Page 56 of The Holiday Fakers
Brody matches my step, and I revel in the feeling of him so close to me. The calendar reveal is at ten and even though we’re half an hour early, Main Street is already busy with tourists and locals. A few people do a double-take when they see Brody, but he doesn’t seem to notice. Either he’s immune to the attention, or really good at pretending it doesn’t exist.
A few younger women recognize him, then their gazes slide to me. I look away, gripping Brody’s arm tighter, unwilling to see any surprise or confusion in their eyes about why he’s with me.
He isn’t with you, my mind inconveniently reminds me.
Well, he is with me in public, I argue back.
It’s not just the difference I feel in our outfits right now. The looks we’re getting remind me that he’s a somebody, and I’m a lucky nobody.
Across the road, a bunch of people are gathered outside a storefront. One of them spots Brody, and the squeals of excitement start immediately.
His arm tenses, and I give it a reassuring squeeze, even though I’m probably just as tense as he is. Time to step up and be the best fake girlfriend I can.
“Hey ladies! Here to meet the big man?” Marv calls out as we approach. “I’m Marvin DeVille, Brody’s agent, but you can call me Marv.”
Mia’s already got her camera out, snapping away as we’re instantly surrounded.
“Smile!” she mutters under her breath, and I make my lips turn up.
“It’s okay,” Brody murmurs to me, his voice low, before greeting the women in front of the store. “You here for the big reveal?”
“Hell, yeah!” a woman cries, as others screech with laughter. “I hope you rip italloff!”
Brody’s forehead creases slightly as he glances at Marv and Mom.
Mom pulls an apologetic face and mouths, “Sorry, this is all I could get.”
Marv’s eyes widen as he stares at the front of the shop, still hidden from view by the women. “What the actual fuck?”
The women slowly move away from the entrance, and …
Oh shit.
“The Perfect Package?” Brody asks, still unaware of where his first official sighting in Hideaway Harbor is about to happen.
Then his gaze drops to the smaller lettering beneath the name, which reads, ‘Hideaway’s naughtiest little secret. For when size reallydoesmatter.’
Yep, Brody’s about to promote Hideaway Harbor’s woman-run and female-focused adult toy store.
I glance around for an exit, but we’re surrounded by a wall of eager faces. There’s no escape.
A shocking-pink door in the center of the building opens, and a voluptuous woman with waist-length powder-blue hair steps out.
“Brody King,” she says, her voice sultry and as striking as her appearance. “I’m Lola Monroe. Welcome to The Perfect Package. Please, come right in.”
CHAPTER 11
BRODY
I’m in a nightmare.
Erica’s biting her bottom lip anxiously, Marv’s face is set with fury, Cara is as white as a sheet, and Piper’s staring at me, unblinking, her expression frozen.
Meanwhile, Mia is snapping photos at a mile a minute, and I’m surrounded by excited women who are acting like Christmas has come early. Multiple times. With squirting.
I can’t run. There’s nowhere to hide. I have to pull up my big-boy pants and turn lemons into lemonade. If only I could add vodka.And a Xanax. I always knew sobriety was going to be a challenge, but this is harder than a Hollywood party where you’re forced to smile at everyone, knowing half of them are stabbing you in the back.
I reach my free hand toward Lola. “Great to meet you. Is this your store?”
