A Hollywood Deal (Ryder & Paige 1)

No arrests. Not even an outstanding parking ticket under her name. A good student in college. Majored in English, minored in economics. Unexceptional family background—solid middle class with no hint of scandal or impropriety. To be expected since her stepfather’s a high school teacher, and her mother manages a grocery store.

But the facts don’t tell me anything I want to know. They don’t include her secret dreams…her favorite memories. She never told me any childhood stories or stuff about her step-sister.

Not that I talk about stuff like that or anything, but women love to talk to me about themselves. Besides, half my life is already public knowledge. Google my name and you’ll get hundreds of articles, photos and blog posts.

“When are you going to have your folks flown out?” I ask.

She clasps her hands and rests them on her lap. “I don’t know. A few days before the wedding?”

“That late?”

“Is there any point to bringing them out early? It’s just a logistical hassle. You don’t have to bother…although we should probably call and let them know everything’s fine. Simon’s worried.”

“There’s going to be a lot to do.” And brides-to-be always want to plan stuff with their moms. I’m certain when Elizabeth finds someone to marry, she’ll ask Mom to help her select the china and stuff.

“I can handle it,” Paige says, her hands too still.

“We only have four weeks before the ceremony.”

She stares at me, her mouth parted.

“Don’t worry. I hired a wedding planner to arrange everything.”

“I see.” Her voice’s a bit too tart. “It would’ve been nice if you’d talked to me about it first. Just because I agreed to marry you doesn’t mean you get to make all the big decisions without my input.”

“Like?”

“Like moving me out of my apartment without telling me first.”

“I thought you’d be more comfortable if you had your own things.”

Her mouth firms. “That’s totally not the point. The point is, you did it without asking me. Imagine how you’d feel if somebody did the same to you.”

Hmm. I guess she has a point there although I don’t really know why it’s such a big deal. “Do you want to fire the planner and hire one you want?”

“No. That won’t be necessary.”

“But I still want your folks here. I want to get to know them a little.”

She frowns. “It’s only for a year, Ryder. I don’t think it’s a good idea to make them think it’s something more.”

It’s a good, logical argument. My parents getting involved is inevitable—Mom will want to criticize, and Dad will want to say shit just to stir things up. But Paige’s folks live in another state, and they don’t have the resources to drop everything and travel at will.

But I still want to meet them. Love ’em or hate ’em, families shape us. Even those of us who want to pretend that we’re the products of immaculate conception.

There’s a reason why I drove myself to the heights of fame and wealth in Hollywood. Most people just assume I’m ambitious, but that’s only half the story. I don’t want Dad to have any power over me. And without money, he would. I could—theoretically—just not care about money, but that’s easier said than done. If you don’t have it, you can’t even provide the most basic necessities for yourself and your loved ones.

I want to spend more than a couple of insanely hectic days with Paige’s folks. I want to know what kind of people they are, how they view Paige and what kind of upbringing she’s had.

r />

I’m going to invite them all to Los Angeles before the wedding.

After all, I haven’t asked her parents for their blessing, and that’s what most scripts call for. Since it’s not a movie, there won’t be any disapproving father-in-law crap—I’m sure her father will be thrilled that she’s marrying so well.

Yup, it’s going to go splendidly.

Chapter Twenty