Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
“Ahh.” He nods and leans back in his seat. “I guess I can see why you’d obsess a little about your first time at the Oscars. Charlie took care of everything you need, right?”
“Yes, he hooked me up with a few designers when I got into town after graduation. I found a dress I absolutely love, but I think I’ve gained a few pounds since I moved back home.” I point my empty fork at him. “You do too good of a job making sure I’m well fed. I may need to factor that into my living arrangements and start hunting for a place of my own soon.”
“You don’t need to worry about your weight, and you don’t need to move into your own place,” he insists. “The house is too big for just me. It feels less empty with you home.”
With six bedroom suites, a home theater, a guest house by the pool, and tennis courts, my dad’s home was more mansion than house. But it’s where he’d lived with my mom and I couldn’t picture the day ever coming when he’d be willing to sell it. I smile at him gently. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’m not in a rush to go anywhere.”
“Good.” He smiled in relief. “I like having you around.”
“You’d better, because you’re going to see an awful lot of me. Work. Home. The Oscars,” I tease. “Although you might not recognize me on Sunday since Charlie also arranged for a couple of people from hair and makeup to come to the house to help me get ready.”
“I’m sure you’ll look beautiful, like you always do.”
My phone chimes with a notification as I grin at my dad. After I glance down and see it’s a photo message from Tyson, I will my cheeks not to turn red as I say, “Sorry to run off, Dad. But this is something I need to take care of sooner rather than later.”
My dad waves off my concern. “Go! Do whatever you need to, and I’ll have your salad boxed up for you to eat at your desk later.”
“Thanks. As long as you’re bringing me a doggie bag, I’d kill for a piece of their flourless chocolate espresso cake.” It’s not like one piece would make my dress not fit, so there isn’t any need for me to deprive myself of one of my favorite desserts. Moving around the table, I give him a kiss on the cheek. As soon as I’m in the privacy of the car from the service my dad insists I use, I open Tyson’s message.
“Holy crap,” I breathe, my eyes going wide at the picture he sent me. His short, curly blond hair is slightly mussed and his amazing blue eyes, are staring straight into the camera, the color even more striking because of his sun-kissed skin. They’re a perfect match for the bowtie and pocket square he’s wearing with his perfectly tailored tuxedo that shows off his muscular physique.
“Pardon, miss?” the driver asks.
I meet his eyes in the rearview mirror and smile. “Nothing. Sorry. Just a little...surprised by a message I received.”
After he nods and returns his focus back to the road, I look back down at my phone. I take in the utter gorgeousness that is Tyson Grant before reading the message he included with the photo.
Tyson: I love the tux my personal shopper picked out for the Oscars this weekend, but it’s missing something.
Tyson: You.
As though he knows I’m reading his text right then, another message pops up.
Tyson: I’d look a million times better with you on my arm. Be my date. You can walk the red carpet with me and schmooze a bunch of A-listers in your new role as AVP of Grier Studios.
I drop my head back against the seat and squeeze my eyes shut. I’ve done my best to stop myself from replying to his messages, but this one requires a response. After counting to ten, I open them again and type it out. It’s the opposite of what I really want to say, but it’s not like I have any other choice.
Me: Thanks, but no.
Tyson: C’mon. You know you want to.
That’s the thing. I do. I really, really do. But my dad would not be thrilled by the idea of me going on a date with Tyson when he’s on his shit list right now over the whole Remington Vaughn thing. After doing a little digging into the actor on my own, I’ve tried talking to my dad about possibly giving him another chance. Even after looking over all that Remington has accomplished since getting out of rehab, he’s refused to budge on his stance. He has blinders on when it comes to anything related to drugs, and in his mind Tyson is wrong to give Remington a chance.
Tyson: I have great seats since one of my clients is up for two awards and another’s wife is up for Best Actress.