Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 93713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“And here she comes now.” Malik pointed as Venus approached our station near the door. “Go ahead and take your break. I know you want to say hi.”
He smiled as he waved me off. He didn’t smile a ton, so when he did, it always felt like he was sharing a secret. But I didn’t have time to appreciate Malik’s smiles. I had a girlfriend to impress.
I stood as Venus’s purposeful strides carried her toward me, a practiced smile on her perfectly glossed lips. Her highlighted hair fell in waves over her shoulders. Her spiky heels clicked across the scarred linoleum hallway and made her even taller than usual. The heels were part of a party outfit for an alumni reunion scene on the day’s filming schedule.
I stood a little straighter, rolling my shoulders back. The right one complained, but I tried to ignore it in favor of focusing on Venus.
“Hey, beautiful,” I greeted her, offering a hug, which she dodged.
“Wardrobe and makeup took two hours. Big scene today.” Her tone was slightly braggy, but her pride in her work was understandable,
“Sorry. I won’t mess you up. Now.” I winked. “But later…”
She frowned. “Later, I’m going out with my girls. We’re celebrating. I got that movie part I’ve been waiting to hear about.”
“That’s fabulous.” I grinned at her. “Wait. Don’t you want to celebrate together?”
I might not have much relationship experience, but if I had big news, I’d want to take my girlfriend out.
“That’s actually why I came to see you. We need to talk.”
Uh-oh. Danger. My inner red-alert system, honed by my years in the SEALs, started blaring. No, no, we didn’t need to talk, especially not two days before Valentine’s Day. I had plans, damn it.
“Talking can wait.” I forced my grin to stay in place. “Have fun out with your friends tonight.”
“I’ve been thinking…” Venus scrunched her face. She wasn’t exactly known for being a thinker, and Venus contemplating things was another bad sign. The alarm in my brain rose to foghorn-level loud as she continued, mouth twisting, “My image needs an upgrade. I need to surround myself with people who reflect my new level of success.”
“And I don’t fit?” Frowning, I tried to follow her logic. Like her, I wasn’t the biggest brainiac, but I could at least try to divert her from her apparent destination. “Do I need a haircut? Different clothes?”
“No, you’re fine. This is about me.”
It’s not you, it’s me. God, I hated all variations of those words, but I tried to keep a neutral expression. Malik was only feet away, undoubtedly hearing every cliched word. “This role is big news since I’m playing the star’s bestie. This could be my big break.”
“And I don’t fit with that how?”
“I need to be more strategic about who I surround myself with. When I was a C-list unknown, dating a security guard was no biggie, and you are kind of hot. And heroic. Go, SEALs.” She gave the same giggle girls at the bar in Coronado always used, like banging a SEAL was a merit badge to be earned. But apparently, that was no longer enough appeal for Venus.
“So, you’re on the hunt for someone with more social media followers?”
“Exactly.” She brightened like I’d said the right thing while my insides sank. “I knew you’d understand.”
“Not sure I do. You’re saying you need to see other people? More famous people?”
“Yes. People who are already where I want to be in terms of roles and recognition. My agent has a prospect lined up for tomorrow at a casual anti-V-Day party for singles. I’ll get to chat with this guy. Hopefully make a good impression.”
Anti-Valentines. Talk about a poke in the heart. Also, apparently, she was single now. Nice to know. “You’re letting your agent pick your dates?”
“Of course.” She rolled her elegant shoulders, making the spaghetti straps on her black dress stretch. “It’s not like any of this is real.”
“We weren’t real either?” My efforts to keep a neutral tone failed miserably as a whole lot of hurt seeped into my voice.
“No, we were fun. You’re a great guy.” She patted my left shoulder with about as much affection as my sister might show. Definitely not a girlfriend gesture. “But now is the moment for me to focus on my career.”
“I see.” I didn’t, not really, but I wasn’t about to publicly beg her to reconsider. Not that it would work. Better to take the hit squarely on the chin, try to be the bigger person, not show my hurt to someone who clearly didn’t care. “Well, good luck with that.”
“You’re the best.” She gave me a quick perfume-laced kiss on the cheek and then rubbed her lipstick away before I could fumble to do it left-handed. “Oops.” Her smile had lost most of its brightness. “I better get back. Thanks for understanding.”