Hidden Hollywood

Hanging on the edge of a cliff.

By her fingernails.

Because he was an obnoxious, arrogant cad. Until he got his money, then he was a charming gentleman. See? Cad.

She finished her tiny dinner. Josh was such a charming, gentlemanly paid escort, she’d come up with the idea of loaning him out to singles looking for love, hoping he’d boost their confidence enough to spark a love quest. Not with him, of course, they were both up front with the single ladies that the date would be fun and only one time. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement that she and Josh had.

She finished her wine while Jake dug around for more meat in the tiny ramekin. She felt good about her two-year strong business. Even the bit with Josh. She both hated his teasing at the end of every wedding date and looked forward to it. She’d always been a woman of contradictions. She believed women should be a little mysterious. It was something her mom had taught her at an early age. Though Josh brought out more of her unmysterious practical self. He pushed all her buttons—hot, bothered, and not going there. She was a professional Love Junkie. It said so on her card.

Three months ago, when Josh had been her escort for the first time at Julia and Angelo’s wedding, he let slip a little tidbit that he had brothers and that got her pumped because her singles book club desperately needed men! He was suddenly immensely useful to her. Indispensable, really. If she didn’t keep up a constant stream of weddings, she’d lose her job. This was her dream gig—planning the happiest day in a couple’s life, making sure the event ran smoothly, all while living in her beloved hometown—and she wanted to keep it. Clover Park had the gorgeous mansion and the homegrown businesses to support weddings. The problem was the residents were mostly families. She needed an influx of single men. She already had five eligible single women in book club, some from Clover Park and some from nearby towns, ready and waiting for love. Their happy-ever-afters were in her capable hands.

“Wait!” she’d called after Josh. He was leaving their wedding date because his time was up. “I want to hear about your brothers.”

He turned. “Are you extending our date past the originally agreed four hours? That sounds like overtime.”

She ignored that obnoxious remark. Like she had to pay him just to talk to her! “Can I meet them?”

“No.”

She rushed to his side, eager to know more. “What are their names?”

He ticked them off on his fingers. “No, no, no, and no.”

“So there’s four of them?”

“Maybe.”

“Can’t you tell me anything?” she asked in exasperation.

He cocked his head. “What’s it worth to ya?”

She checked her purse. Seven dollars left. “Five dollars.”

“You insult me.”

“Seven.”

“Ha!”

She frowned and then immediately corrected to a neutral expression so she wouldn’t get frown lines. “That’s all I have.”

He leaned close. “Well, princess, there are other ways of paying up.” The “princess” wasn’t a compliment. It was a dig at how perky she was, how goody-goody. She was merely a pleasant person. This obnoxious arrogant cad was making her think of taking up yoga just to keep her cool. Ohm. Bastard. As if she had the time.

At the hot look in his eyes, she swallowed hard. She was not going to fall into that leading trap of what “other” ways she might pay up. He was just teasing her again, trying to get her worked up, and she refused to take the bait.

He told her anyway. “One kiss for one question answered.”

He was a scoundrel. Their arrangement was purely professional. He knew she’d never take him up on that. Right? They’d agreed the wedding date was good for both of their business plans.

She went straight for the questions. Let him think he’d get his devious payment later. “How many brothers? Are they single? And how old?”

He grinned. “That’s three questions. That’ll cost more, and I want payment up front.”

Darn. She’d planned on bailing right after she found out what she needed to know.

He leered at her just to annoy her.

“Fine!” she said, tossing her purse over her shoulder. “Forget it! I’ll ask Mad.” That was his younger sister, who was in singles book club. They were friends. Sort of.

“Good luck with that,” Josh said. “Mad is a vault.” His lips played at a smile. “Last chance.”

“I’ll call you the next time I need your services,” she said coolly.

“Bring cash,” he said and left.

She blinked, suddenly returning to the present. Jake was standing at her side, waiting for her to get up. She had to stop daydreaming about work. He must’ve already paid, and she hadn’t even noticed.