Fake (West Hollywood #1) -Kylie Scott Page 0,59

Actors Foundation Awards were televised and huge as heck. I might only be the fiancée, but the preparation was intense. First came waxing, followed by a facial; my hair color was touched up and a light spray tan applied. Some of these things had been planned for a day or two before, but we’d been in Malibu. It made things busy. Angie tried to force a last-minute juice cleanse on me. However, Mei saved the day with a soda and burger. Love that woman.

My nails were done, hair styled into a textured loose bun that sat on the back of my neck, and about a gallon of makeup applied. Which was good and right given our late night. Times like these were why Baby Jesus invented concealer. Given the weather had warmed up, the underarm sweat patches seemed like a great idea. But the really fun part was squeezing my ass into not one, but two pairs of Spanx. Who even needed to breathe or bend at the waist?

Then, at long last, it was down to the Dolce & Gabbana black heavy lace cocktail dress, a pair of Jimmy Choo pumps, and dangly teardrop diamond earrings on loan from Chopard. The assistant stylist smiled, showed me a couple of ready poses for the red carpet, took a photo to send to his boss, and dashed off to dress another client.

“What do you think?” asked Mei.

I stared at the glamorous stranger in the mirror. “I don’t know. You think he’ll like it?”

“Paddy,” Mei hollered.

“Patrick’s opinion is irrelevant,” said Angie, handing me my clutch. “This is all about what works on camera and gets us the likes. We were looking at a red Carolina Herrera gown, but given recent events we thought this would send a better message. More refined and dignified. Not quite as sexy. Now, the rules of the red carpet are as follows . . .”

Patrick emerged from the hallway. One of the first times he’d dared venture into the chaos of the living room today. Men had it so much easier than women. He’d hid out at the gym before being groomed. I’d never seen him in a tuxedo before. Not in person. Talk about needing to gird your loins.

Angie snapped her fingers in front of my face. “Norah, stop making heart eyes and pay attention.”

I gave her a look of displeasure.

“Give us a minute, please,” said Patrick.

Mei smiled and Angie grumbled, but they did as told, disappearing into the office.

“You look beautiful.” He took my hand, straightening the rock on my ring finger before placing a kiss on my knuckles. “How do you feel?”

I sighed. “Nervous. How about you?”

He shrugged. It was just another day in Hollywood for him.

“Car’s here!” said Mei.

“We could always stay home and have sex,” he said, leaning in to place a kiss on my neck. Such a romantic. “That’s always an option.”

“Aren’t you up for an award?” I asked.

“Yeah. But I’m not going to win. It’s a popularity contest as much as anything and I’m still catching up on that front.”

“But you never know. You might win.”

“Are you sure you’re good with doing this?” he asked.

“I didn’t spend all day getting ready just to miss the party.”

He smiled and offered me his arm. “Okay then. Let’s go.”

“I just need a moment to powder my nose,” I said. Because needing to pee the minute we hit the red carpet did not sound like a good time.

We took the prerequisite at-home picture for social media, then got moving. Angie wasted no time laying down the law as soon as we were in the limousine. “We’re not giving interviews. Don’t answer questions. Don’t even talk to the photographers. Let them take their shots, then get out of there.”

“Got it,” I said. “Is that normal?”

“It is this year.” And that was all she said about that. “When they ask for a fashion shot, that’s the polite way of telling you to get out of the way so they can take a picture of Patrick on his own.”

I nodded.

“And remember, you two are in love,” she said. “Only just got engaged. That means PDA.”

Patrick frowned, but didn’t comment.

Outside, Los Angeles passed by in a rush. It was only late afternoon, sunset still a good hour away. Patrick poured two glasses of champagne and handed them to Angie and me. Mei had stayed back at the house to tidy things up and one of the bodyguards rode up front with the driver. That this was my life right