Beauty and the Bachelor

Chapter 1

The biggest opportunity of my career hinges on the woman currently flipping through my portfolio. Andrea Michaels, the showrunner for the hit reality TV series Marry Me, is known for being hard to impress. Her mere presence is intimidating. She’s wearing a heather gray designer suit and pink heels I would kill for. Her dark brunette hair is pulled back into a tight bun, not a strand out of place. I’m like her total opposite. My outfit is colorful and full of flair, my hair is fire-engine red with thick blonde streaks in it, and I wear colored contact lenses that make my normally blue eyes look violet. I love my look, and I’ve always fit right in in the fashion crowd, but will it impress a woman like Andrea, or will she think me over the top?

Her face is expressionless as she examines photo after photo, giving nothing away of her thoughts. My heart is pounding in my chest, and I’ve never been more grateful that I remembered to reapply my deodorant before I left. I’m seriously sweating. I suppose it’s a good thing she hasn’t sent me packing yet. That I even got this interview is amazing. If I could get the job? I think I’d give my firstborn child for this opportunity.

Beside her, James Price cocks an eyebrow at something on my résumé. What does that mean? Is it good? Is it bad? I’m going to go insane. He’s only the director of the show—and the man who has final say on whether or not I get this job.

Marry Me is a reality dating show where thirty hopeful women vie for the attention of that season’s eligible bachelor. He narrows it down, and on the last episode he picks one and proposes to her. It’s in its seventeenth season and is one of the most popular TV shows currently on-air. I don’t know that I take much stock in the romance—I’m sure it’s mostly manipulated in the editing—but I love the clothes. Short of having my own fashion label, this is my dream job.

James sets my résumé on the table and taps it with the end of his fountain pen. “It says here you’re Ellamara Oliver’s personal stylist?”

His eyes lift to me, looking for an explanation. Pleasure and curiosity are written all over his face. I’m not surprised that detail caught his attention. Ellamara Oliver, or just Ella to me, is married to one of the most famous men in the world, an Oscar-winning actor, and Ella is famous in her own right. It’s impossible for people not to be excited by my connection to them. No doubt this man is currently wondering how he might be able to use this to his advantage on the show.

I don’t usually make my connection to Hollywood’s golden couple known, if I can help it. I love them dearly. Ella’s been my best friend since high school. When she first started dating Brian and became instantly famous, it was a wild and crazy ride. It changed the lives of everyone close to her, including me. People knew I was her best friend. They knew where I lived. Paparazzi hounded me. People asked me out or tried to become my friend in hopes of getting closer to Brian. I was burned several times and have since distanced myself from the media.

I want to win this job on my own merit, and hopefully I do, but Ella is my biggest client. It’s a credit I can’t leave off my résumé. “Yes,” I answer, not mentioning our friendship status in an attempt to keep things professional. “Do you remember her old web series she did with Brian, The Adventures of Cinder Ella? They did it for about three years. I dressed her for every episode, often with my own original pieces. Now I dress her for any and all public appearances. I help Brian more often than not, too.”

Andrea finally reacts to this. She sets my portfolio down and gives me a calculating stare. “She’s made it onto several best-dressed lists in the last couple of years. I’ve always admired her style.”

I can’t help sitting up proud.

“Last year’s Oscar gown,” she says, almost as a demand. “Yours?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She nods. “Impressive.”

“Most of my knowledge and experience has come from fashion design school, but I grew up in costume design. My fathers have been the lead costume designers for Celebrity Dance Off since its first season. I’ve been helping them make dresses since I was old enough to use a sewing machine.”

That finally gets a smile from her. “No wonder you want to work for this production. There are enough gowns on this show to clothe a small country.”

I give her a grin. “It’s an irresistible allure for sure.”

“You’ve worked on some impressive movie productions,” James says, once again scanning my résumé. “But you’ve never been a lead?”

I pull my shoulders back and lift my chin. I’m shaking in my seat, but I force my words to come out sounding confident. “No. But I’m ready. I have the experience, the knowledge, and the passion. I love the show, I love the clothes, and I want this job. I promise if you hire me, I will give you 110 percent all the time.”

Andrea and James exchange a look. Andrea nods to the question in James’s eyes. At her approval, a wide smile spreads across his face. “It seems we’ve got our lead wardrobe specialist for next season.”

I barely contain a squeak of excitement, but I can’t stop the manic grin that takes over my face. My new employers stand and hold out their hands to me. My whole body trembles with excitement as I shake their hands. “Welcome to the team, Vivian,” James says with an easy smile.

“Thank you, sir. So much.”

He waves me off. “None of that formal stuff. The Marry Me crew is a family. Call me James.”

My cheeks start to hurt, but I can’t stop smiling. “Thank you, James.”

I shake Andrea’s hand next. “I promise I won’t let you down.”

Her answering smile is warm and friendly. “I’m sure you won’t. Welcome to the family.”

The two walk me out, instructing me to go to HR to fill out my paperwork, but before we can get to the elevator, James stops me. “One last thing. I hate to be so forward, but you seem to have some impressive connections.”

I try not to let my smile drop as I brace for the inevitable request to get Brian and Ella on the show. It’s not personal. People can’t help it. This is Hollywood. Connections are everything.

James looks sheepish, and his cheeks tint pink. It endears him to me a little. Most people are shameless when they try to use me.

“We’re still looking to fill a couple last spots on the show for the upcoming season,” he says. “Our ratings have been slipping, so we’re hoping to find a contestant with some notoriety. Maybe an actress, or musician, even a professional cheerleader or something of the sort. Someone that could give this season a little more flair.” He holds out a business card to me. “You’ve worked a lot in film. If you happen to know anyone who might be interested, I’d love to set up an interview.”

My eyebrows climb my forehead. He didn’t ask about Brian and Ella. And he wasn’t pushy about it. I like that. And he didn’t ask before offering me the job. My position has nothing to do with whether or not I can help him. He gets extra bonus points for that. Hollywood can be a sleazy place. Finding genuine people is always nice.

I do know someone who could work, and since he wasn’t a creep about asking, I feel okay giving him her name. Well, that, and my friend Juliette would probably kill me if I didn’t. She’s obsessed with this show.

“Actually…”

Both James and Andrea freeze. The surprise in their eyes is obvious, and neither of them can hide their hope. James clasps his hands in front of him as if he’s trying to keep from reaching out to me. He bounces a little on his feet. “Do you have someone in mind?”

Andrea is much cooler under pressure. She’s got that poker face going again, but there’s an intensity in her gaze that surprises me. They must really need this.

“They’re not celebrities, per se, but either of Ella’s stepsisters would probably die to be on the show.”

James perks up like an eager puppy. “Ellamara Oliver’s stepsisters? The twins?”

I smirk. Ella’s stepsisters are no strangers to the media. Anastasia and Juliette are gorgeous and got plenty of media attention when Ella’s Cinderella romance swept the nation. Anastasia has gone into modeling like her mother before her. She’s never short on work. Juliette decided to go to college. She majored in pre-law and graduates next month. Filming would start right after that. If she wanted to do the show, now would be the time. Her father might kill her, though. He might kill me too, for that matter.

“They’re both huge fans,” I admit. “Like, the kind of fans who have viewing parties every week during the season. Ana would probably do it for the publicity for her modeling career. Juliette is just a hopeless romantic. She’ll want to be swept off her feet by whatever gorgeous bachelor you’ve chosen for the season. They’re only 22, though. I don’t know if you’re looking for anyone that young. I don’t know that either of them would be ready for marriage.”

“We can work with it,” Andrea says quickly. I can tell she’s just as excited at this prospect as James. “If either of them is interested?—”

“Or both of them,” James interjects.

Andrea nods. “If they’re interested, tell them to call, and we’ll set up an interview.”

I take the card and tuck it in my purse. Even if neither of them wants to do it, they’ll both die that I got them the opportunity. I can’t wait to drop the news on them.

* * *

A few hours later, I meet my girlfriends for celebratory drinks. Ella and her sister-in-law, Alice, are waiting for me outside a piano bar called Tramp Stamp Granny’s. Must have been Alice who picked the location. She has a better pulse on the LA nightlife scene than anyone else I know. It comes from being part of the music world. She’s in a rock band and has gained quite a reputation in the local music scene, playing everything from dive bars to small theaters. It’s taken her to some pretty interesting places in the city.

I give my best friend a tight hug, glad she’s here. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to get out. “You made it!”

Ella groans. “Barely. I almost didn’t find a babysitter. Brian will be filming late tonight, and Dad’s still sick, so I didn’t want to drop Apollo off there. All of my other normal babysitters are here. I had to call a service.”

She looks exhausted, but she’s glowing too. A year ago, she and Brian brought home a little bundle of joy. Because of Ella’s physical disabilities, they decided to adopt instead of having a baby the old-fashioned way. Apollo is two now and is the light of all our lives.

“Sorry.” I pat her leg. “I won’t keep you out too late.”

Ella gives me a grateful smile. “I’m good for a couple hours. This mama needs a break.”

I frown when I realize something she said. “Your dad is still sick? It’s been weeks.”

Ella sighs. “Yeah. I keep telling him he needs to go get checked out. He’s probably got an ulcer. But you know how he is. If he’s not on his deathbed, he’d rather go to work than the doctor.”

“So that’s where you get your stubbornness from,” Alice teases.

Ella rolls her eyes. “I got it from both my parents. And Brian’s not any better. Come on, let’s get this party started. I’m dying to hear Vivian’s big news.”

The bar is already jumping when we head inside. The piano is rockin’ and plenty of buzzed patrons are mightily singing along to an old Backstreet Boys song. Once we’ve all got our drinks and have found a seat on a plush couch, we sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. The place has a lighthearted, fun vibe. Not at all sleazy or pretentious, both of which you find often at bars in LA.

Ten minutes later, the twins show up. As they walk in, heads swivel their way, and several men puff up. I shake my head and smile. Ella’s stepsisters are two of the most gorgeous women in Los Angeles. Bombshells, just like their mother. Tall, leggy blondes with hourglass figures and striking features. They’re fraternal, but look enough alike they could be mistaken for one another if not for their opposite demeanors.

Ana is a very posh, aloof woman with a sleek blonde bob and a get-back stare that deters even the most confident alpha males. She’s got the attitude to back up the harsh looks. She’s hard to get along with, but she’s family. Juliette is her opposite. She’s bubbly and friendly, with long blonde locks down to her waist and a bright smile that could stop traffic. We always called her Malibu Barbie until she majored in pre-law. Now we call her Legally Blonde.

“How fun is this place!” she says cheerfully, squeezing in on the couch with us, sipping a cocktail.

Ana sits a little more stiffly, wrinkling her nose like she’s afraid she’s going to catch something. “I can’t believe I’m in a place called Tramp Stamp Granny’s. Who’s responsible for this dive?”

“Alice,” we all say together, then bust up laughing. Alice rolls her eyes.

“Figures,” Ana says with a sigh.

Juliette slaps her hand down on my knee. “So. What’s the reason for the emergency girls’ night out?”

Ana smirks at me over the top of her martini. “Are we commiserating the demise of yet another relationship?”

“Mine or yours?” I quip. Her track record in the men department isn’t much better than mine.

Her lips twitch.

I shake my head. “Tonight, we’re celebrating.”

Pausing for dramatic effect, I sweep my long bangs out of my face.

“What is it?” Juliette asks. She’s never been a patient one.

I break into a huge grin, still giddy from the news. “You’re looking at the new lead wardrobe specialist for Marry Me.”

Alice and Ella cheer and clap and congratulate me, but they’re not fans of the show the way the twins are, so their reactions are much more typical. The looks of shock on the twins’ faces are everything I hoped they’d be. “NO WAY!” Juliette shouts.

Ana would never lose her composure like Juliette, but the gleam of excitement is there in her eyes. “You’re serious?”

I can’t help the way my chest puffs up. “Yup. And as the lead, I’m paid a lot more, and I get to travel with the show.”

Juliette squeals. “I can’t believe you’re going to be working on Marry Me! You’re going to get to meet all the contestants. You’ll be able to give us all the inside scoop. I want every nitty-gritty detail.”

I hate to burst her bubble. “Sorry, but I won’t be able to share much. I signed a hefty nondisclosure agreement. They’ll pretty much ruin me if I give any spoilers away. In fact, the contracts I signed today were intense. Maybe I should have had your dad look over them for me. I might have signed my soul away this afternoon. But it’s Marry Me. I couldn’t turn it down. Swim wear, casual wear, evening wear, and all the gowns! Every week, for dozens of beautiful women. It’s fashion paradise.”

“And you’re the lead,” Ella adds. “You’ll have underlings to boss around.”

I grin again. It will be nice to have assistants for once instead of being the assistant. I still can’t believe I landed such an amazing job.

Juliette holds up her drink in a toast. “To Vivian and all the clothes she’s going to have at her disposal!”

“To traveling the world!” Alice adds.

Ella says, “To having minions!”

We all look to Ana for her to join in the toast. Slowly, she raises her glass. “To a bigger paycheck.”

“Hear, hear!” I chime. We all clink our glasses and drink to my amazing fortune.

After giving them all the details of my interview and talking about episodes past while speculating on this upcoming season, Juliette leans back and sighs. “This is the coolest thing that’s ever happened to anyone I know.” She grins at Ella. “No offense. Finding out your Internet best friend is a movie star is cool and all, but it’s not Marry Me.”

We all laugh. “Your obsession with the show is unhealthy,” Ella says.

Juliette clasps her hands together and presses them to her chest. “What’s not to love?”

“Yeah,” Ana says. She’s as hooked on the show as Juliette. “The drama, the fashion, the exotic locations…”

“The heartbreak,” Juliette says, sighing wistfully. “The romance.”

“It’s probably all scripted,” Alice says, making Ella and me nod while Ana frowns and Juliette pouts.

“I guess we’ll find out as soon as the next season airs.” Juliette flashes me a conspiratorial smile. “Maybe you can’t give us details, but you could tell us how true to life it is.”

“That I can do.”

Juliette stares off dreamily again. “I’m so jealous.”

I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to give her the news I’ve been dying to tell her, and this is it. “I’ve been holding out on you,” I tell her with a wicked smile. “I’ve got another secret.”

Everyone perks up. “What?” Juliette demands. Again, with the lack of patience.

I lean in, and they all mirror the action until we’ve created a small, intimate circle. “I interviewed with the showrunner and the director. Before I left, they told me they’re looking for a few more contestants for next season. They want someone with notoriety, some claim to fame, to boost their ratings. I may have dropped yours and Ana’s names.”

“WHAT?” Juliette shouts.

“They were both excited at the idea of you.” I pull out James’s card and hand it to Juliette. “They said if either or both of you are interested, they’d love to interview you.”

“To be on the show?” Juliette screeches.

I shrug.

Juliette bounces in her seat and squeals. “Oh, my gosh! I’m going to be on Marry Me!”

Ella places her hand on Juliette’s leg as if to keep her from shaking out of her seat. “Jules, calm down.”

“You don’t really want to go on the show, do you?” Alice asks.

Juliette blinks at her like she’s crazy. “Are you kidding me? It would be a dream come true.”

Ella and Alice share a look of disbelief. I don’t blame them. I knew this would be Juliette’s reaction, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think she’s nuts.

Alice finishes off her drink and says, “The point of the show is to get married. You literally come away at the end engaged. You’re only twenty-two years old.”

Juliette shrugs. “If it’s right, it’s right. Wouldn’t it be so romantic?”

Alice shakes her head. “How could you possibly know after so few weeks if the guy is the one you want to spend the rest of your life with? Isn’t it only like two months or something?”

Everyone looks to me. “They said production is usually from six to nine weeks.”

Alice waves her hand in my direction as if I’ve just proven her point. I have to agree with her. I’m as skeptical as both her and Ella. I know how television works. It’s all manipulated for ratings. And, come on, like you can really find love after a few weeks with a man who happens to be dating twenty-nine other women at the same time as you.

“I heard each woman is lucky to get 72 hours of quality alone time with the man before the series is over,” I say. “I love the show, but I’d hate being a contestant. Having to fawn over a guy, and compete for his affection? Having nothing to do with my time for weeks but hang out in a mansion with all the other women who are trying to win the same man’s heart? No thanks.”

“It can work,” Juliette insists. “There are plenty of couples who were on the show that went on to get married and have families. Lots of them are still together.”

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” Ana says. She’s taking Juliette’s side, but for very different reasons. “You don’t have to accept the proposal if you don’t think it’s right or you’re not ready. That happens as often as an engagement. And the chances of you making it to the final cut are slim anyway. One out of thirty? Not good odds. Especially if we’re the youngest women on the show. Whoever the bachelor is will think we’re babies. He won’t keep us around very long.”

Juliette frowns at her sister. “Crush my dreams, why don’t you? Romance killer.”

“They’d keep you on at least through the first round for sure,” I say. “I’m sure they’ll cut some deal with the guy to move you through to at least the second round. You’d be too good for ratings. One of you might even make it as far as the Meet the Family episode. It would be a chance to get Brian and Ella on the show.”

Juliette’s frown deepens, and she crosses her arms over her chest. “I don’t want to be picked just because Ella’s my sister. If I thought that was the guy’s game, I would go home. I want a man who’s so smitten with me he can’t think of anyone else.”

I empathize wholeheartedly. I’ve had several relationships that turned out to be nothing more than some guy hoping to get an in with the Olivers. That’s why I now have a strict no-actors policy. No screenwriters, either. Unfortunately, I live in Hollywood, where everyone is either an actor or a screenwriter or both.

Ella pats Juliette’s shoulder. “You’re one of the most genuine people I know. I’m sure you’d win the heart of any man they have on the show. Which is why you need to really think about it before you interview. You’re really young to think of marriage.”

Juliette scoffs at Ella. “And how old were you, exactly, when you got married?”

Ella’s mouth snaps shut, and I smirk. “She’s got you there.”

Ella was nineteen when she and Brian got engaged, and she was married at twenty. “Whatever,” Ella says. “Not everyone is as young and impulsive as Brian and me. I nearly gave Dad a heart attack when I came home with a ring at nineteen.”

“It wasn’t impulsive. You guys were in love. And you’ve been happily married for over three years. Love strikes where and when it wants to. Age doesn’t always factor into it.”

“It’s not really about love, anyway,” Ana says. “Most of those women go on the show for exposure. It would be great publicity. I’d do it for that reason alone.”

“Speak for yourself,” Juliette says. “I’m going to land myself a man.” She slams back the rest of her drink and grumbles, “One a hell of a lot better than Tanner.”

We all wince at the mention of Juliette’s ex. She met Tanner at the start of her sophomore year at UCLA. They were together for almost two years when she caught him with another woman. Apparently when he said he was “going out with the guys,” that was code for “going out with the guys to frat parties and hooking up with other women.”

Juliette didn’t take it well. There may or may not have been some rather suspicious vandalism done to Tanner’s cherried-out Dodge Charger after their breakup.

After the anger came the heartbreak and depression. That lasted for months. It’s been eight months since they broke up and she’s moped for most of it, refusing to date again. If it takes being on Marry Me for her to get her mojo back, then I can totally get behind it. Like Ana said, what are the chances she’d make it to the end?

Juliette stares her sister down and cracks a determined smile. “You want to do it with me?”

Ana shrugs. “I’m in, but are you sure you want to do it? Depending on when they film, you’ll have to defer a semester at law school. Dad might kill you.”

Juliette pauses. She graduates next month and has already been accepted into the UCLA School of Law for her graduate program in the fall. As much as she loves the show, she’s worked hard to get where she is. She’s a romantic, but she’s a smart one. Fortunately for her, the timing is perfect. “Actually, she should be fine.” Both girls look at me. “Filming starts in June and runs six to nine weeks. At the latest, she would be done end of August. School doesn’t start until what? Mid-September?”

Juliette’s face brightens again. “September 19, or something like that.”

“It wouldn’t give you much time to prepare before school starts, but you could manage.”

Juliette squeals again and claps. “It’s fate! I’m so winning myself a sexy, eligible bachelor!”

Ella shakes her head and chuckles. “Dad’s going to have an aneurysm.”