Page 65 of Mess With Me
“He is not.” She peeked over her shoulder. Ethan appeared to be looking at something in the distance. She turned back to Ben, who must’ve been teasing. “Ethan told me you and Logan are doing fantastic in your business.”
“Yeah, business is good for Checkin. We’re looking into getting some investors to expand even more.”
“Why don’t you just ask Jake for the investment?” Jake Campbell was rolling in it. He was already a wealthy tech CEO in his own right, and then he married Claire, who was wealthy on her own.
Ben grimaced. “Ever hear don’t take money from family?”
“Yeah, but it’s Jake.” She wiggled her fingers at Jake, who smiled and turned so Claire could see her. Claire held up a finger to Ally and mouthed, “Hold on.”
“Exactly,” Ben said. “He’s like a brother to me and I don’t want to muck things up with money.”
A few moments later, Claire and Jake were dancing next to them. “Ally, great news!” Claire exclaimed. “Misty Davies needs a second assistant.”
Ally’s stomach flipped. “Seriously?” Misty Davies was America’s leading funny lady. Ally had always thought if they ever met, they’d immediately be best friends.
Claire smiled brightly. “Really! You interested? I’ll text you her private number.”
“Omigod! I can’t believe this.” She dropped her hold on Ben and shifted over to Claire, who was still slowly swaying with Jake. “Would it be in LA? What would I do?”
“You’d move with her wherever. She has a house in LA, but she spends most of her downtime at her house in Maui.”
“Maui! I’ve never been to Hawaii!”
Claire smiled. “I know for sure she’s heading to Rome next August for a remake ofRoman Holiday.”
“Rome,” Ally said in awe.
“She really is a sweetheart,” Claire said. “I think you’d get along with her great. She treats her staff like friends, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to work hard. She’s got a killer publicity machine going at all times, plus security is a must. You have to scout out every location before she arrives and coordinate with the rest of her staff. You’d be working with bodyguards, publicists, manager, agent, movie directors, producers, and press. Her personal makeup artist and hairdresser travel with her, along with her assistant, Hannah, and her two little Maltese doggies. You’d basically be joining the Misty entourage. Hannah is so overwhelmed she asked for an assistant. That’s where you come in.”
“Wow.” She felt light-headed over this incredible opportunity.
The song ended and Claire gave her a hug. “Sleep on it, okay?”
“I love Misty. I feel like we could be best friends.”
“Don’t confuse the woman with the role. This will be more like looking behind the curtain. She’s not going to be ‘on’ all the time. She’s human.”
“Thanks so much! I’ll sleep on it, promise.” Ally walked off the dance floor in a daze, her elation fading as she caught Ethan’s eye from across the room. She didn’t want to say goodbye to him. Maybe he could go with her and be a security guard for Misty. Or maybe she had a hard decision to make.
She halted in her tracks. Ethan strode confidently toward her, his expression serious, his naturally tough demeanor bringing an air of authority. Except she knew him differently, knew he took care with her, even if it was in a gruff way. His intense gaze was locked on her, and the closer he got to her, the more her body reacted, her skin flushing with heat, her pulse thrumming faster, her mouth dry.
He stopped in front of her abruptly. “What happened? You look shell-shocked.”
She blinked up at him. “Claire just offered me the most amazing opportunity. She says Misty Davies—you know who that is, right?”
“Yeah, everyone knows her.”
“Well, her assistant needs an assistant. Claire recommended me. I could be part of the Misty entourage, traveling to LA, Maui, Rome, and who knows where else. I can hardly believe it.”
Ethan frowned. “You want to be an assistant to an assistant to a movie star?”
“It’s Rome! I’ve never been to Rome. Even better, I’ll get to see movie sets, all the exclusive areas that only movie stars can go like VIP rooms of clubs, private rooms of restaurants, penthouse suites. This is the glam exciting opportunity I was hoping for.”
He took her hand. “Come on, let’s talk somewhere private.”
She swallowed hard and followed him out of the ballroom. If Ethan wanted to have a serious talk, if he told her that he loved her, she’d stay. She knew she would. Love was a precious fragile thing and she didn’t ever take it for granted when it happened. But if he didn’t love her, if he just liked her a lot and enjoyed their weekend hookups, well, then, she’d have to say goodbye.
He led her to an empty parlor, where they sat in two red velvet cushioned chairs. He shifted to face her. “I know movie star stuff sounds exciting, but it’s work.”
