Stand-In Star (7 page)

Don’t be ridiculous. He doesn’t even like you!

She forced herself into her seat and took a much-needed slug of mineral water. She hadn’t realized her throat was dry but she guzzled the cool liquid. The girls didn’t say goodbye to Holly and she couldn’t say she cared, but her stomach did a little flip when Nate sat back down opposite her.

“This looks delicious.” She nodded at her lobster mousse and picked up her knife and fork, determined to move past this silly schoolgirl crush-like thing. It was like crushing on the captain of the football team who’d never even noticed you existed.

“It will be. This place does seafood like none other.”

“Hmmm.” As amazing as the food looked, Holly’s mind lingered elsewhere. “Do you know Sami and Sian well?”

“Not really.” Nate rested one elbow on the table and shook his head. “I’ve done portfolios for both of them. That’s it.”

“And what about Daisy? Were they all friends?”

“Those two weren’t in Daisy’s league,” Nate said, a serious look coming over his eyes. “They are wannabees, sleeping and schmoosing their way to the top.”

“But you seemed so happy to see them. So…close.”

Nate chuckled. “Everyone
seems
close in Hollywood. It’s a front. They’re clients. They’re easy to photograph and they like what I do. It doesn’t hurt to make them feel important for a bit.”

“So all that was an act?”

“Pretty much.” And he didn’t seem to think this was a problem.

Disgruntled, Holly took her first mouthful and let her taste buds indulge in what had to be the best cuisine she’d tasted. Ever. He ate as well and she openly scrutinized him, trying like hell to work out the puzzle. “Do you like photographing people?”

“It’s what I’m good at. It’s what I’ve always done.” He took another mouthful of his Atlantic salmon.

“That’s not what I asked.”

He put down his fork and rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “Do you know you’re the first woman I’ve ever taken out to dinner who isn’t asking me about my clients or trying to become one. Don’t you want to know about the famous people I’ve snapped and what kind of strange, crazy requests they’ve made?”

“No. If I wanted to know those kind of things I’d read the tabloids. I want to know about you.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m staying at your house for crying out loud.”

He reached across the table and placed his index finger across her lips. She froze, realizing her voice had risen with her heart rate. She’d lied when she said she wanted to know about him because of being his guest. She’d stayed at numerous B&Bs before and never wanted to know the life stories of the people that owned them. Sure she liked research, but her interests were generally more on a community level. Individuals were only interesting in the way they fit in the group.

Yet, here was a man who fascinated her for reasons she couldn’t comprehend.

* * *

Nate looked into Holly’s eyes and for one moment forgot about the walls and people around them and the fact he didn’t like her. All he saw was a gorgeous, unique woman who, despite his every intention not to be sucked in, had him hanging off her every word and his thoughts constantly skimming the gutter. He’d never expected to feel such primal things about Daisy’s sister. It felt weird, wrong almost. Like he was cheating on her, which was ludicrous because she’d been the first to admit they weren’t together-together.

“Nate?” His name was mumbled as she tried to get it past his finger which pressed down on her top lip.

His crazy trance broken, he yanked his finger back and sat up straight. What the hell?

“Are you okay?” She looked genuinely worried and a little confused. “You were staring at me.”

He pulled himself together. “Sorry. I had a photo moment,” he lied.

“Excuse me?”

“You were so animated and I wanted to capture the expression on camera.” He grabbed for his drink and practically threw some down his throat. For once he wished the glass was filled with something stronger.

“You wanted to take a photo of my
expression
?” She sounded offended.

He saw no reason not to tell the truth. “If you must know Holly, I’ve wanted to take a photo of you ever since you stepped off the plane.” Her eyes widened. He saw anger and horror bubbling. “No.” He held up his palms. “Not like that. I don’t do that anymore. But you have a very photogenic face. I can’t help but want to capture it.”

She closed her eyes, shook her head a little and then looked back at him. “No one has ever said they wanted to take my photo before.”

“Surely your parents took lots.”

“No.” She laughed scathingly. “Well, not that I remember anyway. By the time I’d started school, Daisy’s career was kicking off and they had to focus all their attention on that. On her. No one ever expected the Aussie kid’s film she starred in to be such a hit, but it was and from ten years old, she was sought after. Our parents barely had time to look after me, never mind take photos.”

He didn’t know what to say to that.

“I guess that answers my question then,” Holly said, fiddling with her hair and twisting a chunk around her index finger.

He cut the last piece of his salmon but, before putting it in his mouth, he asked, “And what question would that be?”

“About whether you like taking photos of people or not.”

He chewed. She took another mouthful of her meal, yet kept her eyes on him. Eventually, he answered. “Most of the time I love it. There’s something about taking a photo of someone that they can love and be proud of. Something they’ll treasure as long as they live and will remain long after they are gone. It may not be brain surgery, but I believe what I do serves a purpose. If humans feel good about themselves, then they’re generally better to other people.”

“I’d never thought about it that way.” She picked up her cocktail glass and drank the last sip. She’d taken almost an hour to consume a drink that other woman drank like juice. He wanted to ask her if she felt good about herself, but that would be crossing into territory he never went with women. With anyone. Emotional territory.

“Anyway enough about me. I want to hear about your interesting career.” He sounded sarcastic when he didn’t mean to be.

She raised her eyebrows. “You’re about the only man I’ve ever heard call it interesting. Do you really want to hear or are you just being polite?”

He fixed her with a skeptical glare. “I thought we’d established by now that I don’t do polite for the sake of it. I’m interested. What did you say you were? An archaeologist?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m a cultural anthropologist.”

He racked his brain for anything he’d heard about this profession. It wasn’t much. “I stand corrected. Educate me.”

And while they finished the rest of their main course, she did.

“I work in the Australian Studies department of the University of Sydney. I’ve always been fascinated by how different cultures interact and experience life. That was one good thing about having Daisy as a sister. Whenever she did a movie, we went on an overseas holiday with some of her earnings. I loved going to exotic places the most, countries that were about as different from Australia as you could get. I kept diaries, recording everything we saw, ate and did.”

“Have you still got them?” He could imagine her as a teenager travelling the globe with a dog-eared notebook and a chewed on pen. He smiled at the image.

“Oh yeah.” Her eyes lit up at the memory, but she quickly shut them down. “Somewhere or other. I suppose.”

He frowned, wondering why she appeared embarrassed by this. He’d listened, forgetting he had a bone to pick with this woman, and simply enjoyed her passion. Sharing intellectual conversation with a woman was new and he didn’t want her shutting down. “What’s the most interesting culture you’ve ever studied?”

She bit her lower lip. “You sure you want to talk about this?”

“No, I’d rather be talking about lipstick shades and who’s screwing who on the set of the latest bonk buster.”

“You know what I told you about sarcasm?” She tried to sound stern but her lips gave her away.

Was she flirting? Conflicted emotions rocked him at this possibility. “I’m a slow learner.”

“Fair enough. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. When I get talking about this, it can be hard to shut me up.” She leaned forward, lifted her water glass and took a long drink. “It’s hard to pick a favorite but I’ve always found the Chinese culture fascinating. I spent six months of my degree in Longsheng county in southern China living, eating and breathing amongst the women who worked the rice paddies. My experiences formed the basis of my Honors thesis about the comradeship of women who live and work together.”

“Have you got photos?” He couldn’t help himself.

“Yes, but back in Australia.”

A waiter passed by and Nate ordered another soda. He turned back to Holly quickly, eager to hear more. The waiter returned with the drink and cleared up their empty plates. Holly went on talking for another fifteen minutes and, surprisingly, there wasn’t one second where he wished she’d finish up. He racked his brain for the last time he’d actually talked and listened this much on a date.

Not that this was a date. Pain shot to his temples at the thought.

“But I wanted to do something closer to home and totally different for my Ph.D,” she explained. “I wrote a thesis on teenage gangs who graffiti. Tags and stuff.”

“That sounds about as far from rice paddies as you can get.”

“It was. But just as captivating.” She sighed and looked down at her plate. “I’m sorry. I’m probably boring you crazy.”

“He’s already crazy.”

Holly looked up to the voice behind Nate, but he didn’t have to look to know it was his sister Bec’s partner. Linc smiled down at Holly and placed Skyhigh’s famous chocolate fountain dessert on their table. Then he offered Holly his hand. “Hi, I’m Linc Samuals, Head Chef. I also happen to be his brother-in-law.”

“I don’t see a ring on my sister’s finger yet.”

“Mere technicality,” he said as he shook Holly’s hand. “I hope your meal was satisfactory.”

“More than satisfactory.” Holly grinned, her gaze lingering on their dessert. “And that looks divine.”

“It is and it’s on the house.” Civilities over, Linc looked to Nate. “Nice to see you. It’s been a while.”

“I haven’t been eating out much,” Nate said, knowing full well that wasn’t what Linc was getting at.

“You know what I mean. Bec and Lissa miss you. And your Mom wouldn’t mind the occasional visit.”

“I call her. I make sure she’s looked after.” He glanced at Holly wondering what she’d make of this conversation and was glad to see her starting on the chocolate fountain.

“It’s not the same.” Linc shook his head, but Nate knew he’d never understand. Linc’s parents were still happy and together, as far as he could tell they’d never said a cross word to each other in all their years of marriage. Bec and Lissa might like to subscribe to family fantasies like that but theirs wasn’t one and he didn’t believe in pretending otherwise.

Biting back a harsh retort to get Linc off his back, Nate suddenly had a brainwave.

“How’s Bec’s design business going?”

Linc frowned and rolled his eyes, obviously thinking Nate was trying to change the subject. “It’s fine. A little slow at the moment. All she needs is a break—an opportunity to show how fabulous she is—and all the stars will be clamoring for her attention.”

Nate looked across the table at Holly. She had a chocolate covered cherry half way to her mouth and a tiny smear of chocolate on her chin. She looked sheepish when she noticed his attentions. “Sorry. Couldn’t resist.”

“No worries.” He tried to take his thoughts away from her lips but he couldn’t recall a more alluring sight. “My sister Bec is a fashion designer. She’s good but it’s tough to crack the big time. How would you feel about me seeing if she’d like the chance to create your gown?”

Holly laid the cherry down on her side plate. “There’re only four days to go.” She looked up to Linc. “Do you think she’d like the challenge?”

“Hold on a moment.” Linc squatted down next to the table. “Are we talking a gown for Sunday night?”

Holly nodded. “I know I’ve left it terribly late.”

Linc’s smile could have cracked his face open. His eyes literally glittered. “She’ll be up for the challenge, alright. This is exactly the kind of break she needs. I could just kiss you.”

Don’t you dare.
The intensity of Nate’s feelings shocked him. If anyone was going to kiss Holly McCartney it would be him.

Chapter Six

Holly fiddled with the pendant hanging around her neck as Nate drove through the early morning traffic to his sister’s studio. Whether her nerves were due to the appointment or the fact she was alone in a small space with Nate, she couldn’t tell. Her hormones kept sending messages to her brain making her look at Daisy’s boyfriend in a way she really didn’t want to.

“Thanks so much for arranging this.” She turned her face to Nate, hoping that partaking in conversation would keep her mind too busy for fantasies.

“Not a problem.” He swung the steering wheel, turning the Viper down a side road.

“And for driving me. I could have called a cab.”

He stopped at traffic lights and glanced quickly at her. “I’ve taken some time off and you heard Linc. If I don’t visit one member of my family occasionally, they’ll send out a search party. That I can live without.”

“Why don’t you want to see your sisters?”

He gave her a look and then pressed down on the accelerator. The car shot off and she realized her error. “Did anyone ever say you ask too many questions?”

She nodded. “Frequently. But it’s what I’m trained to do and I should probably warn you I’m unlikely to stop. If you don’t want to tell me about why you don’t see them much, tell me what they’re like. It’s the least you could do considering I’m about to meet Rebecca.”

“Bec,” he stated dryly. “She hates Rebecca. It’s what our father called her.”

“Okay.” So there were father issues. Did that account for some of Nate’s standoffish-ness or was it all down to his feelings for Daisy? “What’s Bec like?”

“Bec’s a whirlwind. She’s obsessed with fashion and everything being perfect. She looks after her heath, her figure, her house and those around her with military dedication and her greatest dream is to create the wedding gown for one of the Royal Family.”

“Wow. Big ambition.” She thought it sweet he knew such specific details of his sister’s dreams. Perhaps there was a heart somewhere deep beneath his tough-guy exterior.

“It is and she’ll do it too. She’ll work twenty-four-seven the next few days making you an amazing dress. And by showcasing her design, you could be responsible for helping her achieve her goal a little earlier.”

“I’d like that.” Hopefully Nate’s sister was a miracle worker and could somehow hide the fact she wasn’t stick thin like the majority of the women who’d be attending the Awards. “And what about your other sister?”

“Lissa. Short for Melissa.” He made a non-committal sound. “She’s a lot younger. She still lives with Mom and is in her last year at high school. All she cares about is boys.”

“So a normal teenager, then?”

“Pretty much. That’s one thing we all want for her—to have a normal life.”

Holly desperately wanted to ask him what he meant by this but the way he’d tensed in his seat told her he hadn’t intended to give this much away. Besides, her desperate need to know everything about him puzzled her. Although he’d mellowed slightly since the last paparazzi incident, he hadn’t given her any indication he liked her. She knew he was doing this more for his sister than her. But still she found him fascinating, not to mention gorgeous, and she had an intense urge to pry.

She twisted the necklace some more and ended up almost choking herself.

“You okay?” he asked, briefly glancing her way before training his eyes back on the road.

“Fine.” She answered perhaps a tad too quickly. “Okay, I’m a little nervous. If Bec doesn’t agree to dress me, I’m in serious trouble. I should have listened to Stella.”

“Stella?”

Holly smiled thinking about her friend. “My best friend. She was supposed to come over here with me but her fiancé was up for a big culinary award so she had to go with him instead. She’s obsessed with fashion. She’s already lectured me intensely about not organizing a dress till now.”

“Relax, Bec will look after everything.” He nodded at the building a little in front of them to the right and pressed a number in his phone.

Within seconds a chirpy voice answered. “Hi, Nate. I see you. Do you want me to unlock the garage entrance so you can park?”

“No. I’ll drop Holly off and come back in a couple of hours.”

Holly froze at his response but he didn’t appear to notice.

“Will that be enough time?” he continued.

“Sure. That’ll be fine for an initial consultation,” came Bec’s confident reply. “I’ll need to get to work straight away, anyway.”

He disconnected the phone but before he could say anything Holly jumped in. “I thought bringing me here meant you could spend some time with your sister, yet you’re leaving me.” Usually independent, she didn’t know why the idea terrified her so much and why Nate had suddenly become her crutch. She should feel relief that he was taking his judgmental self away but, albeit only slightly, things had shifted between them since last night.

He appeared oblivious to her desperate outcry. “I’ll come in when I pick you up. I’ve got a few things to do this morning.” He leaned over and opened her car door.

Holly opened her mouth to ask what these things could be, but the question died on her tongue as a petite woman with the most immaculate jet-black bob hairstyle Holly had ever seen, leaned into the car.

“Hi, bro.” She waved a hand toward Nate. “You must be Holly. Let me take your bag. Really pleased to meet you.”

Before Holly could react, Bec pried the bag from her grip and grabbed her hand, hauling her from the car. She pushed her hip out and the car door slammed. Nate didn’t hang around. Holly watched him cut into the traffic and told herself to pull together. This was only a consultation.

Bec’s arm slid around her side as she ushered Holly upstairs. “You are such a doll,” she gushed. “Not at all like your sister but absolutely perfect in your own beautiful way. This is going to be so much fun.”

Where Nate was quiet, strong and guarded, Bec looked like she’d snap in half if the wind blew too strongly and she was effusive in conversation and action. As they waited in a medium-sized lobby for the elevator, Nate’s sister practically bounced up and down like a rubber ball.

Holly couldn’t resist questioning Bec. “Did you know Daisy well?”

“No.” Bec glanced at the elevator light. “But I’ve seen her movies. How do you know Nate?”

The elevator pinged open.

Bec’s question confused Holly—she’d thought their connection would be obvious. “Nate met me at the airport. As a friend of Daisy’s, he’s kind of been looking out for me.”

“Really?” Bec’s eyes widened. “He usually stays away from such attachments and I didn’t know he and Daisy knew each other.”

“Knew each other? I think they were together,” Holly said before wondering if she shouldn’t have.

A massive smile cracked Bec’s face. “No way! Sly dog, I didn’t know he was in a relationship.” The smile died as a serious look came over her. “Oh gosh, he must have been devastated when she died. I wish he’d stop trying to cope with everything on his own.”

A little subdued now, Bec walked rather than skipped out the elevator and down the hall to a red door. She slid in a key and gestured Holly to go in ahead of her.

Walking inside, Holly asked, “Has he always been so solitary?”

“No.” Bec shook her head as she crossed the room into the kitchen. “Before Mom and Dad split up, Nate spent loads of time with Lissa and me. The three of us hung out together and looked out for each other whenever Dad was on one of his benders. Then Dad left and Nate became all serious because he was so dead-set on looking out for all of us.”

Bec spoke openly as if Holly knew the history of their family. The little pieces she’d offered helped make sense of the way Nate was, but she still longed to know more.

“Anyway, I shouldn’t be boring you with our tragic stories,” Bec said matter-of-factly. She stood in front of an expensive looking coffee machine and selected two vintage-design mugs from the cupboard above. “Can I offer you a Latte?”

Holly took a moment to look around and realized they were in a very funky but small apartment. She’d been expecting a studio of some sort. “Yes, please.” Practically injecting coffee was helping her fight jet-lag. “Is this your home as well?”

Bec sighed and looked around. “Yeah. It’s nothing fancy but Linc and I are happy here. Nate offered to buy me a studio to start my business but I want to succeed on my own. I do all my sewing in our spare room. I know this might look like I don’t know what I’m doing but I promise you I’ll make you an amazing gown that both of us can be proud of.”

“I have no doubts.” Everything about Bec radiated passion and success. Besides, one look at her told Holly she
knew
how to dress.

Bec gestured to a little living room where two orange leather couches took pride of place either side of a retro coffee table. “I’ve set out my portfolios and some recent fashion magazines for you. Sit down and have a flick through while I get the drinks and then we’ll chat about your vision.”

Vision
? The talk about Nate and his family had been more interesting but Holly reminded herself why she was there. “Thanks.” She sat down and picked up the first mammoth book.

* * *

Nate drove aimlessly through the traffic, killing time waiting for Holly and Bec to be finished. He hadn’t wanted to hang around on a number of levels. Number one being that, although he appreciated fashion was an art form, it was an art form he had zero interest in. The only thing worse than listening to two women talk dress styles was realizing the woman staying with you was hot but wrong on a million different levels.

Since Linc had joked about kissing Holly last night, Nate hadn’t been able to get the image out of his head. But it wasn’t of his almost-brother-in-law kissing her, it was of him. And it wasn’t chaste or platonic, not one bit. When he thought about kissing Holly, his imagination ran rampant with animalistic passion and he had no control over it whatsoever.

He didn’t like it.

Compounding his feelings of self-disgust and guilt was the fact he’d gotten on surprisingly well with Holly at dinner. They hadn’t talked about Daisy, but they’d talked about practically everything else under the sun and as much as he hated to admit it, he found her more interesting than any woman he’d been out with in a long while.

“Argh.” He held the steering wheel in a death grip. This was no good. He had to escape and burn some energy. The decision made, he grabbed his MP3 player from the back seat of his car and found a place to park.

He was ten minutes into his jog when he saw the flashing neon sign of a costume shop. He didn’t think he believed in fate but if he did, this would definitely be a sign. He’d already been wondering what the hell he was supposed to do for the rest of the day with Holly, and suddenly this seemed like a good idea. He’d show her the sights because Lord knew if they went back to his place, his perverse fantasies would take on a life of their own.

And, after the attention she was getting from his old pap colleagues, no way was he letting her loose in L.A. on her own.

Slowing down, he headed into the store.

Inside, it was typical L.A.—flashing lights everywhere, crazy loud music blaring, and staff who were obviously enjoying road testing the costumes. He’d never imagined stepping inside a shop like this but then again, he’d never imagined needing a disguise.

“Morning, sir,” came a sing-songy voice from deep inside the shop. He peered through the racks of wacky outfits and accessories to see a giant lollypop heading his way. Smack bang in the center was a rosy-cheeked, smiley face to match the voice. “How can I help you today?”

“I’m looking for a couple of costumes.” The assistant’s eyes lit up and he clarified exactly what he meant before she started throwing superhero outfits at him. “Nothing outrageous, just some accessories to change a person’s look. A couple of wigs, glasses, hats, etcetera.”

The round sides of the lollypop drooped. “Okay, come this way.”

Five minutes later, Nate exited the shop with a bag under each arm. Then, he stopped at a bakery on the way back to Bec’s place and bought her favorite cream puffs. After years of battling an eating disorder, she still watched her figure like a hawk but these were the one treat she couldn’t say no to. And although he’d never admit it, he liked to spoil her.

When he arrived at the apartment, Bec was sitting on the sofa, a sketch pad and pencil in her hand. Holly was nowhere to be seen.

“What have you done with my guest?”

“Relax.” Bec ditched the pencil and paper on the coffee table and approached him, eyeing the cardboard box and bags. “She’s in the bathroom getting dressed again.”

He gulped at the thought of her being undressed at all. Bec eyed him suspiciously when coffee spilled through the hole in one of the plastic lids.

“She was trying on some of my previous designs,” Bec explained, “to get an idea of what style she likes. And what the hell are you wearing?”

“Took you a while to notice.”

“I was distracted by the aroma wafting from that box.” She took the cake box out of his hand, lifted the lid and closed her eyes as she sniffed. “These better be for me.”

“You could share them with Holly.” He dumped the costume bags on the sofa.

Bec pouted. “So, why the crazy costume?” She lifted a cream puff to her lips.

Holly chose that moment to reappear. “Oh, hello,” she said, confusion crossing her face before recognition dawned. “Nate? What’s with the wig, glasses and baseball cap?”

“You’ve forgotten the moustache.” He fiddled with the black fur, expertly attached just above his lips.

“She’s probably trying to ignore it,” said Bec through a mouthful of puff. “It looks ghastly.”

“I don’t know.” Pink tinged Holly’s cheeks. “I think it kind of makes you look esteemed.”

His chest swelled at the first compliment she’d willingly offered. “We’re going sight-seeing. And so you don’t get swamped by the press, we’re going in disguise.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re taking her to the studios?” Bec rolled her eyes.

“Never mind where we’re going,” Holly said, “what have you got for me to wear?”

Nate picked up the bag with Holly’s stuff and pulled out the first item. A short-spiky red-haired wig.