Chapter 3
That Farm Boy?
Holly
My feet hurt after two hours in these heels. Once again, I’m questioning why I had to be of average height instead of being tall like my brother. Genetics aren’t fair.
The fleeting question I’ve been avoiding thinking about, the one where I question why I’m still a public relations and social media manager for people, flits through my head.
I remind myself that I sometimes enjoy the experience and it pays well.
Not that I need the money anymore, but I don’t want to be a lazy multi-millionaire.
I still want to do something with my life.
Which is why I push through these moments when I’m not enjoying my work.
I step into the conference room and shake my head. I don’t have time for existential crisis questions right now. Nobody loves their job a hundred percent of the time.
I turn around in the room, looking for the soccer player I need to talk to. I’m setting up a meet and greet with him and Alex at the local children’s hospital, and apparently this was the only “free” time when he could speak with me.
An image of Alex in the soccer uniform from his David Beckham biopic and this player in his gear flits through my head. He’s a good pick to go with Alex to greet the young children. My heart melts at the image and reinstates my courage. I can find this guy. It’s for the children.
There’s a group of men who look like they’ve got the right build and could be soccer players scattered across the conference room.
I inhale and hold my breath for four counts before exhaling.
Alex better give me the sister of the year award because I’ve already put in my sixty hours this week and this was not how I wanted my Saturday to go.
Instead of a book and chocolate at home on my balcony with a beautiful view of the ocean, I’m being suffocated by expensive colognes.
I exhale another deep breath and get my feet moving. My slacks hit my shoes exactly right as I cross the floor toward the group of soccer players on the other side of the room. I mentally praise my tailor for helping me find my fashion look and making it work.
It’s difficult being a mid-sized woman in Hollywood.
But having a tailor means my clothes fit and flatter my build, and I can still keep up with current fashions, just tailored to my fluffier body.
I’m here in my best gray pantsuit, with a pink blouse of course, my black heels that make me look taller, and my blonde hair slicked back into a high bun.
I wish today was a stay-home-in-sweats day instead of a work-in-a-pantsuit day.
I straighten my jacket as I approach the group, spotting my target.
But then—a hand lands on my shoulder, sliding down to grip my upper arm, and halting me in my tracks. The person holds tightly to my bicep, and I spin on my fourth-of-an-inch thick heel to see who would dare grab me in such a way.
I suck in a breath, my chest constricting as a wave of panic rushes over me.
Jorge’s grip tightens, his lips thinning into a menacing smile as he stares down at me.
I straighten my spine. “Let me go, Jorge.”
He squeezes my arm before letting go. “Don’t run away yet, Holly. We have something to discuss.”
I roll my eyes. Unprofessional? Sure. But I don’t care at this point because this man just grabbed my arm, and it hurt.
“I have nothing to say to you. I gave you a second chance, and you decided to try to grab my butt as we were walking to dinner. That’s not okay. I don’t want to ever see you again.”
He leans down, his face only inches from mine. Unfortunately, my heels make it easier for him to get closer to me. I’m definitely not wearing these shoes again.
“I wouldn’t say such things if I were you.
I hear your brother is trying to get another movie deal and has some stiff competition for the leading part.
I’d hate for rumors to pop up right when they’re making a decision about the lead actor.
There’s all sorts of things that could just happen if someone leaked information to the press.
Financial woes, affair accusations, women coming out of the woodwork who were mistreated by him. ”
My blood boils. “Who do you think you are that you can threaten my brother and me?”
Jorge shrugs, a smarmy smile stoking my fury. “I’m just someone trying to look out for you and to help make sure you make the right decisions when it comes to a spouse.”
Panic races through me, and my mind runs a mile a minute. There is no way I will be blackmailed into marrying this guy. I’d do anything to help protect my brother, but marrying Jorge would be asking too much.
A whisper of an idea runs through my mind, and I blurt it out before it fully forms.
“Too bad for you, because I’m already engaged.”
Jorge's eyes widen before his lips flatten. His face turns stony as his eyes flicker down to my folded arms.
“I don’t see a ring on your finger. You couldn’t have found someone to marry in the past month. You were just begging Rodney to help you find a date a few weeks ago, remember?”
I clench my hands into fists as I remember my failure of a date with Jorge on the red carpet. I’ve said many grateful prayers for Mateo after that night. He was my knight in shining armor, and I don’t know what I would have done without him.
A light bulb goes off in my head.
Mateo.
This could work.
“It’s funny you mention that date, because I’m actually marrying Mateo.”
Jorge scoffs. “The farm boy who couldn’t stop talking about dirt bikes?”
“Yep. I’ve known him for a while and that night we really clicked. When you know, you know, right?” I shrug and paste on my happiest smile.
He narrows his gaze. “Where’s the ring?”
I force a laugh. “Silly man didn’t know my ring size and got me something too big, so it’s getting resized.”
“When are you getting married?” He slides an inch closer to me and I fold my arms across my chest to make sure he doesn’t touch me anywhere else he’s not supposed to.
I stare into his eyes, and I hate their greenish-brown color.
It reminds me of puke. That’s how I’m feeling, seeing as this man is making me lie.
I hate it. But I’m not backing down now.
“The week after the Fourth of July. They’re very patriotic up in Bolt, so we decided on the week after the small town’s celebration.”
“I don’t believe you,” he taunts.
I really wish my hair was down so I could dramatically flip it over my shoulder. Instead, I take a step back and cock my hip as I put on my best I-could-care-less face. “That isn’t my problem. Now, if you could leave my brother and me alone, I’d greatly appreciate it. I have work to do.”
I spin around and search for the soccer player I’m here to see. He must have moved somewhere else during this horrible conversation because he’s nowhere to be found. Just great, I’m going to need to mingle some more to find him again.
I sense Jorge lurking behind me. His voice is harsh as he whispers, “You’ll regret all of this, Holly Kingston. I’ll be watching for a wedding announcement, and if anything about your supposed relationship seems out of place, your worst enemies will hear about it.”
A chill runs up my spine and I turn, only to see Jorge walking out of the room.
I make sure he’s gone before focusing back on business.
My stomach sinks as I think about the conversations ahead of me.
I just pray Mateo agrees to go along with my charade because Jorge doesn't dish out empty threats.