Page 89 of Princes of Hollywood

The servers and chefs are the only ones privy to this moment. They’re busy getting ready. The calm before the storm. I’m not sure why Mason checked in with me about getting starstruck. I’m firmly there.

Roarke’s fingertips trail down my shoulder, sending little shivers through me as I take a drink. The conversation goes on around me as I sip at the sparkling water. At some point, Aiden holds my hand again and puts it on his thigh.

Zoe studies the three of us closely a few times. I’m not sure what she’ll be privy to or what Wyatt will tell her about our situation. So I just smile like this is normal for me. Overall, this is nice.

But holding patterns can only last so long. Wyatt glances at his phone.

“They’re coming.”

Roarke kisses my cheek. “Prepare to be amazed, poppet.”

Zoe stands and straightens her outfit. When everyone else stands, Aiden reaches his hands down to help me up. I didn’t realize how comfortable I’d gotten between the two of them on the couch. The words spoken around me lulled me into contentment.

Cars enter the driveway. The front door is open, and people begin to flow in. Not one at a time, but in droves. Aiden pulls me in tight to his side, and I cling to his arm as people come forward.

They shake his hand and he introduces me. They give me a passing glance, realize I’m nobody, and continue talking to Aiden. It’s like I pop into existence when he mentions me and then I’m gone the next second. I actually prefer it.

In my experience, being overlooked and ignored is always preferable to being seen.

As we greet people, they move to the servers, who show them outside and take care of their drinks. I hadn’t noticed the setup outside in the garden. Long tables stretch out around the pool. The pool has floating lights in it. More lights are strung above the tables. It’s beautiful. One of the servers heads out through the opened doors with a tray of hors d’oeuvres.

A lot of faces of people I’ve seen on TV or in movies move past me. It’s practically a red carpet up close and personal. Roarke makes flirtatious comments and gives looks to every female that he greets and some of the men. Between rounds, he winks at me.

On interview shows, he’s always a huge flirt. I’m not surprised or alarmed by the way he’s behaving.

Aiden receives a lot of “How are you really?” or “So good to see you up and about.” None of it sounds real. It all sounds like words these people rehearsed.

Everyone is glamorous and put together. Mason was right—I need this dress and makeup to blend in. If I were in my normal clothes, I’d stand out, draw attention, be seen. As it is, I’m invisible and amazed. This right here was worth the price of admission into their world.

It definitely makes me feel less-than to be surrounded by such industry giants.

Mary had some parties with famous people, but they were small, intimate affairs. There, I was something to look upon with pity. A prize that Mary had been gracious enough to keep for a while. She loved to tell my story. Orphaned at a young age by a mother who cared more about getting high than her only daughter.

Mary ate up every compliment for how good she was to take me in out of the kindness of her heart. I was a freak show in her home. Something to gawk at and make them feel better about their own life situations.

“Greer.” Aiden’s tone is gentle as he draws me away from the crowd for a second.

“Yes?” I blink to sweep away the past. “Do you need something?”

He smiles gently and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “You just checked out for a moment.”

I inhale and smile. “Sorry. A lot of people.”

“Almost done.” He tucks my hand in his elbow. “Then we can go find a quiet corner to mingle in.”

“That sounds nice.” The volume in the house has risen. Some soft music plays under the din of voices. Laughter bursts outside from time to time.

When we return to the receiving line, Roarke’s hand rests on my back as he leans down.

“Doing okay, poppet?” His blue eyes search mine for a second.

Hoping my smile isn’t stretched too thin, I nod.

“Aiden Clyborne!” That voice. I stiffen. My insides twist with knots. My breath catches. I should have known. I should have figured it out. Mason is connected to him. “Proud of you for coming through.”

He shakes Aiden’s hand, and his gaze skips over me to Roarke. “Roarke Flynn, always knew Mason would have good friends.”

“He learned to collect us at a young age.” Roarke steps forward and shakes Sawyer Brickman’s hand. The woman behind Sawyer definitely isn’t Mary.

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