Happily Ever After? (Sleeping Handsome Sequel) by Jean Haus Read Free Book Online Page B

the lobby in about fifteen?”
    He frowns. “Too many of my fans in the
lobby. I’ll wait for you here if that’s okay.”
    “ Um, sure,” I say,
brushing past him into the room and wondering if he really has that
many fans downstairs. I at least need to send Zach an email. Not
calling without a warning will probably freak him out. I know it
would me. “I just need to send an email and wash—freshen
up.”
    He brushes his hair back from his
forehead. “Take your time. We’re not supposed to be there until
nine.”
    Very conscious of Bret sitting behind
me on the couch, I type out a quick message while practically
gnawing off my bottom lip.
    Zach,
    I’m a little upset (More like whole freakin’ lot) that you trained with her, but I really don’t
have time to get into my feelings right now. I’m going to dinner
tonight with a bunch of other actors and some of the crew so I
won’t be able to call. Sorry. I’ll write tomorrow.
    Paige
    I let out a breath and turn
around.
    Bret stares at me. “Everything still
okay?”
    “ Ah…yeah. Just give me a
few more minutes.”
    In the marble bathroom, I wash my
face, wipe on some moisturizer—the heavy makeup really does dry out
a person’s skin—brush on some mascara, and throw my hair in a
ponytail. The jeans and plain fitted top I wore this morning will
be fine. I just need to grab a hoodie because of the night chill
here. I was surprised at first how most actors dress like bums on
location. It probably has something to do with the two hours of
makeup and dressing each morning. I know it does for me.
    The thought reminds me of
the comment I made to Zach while he was in a coma about eating
cheeseburgers and ice cream and looking like a bum. I clench the
counter as tears well back up. Everything’s okay. He won’t leave you for her. Staring at my reflection, I keep the chant in my
head and will the tears away.
    When I walk back into the room, Bret
stands. “You know, you look just as good without makeup.” He laughs
when my cheeks warm. “Hate to say it, but that’s not true for all
the actresses I work with. Sometimes it’s shocking what they look
like without some help.”
    “ Come on,” I say, rushing
past him and the couch. “Since we’re early, I can do a little
window shopping.” Ugh. I so do not like compliments, especially
ones that put down other people.
    Well, I do like compliments from one
person who is seriously on my shitlist right now. And though I
planned on looking for something for him and Emily, Emily’s the
only one I’m going to be shopping for tonight.

~10~
    Zach

    When Paige didn’t call around one—she
always calls on the dot—I checked my email and was stunned. For
almost three weeks neither of us missed a scheduled call. So now I
can’t help wondering if she’s playing games with me. She admitted
she was distressed about the Amanda thing. Would she purposely make
plans as an excuse not to call? I’d never expect such a thing from
Paige. Now I’m not sure.
    “ Bro,” Drake says, peeking
his head through the door. A Santa hat jiggles on his
head.
    Like I need to hear his shit right
now. “Will you learn how to fucking knock? Do I have to start
locking the door?”
    “ Dude, your dad is
here.”
    Startled at his words, I slowly move
the computer to my dresser. My father has never come to my
apartment. “Be right out,” I say slower than I moved the
computer.
    Holding a cardboard box, my dad waits
in the middle of the apartment. Tall with gray streaked brown hair
my dad looks like an older version of me. The scent of Italian
spices waft around him. “Your mom sent over dinner.”
    I raise an eyebrow.
    “ Spaghetti and meatballs,”
he says, setting the box on the counter between the living room and
kitchen.
    “ Awesome,” Drake says,
racing to the box. “A homemade meal.” He juggles a pan in his hand.
“Whoa this stuff is still hot. Your mom really is the
shizit.”
    I move toward the kitchen and pass my
dad who