Page 24 of Inviting Trouble
She was about to screamdon’t walk away, you idiot, when someone rang a little bell and called them all to the great room to decorate the tree. She strode over to the great room, joining her friends. Hailey was introducing Ty to supersweet, super-accommodating Lauren, who Ty would absolutely steamroll.
“So nice to meet you, Lauren,” Ty said, his smile all cocky confidence. “You into happy endings too?”
Lauren blushed furiously and tucked her long light brown hair behind her ears. “Of course, we all are. Do you enjoy romances?”
Ty leaned close. “Sometimes. Depends on the girl.”
“Oh!” Lauren’s hand fluttered in the air. “I didn’t mean real life. I meant books.” She shot Hailey a pleading look, who was oblivious as she scanned the room, probably looking for another couple to get together.
“Everyone grab a box of ornaments,” Claire announced. “Put them wherever you like on the tree. Then I have tinsel and Jake’s doing the star because he’s my star.”
The womenawwedin unison, except Mad, who made a gagging motion, sticking her finger down her throat.
Jake wrapped an arm around Claire’s waist, tugging her close and kissing her temple. “You’re my star.”
“She’s everyone’s star!” Ty quipped and everyone laughed because it was true. She was the Hollywood elite, a star with her choice of projects, always in the spotlight.
Everyone started decorating. Mad had just gotten to the second box of ornaments, some silver and gold balls, when Hailey whispered, “Put yours up high. It’ll make the sweater rise up and show off your skinny waist. He’ll notice.”
Mad didn’t question her friend’s expert advice, merely followed it because she was just that desperate and thoroughly screwing things up. She returned to the tree with two ornaments, making sure she was positioned where Park would get an eyeful, and reached up high, stretching her arms until the sweater pulled up enough to show some skin. She did have a nice waist; her daily core workouts should be good for something. Maybe his eyes would catch there and drift lower. Maybe he’d get ideas.
She did it twice, one big stretch for each ornament, and risked a peek over to where he was, diagonally behind her, but his eyes were fixed on her stupid boots. She glanced down to make sure there wasn’t a scrap of toilet paper there. Nope. So that was where she stood. She showed off her waist and ass, and Park examined her shoes for no reason whatsoever.
She stifled a sigh and went back to the box of ornaments to report to Hailey that it hadn’t worked.
“Oh, it worked,” Hailey said. “He definitely noticed. Do it again.”
“He did not. He was staring at my shoes.”
“Trust me.”
She did trust her, so, feeling like a fool, she repeated the whole thing with two more ornaments, this time reaching up and to the right, making an even bigger curvy gesture. She glanced over her shoulder to see Park approaching. Her heart thumped wildly. It worked! He noticed! He was going to do something about it!
“Looks like you could use some help on the high branches, mini,” he said, holding his hand out for the next one.
She deflated, handing it to him. “Thanks,” she mumbled. She caught Hailey giving her a big thumbs-up. Mad shook her head.
By the end of the night, Mad drooped back to the limo, full of good food, surrounded by close friends, and feeling utterly hopeless.
Hailey sat next to her in the limo and bumped her shoulder. “My offer still stands.”
“What offer?” Charlotte asked, stretching out her long legs. “You going to set her up?”
Hailey wiggled in excitement. “We’re going to do a Mad makeover for the wedding tomorrow and Park won’t know what hit him.”
Ally and Carrie squealed. Lauren looked at her curiously.
Mad slumped lower in her seat. “I really don’t see the point.” Before she’d thought it would work, but now, after Park paid her no mind in a towel, skimpy workout clothes, and a sweater reveal, she had serious doubts.
Charlotte leaned forward and nudged Mad’s leg. “Hey.” Her brown eyes were warm, her tone reassuring. “Remember Claire’s premiere? You were super glammed up then and even Blake Grenier hit on you at the after party.” That was the star of Claire’s movieFierce Longing.
Mad brightened and sat up. “He did, didn’t he?” Not that she wanted to be with gorgeous Blake after he’d been such a jerk to Claire, but he had ignored his supermodel date to flirt with her. Hell, if she could catch the sexiest man alive’s eye, maybe she stood a chance.
“But you have to wear a slutty dress,” Hailey said, “no pants suit.”
Mad frowned. “I’d show up naked if I thought it would work, but the man didn’t blink when he saw me with just a towel on.”
“Say what?” Charlotte asked.
