Page 10 of Not that Impressed
CHAPTER 6
ELLIE
Using my scheduled filming time to have cameras trail after me at my friend Isla Emerson’s launch party for her new clean makeup line is another perk of the show. TheBeing the Bennetscrew will capture me and Janelle mingling with people at the event, and thousands of women will order because Janelle and I endorse it.
None of Isla’s guests balked at signing the waivers for the show, like one of the production assistants who worked Janelle’s volunteer event said Will did.
Why have I let that man get under my skin?
Isla’s party planners rented out the Solace House estate for the party and it’s divinely gorgeous. The house has a main portion and two wings flanking it, all in a neoclassical style with tall, Corinthian style columns and stone balustrades lining the balconies on the second floor and the walkways on the main floor. The expansive lawn has black café style tables sprinkled around, and by the time Janelle and I arrive, it’s already filled with Isla’s friends, influencers, and executives dressed in cocktail party attire. I’ve been to enough events like these in the past few years that it’s not exciting anymore to get all glammed for a party, but I’m happy to do it for Isla. The September evening isperfect too, like Isla somehow ordered seventy-two-degree weather just for tonight.
She greets us with kisses to our cheeks and squeezes our shoulders.
“Isla,” Janelle says with a smile, looking around. “This is gorgeous.”
Isla does a soft clap, grinning from ear to ear. “Isn’t it?” She takes my hand and one of Janelle’s, squeezing them. “Don’t forget your swag bags.”
I have to laugh. We already have samples of all of Isla’s makeup. We’ve been using it on the show for months to build excitement for her launch. “We won’t,” I promise.
A woman I don’t recognize saunters up to Isla on the arm of a tall, broad-shouldered, and frankly ridiculously handsome man. I recognize him immediately. Grayson Hollis. He was a running back for the Pumas, but they cut him last year without comment. Plus no one has picked him up in the time since. There’s been a ton of speculation that rivalries on the team might have caused it, but the situation doesn’t make sense to me. He was decent enough that I don’t think it’s playing that got him cut, but what else could it be? The Pumas franchise has been pretty drama-free for the most part, and Dad hasn’t said a word about what happened with Grayson.
“Isla!” the woman squeals, breaking away from Grayson to wrap her arms around Isla. He looks at me and Janelle in turn and gives us a nod. We’ve never met, but his expression holds recognition. Not surprising for a former player from my dad’s team.
“Janelle, Ellie,” Isla says when the woman lets her go. “This is Ruby Hart and …” She falters as she looks at Hollis.
He jumps in before the silence is awkward. “Grayson Hollis,” he introduces.
We all shake hands, and Hollis meets my gaze with a smirk that says he knows that I know who he is. His eyes are mischievous and so blue it’s a bit startling. His fingers slide out of mineslowly, and I don’t know what to think about Ruby hanging on to him possessively. Are they dating?
Isla turns back to me and Janelle. “I told you to bring a plus one,” she says. “Where’s Charlie Baldwin?” She raises her eyebrows and bites back a grin.
Janelle blushes. A few celebrity gossip accounts have already posted pictures of Janelle and Charlie at her volunteer event, speculating about them even though nothing about the way they interacted looked romantic. Someone who saw Janelle and Charlie at his party said something and the gossip is building.
“He was a volunteer at the event. He came to bring a recognizable face and spread the word.”
Isla gives Janelle a knowing look, but Ruby jumps into the conversation, asking Janelle about the Radiant Dew foundation of Isla’s that she’s been using, and Grayson turns to me, lowering his voice.
“You know Charlie Baldwin?” he asks.
“Kind of,” I admit. “He moved in down the street from my parents.”
“So you probably know Will Pemberton,” he says, and tightness pulls his expression, telling me there’s totally more to this story.
I raise an eyebrow to convey my own thoughts without saying anything. There’s a camera capturing these interactions, and I glance over at it. “I’ve met him.”
Hollis follows my gaze, and his expression smooths. “I played on the Pumas with him, which you probably know.”
I nod, grateful to be talking to a guy who doesn’t assume I’m all beauty and brat and no brains. “I do.”
“Gray!” Ruby squeals again and grabs his arm. “Look who’s here!” She points somewhere off in the crowd, and I follow where she’s pointing, but it’s not obvious who she means. Before she explains, she gives Isla a finger wave and air kisses and pulls Grayson away. He smiles at me as he follows her.
Isla and Janelle both turn to me. “What?” I ask.
“They’re not together,” Isla says.
“I don’t know why you told me that.” I’ve perfected a bland expression over the last fourteen years of filming that’s always believable. Isla shrugs, and I tuck away the triumphant smile that would show my hand.
Grayson Hollis is attractive, and we share an unfavorable opinion about Will Pemberton. I wouldn’t mind seeing him again sometime.
