a pair of delicate black pumps, her hair tumbling around her shoulders in soft waves. She caught me by surprise when she threw her arms around me and dragged me inside.
“This is going to be so much fun! I’ve got half a dozen dresses for us to pick from, then I’ll put your hair up.”
“Just go with it,” Nick whispered from behind. “It’s easier that way.”
Dan strode off along the hallway, and I hurried to keep up. So focused was I on her disappearing back, I didn’t notice the man pop out of a side room until I walked into him. As I tried to keep my balance, strong arms held me up, and I cursed myself once again for being a total klutz.
“Shoot, I’m so sorry.” My eyes were level with his chest, so I looked up. “Holy fudge, you’re Armand Taylor.”
As in Armand Taylor, highest-grossing movie star of last year, Hollywood A-lister, and general all-around Adonis. Oh my gosh, I was in his house! And not only that, I was currently plastered against his chest.
He chuckled as I sprang back like he’d burned me. “I was last time I looked.”
I could have given a goldfish a run for its money with my choice of facial expression, but before I managed to form words, Dan interrupted me.
“Armand, we’re late. Lara needs to get ready. If you’re not doing anything constructive, get out of the way.”
How could she speak so casually to him? I peered through my eyelashes to see his reaction, but he simply stepped to the side as Dan herded me up the stairs into a bedroom scattered with make-up.
I sagged into the nearest chair. “That was Armand Taylor.”
“Yeah, and?”
“He’s, like, the king of Hollywood. Women go nuts over him.” Me included, if I was honest. I’d watched every single one of his movies with Missy.
“I know. It’s hilarious.”
“Why are you here? Fudging frick, are you dating him?”
She laughed. “When you signed your contract with Nick, it had a confidentiality clause, right?”
I nodded.
“I’m not dating him. He’s gay. Tonight, I’m his cover story.”
My jaw dropped. “Are you serious? But he’s always in the paper with some actress or model on his arm.”
“That’s all arranged by the studios. Armand’s been with his boyfriend for three years. Hans pretends he’s the butler.”
I was back to goldfish. “Oh, my goodness.”
“The general consensus is that it would hurt Armand’s career if he came out right now, and Hans is supportive enough to keep things quiet. He’s staying in to watch the football game tonight while Armand charms the ladies at Black’s.” Dan shrugged. “Armand hates football anyway.”
Another fantasy shattered, although I had to admit that Nick had usurped Armand since he came onto the scene. And Dan was right—screaming women the world over would weep into their hair extensions if Armand’s sexual preferences became front-page news. Just last week, he’d made the papers when a wealthy heiress from New York paid a hundred thousand dollars at a charity auction for a “date” with him. She’d no doubt be disappointed not to get a second.
So busy was I digesting that revelation, I didn’t notice what Dan was up to. It wasn’t until she stepped back and said, “Ta da,” that I looked in the mirror. The girl staring back definitely wasn’t me. My eyes were smoky, my lips scarlet, and my hair had expanded to twice its normal size.
“Now for the outfit.” She handed me a scrap of slinky red material and a pair of shoes that matched hers. “I think this’ll suit you best.”
I wasn’t sure I shared her sentiment, but I scuttled into the en-suite bathroom to change. Just go with it, Nick had said. The knee-length dress was every bit as bad as I’d imagined.
“I can’t go out looking like this,” I hissed, peering around the door.
Dan yanked it all the way open. “Why not? You look amazing.”
“Because I’ll fall out of it. And it’s way too revealing.”
The top had something built into it that made my boobs grow in line with my hair.
“Everything’s secure.” She grabbed the neckline and gave it a jiggle. “See? Come on, let’s go.”
I dug my heels into the carpet. “It’s too bright. People might notice me.”
I was happiest flying under the radar. Being noticed only got me sniggers and nasty comments.
“That’s kind of the point.” She paused, and her face softened. “Don’t worry. Nick’ll beat all the men off with a stick. Now we have to get going—we’re running late.”
I gave in. The club