Hollywood Ever After (Red Carpet 1)

“Mom?” Natalie tried again. I had no doubt he heard her. He was sitting so close. “What are you wearing, Mom?”

“What am I wearing?” I asked, flustered. I looked down at my dress and shrugged. “I’m barefoot…”

He laughed, then instantly snapped his mouth shut to muffle the sound.

“And?” Nat wasn’t giving up.

I tore my eyes from him then murmured, “A red dress. I think Shannon sent you a picture…”

“Hold on.” Her voice increased in volume, making me hold the phone a little away from my ear. “How do you look?”

“Well…” I swallowed.

“Lovely,” he said softly.

I was absolutely frozen. My heart stopped as he gently pushed a strand of hair from my shoulder, his touch a whisper on my skin. His hazel eyes were wide, regarding me intently. I was blushing, I could tell.

“Hold on.” There was more movement, then a sudden squeal. “Mom, you look gorgeous! I’m sending this picture to, like, everyone. Wow, Mom! Call me tomorrow?”

“I will. I promise.”

Her words flew out in a rush. “Can’t wait to hear all the details. Gotta download this one! Love you.”

“Love you too, sweetie,” I replied. “And kiss Will for me please.”

“I will, Mom. Night.” The phone went dead.

His eyes held mine and I let myself look. If I sat like this, would he lean in to kiss me?

Me? What the hell is going on?

I snapped my phone shut and turned away from him. My heart slammed against my ribs. I ran a shaky hand over one shoulder and pushed my hair from my face.

How long had it been since I was alone with a man, without anxiety…without fear? And I wasn’t afraid of him, for some inexplicable reason. Well, I was a little. Not of him, but of the feelings he was stirring. Why? Why did this man, this young man, affect me differently?

“You do. Look gorgeous, I mean. Don’t you know that?” he asked softly, curiously.

I stood, breaking the hold he had on me. His presence in this intimate space was making it hard to breathe. This wasn’t making any sense to me. I took a deep breath and glanced at him. “You’re very sweet…and young…and an actor.”

“Oh?” His smile grew. “Which bothers you more, the acting or the age? I’m assuming sweet isn’t a bad thing.”

I shrugged, waving my hands awkwardly, totally at a loss. My phone slipped from my hand. He reached for it at the same time I did, catching it before it hit the ground. His hand was warm as it closed over mine. I couldn’t help it; I felt butterflies.

“Claire?” Shannon called down the path. I looked in the direction of her voice and felt his hand fall from mine. By the time she stood before us seconds later, Josh was leaning against a pillar, completely at ease, studying the phone in his hand.

My heart was thudding rapidly in my ears. Was I really the only one that could hear it?

“I’m glad you find my acting sweet.” He spoke to both Shannon and me, ending any speculation about our conversation.

“Is that what you said? Sweet?” Shannon made a dismissive sound. “Don’t let her fool you. She was just as hot and bothered as every other red-blooded gal in the audience.”

His eyebrows rose as he regarded me, and I felt my face burn. He smiled.

“Come on, let’s get some food. You’ve got to be starving. I know I am.” Shannon grabbed my hand and led the way down the path. Josh followed.

He steadied me as I stepped onto the deck, his hand a light caress on the bare skin of my back. At my shiver, our eyes met and held. His thumb drew a lazy circle on the base of my spine before his hand was gone and we were walking, side by side. I tried to calm the telltale heat prickling my

cheeks.