Chapter Ten
Hailey was in her glory. The women were bonding, giddy with excitement as they got their hair done together at her favorite local salon Looking Styling, though now that she thought about it, Armand should try Hair Cuts With Happy Endings. She was bringing him a lot of wedding business, and now the Happy Endings Book Club. Later today they’d show up on Claire’s set and play extras in the corporate party scene. Hollywood, here we come!
“Sorry, Hails,” Armand said when she suggested the new name. “You’re Happy Endings, and I’m Styling. You can post another flyer with your new club name by the front desk if you want.”
“Okay, I will.” She knew better than to piss off her hairdresser. They had a sacred bond. No one touched her hair except Armand.
There were three salon chairs for hair and three more chairs in the back for manicures. Everyone was rotating through. Even Mad, who looked peeved that she had rollers in her short hair.
“You’re going to look so cute,” Hailey called to Mad.
Mad glared at her.
Hailey smiled over at Julia getting her nails done. She wouldn’t be joining them in the extras scene. She just wanted to visit the set.
Hailey found herself thinking about that business dinner with Jake again. It bugged her how much she thought about the end of that date. One hot gaze didn’t make up for the fact that he was a boring braggart. Okay, he smelled good, but any guy wearing that aftershave would’ve smelled good. And she’d felt nothing when she saw him at basketball. Weird how chemistry worked—on, off. So fickle. She knew from her professional matchmaking skills that it took far more than simple chemistry to get a relationship off the ground and build it into something special. Just look at Julia and Angelo. They had palpable chemistry, but it was their solid friendship that would help them go the distance. It seemed you really couldn’t have one without the other for a long-lasting relationship. Of course, that made her think of Mad and her guy friends. She wondered if any of the other book club ladies had guy friends. If they did, she’d encourage them to explore if there was more there. Friends to lovers seemed to be the way to go.
Armand finished the blow-dry. Her hair fell in artful layers with a nice wave at the ends. He took the black smock off and looked at her in the mirror. “Gorgeous,” he declared, admiring his work. Hailey smiled, agreeing one hundred percent with his magical styling skills.
“Thanks, Armand!” Hailey said, standing and giving him an air kiss near his silver hoop earring. His own hair, dark brown with blond highlights, was perfectly tousled in a carefully careless style. He understood about not mussing hair and makeup on important occasions.
She made the rounds, checking on her friends in various stages of highlights, blow-dry, and nails. She stopped by Charlotte first, who was getting some auburn highlights in her long dark brown hair. “You have any guy friends?” Hailey asked.
Charlotte raised a perfectly shaped brow. “Nope. No woman does.”
“Of course they do. Julia and Angelo were friends. Me and Josh are friends.”
“Nope,” Charlotte said. “If a guy wants to be your friend, it’s only because he’s getting warmed up for the next step.”
Hailey huffed. “That is definitely not true.”
She went over to Julia, getting her nails polished sangria red. “You and Angelo were good friends long before you got together, right? Charlotte says guys never want to be just friends. That’s not true, right?”
Julia flashed a smile. “Angel and I wanted each other from day one, even if we didn’t act on it.” At Hailey’s frown, Julia went on. “But I’m sure there are some people capable of a platonic relationship.”
Hailey nodded vigorously. She turned to the group. “Anyone here have a guy friend?”
All of the women said no, except Mad, who said, “Tons. I like guys better than girls.” She looked around sheepishly. “Except you guys.”
Some of the women laughed; some grumbled.
“What’re you thinking in that pretty head of yours?” Armand asked Hailey from where he was now supervising the highlights in Charlotte’s hair. “You looking for a new way to set up your girls? Friends to lovers?”
“Hush,” she said. Armand was always one step ahead of her.
“Just have a party,” Armand said. “Good music, good food, drinks, they’ll do the rest.”
“Maybe I will,” Hailey said. She worried her lower lip. But where was she going to find at least six single men to bring to a party?
Duh. Mad. She crossed to where Mad was getting the rollers out of her hair. She looked cute, the springy curls popping up all over her head like a woman from the fifties. All she needed was a cute kerchief or headband to complete the look. Maybe a sparkly butterfly barrette.
“So cute!” Hailey exclaimed.
Mad pouted. “I look like I stuck my finger in the socket.”
Tara, her stylist, looked miffed. “I’m not done yet.”
“Oh,” Mad said. “That’s good.”
Tara went to work with a blow-dryer, bringing more body to Mad’s hair. Hailey watched as Mad transformed from tough and spiky to soft and feminine. With the right makeup, and if Mad would stop curling her lip—
“What?” Mad barked, making Hailey jump. “Why are you just standing there? Don’t you have makeup to put on or something?”
Hailey smiled, all teeth, from her pageant training. As soon as Tara switched from the hair dryer to conditioning mousse, Hailey got right to the point.
“How many guy friends do you have? Besides the guys I met at basketball.” Mad had already informed her those guys weren’t the marrying type.
Mad quirked her lips to the side, looking at the ceiling. “I dunno. I never counted.”
“There’s that many?” Hailey asked, new hope for her wedding planning business blooming. So many love matches! All of her friends would find their happy-ever-afters!
Mad listed them all. “The basketball crew, the guys I play softball with, the guys at the dojo. Twenty, twenty-five guys.”
“You have twenty-five guy friends?” Hailey exclaimed in a near shout.
“It’s no big. Just guys I hang with. We’re not telling each other deep dark secrets. We just do stuff together.”
“Have you ever…”
“What?”
Hailey lowered her voice. “You know, dated any of them?”
Tara stopped doing Mad’s hair and quirked a brow.
Mad flushed. “I told you, it’s not like that. We hang out.”
“You like?” Tara asked, gesturing for Mad to look in the mirror.
Mad stared at herself for a long moment before finally saying, “Doesn’t look like me but whatever.”
“It looks like your best you,” Hailey said. “We’re doing makeup for her too,” she told Tara.
Mad frowned.
“Can I ask you a question?” Hailey asked while Tara pulled out the makeup case.
“What?” Mad asked.
“With any of those guy friends, did you ever feel—”
“No!” Mad snapped. She raised her voice above the din of the salon. “Can someone take Hailey? She won’t stop bugging me about my guy friends.”
Hailey huffed. “Really, Mad, your manners could use work.”
“We can’t all be beauty queens.”
“You’d never make it at a pageant,” Hailey muttered.
“Ooh, burn,” Mad said, shaking her fingers and blowing on them like she was cooling them off.
Hailey made the rounds, quietly inquiring on the male friend situation, only to find, disappointingly, that Mad was the only one with any guy friends at all. She had high hopes for her Happy Endings Book Club friends. Not just for business purposes. She was a romantic, and she wanted someone princely to sweep them off their feet. But where to find a prince?
After they finished with hair, makeup, and nails, they hopped in a waiting limo to a soundstage in Queens where the corporate party was being filmed. Ever since she’d become friends with Claire, she’d had numerous limo rides. It still didn’t get old. She felt giddy and excited every time. There was even champagne chilling for them.
“Yes!” Mad said. “I could use a drink to take the edge off. That salon was stressful.”
Hailey found salons relaxing. Someone else doing all the work of making her pretty while she just lounged in a chair. Mad looked gorgeous. She’d never realized how delicate her features were until she wore her hair like that, the soft halo of loose curls framed delicate cheekbones, doe-brown eyes, a small upturned nose, and cute little chin. She wore a black pants suit, though Hailey had tried to lend her a dress. Hailey had wanted to do a full head-to-toe shopping trip when she’d heard about the sad state of Mad’s wardrobe, but Mad had shut that down with a quick, “Nah. Pants suit is fine.”
“It was worth the effort,” Hailey told Mad. “You look gorgeous.”
“Get out,” Mad said, blushing furiously. “It’s smoke and mirrors.”
“You are beautiful,” Julia said. Everyone piled on the compliments for Mad.
“Shut up, bitches,” Mad said. “I know you’re just fishing for a return compliment and you won’t get it out of me. You all look damn ugly.”
A shocked silence fell.
“Uh, I meant that affectionately,” Mad said. She turned to Hailey. “That’s how I talk to my friends. Guys know it’s meant as a compliment. You insult each other and call each other names.”
“Women say nice things like you look beautiful,” Hailey instructed patiently.
Mad rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. “Fine. You all look beautiful too.” She turned to Hailey. “Now why do women say that to each other? Don’t you want a guy to say that? It’s not like I’m going to be your date or something.” She shuddered.
“Not like I want you as my date,” Hailey returned.
The women laughed. Hailey found herself laughing too. The idea of her and Mad as a couple was ridiculous. Like an evening gown with high-top athletic shoes. It just didn’t go!
When they got on set, they were quickly ushered back to the green room, where they waited with bottled water and a couple of closed-circuit televisions showing the soundstage.
“Wait here,” a guy with a headset said. “Claire wants to greet you personally.”
They waited, giddy, and a little buzzed from champagne. Claire had provided the drink so she must’ve wanted them in a festive mood for the party scene. Of course she’d only provided one bottle for the seven of them so she didn’t want them smashed.
“See you out there,” Julia said, slipping out of the room. She was the only one with complete access to every part of the set. Claire had made her a producer.
They waited around for a while, and just when they were getting restless and bored, the guy with the headset came in and called them to set. Hailey was surprised to see the set wasn’t as large as she’d thought it would be. Three white walls, some strategically placed round tables with white tablecloths, a dance floor, and a buffet area. Potted plants in two of the corners. There were three cameras and numerous lights hanging from a metal grid overhead.
Julia gestured them over to where she was standing with a group of people dressed in suits and cocktail dresses. Maybe they were extras too. Hailey immediately recognized Julia’s husband, Angelo, and rushed over to greet him, giving him a hug.
“Are you going to be in the scene today?” Hailey asked.
Angelo shook his head. “Nope. Just here to watch. Julia and I are keeping a low profile. But my brothers are here with their wives.” He gestured to where two stunning dark-haired Italian men stood with three equally gorgeous men with light brown hair.
Hailey did a quick count of the women standing with them. “All of them married?”
“Yup,” Angelo said with a smile.
“Damn.”
Claire swooped in. “Hey, girls! Looking good.”
The women all gathered around Claire, thanking her for including them.
“Is that Blake?” Charlotte whispered, looking over at a tall dark-haired man getting his makeup touched up.
“That’s him,” Claire confirmed.
“Omigosh,” Ally said, fanning herself. She was prone to exuberance. “He’s even hotter in person!”
“How can you tell that from across the room?” Mad asked.
“He is,” Charlotte breathed.
“Can we meet him?” Hailey asked.
Claire gave them an indulgent look. “Of course I’d love to introduce you, but, ladies, you do not want him for real life. He won’t even talk to you if he doesn’t think he has a chance of getting in your pants.”
“But he can,” Ally breathed.
The other women agreed.
“We’ll be on our best behavior,” Hailey said.
Claire gestured for them to follow, and they moved eagerly, but with much sophistication, over to meet Mr. Blake Grenier in the flesh.
“Hey, Blake,” Claire said. “These are my friends. They’ll be extras in the party scene today. This is Hailey, Mad, Charlotte, Ally, Lauren, and Carrie.”
The women all gave him a flirty hello, except Mad, who jerked her chin at him and said, “Hey.”
Blake scanned the group before landing on Hailey, giving her a once-over that warmed her. He picked me! He crooked a finger at her, beckoning her closer, and she moved, drawn to him like a total fan girl about to lose her shit.
“You look like you’ve done this before,” he said in a husky charming voice. His eyes were a stunning blue, his jaw masculine perfection, his lips sensuous with a hint of a smile. She bit back a swoony sigh. “What else have you been in?”
She fluttered a hand in the air. “Oh, no. I’m not an actress. This is my first time.”
He gave her a panty-melting smile that was even better in real life than on the big screen. “I’ll show you the ropes,” he said with a wink.
She turned back to her friends, jaw dropped, silently communicating with wide eyes, Can you believe this?
“We gotta go.” Claire pulled Hailey a distance away, calling over her shoulder, “Thanks, Blake.”
Hailey pulled her elbow out of Claire’s grip. “I wasn’t done talking to him.”
“I told you he only wants to talk to women he thinks he can sleep with. You deserve better than that.”
Hailey dug her heels in. “I’m sure that’s not true. He seems friendly, flirty, and nice.”
“Just trust me.” Claire leaned close. “He’s an asshole.”
Hailey looked over Claire’s shoulder to where Blake was…omigod! He was smoldering at her, Hailey Adams! She couldn’t believe Blake Grenier, star of Neighborly Attraction, Pilot Games, and River Crush, was an asshole. He was everything every girl dreamed of—a sexy neighbor, a charming pilot winning the war and the girl, a down-home country boy oozing sex. Not to mention a swoony billionaire from her very favorite books of all time, the Fierce trilogy. She was not missing this chance to get up close and personal.
She stepped around Claire and returned to Blake, who was still getting touched up by a makeup lady. It couldn’t possibly be true that he wouldn’t speak to her if she wasn’t going to bed with him. That was ridiculous. Did that mean he only talked to one person ever? The person he was about to bang?
“I have a boyfriend,” Hailey announced, a small white lie to explain (in a classy way) that she was not available for sexy times with him.
Blake raised an eyebrow. It was kind of forward, he hadn’t asked if she was single, but Hailey needed to prove Claire wrong. Blake Grenier was not that kind of guy.
“But I’d love to chat with you some more,” Hailey said. “Have you read the Fierce trilogy books? What made you take the role? How much do you think you’re like Damon?”
Blake ignored her, instead flirting with the makeup lady.
Hailey fumed. He was an asshole. She whirled on her heel and returned to Claire and her friends.
Claire took one look at Hailey and said, “Don’t take it personally. Most of the men I meet are like that.”
Hailey’s eyes widened. That sounded horrible. She spoke in a low whisper just for Claire’s ears. “Then I’m glad I set you up with Josh.”
Claire grimaced. “Yeah.”
“How did it go last night now that he knows who you are?”
“I was honest and told him I couldn’t see him again.”
For some reason, Hailey felt more sympathetic toward Josh than Claire. It was the first time Josh had actually liked someone enough to want more than one date, and Claire left him out in the cold just because he wasn’t a big movie star. So few people were big stars, really, and Josh had his good points.
A woman rushed up to Claire and whispered in her ear. Claire frowned. The woman showed her something on her cell phone. Claire flushed bright red before snapping, “Tell her I’ll call her back. I’ll take care of it.”
The woman rushed off.
“What’s wrong?” Hailey asked.
Claire pulled Hailey aside to a quiet corner of the space. “Someone talked to the press about me secretly dating Josh. The headlines are saying Damon and Mia split. It’s royally fucked things for the movie. I can’t believe this. He said he wouldn’t say anything. My publicist is freaking out.”
“I can’t believe Josh would do something like that.”
She scowled. “Somebody did.”
“I swear it wasn’t me. Or anyone from book club. We would never do that to you.”
Claire rubbed her temple. “I know. I’m not blaming you. It had to be Josh. Tell him to meet me tonight, same place, same time. I need to lock this down before it gets too far.”
“Of course. I’ll text him right away. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m sure no permanent damage was done.” At Claire’s shiny eyes, Hailey rushed on. “This is fixable, and I’ll do whatever I can to help with your good publicity efforts. Just say the word.”
Claire shook her head. “I’ve got the best publicist in the business, and a lawyer if it comes to that. Just get Josh to show tonight.”
“On it.” Hailey texted Josh. She knew she wouldn’t hear back immediately. He usually worked afternoon to evening and wasn’t glued to his cell like most people.
Claire blew out a breath. “I have to get through this scene; then I’ll call my publicist. I’ve got another scene after that. Then Josh.” She put her hands on her hips. “It’s going to be a long day.”
Hailey tried to hug her, but Claire quickly pulled away. Hailey felt bad for her part in this mess. She’d really thought Josh would be a nice break for Claire. She was still having trouble believing that Josh would deliberately hurt Claire. Was he that desperate for money for his dream bar? She didn’t want to think that about him, she always tried to give people the benefit of the doubt, but it wasn’t looking good.
Blake stopped Claire on her way back to the set and spoke quietly to her, his hand on her lower back in a close rather intimate hold. Claire nodded, put her hand on his arm, and seemed to be thanking him for something. Odd because she thought Claire didn’t like him much and that Blake didn’t talk to women unless he knew he had a shot with them. Hailey shook her natural love instincts off. It must be because Claire was the boss that Blake spoke to her, and, of course, all the sex scenes in the movie would naturally lead to a comfortable intimacy.
A short while later, they were ushered onto the set where Claire and Blake were acting out the scene. Hailey and the other extras were soon given their instructions—stand around, mouth pretend conversations, and occasionally toss back nonalcoholic champagne. They all started with great enthusiasm, and Hailey even threw her head back a few times in silent laughter at something Charlotte mouthed to her. Her enthusiasm didn’t last long.
Claire stopped by to ask Hailey to keep it low-key. The focus should be on Damon and Mia.
Hailey worked on being low-key, which was very difficult for someone used to shining in the spotlight as she had in all those pageants. And also she was in a movie! And not just any movie. Her favorite book come to life! They had to shift groups and people several times during filming, bringing her to mingle with Angelo’s older brother, Nico, who was as good looking as Blake Grenier! Maybe even better. Pure Italian hottie. If there were beauty pageants for men, he’d have a closet full of tiaras. Nico was super good at being low-key, not even moving his mouth at all. Just standing there. She kept up her animated nonconversations as she worked through Angelo’s brothers and their wives, then her friends, even once at the bar in the background behind Damon.
Four hours later, her enthusiasm was flagging. Claire must’ve made them run through the same scene a hundred times. Hailey was so bored. And hungry too. Didn’t they break for dinner or something?
By the time they finished an hour later, Hailey was so over show business. It looked a lot more glamorous on the big screen than it was in real life. She didn’t know how Claire managed all the repetition. Each time they had to bring all their energy to the scene over and over and over like it was the very first time, until the take was perfect. If even one thing was off with lights, sound, the actors, wardrobe, makeup, they had to set up all over again!
Hailey drooped back to the green room where they’d left their purses. She checked her cell for a text from Josh and was relieved to see he agreed to meet Claire tonight as she’d requested. She let Claire know, who was already bossing people around to set up for the coatroom scene. Claire thanked her and went back to work. Poor Claire. Who knew how many takes that scene would require?
Mad was pumped. She snagged her canvas messenger bag and flung it over her shoulder. “I can’t wait to see us in the movie. We’re famous! Let’s hit Garner’s. First round’s on me.”
The women agreed heartily and made their way back to the limo, chattering about their exciting day. Hailey just felt tired. She’d probably worn herself out with full-throttle excitement from the moment she’d woke this morning at six. Now it was five thirty. She told herself to rally. What was the point in getting all glam with her besties if they didn’t celebrate together?
It was nearly seven when they got to the bar. Josh was working his usual shift. He should leave soon if he wanted to be in the city for Claire’s requested meeting at nine. Claire’s hours might be long, but they were strictly defined by the union regulations for everyone she’d hired.
Mad slapped her hand on the bar. “Beers on me.”
“I’ll take chardonnay,” Julia said.
“Martini,” Charlotte said.
All of them changed their drink orders except Mad. Hailey remained quiet. She’d just have water. She was already tired and alcohol would likely put her to sleep. She should probably grab some dinner soon.
Josh eyed Mad. “What the hell did they do to you?”
Mad touched her hair self-consciously. “I told ya I was going to be in that movie.”
Josh shook his head, poured a beer on tap and set it in front of her. “Too much makeup.”
“Whatever,” Mad said, sliding onto the stool next to Hailey and ratting her out. “Hailey says we’re gorgeous.”
Josh’s eyes landed on Hailey. She felt herself flush under his scrutiny. “This all your doing?”
“No. But I was happy to help. The where and the why are top secret.” They weren’t supposed to talk about the movie. Once it released next year, they were free to blab as much as they wanted. She whispered in Mad’s ear to remind her of that.
“It’s Josh,” Mad said, flapping her hand at him. “He won’t tell anyone about the movie.”
She was probably right, but they’d given Claire their word. A mojito appeared in front of her with a mint leaf sticking out of it. Her usual drink, which she hadn’t even requested.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
Josh shook a martini shaker without comment. He served that to Charlotte.
“What else can I get you beautiful ladies?” he asked, giving the other women a charming smile.
After he served them all, he busied himself stacking glasses behind the bar. It wasn’t too crowded on a Wednesday night at Garner’s. Hailey found herself distracted, wondering when Josh was going to leave. Claire would flip out if he didn’t show. She was very worked up about this bad press.
Finally Hailey couldn’t take it anymore. Josh had to leave right now or he’d be late. She hopped off the bar stool and shifted down the bar to stand directly in front of him. “Don’t you think you should get going soon?”
He poured another beer on tap. “I’m on until ten.”
“But you said you’d meet her at nine!”
He stilled. “Yeah. That’s right. How long are you ladies going to hang out?”
“I don’t know. Why does that matter?”
He went back to work, not bothering to reply.
She returned to her seat, something tickling her brain, an uneasiness that something wasn’t quite right. She was a little worried for Claire’s sake.