Page 74 of Marry Me Forever
“Hey, you can wear granny panties for all I care, as long as it makes you feel badass. But I’ve found that when I feel gorgeous and amazing and kick-ass, it’s easier to face the glitz and glamor of Hollywood. Even though I deal mostly with other assistants, some of them are major snobs. Being the girl who grew up in the cheapest apartment her parents could find, even with them both working two jobs? Well, I must smell, given how they hold their noses up sometimes.”
“I grew up on a dairy farm, which is probably worse in their eyes.” I hesitated to mention my past, but then said, screw it. “Even growing up, other girls teased me for it in Starry Hills. So no doubt, some hoity-toity people here will mention it.”
“That’s easy enough to counter, though—just mention your brother’s name. Kyle Evans and his cheeses are famous and even trendy right now, which makes them hard to get. When it comes to popular, scarce items, the person who can hook other people up has all the power.”
I laughed. “And to think, cheese might open doors for me. Who knew?”
Jenn snorted. “It’s one of the many strange things about this city. Wine can do it too, but few people know Starry Wolfe wine is made by Nolan’s family, even with him doing the ads for the brand now.”
“In the age of the internet, how is that even possible?”
Jenn shrugged a shoulder and then shepherded me out the door and into the waiting car before finally replying, “Starry Wolfe wine is more for everyday people. It’s good—I drink it all the time—but since it doesn’t cost thousands a bottle, it hasn’t reached ‘must-need’ status here.”
I rubbed my forehead. “Equating worth with a price tag instead of the actual item doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Jenn patted my arm. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you navigate the rat race as best as I can. Maybe if I do a good enough job, I can get some of your brother’s famous cheese?”
She put her hands together, complete with puppy dog eyes, and I laughed. “I think that can be arranged. I take it for granted since we always keep a decent amount back for our family. Plus, I always get to eat leftovers after the tours and tasting table.”
“You’re a tour guide, right?”
“Yes. People are going to laugh at me about that, aren’t they?”
“Never to your face. And not all of them—many actors start off with waitressing or bartending until they get a break. Wendy, though, is a different story. She sees you as standing in the way of her happiness and will do whatever it takes to win.”
“Which I don’t get. He’s not the only hot actor around town. She could be making waves with another popular one, right? Seems easier.”
Jenn shrugged. “It’s about status. Nolan’s the most in-demand male actor right now. Add in his sexiness, and she probably thinks they can make and raise beautiful children to dominate the next generation.”
“It seems cold and calculated to me.”
“It is. But that’s Wendy for you. However, men will do all kinds of crazy shit for a pretty face and a chance to fuck someone.”
“But not Nolan.”
Jenn smiled. “No. Nolan’s different, for many reasons. And a marriage like that would destroy him, I think. He’s lonely, more than he’ll ever admit, and needs someone in his corner.”
I could be that person. Easily.
But would he even want that?
Jenn touched my arm, garnering my attention. “For what it’s worth, I’ve never seen him smile, growl, or whistle as much as he has since he’s met you.”
“Um, you’re one of the few people who knows about our plan. It’s just part of his act.”
“Maybe.” She opened her phone and tapped it. “We’re nearly to the first store, and I’d like to go over your hair and makeup appointment for the New Year’s party.”
I blinked. “I have hair and makeup appointments?”
“Of course. Nolan arranged for you to have them. But only as much or as little as you want. How they style everything is up to you. Although your hair would look beautiful swept up with a few dangling curls.”
As Jenn brought up some hairstyles on her phone, I tried to concentrate. However, I was still stunned by the fact Nolan had hired hair and makeup people for me.
True, I’d been a little worried. I was hopeless except for the most basic of styles and had planned to ask Jenn to make a hair appointment.
Even with the amazing dress and professional people dolling me up, would it be enough? At the thought of mixing with the rich and famous, my stomach churned into knots. Would I feel like a fraud? Make some kind of faux pas and prove that the small-town girl had no business mixing with the famous?
Stop it. I may not have dealt with Hollywood people, apart from Nolan. But over the years as a tour guide, I’d mixed with a wide-ranging group of people. I could do this. I would do this.