Page 41 of Reckless Storm
“Little bit. Yup.” My voice comes out strained and I don’t bother hiding it. There’s no point in denying it anyway. She knows when I’m lying.
Hayley pats my shoulder as I pull into the parking lot, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“I guess that means we both need to get laid.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
When I come to a stop, Hayley grabs my arm before I can get out, clenching her teeth. “We have to sneak in.”
Huh? I raise a brow in question and she nods. “The stylist doesn’t want me to be seen.”
“What?” I may be famous in my own right, but this is a whole new level for me.
The closer we get to the release of Hayley’s movie, the harder it is for her to live a normal life. People are recognizing her everywhere she goes and yet, it blows my mind to think we’ve been out numerous times since the day at the waterpark and have yet to read about it in the media. Hell, when I half drunkenly agreed to be secret friends, I never actually believed we’d succeed. Now it’s been two months and the only people that know, other than us, are Amelia and Bria. And a select number of fans that have seemingly kept it to themselves.
“What about you wear my hoodie and go in disguise? I’ll happily wait in the truck until you’re done.”
I comically grin but it does me no favors. “You’re coming. And it’s not for me. It’s for the stylist,” she confirms and my confusion deepens.
“Okay? What about I drive you around back and I walk in the front?”
“That defeats the purpose. The stylist doesn’t want to draw attention to herself in case I don’t choose to work with her. If you waltz in there all ‘look at me, I’m Reed Coombs,’ it’s going to raise questions.”
I stare at her deadpan. “Look at me, I’m Reed Coombs?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Does that really happen?”
“I don’t know. I guess she’s been burned in the past and it’s affected her sales?” She shrugs as I try to understand.
“If that happens, I’ll hire her. She can dress me for the charity event D’Angelo wants to host in late February.”
I’m joking but Hayley ponders that for a moment. “That could work.” She nods to herself. “Yes. Perfect. Drop me off in the back.”
“I’m kidding.”
“I know. But hooray.” She waves her hands in the air as though celebrating. “Congratulations, you’ve found yourself a stylist.”
“Goddammit,” I groan, banging my head against the steering wheel. “Remind me why I agreed to come with you again?”
“Because you love hanging out with me?”
That wasn’texactlythe reason, but…I can’t argue with that either.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Reed
Holy fuck.Who knew this would be torture?
Me.Idid.
That’s why I didn’t want to come. Despite having a female best friend, I am not a dress shopping guy. I’m not a shopping guy in general.
“How about you try these next?” The stylist passes Hayley another selection of dresses, and Hayley smiles politely before flashing me a pained expression, begging me to save her.
But all I can do is shrug. This is on her.
