Page 81 of Take 2
“I’m trying to force her to take breaks,” James says. “I made her get the highlights so she’d have a couple of hours off.”
“Except you didn’t check me before I left, so I did, in fact, work while it processed.”
Stephen’s eyebrows pull together. “You have issues.”
“But the highlights look great,” Cece offers.
“It’ll be worth it if I’m there next year.” I point to the TV where the red carpet coverage is wrapping up. It was always the dream, and now it feels like a goal I have to reach to make everything worthwhile. I’d have thought it would be the years of school and the work I put into my career that would need the validating but it’s my life. The move out here, sacrificing Ryan’s happiness, our marriage … those have to be for something. No, not just something. I’ve already done enough to makesomepersonal sacrifice worthwhile. The repayment for losing the love of my life has to be big. An Oscar should do it.
It better.
“James,” Cece says, “if you’re nominated next year too, can I be your date since Bella will take her mom?”
James laughs. “Don’t hold your breath, beautiful. While my movie might get some nominations, the main character’s best friend’s cousin’s dog walker doesn’t usually get to attend.”
“That is not your role!” I shove his shoulder.
“Almost. But the fact remains, I will hope you beat it for screenplay.”
Cece and Stephen give me knowing looks.
I sip my champagne and force a smile on my face. “Well, Preston Greene really didn’t do the main character’s best friend’s cousin’s dog walker justice, so it would kind of be criminal for him to win.”
“Agreed!” James was an absolute sweetheart for asking me if it was okay nine million times. The only problem I really have with it is that I definitely have to see the movie now. I avoidedMissed Opportunities. It was the first time I hadn’t watched a movie nominated for writing since I was fourteen. Frankly, when my parents relented and let me watchA History of Violencea couple of years later, I understood their motives for the ban. Not that I admitted that to them.
As Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Maya Rudolph make everyone wish they were, in fact, hosting, we settle in for the ninety-first Academy Awards while my mind is foolishly on the ninety-second.
Chapter Thirty-One
Outofthenextfive days, I’m his girlfriend for four. The position of Preston Greene’s girlfriend consists of movie sets, sunshine, amazing food, and even better sex. On Wednesday, I asked to be the woman he left alone all day and then ravaged before bed. He accepted that option.
Kisses on my neck are my new favorite alarm clock. “You know the best way to spend a Friday?” Preston’s breath curls around my ear.
“No.” The sleepy, mumbled word is as clever as I can be at the moment.
“Being my girlfriend.”
A laugh puffs out through my nose, and I stretch, pressing my back against him. “Again?”
“Mhmm.” He trails kisses down to my collarbone.
“Aren’t you bored of that yet?”
“Nope.” His fingers spread over my hip. “Are you?”
“Hmm, remind me why I like being your girlfriend?” I circle my hips, pressing my ass against his growing hard-on.
“That reminder is only available after agreeing.”
I gasp and look at him over my shoulder. “Withholding sex now?”
“Free samples are just to get people to buy.”
“So, if I say no?”
“I’m going to get out of bed and take a shower. Then it’s too late to change your mind because you’re not allowed in the shower without consuming food.”
“You never got me sex cookies. That’s not my fault.”
