***
I’ve only been on a plane twice before, and the experience was nothing like this. Apparently my sister had enough points to get me a business-class ticket, so I’m sitting in a little pod chair with my legs splayed out and a beer in my hand as the “seatbelts on” sign lights up and the pilot announces we’re preparing for our descent. Savannah is sitting in the seat next to me with a mask over her face and a fuzzy pink blanket pulled up to her chin. She was recognized a couple of times at the airport, but she’s not as well-known yet as Aura is.
My nerves were fighting with each other the entire flight, so I didn’t even really get to enjoy the more civilized experience in business class. Between the fear of crashing into a mountain and dying a fiery death and the fearthat Aura is going to outright reject me live on camera at the film event, it’s been a rough few hours.
But after landing safely and navigating customs, Sav leads me through the place with ruthless efficiency. My legs are long, but I’m no match for her energy, zipping through crowds of tourists and out into the relentless glare of the LA sun.
Her driver is waiting for us, and my shoulders relax for the first time all day as I slip into the buttery-soft leather backseat.
“That was a lot.”
Sav smiles, tossing her curls over her shoulder. “Don’t travel much?”
“Not much. Not unless I can get there by car.”
She folds her arms across her chest. “You know, if this goes well and you end up dating Aura for real, you’re going to have to do a lot more of this. If you actually want to be with her, that is. This is part of her life. LA travel, fancy events. It’s part of the package, and if you can’t handle it, it’s not going to work out.”
“I can handle it.” For her, I can handle anything.
“Okay. Then let’s figure this out. My assistant will be there when we get back to my place. She’ll have a variety of suits for you to try. Then we’ll make sure you get a shower, clean up that hair.” Her eyes drop to my hands. “Moisturize. The works. Get you all prettied up.”
“You don’t think I’m pretty?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at her.
She rolls her eyes. “I think you’re very pretty. In a rugged, rough-around-the-edges kind of way.”
“Well, isn’t that part of the deal? The cowboy and the celebrity.”
“It is, but you’re on her turf now and you have to dress appropriately. When she’s on the ranch, she wears worn jeans and a plaid shirt, right? This is her work uniform.”
When she puts it that way, it makes total sense. Aura’s been bending to my world for the last few months, and today I get to return the favor. To really prove to her that I can handle her world.
“I still can’t believe you were faking it this whole time. I’ve usually got such a good radar for bullshit publicity stunts.” She taps a long glittery green fingernail on her lips.
“Well, it wasn’t ever really fake on my part, to be honest.” I haven’t been able to get her out of my head since the day she sassed me in the coffee shop. And sure, it was her beauty at first, the stunning, knock-you-off-your-feet looks that made her a star. But even then, there was something more to it.
“That could be it. And you two have seen each other naked, right?”
I don’t say a word. I’ve never been one to kiss and tell, but I know Aura wouldn’t want me sharing such intimate details. Even with someone she considers a friend.
“Not going to share, hmm?” Sav grins. “But let me guess. You started the fake-dating thing after those pics leaked, but you were already into her, and I suspect she was into you too. Then you just couldn’t resist each other’s delicious bodies, so you gave in. But Aura wasn’t ready to admit that she had actual feelings for you, so shedenied them and kept pretending it was fake?” She tilts her head to the side with a smirk. “Am I close?”
I just stare at her, still not willing to give anything away, but she must pick up on my expression because she cackles and claps her hands together.
“I got it, didn’t I? I know, I’ve got a gift.”
The car swings into the driveway of a modest house, and I take one moment to breathe before I step out into a world that’s completely different than anything I’ve ever known.
Chapter 31
Aura
It’sfine.Everythingisfine.
My dress is a little tight, my shoes are pinching my toes, and there’s a hair pin that feels like it’s trying to burrow through my skull. I’m afraid to adjust it, at least until after the red carpet. But I look fabulous. If only everyone knew what it costs in comfort to look this incredible maybe they wouldn’t be so eager to see us celebrities prancing around like prized show ponies. I snort out a laugh as soon as the thought crosses my mind.Yeah, right.
They’d probably like it more. I’m sure a lot of members of the general public think we deserve to suffer a little in exchange for all the money we make. But what they don’t understand is how unstable it can be. How, unless you’re so well-established that you get paid a million dollars for a thirty-second cameo, you live your life on the edge untilyou book your next job. How it can all come crashing down if you make a single wrong move. Or even, like in my case, if you don’t.
I reach up to rub at my chest, a telltale tightness forming there. But that can’t happen. Not tonight. I specifically called my therapist this morning to try to put some strategies in place to avoid a panic attack tonight. Of course, since I spent the entire time talking about Quint, the call turned out to be not that helpful for the anxiety.
