Page 65 of How to Kiss a Movie Star
It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever put on my body. I press my hands against my stomach as if the gesture will calm the riot happening inside.
“I don’t think we’ll need to alter it,” Remy says, stepping up behind me and tugging gently at the fabric across my shoulders. “The fit is perfect.”
“You look so amazing,” Olivia says, and everyone else nods their agreement.
“Oh hey,” Tatum says, picking up my bag from where it’s sitting on a little bench behind the three-way mirror where Remy has me perched on a raised dais. “Your phone is ringing.” She pulls the phone from the outside pocket and grins. “You want it? It’s Flint.”
A chorus of squeals erupts around the room, like this is some kind of middle school slumber party and I’ve just gotten a text from the boy I like. Which is a weird analogy to make because I wasneverthat girl in middle school. I didn’t get texts from boys, and I didn’t have slumber parties. But right now, with all these women cheering me on, it’s easy to guess what that might have felt like.
Tatum steps closer and hands me the phone, and I quickly answer it before the call cuts out. “Hey,” I say, a little breathlessly. “Hi. Hello.”
“Having fun?” Flint’s smooth voice triggers a wave of goosebumps to pop up across my skin, and my heart rate quickens. I lift my free hand and rub it across my bare arm as if the gesture alone will calm my racing pulse. I look up and see five sets of eyes on me. “I am, but…actually, hold on.” I step off the dais and move toward the dressing room behind me. I look back at my ever-eager audience. “I’m just going to take this back here,” I say. The heavy dressing room door won’t provide a ton of privacy, but it’s better than nothing at all.
“Okay, I’m here,” I say, collapsing against the wall before remembering the very expensive dress I’m wearing and standing up tall again. “Sorry about that. How are you? How was your meeting?”
“Productive,” Flint says. “I feel really good about the direction we’re taking things.”
“Good. That’s good news.”
“How hasyourday been? Have you gotten everything you need?”
“Flint, I’ve gotten so much more than I need. Olivia is relentless. You might hate me when you finally get your credit card bill.”
“She was only following my instructions,” he says easily. “And I’m not worried about the bill.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. I bought a pair of jeans that cost half my mortgage payment. Do you know how stupid that is? How many children could be clothed with that kind of money?”
“I’ll send over my charitable contributions for the year if it’ll make you feel better,” he says lightly.
“Just tell me it’s more than what you’re spending on me today. All of this just feels so…I don’t know. Extravagant?”
“Audrey, you’re worth a little extravagance.”
I close my eyes, momentarily stunned by the thrill of hearing my name on his lips. Not to mention the words coming out of his mouth.I’m worth a little extravagance? Be still my freaking heart.
I press a hand to my chest. I should not be thinking like this. I should not be enjoying his attention this much.
“And I bet those jeans looked amazing,” Flint says.
I smile, happy his sisters can’t see the goofy expression on my face. The jeansdidlook amazing. Best my butt has ever looked, not that I’ve ever paid particular attention to how my butt looks inanypair of pants. The closest I’ve come is putting on jeans my sisters have thrown at me, insisting they’ll look fine even if theyarea little short in the inseam. It’s possibly dangerous that I’ve discovered the magic of a pair of jeans made formybody instead of my sisters’ much smaller frames.
“Maybe,” I say through my grin. “Though, nothing is as amazing as the dress I’m currently wearing.”
“I can’t wait to see it. Has Remy taken good care of you?”
“Her and everyone else,” I say, sensing in Flint’s tone how much he wants this to be true. “Thank you for today, Flint. It’s possible I might freak out tomorrow when I try to fit everything in my closet, but for right now? It’s been a good day.”
“Can we make it a good night too?” he asks, and I pick up on a tiny note of hesitation in his voice.
“What do you mean?”
“I was hoping you’d have dinner with me tonight. I owe you a conversation, so I was thinking you could come back to the house, I could order us some takeout, then we can talk. Maybe watch one of those movies I sent over since I’m positive you haven’t watched any of them on your own yet.”
I bite my lip, a faint flush spreading across my chest. “What makes you so sure I haven’t watched?”
“Audrey,” he says, his tone dry.
“Fine,” I concede through a smile. “But I had to work late last night! I genuinely haven’t had time!”
