Page 27 of The Kissing Part
Claire hugs me. “So glad you could make it. If you survive tonight, I’ll get you on the list for all the premier Campbell events.”
I smile. “I’ve really made it now.”
“Right?” She takes in my dress with a whistle. “We’re casual here, but if that doesn’t catch his eye, I don’t know what will.” Claire figured out I had more than one reason for hiring Owen, and she’s rooting for me. I hadn’t told her up front because I didn’t want to get her hopes up if it didn’t work out. My own hopes are in the gutter.
“He couldn’t wait to get away from me,” I say. “He dropped me off with Frankie and headed straight for the bar.”
She looks over at the bar and smiles. “Well, he’s looking at you now, so that’s a good sign.”
Hailey perks up, her blue eyes shining with excitement. “Ooh, are we talking a good sign of love? I’ve been hoping Owen would find a nice woman, and it looks like he found you again. It’s fate! Oh, and congratulations on all your success, Shayla. Did you know Claire regularly has screenings at her house of your movies so the Happy Endings Book Club can watch them together?”
My cheeks warm. I glance at Claire, who shrugs. I take in the group of women all smiling at me. “No, I didn’t know that. Thank you.”
Claire puts an arm around me. “What can I say? I’m proud of her. Not that I had much to do with it, but—”
“You had everything to do with it.” My voice cracks with emotion. If it weren’t for Claire, I would’ve continued a downward spiral and ended up in a really dark place. “You taught me everything I needed to know about surviving and thriving in the industry.”
Claire puts a hand to her heart. “Is that all? Well, you deserve every good thing that’s come your way. I know you work hard.”
“True.”
We smile at each other. She always said we had to work hard to carve out a place for ourselves, that Hollywood was not always easy for women, and we had to be able to hold our heads high with the choices we make. I suppose that’s good advice for women in any line of business. She’s basically a genius mentor, friend, and adopted mom all wrapped in one.
“Hey, Shayla,” Madison says. “Heard you were in town and hired Owen. So are you two back together?” She looks over at him and waves. Then she yells, “Yes, we’re talking about you!”
Oh my God. I glance over, but Owen’s turned away.
Madison grins. “Nothing keeps a man away better than knowing a bunch of women are talking about him. So, what’s the deal?”
I smooth my hair back. “Nothing, really. He’s working for me temporarily because of a stalker situation, and…” I hesitate to call us friends. I don’t think he likes to be around me all that much. Though there was a brief moment in the car when I thought he might kiss me. “And that’s it,” I finish lamely.
Hailey grabs my arm. “I can help you.”
My heart thumps harder. Hailey’s reputation as a matchmaker precedes her, though I doubt Owen would be swayed by anything his aunt said. “That’s not necessary. Things are good just the way they are.”
“Shay!” Harper calls from across the room. “Get over here, woman!”
Oh, thank God. “I’ve got to go. So nice to see you ladies again, and thanks for watching my movies. I appreciate it.”
Madison points at me. “See if you can do more movies where you’re a kickass action hero like inAngel Heart. Maybe get into a superhero franchise.”
“My next movie is an action hero. She’s in the military.”
“Cool!”
Someone tugs my hair from behind.
I turn, and Harper hugs me. “Come with me,” she whispers in my ear. “Mackenzie’s flirting with a waiter. It’s hysterical.”
I follow her to the buffet, where a young guy with short dark hair and a tribal tattoo wrapped around one swollen bicep is replacing hot food dishes.
Mackenzie’s just across from him. “Ooh, that looks good. What is it?”
He points to the card in front of the tray. “Cavatelli with broccoli.”
“Is there any meat in it? I’m thinking of becoming a vegetarian.”
“Doesn’t look like it.”
