Dazzled by Jane Harvey-Berrick Read Free Book Online

top. She’d used a ton of hair gel.
    I wanted to slink out the door but to my utter horror, all the staff gathered around and applauded.
    “Oh, he looks so cute!” gushed Paulo, and kissed me on both cheeks. Sonia looked like she was about to cry. Happy tears, I hoped.
    Was I supposed to make a speech?
    “Thanks,” I muttered.
    “Have fun tonight!” said Raquel.
    “Come back and see us soon,” called Paulo.
    I bolted for the door. Earl was waiting. His expression was carefully blank but I could tell he was amused. I climbed into the car wearily. I could see he was studying me in the mirror.
    “How you doin’, son?”
    “Wishing I’d stuck to playing sax, Earl.”
    He nodded solemnly. “Ain’t it the case.”
    Next stop was a large department store. I was directed up to the personal shopping reception to ‘await Bradley’s assistance’.
    I was expecting another version of Paulo, but Bradley was a guy in his late fifties. Definitely gay but with a quiet, professional air.
    “Good afternoon, Mr. Stephens. How are you today?”
    That was one of the strange things I’d noticed about Americans: in one way they were much more relaxed about stuff than we were, but in another, so much more formal.
    “Yeah, good, I think. Thanks.”
    It was a lie. I felt like shit, despite the primping and preening at the salon.
    Bradley raised an eyebrow, but didn’t comment.
    “So, I understand from Ms Weitz that you’ll be requiring a suit and accouterments for an event dinner tonight?”
    Accouterments? What the fuck were they?
    “Yeah, that’s what she told me, too.”
    I tried to keep the censure out of my voice; after all, everything Rhonda was doing was for my benefit. I was just feeling a bit like a puppet – someone pulled a string and I danced to their tune. It was uncomfortable.
    “If I may take your measurements, I’ll bring some suits and shirts for you to try.”
    Bradley did his thing with the tape measure and left me brooding over a glass of sparkling water and orange juice. I could have had champagne, but my head was already fuzzy enough. I still hadn’t eaten anything – I was seriously starving.
    He arrived back with half a dozen suits in a variety of colors including – bloody hell – burgundy. He had to be kidding!
    “Any preference as to color, Mr. Stephens?”
    “My name’s Miles.”
    He hesitated then smiled more naturally. “Miles.”
    “Well, er… black… or gray…”
    “Classic colors.”
    “I guess.”
    He handed me the first choice: a suit in charcoal gray, a simple white shirt and pewter tie. It seemed fine to me but Bradley insisted I try everything he’d brought over.
    An hour later I emerged, suited and booted. Bradley beamed at me.
    “Your driver is outside with Ms Weitz, sir – Miles. Have a good evening.”
    Showtime.

    Rhonda’s eyes narrowed as she ran her razor gaze up and down me. I’d seen the same expression on one of the raptors in Jurassic Park . But she nodded. I’d passed the test.
    “You clean up good, Miles,” she said, somewhat grudgingly. “Now, try to keep your feet out of your mouth this evening. In fact, try not to talk at all.”
    “I’m not that bad, Rhonda!” I bleated.
    “Miles, just don’t fuck up.”
    Her voice was more than a warning – she was friggin’ scary.
    The car stopped at an expensive-looking hotel, complete with palm trees and liveried doorman.
    “This is where we pick up Lilia and then you both change to the limo,” said Rhonda, daring me to argue. “We want the studio bosses to see how good you kids look together.”
    It was the first time anyone had mentioned that Lilia was going to be there. Or that there was going to be a limo. I should have been excited but I reminded myself it was just another part of the audition – not a date.
    Rhonda escorted me into the hotel, greeting the doorman by name.
    “Wait,” she barked at me, pointing at a low chair next to a potted plant.
    Yeah, I can sit up and beg, too!