Page 9 of Endeavor

“Really?” I squeak.

She leans in toward me. “You really impressed me, Emma, and to be honest, no one has impressed me in a very long time. I’d love to grab lunch with you later this week.” She opens her handbag and gives me a card. “That’s my PA’s number, call her and set up a time. She knows my schedule better than I do.”

“Wow, uh, thanks, that’d be great!” I take the card with a trembling hand and place it in my bag.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to mingle a bit before things get started.” She gives us another warm smile before heading off toward a cluster of celebrities in the corner.

“Do you think we can get copies of those photos?” Will asks as he takes a sip of wine.

“Huh?” I sip my wine and look at him in confusion.

“The photographer over there grabbed some photos of us with Blythe and Grady. Would it be weird to ask him if I can get copies?” I roll my eyes. I like Will, but he can be too Hollywood at times. Everything is about who he knows, and I just don’t care about that stuff, even though, I probably should.

Chapter Five

Grady

Denise rattles on about something as I cut the line and grab us beers. She scoffs at the beer and thrusts it back in my hand, asking for champagne instead. I want to point out that there are servers with champagne walking around everywhere and she didn’t need to cut the line for that, but my words would be useless. Denise Castle is yet another rising model who wants to be wherever the important people are. She was my third choice as a date, but I didn’t exactly have time to be picky. When Mom reminded a few days ago, I admit, I had forgotten. Touring takes a lot out of me, and I’m exhausted and ready to spend some much-needed time resting and prepping to record our next album.

My eyes look over Denise’s head and find the delicious blonde I ran into earlier. Fine, I purposefully didn’t move when I saw she was going to collide with me. Because I’m an asshole like that and wanted an excuse to touch her rockin’ body. I knew the game as soon as Mom walked over. Mom was always looking for girls for me. She wants, and I quote, “For me to settle down and stop acting like a punk because she knows that I’m not one.” Which makes Emma off-limits. If Mom thinks she’d be perfect for me, then I probably ought to steer clear of her. I admit that will not be easy especially if Mom decides to work with her on the documentary she mentioned. As I hand a glass of champagne to Denise, I contemplate ways to keep myself busy in the coming weeks to avoid Mom’s matchmaking attempts.

I take my time making my way back to the table where Emma and her date are now seated. Fortunately, it’s easy to get distracted here as everyone wants to talk with me. For once, that’s in my favor.

But all too soon, the charity executive takes the stage to start the festivities, and I’m forced to join the table, right next to Emma since Denise has aptly chosen to sit next to my mom, leaving only one chair available.

I half-listen as Mom goes up and gives a short speech and shows a little video. People laugh and clap at her antics, but I’m more focused on the sweet-smelling, gorgeous woman next to me. Emma listens intently and laughs at all my mom’s lame jokes. Her date, meanwhile, looks around constantly and tries to strike up conversations with Mom’s best friend, Jessica Peabody, another famous actress.

I can see why Mom thought I’d be into her. She’s naturally beautiful, no plastic surgery needed. Her nose is small and straight, her blue eyes are big and covered in thick lashes, her blonde hair has highlights most women would pay for, but I would guess she has not, and then there’s the lips. I can’t help wondering what those lips would look like wrapped around my dick, while my hand keeps her head in place. I think I’d like to watch her as I fucked her face. Maybe, I can make an exception to my rule. It’s not often Mom brings me such a tempting specimen. And she’s definitely not into her date, her body language makes that clear.

My mom comes back down to join us as the auction begins. I’ve hardly paid attention to the food they’ve brought us, I’m too fascinated by the creature sitting next to me as she takes small bites of her food and chats amicably with Jessica.

Emma

Once the auction ends and dessert is on the table, people begin milling around the room. A second area is opened for dancing and a few people begin to circulate in that direction. That’s when I see Quinlan. She’s at a table in the back with who I presume is her family.

“Excuse me, I just want to say hi to my friend,” I say to no one in particular.

Blythe follows my gaze as I stand. “Oh, Andy Westin, I haven’t had a chance to say hello to him yet! I’ll come with you, my dear.” She stands and excuses herself as we both head toward the table.

“I just love their family. So perfectly adorable!” she croons as we walk.

Quinlan grins at me as I reach the table. It’s then I realize Grady has come along, too. He shakes hands with Quinlan’s boyfriend, Hawkin Play, who I recognize immediately. He’s the lead singer of Bent.

“Mom,Dad, Colton, Rylee, Hawke, this is my mentee from USC, Emma Baldwin, and her date, Will,” Quinlan says as we stop by her table.

“Pleasure to meet you both,” Andy Westin says as everyone at the table nods in our direction. “Blythe! Great to see you!”

Blythe circles the table and leans down to chat with the Westins. While Colton, his wife, Hawke, and Quinlan look back at Will and me.

“So, having a good time?” Colton asks me.

I nod.

“This is right up her alley. Emma is working on an environmental documentary about Hollywood,” Quin interjects.

“Oh?” Colton asks.

I nod. “I’m hoping to start on it this semester.”

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