Chapter 45
forty-five
My heart ka-thumps. Rowan’s declaration that he talks about me to a woman he’s just admitted is his closest friend sends a spark of jealousy through me so visceral I’m surprised the natural green of my eyes doesn’t bleed out onto the floor.
I quickly do the math in my head, coming to the sudden realization that he’s been her friend for longer than he was mine before he left the first time.
Somehow I manage to push the hurt of it aside. I want to believe they’ve never been more than friends. I’m also pissed she’s the one who got to be there for him, while I was all alone back home, holding on to the only emotions I would allow myself to feel: Hate. Anger. Loneliness. Betrayal.
Now, here I am, standing in his kitchen, telling him that I actually like his ex.
Before I can say another word, the intercom sounds-off again.
“Visitor requesting entry at main gate.”
Rowan glances down at his watch, then up at me. “Betcha that’s Ava and Leeza.”
“Already? What time is the party?”
“Six,” Rowan answers as he grabs his phone and taps at the screen.
“But that’s like… six hours from now.”
He grins at me over his shoulder. “Yup. Don’t worry. You’re going to love it.”
“What about lunch?” Jesus. Less than a day in Hollywood and I’m already starting to sound like an entitled princess.
“How about I order us some food?” he chuckles, grabbing his phone. “Maybe the ladies are hungry too.”
Ladies?
“Just how well do you know these women?” There’s no squashing the inclination in my voice this time.
Rowan’s head jerks up at my tone.
Carefully setting his phone down on the counter, he strolls over and looks down at me. “You’re jealous.”
He moves in closer. Close enough I almost have to crane my neck to look up at him. “The fuck I am.”
A slow, feral grin spreads across his face, eyes filling with molten heat before he bends down to murmur in my ear. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love that.”
Suddenly, he steps back, snatching his phone off the counter, leaving my head spinning and my core pulsing as he asks nonchalantly, “Pizza okay?”
“Yoo, hoo!”
Startled out of my daze, my eyebrows shoot to my hairline when I see two older women waltzing in with three younger men in tow.
My jaw drops. Both women are dressed impeccably.
One is wearing a sleek black jumpsuit, knotted at the waist, wearing chunky silver jewelry; the other, flowing cream-colored linen pants and a white silk blouse.
Each carrying themselves with a confident authority, which no doubt stems from years of working with celebrities.
“Darling!” the woman in black exclaims, arms outstretched as she approaches Rowan. “It’s been ages!”
“Ava,” he greets her warmly, bending down to accept her air kisses. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“Anything for you, love,” she replies before her sharp eyes swing to me, assessing from head to toe. “And this…” she says. “This must be Lizzy.”
I resist the urge to cross my arms over my chest as she circles me like a vulture would its prey.
“Mmm, gorgeous bone structure,” she murmurs. “Your cheekbones are to die for.”
When my gaze flicks to Rowan, he just gives me a small smirk and shrugs.
Jerkface.
The other woman steps forward with a genuine smile. “Don’t mind Ava. She treats everyone like a mannequin at first.” She extends her hand. “I’m Leeza. I’ll be doing your makeup and hair.”
I shake her hand, grateful for her warmth. “Nice to meet you.”
Ava snaps her fingers, and two of the young men behind her spring into action. Scurrying out of the room, they return a couple of minutes later loaded down with garment bags and equipment cases.
“Those are my assistants, Trey and Marco,” Ava explains. “They’ll be setting up in the guest room.”
But it’s the third man who grabs my attention. Tall with wavy dark hair and an easy smile, he’s carrying what looks like a portable massage table. When he catches me staring, he flashes a dimpled grin.
“And this,” Leeza says with a wave of her hand, “is Javier. He’s here to make sure you’re completely relaxed before we start getting you ready.” She leans in. “You’re going to love him. His massages are freaking life changing.”
“Massage?” I squeak as I take in Javier’s athletic build and charming smile.
A hand lands possessively at the small of my back. “Don’t get any ideas,” Rowan whispers, lips brushing my ear. “You’re not anywhere close to his type.”
Heat flushing my cheeks, I jerk my head back to glare at him. The audacity! As if I was planning to throw myself at a guy just because he’s super hot, has magic hands and a nice smile.
“Seriously?” I hiss back, narrowing my eyes at his stupid, sexy face.
Rowan just smirks his full lips—looking far too pleased with himself, I might add—distracting me for a moment before Ava claps her hands once, startling me out of my trance.
“So! Let’s get started, shall we? We’ve got a lot to do before tonight’s event.”
“I’ll get to ordering that pizza,” Rowan says.
As he heads back into the kitchen, I whisper-yell. “Thin crust! And don’t forget the hot wings and stuffed cheesy bread!”
“I got you, Sunshine. Don’t worry.”
His words make me huff as Javier approaches me with a friendly smile. “Where would you like me to set up? I usually need about thirty minutes for a proper relaxation massage.”
“Um...” I glance over at Rowan, who looks up from typing on his phone.
He points across the room. “Library.”
“Perfect,” Leeza grins. “Trey and Marco can finish setting up while you get your massage.”
As I lead Javier toward a large set of floor to ceiling double doors, I can feel Rowan’s eyes burning into my ass.
My breath catches in my throat, when I step into the room. “Holy shit,” I whisper, taking a tentative step as the scent of old books, leather, and what smells like cedar takes over my senses.
The library is something straight out of Beauty and the Beast—two stories of floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with leather-bound books in every color imaginable.
Warm amber light filters through stained-glass windows, casting rainbow patterns across a worn Persian rug that’s probably worth more than my entire apartment building.
A rolling ladder attached to brass rails allows access to the higher shelves, and a massive mahogany desk that looks like it belongs in some fancy British manor sits proudly in the center of the room. Two overstuffed leather chairs flank a black marble fireplace.
I can almost picture Rowan sitting there on rainy nights, reading scripts with a glass of whiskey dangling from his fingertips.
“Would you prefer I set up here or somewhere more private?” Javier asks, setting his massage table down in the middle of the room.
“Wherever you want,” I reply, head tilted back in awe as I take in the magnificent space.
While Javier sets up his table, I glance behind me to where Ava’s assistants are bustling up and down the stairs, getting everything set up in the guest room.
When my gaze flicks to Rowan, he winks, flashing me a devastating grin.
“I’ll step out while you get ready,” Javier smiles warmly, handing me a plush towel. “Just lie face down on the table and cover your lower half with this. I’ll knock before coming back in.”
Once I’m settled on the table, warm scented oil and Javier’s skilled hands work magic on my tense muscles.
“You’re carrying a lot of tension in your shoulders,” he notes as he works out a particularly stubborn knot.
“Yeah, well, it’s been a stressful few weeks,” I murmur, voice muffled against the face cradle.
“Hollywood will do that to you,” he chuckles.
“I’m not from here,” I explain. “Just visiting.”
“Ah. First time in L.A.?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
The forty-five minute massage has me floating as I slip on a fluffy robe and head back into the kitchen.
Rowan’s eyes find mine immediately, his gaze softening when he sees what I’m sure is a dazed look on my face. “Better?” he grins.
“So much,” I admit, grabbing a slice of pizza. “That man has magic fucking hands.”
The way I say it, all breathy, has me mentally grinning in delight as Rowan’s eyes narrow and his jaw flexes.
“Hell yeah, he does,” Leeza agrees, oblivious to the challenge in my eyes. “He’s been our go-to massage therapist for years. Works with all the big names.”
A large bite of pizza hides my smirk when I see Rowan’s eye twitch. Something about making him jealous feels deliciously satisfying after years of him being the never present bane of my existence. Even if he himself said I’m nowhere near Javier’s type.
After we finish eating, Ava takes over. “All right, darlings. Time to get started. We’ve got work to do.”
I glance at Rowan, who gives me an encouraging nod. “Go on. I’ve got other shit to do. You’re in good hands.”
“Fine,” I sigh, following Ava and Leeza up the stairs.
When I walk into the room, I gasp. The entire space has been converted into a makeshift styling studio. Racks of clothing line one wall, and a professional makeup station has been set up near the window.
“Holy shit,” I mutter, taking it all in. “This is... a lot.”
“Only the best for the Sexiest Man Alive,” Leeza sing-songs.
I roll my eyes with a snort.
The next few hours pass in a whirlwind of pampering and primping that I imagine would make even the most seasoned celebrity feel overwhelmed. If I wasn’t so relaxed from my massage, I’d be chomping at the bit to take a running leap out of the window.
First, Leeza settles me into a plush chair facing said window with the incredible view of the Hollywood Hills and works her magic on my face, applying products I’ve never heard of with brushes so soft they feel like feathers against my skin.
“You have beautiful features,” she murmurs, tilting my chin up to catch the light. “Those lips, those eyes... Don’t worry,” she laughs lightly as I feel the blood drain from my face. “We’re just going to enhance what you already have.”
I try my best not to fidget as she transforms my face with expert precision, creating a smoky eye that makes the green of my irises pop. It’s strange seeing myself slowly morph into someone who looks like she’s worthy of walking down a red carpet. Even though I feel anything but.
Meanwhile, Ava circles like a stylish shark, occasionally holding up dresses and muttering to herself about “shapes” and “colors,” while her assistants scurry around, steaming garments, arranging shoes and setting accessories out on velvet trays.
And when Ava and Leeza finally turn me around to face the mirror? I barely recognize myself.