Page 107 of Rescued Heart

Bianca stared at her reflection in the makeup trailer. The rose-colored silk moved like melted butter along her curves, and the sparkling overlay shimmered when she moved.

Grace had worked her magic and gotten Bianca her meeting with Leo and one of the new financial producers of the movie to go over her and Carter’s contracts. But now it felt too little, too late.

“Perfection.” Grace brought her fingers to her lips and made a kissing sound. “Riley, you wowed it with those curls. Tiff’s level of greatness, to be sure. Messy yet classy. Love. It. All. Bianca, the producer will for sure realize that you’re a gem—pun intended because of this movie about lost jewels.” She added a giggle and then nodded. “You are and will be focused on keeping yourself happy. No more fake dating is in your contract’s future. I can feel it.”

Riley faced her pile of makeup. Hopefully, she would focus on Grace’s compliment and not the comparison to the former makeup artist.

Bianca repositioned one of the curls tangling against its neighbor. Her hair looked more suitable for a night out for pizza than a formal dinner. One she wished she could have had with Eddie last night before he’d left with her heart.

Riley had arrived late but succeeded in spite of the tight deadline. “Thanks, Riley.”

Riley turned and gave her a saucy look in the mirror as she pulled out her phone. “What else would I be good for?”

Grace held out two pairs of shoes—rhinestone boots and heels that made Bianca’s back hurt just by looking at them. “I’m thinking boots.”

“The heels.” Riley typed on her phone screen.

Bianca turned to the side and pulled the hem down behind her. “How about my flip-flops or tennis shoes? Business up top, comfy on bottom. Plus, no one else is going to see my shoes when I’m sitting down.”

Grace shook her head. “Never those flip-flops of yours. No tennis shoes. Those will look like Eddie’s changed you too much.”

Eddiehadchanged her, just not in the way her friend assumed.

Grace wrinkled her nose. “Riley’s right. Put on the heels and thank us both later.”

Bianca slipped on her tennis shoes and took the heels. “I’ll put them on in the car.”

“Fine.” Grace gasped. “We almost forgot!” She hustled over to Riley’s makeup area. “Where’s the diamond heart pendant?”

Riley turned toward Grace. “Didn’t you want the teardrop necklace?”

Grace’s eyes bugged out. “Absolutely no tears. She’s supposed to be thrilled to be working on this movie.” She placed her phone down and shimmed toward one of the wardrobe areas.

Riley set her phone down beside Grace’s on the counter and picked up an eyeshadow palette and a brush. “I’m going to go a shade darker. What do you think?”

“I think I’m overworking you, and you’ve already made me feel beautiful. Thanks for jumping into this position. It’s like it was created for you.”

Some emotion crossed Riley’s eyes as she set the makeup down, and one of the phones buzzed on the counter.

Riley glance at the screen and her eyebrows shot up. “Looks like there’s been a change of plans. You’re riding in the limo. Right now. Dinner time has been pushed up for security reasons at the restaurant.”

Bianca gripped the heels in her hands. “Like right now? But I’m supposed to drive myself. Justin was supposed to be off tonight.”

“You know how things change around here. Grace’s phone just got a text. Guess she’s rearranged a few things. Says Justin’s not officially off until he drops you at the restaurant to meet Carter, Leo, and the producer for dinner in less than thirty minutes.”

Poor Justin. She didn’t want to go out tonight either, but she needed to see if the producer would agree to the change in her contract so she wouldn’t have to fake a relationship with Carter. Leo had said he held no sway over the newest producer. Bianca grabbed her gold clutch off the counter, and something dropped onto the floor.

Riley bent down and scooped the necklace off the floor. “Apparently, the heart pendant has been here the entire time. You better hurry.”

Bianca grabbed the gold chain and her heels. “Tell Grace thanks. I’ll put everything on on the way. I don’t want to make them wait.”

She really needed to stay on the men’s good side. She hadn’t met the new producer, but Carter had told Grace that he’d take care of getting him there so long as Bianca came and sat by Carter at the dinner to create some hype for his social sites tonight.

One last night of almost pretending.

It was a good thing she’d worn her tennis shoes. Bianca jogged out toward the parking lot. The limo engine was running, and the vehicle wasn’t parked up against the curb like normal; instead, it was parked facing the gate.

Bianca opened the door and slid into the middle of the seat. “Thanks, Justin. You didn’t have to take me on your day off…”

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