entirely.
She used to think the Kia was a great car.
All she needed were amazing sunglasses to give off the “who is she?” vibe.
She signaled left down palm tree-lined streets to the address on Rodeo Drive Jennifer had sent, and found a valet.
For once in her life she could afford a valet, even if it cost a hundred dollars for the day.
Ashley walked the hundred feet or so down the street, hardly noticing her tennis shoes slapping against the pavement because she still floated from Matt’s kiss.
Seriously, she hadn’t expected another one.
She passed a small café that seemed busy with customers getting coffeeand smelled money in the air.
This wasn’t where she’d ever shop for herself, at least before now.
When she’d gone to sleep last night, she’d been positive that Matthew was just being nice to let her crash and she’d slept fitfully, fully prepared to be told she’d have to leave in the morning. She’d kept all her stuff in her suitcase… just in case. Then, coffee, and…
Her heartsoared that she had a real chance now.
If she didn’t screw everything up, that is.
She read the elite store names on Rodeo Drive but continued to the address Jennifer sent.
This was where they’d filmed the moviePretty Woman, but her jeans and t-shirt grunge style blended with the people having breakfast in the corner cafes, and she didn’t seem that out of place.
Hermind returned to her and Matt’s chat over coffee. At least he hadn’t brought up the written contract. If she signed something that outlined her place as a pretend girlfriend, she might lose this… bubble of hope in her heart that wished this wasn’t a fake relationship.
If he didn’t care about the past and noticed her now… then maybe she could… live happily-ever-after. Was that silly?
Finally she made it to the address Jennifer had texted her or the nearest valet she could find as the small boutique didn’t have parking. She checked her phone and then headed inside. Ashley gave her name to the lady at the front desk who smiled at her and waved her to a private room.
Jennifer was in the hair stylist’s chair but she stood up and pouted at her in her usual way that mostmovie-goers somehow found endearing. “You’re late.”
Ashley put her pocketbook down on a counter as it was just them and the workers. “I stayed at Matthew’s last night.”
Jennifer’s eyes widened. “Does he know who you are now, or rather, who you were?”
Ashley glanced at the beautician, who left without saying anything to give them some privacy. Once the door closed behind her,Ashley said, “Actually yes. I told him.”
Jennifer pointed her toward a chair. “Told him what exactly?”
Ashley unfolded the wooden chair and brought it near Jennifer’s stylist’s chair as Ashley said, “That I gave birth to his brother’s baby through surrogacy and I was his sister’s maid.”
Jennifer retook her seat like it was a throne and she was the queen as she pursed her poutylips. “Matthew must want the role very badly if he’s willing to look past that.”
