Beautiful Liar (The Reed Rivers Trilogy 2)

Elation washes over Georgina’s face, followed immediately by determination. “By God, I’m going to make this happen.”

I chuckle. “I don’t doubt that for a minute. The way you handled Leonard today blew me away. If today had been a music demo, I would have signed you on the spot.”

She leans down and kisses me. “Thank you for saying that.”

“It’s the truth.”

“And thank you for trying to arrange this incredible opportunity for me. I can’t believe it.”

“You’re welcome. I cracked the door open for you, baby. Now, kick that fucker wide open.”

“Oh, I will.” She bites her lower lip for a moment, her mind visibly teeming with thoughts. “Are you surprised she’s getting married?”

“Yes and no. It’s sudden. But she’s always wanted to get married.”

Her eyes narrow. “How do you feel about it?”

“About her getting married? I’m happy for her. Of course.”

“No, but I mean... aren’t you a tiny bit upset?”

“About . . .?”

“Isabel getting married.”

I pull a face like that’s an asinine comment. “Not at all.”

She stares at me for a beat, like she’s a psychic, trying to read my mind. And then, “You know that feeling when someone is driving away, and you suddenly realize you forgot to tell them something important? So you yell and wave at the car and maybe run after it down the street, but they don’t see you... and then, the car is gone? You don’t feel the tiniest bit like that?”

I smirk. “Is that your clever way of asking me if I feel like Isabel is my ‘one that got away’?”

She looks like she’s holding her breath.

I grab her hand. “Georgina, no. Isabel and I are more like brother and sister than exes at this point. I still care about her as a person, and want the best for her. If I can help her out with something in some way, without too much effort or annoyance on my part, I’ll always do it. But I know I’m not even close to the guy who can make her happy, and she knows it, too. So it’s for the best she’s found the guy who can.”

Georgie lets out a long exhale, like she just made it to the ledge after a long walk across a high wire. “Do you have any tips for me, for when I talk to her at the party? Anything at all to help me close the deal?”

“Well, for one thing, I wouldn’t mention you’re fucking me.”

Georgina rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I figured that one out all by myself. Engaged or not, no woman would ever want to give an in-depth interview to her ex’s...”

Georgina trails off, apparently not sure of the appropriate word to finish that sentence. And I don’t blame her. I have no idea how she should finish it, either.

“Here’s a tip for you,” I say. “Something that will work like a charm on her.” I pull on Georgina’s arm, guiding her to lie in my arms. “Tell Isabel you heard her franchise deal set a record in terms of salary for a female lead. Tell her she’ll go down in history as breaking new ground for women in Hollywood. Call her a ‘trailblazer’ for women in Hollywood.”

“Ooooh, that’s good.”

“Actually, that’s a great hook. Tell her you’re going to pitch the idea of a special ‘Women in Hollywood’ issue of Dig a Little Deeper, with Isabel as the cover interview.”

“Oooh!”

“I’m positive both CeeCee and Isabel would love that idea. In fact, if you want to guarantee Isabel will give you a pound of flesh in an interview, rather than her usual guarded talking points, then dangle her possibly being the face of a prestigious issue like that... only if her interview is in-depth and revealing enough.”

“Holy crap. You’re a genius! My Fairy Godfather!” She grabs my face and lays an enthusiastic smack on my mouth. “Thank you so much for this!”

“I only planted the seed. You’re going to have to go in, guns blazing, and close the deal.”

“ABC, baby!” Georgina says enthusiastically.“That means ‘always be closing.’”

“Yes, I know. Glengarry Glenross is one of my all-time favorite movies. Finally, a pop culture reference we both know.”

Georgina looks at me blankly, and I know she’s a broken clock that happens to be right at the exact right moment.

“Aw, come on, Ricci! You can’t say ABC, if you’ve never seen Glengarry Glenross!”

She giggles. “I just thought it was a cute thing hustlers say.”

I pull her to me, laughing, and kiss the top of her head. “What am I going to do with you?”

She pinches my nipple. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

“Seriously, though. How do I even tolerate you, let alone like you so damned much?”

My heart lurches into my mouth. Oh, shit. What did I just say? Panic. It’s rising inside me. Too much. Too soon. She’s gotten under my skin way too fast. And way too deep.