and the guys will be with those two over there. I’ll supervise.”
Of course she will.
I kiss Crew’s cheek. He smiles before heading off with Ronni.
“Brianna,” Elsie says. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
“You can call me Bria.”
“Actually I can’t.” She nods to Ronni. “She told us we have to call you Brianna.”
I feel a sudden urge to smack Ronni, and I’m not a violent person. I smile coldly. “Do what you need to do, but I prefer Bria.”
She takes me into a dressing room and seats me in a large chair in front of a mirror. There’s all kinds of makeup on the counter in front of me. “You’re going to make me look like a slut, aren’t you?”
“You’re making a sexy video. I love your music, by the way.”
“Thanks.”
I let her do her job. I can’t make small talk because my face moves when I speak. When she’s finished, and I gaze into the mirror, I’m astounded. My eyes are smoky-black, and my lashes are an inch long. I consider asking her to teach me how to get that effect.
“I’m not done yet,” Elsie says, pulling out bins filled with hairstyling equipment.
“Can I talk now?”
“Sure. In fact, tell me about that hot singing partner of yours.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Is he taken? Can you slip him my number?”
“Yes and no.”
“Hmm, that’s a shame. So a one-night stand is out of the question? A lot of guys are taken but still play on the side.”
“Not Crew.”
“Are you sure? I can be discreet.”
I tighten my lips. “I’m sure.”
Her hand goes to her mouth. “Are the two of you …?”
“Yes.”
“Shit, I’m sorry. What about the others? Can you give them my number?”
My cosmetically enhanced eyebrows rise. “All of them?”
She doesn’t even have the decency to look embarrassed. “Improves my chances.”
“I’m not in the habit of matchmaking, but I’ll pass along your number. Might want to stay away from Brad, though. He has a serious girlfriend.”
“Which one is he?”
“Bass guitar.”
“Noted.”
After another twenty minutes, she takes me over to the wardrobe hanger. “I’m supposed to wear this?”
“That’s what I’m told. Why? What’s wrong?”
I give the outfit a once-over. It’s pretty but demure. I figured Ronni would have me in a short, tight skirt with cleavage spilling over the top. This is something I could almost wear to church. “Nothing. I thought it would be sexier.” I look at the other two identical outfits. “Why are there so many? Are they different sizes?”
“They’re all your size. These are extras in case you tear one or sweat too much.”
“I guess I have a lot to learn about making music videos.”
Elsie escorts me down a hall and onto the set. It looks nothing like I imagined. It’s like I’ve entered another world. Hot lights hang from the ceiling and down the walls. Cameras and operators are everywhere. There is an expensive-looking convertible on one side, an empty stage on another, what looks like a bedroom against a wall, and there’s band equipment that’s not ours. Behind everything are massive green screens.
A man comes over. “I’m David Holland, the director. The rest of your band is over here.” We must pass fifteen or twenty people along the way. “That’s my production staff. If you need anything, ask one of them.”
We enter a large conference room. Crew and the others stand around. Crew is always gorgeous, but, oh my God, they’ve got him in tight jeans and a leather jacket, and the shirt under it is ripped so I can see his abs.
He starts over to me, and Ronni rushes between us. “No touching. I don’t want you to have to go back to hair and makeup.”
We stare at each other from a few feet away.
“You look hot,” he whispers.
“You, too.”
Crew gives me a sly smile. “I can’t wait to get you alone tonight.”
“Are you finished?” Ronni says bitingly. “David wants to go over a few things.”
We take seats around the table, except for David, who paces as he talks. “I understand you’ve never made a music video before, so a few things. First, every minute of your song will take two to four hours of shooting. This will be a long day. The more you cooperate, the earlier we’ll get out of here. Second, ideally we’ll have several good takes for every scene, so don’t be surprised if I ask you to do it again even if you think it’s perfect. Third, it’s easier to play your instruments than to pretend. To make picture editing simpler, the amps