Marry Me For Money: A Billionaire Fake Fiance Novel Page 17
“Maybe that would be best,” she replied.
I had hurt her feelings. I felt like a dick. “Hailey, I’m sorry.”
She smiled and nodded her head before stepping forward and giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. “It’s fine. Please, have Lena call me or have someone let me know about the shoot.”
“I will. I’ll see you later, Friday, don’t forget,” I said with a grin.
“Yep, see you then,” she said and walked away.
I slapped a hand to my head. I had fucked that up. I had to remember that no matter what was happening between us, she was my one shot to get my inheritance. I needed to reel in the dickhead act. I was mad at her for being like every other woman. She hadn’t lied to me or done anything outright deceitful. It was my issue. I needed to get it together and figure out how to make it work, at least until I had the ring on her finger.
Chapter 27
Hailey
I waved as I walked past Lena, not bothering to chat. I hoped she didn’t think I was being rude, but I wanted to get as far from his office as possible.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” I muttered to myself as I walked down the hall, slamming my index finger against the elevator button.
I felt like a complete moron. He’d asked for some time to focus on his work, and I’d come barreling into his office like a bull in a China shop. My coffee excuse had been weak. Even I knew it was lame. I had spent all morning trying to think of a good reason to see him and failed miserably. To make the situation worse, I had actually told him he owed me for the coffee. I had seen the look on his face and the complete change in his demeanor. He had not found it the least bit funny. It had been a joke, but I had come off sounding like a real bitch.
Things were tense between us, and I had no idea why. I had thought everything was going so well and then he changed practically overnight. It was what happened with guys. I knew that. It was why I had avoided serious relationships. I wanted to believe he was different, but with the way things were going, I needed to step back into the world of reality.
I stepped into the elevator, leaning against the back wall as it moved down. How could I have been so naïve? I thought about going back up there and telling him it was a joke but knew he would tell me I was being silly and that he knew it was a joke. Then we’d have another awkward goodbye. No, I’d leave it be and hope like hell he forgot I ever showed up.
I walked out into the sunny day and put on my sunglasses. I’d give Terran his week. I could do that. I did not want to be one of those clingy girls that followed her man around and cried into her pillow when he didn’t call. I would not do that to myself or him. I had more self-respect than that.
No matter what had just happened or how he had been the last couple days, he was a good man. He’d been kind and gentle. He was good and caring. That I knew deep down in my very soul. So, he didn’t want to see me anymore. I couldn’t hold that against him. Things didn’t work out. End of story.
I strode down the sidewalk toward the office where I was meeting my new agent. Once again, I was reminded of how sweet Terran was. He had hooked me up with this agent. I knew how hard it was for a virtual nobody like me to get my foot in the door of the acting world. Terran had made it happen. I imagined he had to call in a few favors, which meant he owed someone and I owed him.
I walked four blocks, checked the address and went inside, doing my best to appear confident. My heels clacked against the hard tile floor as I made my way to the reception desk. I had been playing phone tag with Gabriel and managed to talk to him on the phone a few times, but I had yet to actually meet the man who was going to be my agent. He was taking me solely on Terran’s word and my portfolio.
“Hi,” I said with a friendly smile to the woman busy on her computer.
“Good morning. Name?”
“Hailey Hollis.”
She looked at her computer screen and nodded. “Have a seat, and he’ll be with you shortly.”
“Thank you.”
I sat down, doing my best not to appear nervous. I shouldn’t be nervous. I had talked to him so I almost felt like we were old friends. When she called my name, I took a deep breath and walked into the agent’s office. There were large framed pictures of some of the more successful names in the business that he represented. When I saw an eight by ten photo of myself on the wall, I smiled. I was officially in the business. It was strange to see my face alongside some of the B-list actors I recognized.
“Hailey, it’s good to see you.”
“Thank you for seeing me.”
“Of course. Thank you for being so patient. I do have a few clients that can be divas and seem to monopolize my time,” he said, shaking his head.
“I understand, really I do,” I assured him, not wanting to be one of the divas.
“I’ve reached out to some contacts, and they have you on their radar, which is a great thing. I think we’ll need to start small, maybe some silent parts and commercials,” he explained.
I sat down in one of the leather chairs, nodding my head. He was a high energy man. It felt a little like sitting in a room with a Tasmanian devil. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to talk or just sit there. He was buzzing around, talking fast, his movements jerky and just a bit crazy in general.
“Great, thank you. I’m a little overwhelmed,” I said.
He nodded and sat down behind his desk, opening his laptop. “I’m going to send you out on some calls. This is how you get your foot in the door. They need to see you in person.”
I nodded my head. “Are these auditions?”
He shrugged a shoulder and explained what would happen when I went on the calls. I was feeling more nervous than ever. I wasn’t sure I was cut out for acting after all. It was going to be a lot different than showing up and being told what to wear and posing. I was going to have to impress people with my ability to deliver lines and express my emotions.
“You’re going to do great. I don’t expect you to get the first few jobs you audition for. This is more about you getting your feet wet and knowing what to expect from an audition. Once you get some experience, you’ll know what to do and absolutely nail it!” he said with confidence.
“Thank you. I really hope so. I do have a sudden case of cold feet,” I said apprehensively.
“I think this is going to be an easy transition. Models are hopping the lines and making movies all the time these days. Fans like the idea of their idol having many talents. You’re smart, pretty and I know you’re going to do well.”
“Thank you, really. I hope you’re right.”
“I’m going to put you in touch with an acting coach. She’s great. I refer all my clients to her. She’ll give you tips and point you in the right direction for acting classes. I know you have an idea about the kind of work you want to do, but ultimately, it’s up to the casting directors and producers. Don’t get discouraged if you hear a lot of no’s in the beginning. It happens. That’s the nature of the business, and sometimes those rejections can be harsh. I’m here to filter the rejections, but it can sting just the same.”
I nodded my head. “I understand, and I think I have pretty thick skin after being in the modeling world for so long. It isn’t easy having every inch of your body critiqued,” I joked.
He chuckled. “No, I can’t imagine it is, which is probably why models do so good at the transition.”
I laughed. “Models can be pretty mean to each other, probably far harsher than any casting director.”
“You may be asked to take roles that aren’t really what you want to do, but everyone needs a starting point. A jumping off spot. The acting world is different in a lot of ways than the modeling world. You’re going to be in front of a camera with fifty people watching you and telling you what to do,” he explained.
I laughed. “Sounds a lot like modeling.”
He nodded. “The cameras are going to be all around. Unlike modeling, you won’t be looking at the camera, which is tough for some.”
He grinned. “I have no doubt that you will.”
“I really appreciate you taking me on and doing all this for me. I want to make acting my priority, but I do still have some jobs lined up. I hope one does not interfere with the other.”
He shrugged. “I got the paperwork from your other agent, officially terminating your relationship with her. So, my office will be in charge of your bookings. We’ll make sure you’re not overbooked.”
“Good, great.”
“You must be really special,” he said, looking at me.
“Excuse me?” I asked, wondering where he was going with his comments.
“Terran came in here and all but demanded I take you on as a client. In all the years I’ve known him, that’s never happened. I know there have been plenty of ladies who know of our relationship and have asked him to do just that. He never has. So, either you’re really special to him, or he wants to keep you happy at his agency.”
I smiled, feeling the little warm and tingly sensation wash over me at the thought of Terran going to so much effort for me. “He’s a good man. We’re good friends.”
He grinned. “I can see that.”
I wasn’t sure if he was being honest or hitting on me. I had been wary of the acting world after hearing a lot of stories. I couldn’t imagine Terran would hook me up with a man that was like that, but maybe he didn’t know.
“I appreciate everything you’re doing for me,” I said again.
“We’ll be in touch soon,” he said, and I assumed the meeting was over.
“Um, Terran said he had a gig he wanted me to do. I told him to get in touch with my agent. Is that now officially you?” I asked, feeling a little lost with the transition.
Gabriel nodded his head. “It is. Well, not me, but I’m assuming the contracts will all transfer over. If you want me to demand more money or add something to your rider, you just let me know, and I’ll make it happen.”
I smiled. “No, I trust Terran’s company to be fair. I had a standing contract already in place.”
“Great. Then we’ll work out the scheduling.”
I stood up, smoothing down my dress. “Thank you for your time, I really, really appreciate you taking me on. I know you didn’t have to and this is not something you would normally do.”
“Of course. Like I said, Terran is a good friend, and when he is willing to go to bat for someone, I know it’s a big deal. If he thinks you’re special, then you must be. When I met you, I knew exactly why he came here. You’re a special woman and very beautiful,” he said, standing and coming toward me.
I smiled, pretending to appreciate the compliment, but not entirely sure where he was going with it all. I hoped he understood I was with Terran. Or at least I thought I was.
“I need to go. I have to meet my friend for lunch,” I lied.
He walked toward me, and he reached out to take my hand. I let him, ready to hit him if he tried anything.
“I’ll be in touch,” he said with a warm smile before dropping my hand.
“Bye, Gabriel,” I said and walked out of his office as fast as my legs would carry me.
I walked past the receptionist without saying a word, heading for the door. I was usually a good judge of character. I didn’t get a bad vibe from him, but I would not stick around if I got the idea he was hitting on me.
Chapter 28
Terran
It wasn’t often I cooked dinner at home, but I was tonight. I wanted solitude away from everything. My phone’s ringer was off. I was focused solely on the chicken I was grilling and the rice I was cooking to go with it. I wasn’t a gourmet cook by any means, but I could get by.
I had some jazz music playing on the surround sound and a cold beer in my hand. I had stripped off the suit and tie the moment I’d gotten home and stepped into a pair of basketball shorts and nothing else. It felt good to unwind and kick back.
I flipped the chicken breast over, added a little seasoning before picking up my beer, taking a long drag and finishing it off. I grabbed another one from the kitchen, feeling the stress melt away. The more beer I drank, the louder I wanted the music. Hell, I wanted something a bit more uplifting. I flipped through the satellite channel until I came upon some southern country rock.
I went back to the kitchen to stir the rice and barely heard the doorbell over the music. I turned it down a few notches and opened the door.
“Hailey?” I said with surprise, looking at the vision in pale yellow staring back at me.
She had on a flirty sundress that fell mid-thigh with spaghetti straps that showed off her perfect shoulders and a lot of tanned skin that gave her a youthful, sun-kissed look. The dress was simple and sexy as hell at the same time.
“Am I disturbing you?” she asked, looking down at my bare chest.
“No, I was just making dinner.”
“You’re making dinner?”
I shrugged. “I told you I can cook—kind of.”
“Oh,” she said, staring at me.
“Would you like to come in and join me?”
“I don’t want to intrude. It looks like you are busy,” she said in a voice so soft I could barely hear her.
I grabbed her hand and pulled her in. “Stay. I want you to.”
She came in and put her purse on the couch. I turned the music down a couple more notches.
“I’m sorry. I should have called first,” she started.
I shrugged. “Want a beer?”
“Sure, thank you.”
I grabbed a beer out of the fridge and turned the stove to low. After twisting the top off the bottle, I handed it to her.
“What’s up?” I asked, reading her expression. I could see there was something on her mind.
She took a deep breath. “I feel like you’ve been a little distant this week.”
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention.”
“I was serious the other day when I said I missed you. I really do. I was hoping to just see you and talk to you. I don’t want to intrude or smother you or anything like that,” she said, twisting the bottle in her hand.
“Hailey, you aren’t smothering me. I don’t think you could smother me. I like you being around,” I told her, meaning every word.
“Good because I really like being around you. I feel like an addict when it comes to you,” she laughed.
“Come on, dinner should be about done.”
She followed me into the kitchen. I quickly pulled out a couple plates and dished us up before heading outside to the patio.
“It is so nice out here tonight,” she commented.
“It is. Can I get you another beer?” I asked her.
“Sure, please.”
I cranked up the music again, so we could hear it out on the patio and took my seat across from her. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Thank you. I know you weren’t expecting me. I seem to keep doing that.”
“How’d the meeting go with Gabriel?”
She nodded her head, and I could immediately tell something was off. “What happened?”
“Nothing. It was fine,” she said, her voice a little high-pitched.
“Hailey, what happened?”
“Nothing. He was great. He is my fulltime agent. He is going to be sending me out on some auditions soon and wants me to meet with an acting coach. He also said I would need to take acting lessons.”
“Is that what you want?” I asked, still sensing something was off.
“Yes, sure. I mean, of course.”
I reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “Hailey, what happened? Was he rude? Did he do something inappropriate?”
She shook her head. “No. Well, I don’t know. It was just something he said.”
I nodded my head. “And what did he say?” I growled, fighting back the urge to call Gabriel and rip him a new one.
“He said you’ve never gone to him before to ask for his help in gettin
g someone started in the business.”
I shrugged. “I haven’t. I’m not sure what the problem is.”
“He said, and his words exactly were, really special,” she said, looking down at her plate.
I chuckled. “That’s what has you upset? He said you were really special?”
“He said really special. Like you thought I was really special.”
I smiled. “You are.”
“Thank you. But, um, is Gabriel married?”
I raised an eyebrow, jealousy making my nostrils flare. “Married? Why? What the hell are you asking?”
She pulled back. “What?”
“Are you interested in him?”
She curled her lip. “No. God, no.”
“Then why would you ask that?”
She looked nervous, biting her lip. Realization slammed into me and once again, jealousy made my face feel hot and my blood practically boiled in my veins.
“Did he?” I couldn’t say the word.
She shook her head. “No, no, nothing like that. It was just, I don’t know, when he was talking about the whole special thing, it felt weird. I wasn’t sure if he was hitting on me or just being nice.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “He is nice. Really nice and as far as I know, he’s never been inappropriate with any of his clients. I would never set you up with a man that had a questionable character. I’ve known Gabriel for a long time. He’s a solid guy,” I assured her.
“Good. It’s hard to really know a person’s true intentions.”
I scoffed, finding her statement a bit ironic. “That’s true.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Is that supposed to mean something?”
I shook my head. “No, I was agreeing with you. It’s hard to judge a person by what they say. Their true colors are always buried deep. You find out by their actions and choices who they really are.”
She nodded her head. “That is very true.”
I stood up, grabbing my empty plate then hers, carrying them into the kitchen. I grabbed the remote for the surround sound and turned it down a few notches now that we were back in the condo.