Hollywood Ever After (Red Carpet 1)

Chapter One

Shannon squealed when I came through the baggage claim doors.

An answering grin tugged at my mouth as I ran to meet her.

“Oh. My. God,” Shannon exclaimed, hugging me. I was briefly engulfed in her sweet honeysuckle scent, then she pulled back to look at me. Her eyebrow arched as she inspected me. “Claire, what the hell happened to you?”

“I kind of fell asleep. Do I look that bad?” I tried to smooth my hair. Did I have bed head? My eyes felt puffy and dry; I hated dozing on airplanes.

“Holy shit.” She grabbed my hand and spun me around. “You’ve lost half your ass.”

“Oh, there’s still half there, I promise.” I laughed. “When did I see you last?”

“Will was a baby.” She shook her head. “Too long ago.”

I nodded. “Well, I’ve been working hard to get back in touch with me.”

A solid year of stress had taken its toll on my body. An abusive husband and a hellacious divorce tended to do that. Once all of it was over, I focused on getting my priorities straight. I’d spent the last year turning my mega-scary weight loss into a positive thing–making me fit and stronger. I had to take care of me now, for the kids.

This trip, this “relaxing vacation”, was a surprise birthday present from my baby brother. And it was the first time I’d been carefree, and kid-free, in a long time.

“Well, you are really thin and a wee bit ripped.” She surveyed me with a smile. “No fair. You still have your boobs. I lose a pound and it comes straight out of my bra.” She sighed. “We’re going to have so much fun!”

“What did you have in mind?” I was getting a headache and desperately needed caffeine. “Does it include coffee?”

“Sure. We’ll get you some nasty low-fat fake sweetened coffee and then I get to pretend you’re a life-size Barbie doll.” She was chattering away while I pulled my lone blue suitcase from the luggage carousel. “We’re going to the biggest party tonight with an invite list full of celebs. So finding you the perfect hot and sexy ensemble is the order of the day. Ooh, fun.” She was excited.

“Shannon, ‘hot and sexy’ aren’t words in my personal vocabulary.” I frowned. “And how did I get invited to this party?”

“Well, darling, you’re connected now,” she said. “I told you I’ve been working on more high-profile features. I’m now making my way up the list of borderline A-list assistant directors. Tonight just happens to be one of the perks. Trust me. You’re going to have a blast, Claire.”

“Can you go without me? The only thing remotely dressy I have fit me three sizes ago.”

“No.” There was a hint of exasperation in her voice. “We’re going shopping.”

We were out of the airport and climbing into her car in the thirty-minute parking lot before I had time to catch my breath.

I smiled, looking around at all the sights. “I can’t believe I’m really here.”

It was amazing, and exactly the way I imagined LA. Palm trees, blue sky, and lots and lots of cars on the road.

“Isn’t it awesome? I don’t know many baby brothers who send their sisters to Los Angeles for a birthday present. Joe so earns Brother of the Year for this one, huh?” She winked at me then focused on driving.

I tried to relax as she swerved in and out of traffic without hesitating.

“You look terrific,” I said. She did, golden and calm. If I focused on her, maybe I wouldn’t worry about the likelihood of a fatal collision. “Tell me what’s going on with you. What’s new?”

“Pretty much everything: house, car, promotion.” Shannon smiled; her face lit up. “Forty-two is my lucky number, I guess.”

“So you still love Hollywood?”

She nodded. “I’m doing what I’ve dreamt about; very ‘happily ever after.’”

“It’s nice to see good things happening to good people—outside of Lifetime movies and paperback novels, that is.”

She nodded, her smile turning a bit ironic. “I wholeheartedly agree.”

We bought my coffee then flew, barely missing the shiny bumper of a new SUV, to Shannon’s destination: rows and rows of shops.

“When’s the party?” I asked, looking down at the track pants and white t-shirt I’d pulled on after my hasty shower earlier that morning.

“The show’s tonight at eight, but the party won’t start until eleven-ish. This is Hollywood, baby. By the time we’re done with you, you’ll look like a star.” Shannon used her best movie promo voice as she spoke.

“I’m really happy to sit this one out. You know, sleep for the next two days or so. I haven’t had a nap in about six years.”

“You can nap tomorrow.” She parked the car. “But not right now. Come on. You could pretend to be excited about this, for me.”

I glared at her, sighing in exasperation.

“Pout all you want, woman. We’re still shopping.” And with that, she hauled me into the first boutique.

***