A Hollywood Deal (Ryder & Paige 1)

“I think you mean I’m going to be the envy of everyone,” she says. “I do believe you’re the most suavely handsome man I’ve ever seen.”

“Ah, it’s just the tux.”

“I don’t know.” Her gaze slides to the crowd below. “I see a lot of tuxes down there, but not a single one of them makes me catch my breath.”

We take steps together down the stairs. The crowd claps and goes wild. I hear one of my former costars whistling. A grin pops on my face.

I’m an actor, so I can fake almost anything. And I thought I’d be faking my way through the engagement and marriage. But Paige makes it easy. I don’t even have to try to have a good time. Just standing next to her makes my heart fill with light.

She’s smiling too, and her eyes sparkle. I don’t know if she’s acting. If she is, she’s a natural. And the idea hurts, dims the light in my heart. It yearns for something I don’t understand, something I have no experience or knowledge to comprehend.

A part of me wonders if that’s why Paige’s stepfather didn’t find me good enough for her. I noticed the disapproval in his gaze. He must’ve sensed that I’m not the perfect, ultimately desirable man the media says I am.

We’re assailed by an endless stream of congratulations as the guests engulf us. I introduce Paige since she hasn’t met all of them in person, and I want to make sure she does. Almost everyone is my guest, including several cousins. Two are missing: Vanessa is too pregnant to come, and of course Dane is an anti-social psychopath who avoids all “unnecessary” functions.

Finally we reach a couple of Paige’s guests. Her roommate Renni stares at me, her mouth open. She’s pretty in an unconventional sense, and her red cocktail dress fits her well.

I grin and say, “You’re making your man very sad.”

Her date laughs. “Nah. I don’t blame her,” he speaks with a light Russian accent. “If I played for the other team I’d be drooling too.”

Paige tenses under my hand. But when I look, she’s smiling at him. “It’s a good thing none of us play for the other team. Less complicated that way.”

Renni’s smile becomes a bit strained, but her date doesn’t seem to notice. We chat for a few moments, then move on. As we walk away from them, I whisper, “What was that all about?”

“Nothing.”

I grin at her. “Were you jealous he might take me away from you?”

She snorts. “Hardly.”

I spot Elliot. He’s actually wearing a tux, which is unusual. I thought he?

??d attend in whatever he felt comfortable in. He rarely follows tradition or rules. Elizabeth walks by his side. She, of course, is in a dark lavender designer dress. That’s just how she rolls.

I don’t see Blake or Lucas, but that doesn’t surprise me. Blake is a lot like Dane, and currently in Boston brokering some deal he has to take care of himself. And Lucas… Well he doesn’t do parties anymore.

Elliot comes forward and hugs Paige. “Hello, hottie. Why are you marrying an ogre like this guy?”

She hugs him back. “Good to see you, Elliot.”

He snaps his fingers in mock vexation. “Man! I knew I should’ve asked you to marry me way back when.”

“Too late,” I say dryly. “But I told you I’d send you someone suitable, and I wasn’t kidding. Already hired someone.” I’m not going into the specifics of our convo, not with Paige and Elizabeth around.

“Your taste in woman is awful. Present company excepted, of course.”

“You look amazing,” Elizabeth says to Paige. “Congratulations! I’m so glad you’re going to be my sister-in-law!”

Paige flushes. A staff member comes over and whispers something in her ear, and she puts her hand on my forearm to catch my attention. “I’ll be right back.”

I nod, and she slips away.

“Just so you know, Elizabeth says she is going to move in with you,” Elliot says, bringing my focus back to my siblings. “I told her she’s going to ruin the lovey dovey mood between you guys, but apparently my place isn’t good enough.”

“I want a clean and non-disgusting place.” Elizabeth wrinkles her nose. “That disqualifies your porn palace.”

Elliot bursts out laughing, and I hide my grin. Our poor sister, still traumatized by the sex tape.