I looked over again and spotted a couple that looked familiar, probably from the TV show she was on.
“I’ve been snapping a ton of photos of them,” Nora said as she raised up her camera. “What a fun group!”
A pretty brunette that I assumed was the hair stylist walked over to us. “Kristen? Can we chat before we get started?”
They walked away, leaving me and Nora by ourselves for a few minutes.
I glanced over at the smaller production team working through the set-up then looked Nora up and down.
“Did they mic you?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “Not yet, but they’re working on it.”
“Good. I need to tell you something.” I grabbed her hand and dragged her to an empty part of the salon.
“Yeah, you’re wearing that moony smile you get when you’re up to something,” Nora accused me. “Spill it.”
I looked around to make sure no one was near. “I slept with Drew last night.”
Her eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open. “Wait.What? How? Were you just being really method and getting into your role, or?—”
I shushed her, looking around nervously. I’d already filled Nora in on the parameters of my fake engagement but neither one of us had anticipated this latest development.
“It just happened,” I admitted.
“What, you tripped and fell on his dick?”
I laughed at her. “Okay, you’re right, there was more to it. We had a really nice evening together. He may actually be a better guy than I thought at first. A little. Maybe.”
“That’s not exactly a great endorsement,” she laughed at me.
“Okay, fine, heisbetter—but you know I don’t like admitting I was totally wrong in my first impression, okay?”
“What changed?” Nora asked me.
I paused as I considered how our relationship had evolved. “I saw the real him. Deep down, he’s got a huge heart. And empathy.”
“A billionaire with empathy? How is that possible?”
“Stop,” I swatted at her. “He’s been amazing about Winston, and he went to see Poppy with me last night.” I smiled at the thought of the two of them teasing each other. “He got the elder Marino seal of approval, which ain’t easy.”
“Oh damn,” Nora said, the admiration clear. “EvenIhad to put in some serious work to earn that. Okay then, maybe there is something to the guy?”
I shrugged. “I hope so.”
Nora watched me for a beat, and I braced myself for the sisterly insights.
“Just be careful. This is all moving super fast. You’ve got a freaking engagement ring on your finger, but that was just supposed to be a prop. Now you’re all moved in and sleeping with the guy?”
“I’m just having fun,” I insisted.
“And that’s great. You should be! Enjoy the ride, literal and metaphorical, until the end. But guard your heart. I don’t want to see you get hurt if it turns out he still sees this as some kind of game. You’re getting invested, but you need to make sure thathisheart is in the right place.”
Nora was right There was a chance he saw this as nothing more than having some fun while we kept the charade going. Just because he wanted menowdidn’t mean he saw this as something that might last.
“You’re right,” I finally admitted. “I’ll be careful.”
“Good,” Nora leaned close and gave me a quick squeeze. “Looks like they’re ready for us. Showtime!”
