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Damn. Why did he have to look so glum? It made me feel guilty, and I hated feeling as though I made him unhappy.
“Would it mean a lot if I go with you?” I asked, eyeing him with scrutiny.
He raked a hand over his hair, making it look more disheveled and sexy as fuck. “Yes, so I can show you off, but mostly to stop everyone from bugging me about my past relationship.”
He meant Hailey. He wanted to kill the gossip. Hailey had never been shy to respond if asked how she adored River and stating lies, like spouting the reason of their breakup was due to scheduling conflict and not lack of love from River.
River’s love.Yeah, my big fat ass.
“Well, in that case, we’ll definitely be going, then.” Anything to squash Hailey’s hopes of reconciling with River, I was all for it. And if the cost to accomplish such a feat was to share the red carpet with him, then so be it. But apart from that concern, another one sprouted in my mind as River kissed me before excusing himself to shower before heading out to the studio.
Mostly every gifted makeup artists were all booked up. This was a last minute decision and without a makeup artist handy, it bothered me that I might look terrifyingly ugly that people would start bashing me. I loved River, but this part of his life gave me anxiety. The flashes, the fame, I could do without. But being with him, this circus was part of the package, and no matter how much I loathed the thought of living a life in a fishbowl, I had to learn how to brave it out and grow a thicker skin.
//
The following afternoon, when the coast was clear from any slithering snakes around the apartment, I tried to call Kells, but it immediately went straight to voicemail. I knew she had a project in Brazil, so maybe the reception was scarce in her area.
“Babe, I know you’re having a shoot and won’t be back for a few days, but I have a huge favor to ask of you. River’s going to MTV Music Awards this Saturday, and I’m going to be his plus one. I need you to do me up ’cause everyone’s fully booked. I hope this isn’t too much to ask … so please, if possible, get back to me when you can. Love ya.”
With Anton’s help, we managed to score a quick fitting for a designer dress after he strategically dropped River’s name. And just like that, the once tightly shut doors hastily opened to cater to one of Hollywood’s hunks’ plus ones.
It was a gorgeous champagne, beaded gown with hand-sewn Swarovski crystals, dropped cleavage, and beautifully intricate designs that fitted my body like a second skin. Even amidst my anxiety, I couldn’t begrudge how elated I was, thinking about how I would look standing next to my man.
By the night’s end, while Anton, River, and I dined out at Sugarfish, I received an email from Kells. She would be flying in the morning of the event. She would also bring a friend along that did a marvelous job with hair. So, with all those necessities out of the way, I could breathe, relax, and savor the massages and facials River booked for us in the next few days.
We went to the Face Place first, followed by Ole Henriksen Body Spa to scrub and polish every inch of our bodies. And when nightfall came around, River had to head back into the studio while I carried on for a new highlighted color and new do at Nine Zero One Salon.
River, bless his beautiful heart, actually requested that Willa occupy herself while I was in the condo. He wanted us to avoid each other as much as possible. So, in a way, I appreciated his gesture.
I hadn’t checked my own apartment in Santa Monica as I previously planned, and it was becoming such a hardship imagining a life without River. Even for a few measly hours, I had gotten so accustomed to living in his space that it was unbearable to imagine not sharing sweet mornings with him. The mornings were my addiction. I loved waking up to him working in and out of me.
With all that juicy sex, how could I revert back to my old ways? I wasn’t sure. All I knew was that it felt amazing to be with River all night and day. Maybe he was right about moving in together. And with Willa scarcely around during the day and only coming home past eight at night, it was almost tolerable living with her.Almost.
