Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“You look gorgeous, sweetheart.” Tonya steps in beside my mom.
“Of course she does. That’s why she can eat the sliders. She loves the sliders,” Mom argues. She’s frowning and when she stomps away, I’m left staring after her.
Tonya sighs. “Sorry. She thought she would get to see you more when she took this job. I’m afraid when she realized you would be a PA on set, she spent weeks making sure to work all your favorites into the mix.”
My heart softens. I’m at a stage in life where I work almost all the time, and when I’m not working, I see my friends. I love my mom. She’s great, but I haven’t spent much time with her. “And that would have worked if I hadn’t been shoved into a too-short dress and forced to compete in a blinged-out arena for a king.”
Tonya snorts. “You always did have a way with words.” She leans forward, her eyes glancing around as though making sure we’re as alone as we can be on a set like this. “They fired Patrick, you know. Said he was behaving inappropriately. I have a hard time believing that since I’ve worked on four sets where he was the head of the PAs. I know he’s on the hard-ass side, but he’s a good kid.”
“You know him?”
Tonya nods. “Yeah. Like I said, your mom and I have worked with him a few times, but I know him from more than just work. And that’s all I can say about it.”
I nod because I know what she means. If she can’t talk about it, then she knows him from meetings. Tonya’s been sober for more than twenty-five years now. I didn’t know her before, but she’s one of the most solid human beings in my life. Despite the fact that I wasn’t her child, Tonya came to every school play and picnic. She helped me with homework while she waited for her cookies to bake. I adore this woman, and I hate that I can’t tell her I’m taking care of the situation. “I wouldn’t worry about it, and that’s all I can say.”
She stares at me for a minute and then snaps her fingers. “I knew there was a reason you took this job and it wasn’t to end up marrying some king. Although you should know your mother and I think he’s lovely. He comes by every day and talks to us.”
I wince. “He should be more subtle.”
“He is, but I’m your mom. I know when a guy likes you.” My mom is back, and she’s got a cup in her hand. “Here, baby. A green smoothie with ginger and some caffeine for energy. It won’t make you bloat. I make this for all the actresses.”
I take the peace offering because there’s no need to fight with her. And I can probably use the energy. I take a sip and like usual, it’s delicious. “Thanks. But he shouldn’t show me any preferential treatment.”
Tonya’s lips turn up in a grin. “He only talks about you a little. He asks a lot of questions about your mom, though. I think he’s trying to get close to her so he can be close to you.”
“Or he wants to know if I can fit into royal society,” my mom says quietly.
Is she worried about this? “He’s not like that, Mom. I don’t think his people are particularly posh. They seem very down to earth.”
“Are you honestly thinking about marrying him?” My mom reaches out and takes my hand. “I don’t want to screw this up for you.”
I squeeze her hand. “You couldn’t. Mom, if I thought for a second he wouldn’t accept you, I wouldn’t be falling for him. He’s a good man. Though you might have to wear heels. Just kitten ones.”
“I can’t believe this is happening.” My mom leans against the table, a little out of breath.
I take another sip. This probably isn’t the time, but I can’t leave her like this. “How do you feel about it?”
She takes a long breath and straightens up. “I’ll be sad you’ll be living on another continent, but as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters to me. Though I’m not sure about the heels.”
Tonya shakes her head. “I can get her in heels. She still has some. But I want you to be careful, sweetie. We’ve worked shows like this many times and I know the emotions can be real and intense, but they often don’t last. I’m not telling you what to do. I’m merely advising you to guard your heart. I know you’ve been on set for weeks, but how much actual time have you been able to spend with him? I would bet the time you’ve spent with him by yourselves is less than an hour.”
That would be true if he didn’t sneak into my room every single night. I’ve spent hours and hours every night getting to know this man and his big heart. Hours learning the feel of his mouth on mine and how well he can love me. “I’ll tell you some stories when all of this is done. I promise.” I finish off the smoothie, and it hit the spot. I hug my mom and Tonya in turn. “I love you both, and I’ll try to see you before we pack up tonight.”