hollywoodprint

[hollywoodprint]

4. Sorry Not Sorry

4. Sorry Not Sorry

Avery was not going to find heartthrob Max Kelly standing off to the side of all the action. She decided to start her celebrity hunt at the bar. She doubted he got his own drinks but someone would know where he was.

Wanting to look the part but also remembering the purpose of the night, she opted out on a cocktail. Instead she found herself at the bar with a beer.

Everything about tonight was unusual.

It wasn’t long before she heard whispers about Max.

“Well I hear he’s still hooking up with his ex.”

“And I know for a fact is this guy has got to be hard core into drugs or the booze. No one that famous can be T-total clean.”

It was good gossip but it wasn’t getting her any reliable material for her story.

Two men tried buying Avery a drink. Each time she declined their beer and offer for company. After being half way through bottle number two, she was at a dead end at the bar. She was no closer to finding Max Kelly then she was when she originally arrived.

Hand firmly around her drink; she made a conscious decision to slow down before she took her part in this play too far too soon.

Avery started to make a round about the giant room that was the club. A song came on that she heard while shopping tonight with Ainsley. She quietly bobbed her head to herself.

She stopped walking once her feet met the edge of the dance floor. Everyone was so close to each other, all leaning in to whisper in ears of their friends because the music was too loud.

Doing a wide scan of the room, Avery’s head keep a light bob to the beat of the music.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up to attention. She knew immediately there was a man behind her. As she was turning  to decline anything he was about to offer, he stops her with a whisper, “A woman who drinks beer. A rarity nowadays. I’m more than certain most of the ladies in here are drinking a Cosmo.”

He finally leans away but he doesn’t go too far. She turned ready to shoo him away like she had the others. In case he scared off Max Kelly.

She was a met with quite the surprise.

Max Kelly had come to her.

He was more gorgeous than he looked in photographs. Avery, under any other circumstances, would have drooled over him. He was the classic handsome that teenage girls selected for posters in their rooms.

However she was on a mission, those willow green eyes and wavy black hair had to stop playing tricks on her. She had to keep her head in the game.

Once he realized she was sizing him up and with no shame at that, Max held a palm out, requesting her hand.

Avery had seen this move in the movies and yet she was still not expecting him to kiss the back of her hand when he did.

Trying to play the role of gentleman? This guy was too much to handle.

He leaned in again, “What might your name be?”

“I’m Avery. Most people call me Ace.”

He was already smiling at her when she said Avery but her nickname threw him for a loop as he leaned back chuckling. He spoke up but didn’t invade her space, “You really must be a Warrior Princess with a name like that.”

She smiled and reminded her heart to stay firmly in her chest. No time for small talk. Brass tax it had to be. “Who is that big guy behind you?” She waved at what had to be Max’s bodyguard.

Max explained but a song louder than the last came on and she couldn’t hear him. She moved this whole charade along, “I’m having a hard time hearing you.”

He takes her hand in his own. Guiding her, he leads her to the farthest side of the club, away from everything. Lively but a much more quiet section of the club, a mini bar set up among the couches.

Avery kept some space between them, beer and her hands in her lap.

“That.” he nodded at the tall bald guy a couch or two away, “Is my bodyguard Michael.”

She smiled, “Do you use him often?”

He gave her a cocky grin before inquiring, “So you do know who I am?”

She decided since so much of this involved secrecy she would be honest with him when she could. “I would have to live under a rock to not know that you’re Max Kelly.”

“You’re blunt.”

“Most would people say so. Yes.”

“Good.” Max could hear Chase in his head saying he needed less Hollywood treatment in his life.

His mind let him wonder what Chase would think of this girl.

Wait? Since when did anyone skip his bed and roll right into meeting the best friend?

He inwardly shook his head free from her spell. She hadn’t even been in his arms yet and Max was already giving her special treatment.

He found himself asking more about her, “Where are you from Ace?”

For some reason when he used her nickname she didn’t cringe nor did it make her want to punch him in the face. It was natural coming from his lips. Beautiful full lips.

Avery focused. “I was born in New York. Later I was brought up in Georgia.”

“Interesting, which state do you like the best?”

Who was interviewing whom?

“Each state has something to offer.”

“Spoken like a politician. Answering but not answering.”

“Still honest.” She flipped the script, recalling she had a job to do. “I’m surprised you’re alone. You usually have an entourage of people. At least that’s what the pictures say.”

Inquiring but in a relaxed manner. She was supposed to be digging for unknown information but casually.

Though he hadn’t known her long, Max found himself wanting to tell her his life story. He couldn’t figure out why. “Sometimes I guess I just miss being a normal dude. Even when I was just modeling back in the day, I had more down time to myself.”

“But you could have easily just stayed at home tonight.”

He couldn’t admit to her that his house was too empty these days. It was getting harder and harder to come back after a long day, week or month of movie shooting to come home to a bare house.

Instead he gave her a Max Kelly answer, “They have my favorite beer here.”

She noticed he gave her a peek inside the window of the real Max without saying a word. Much more than he had ever given anyone else.  His eyes really did tell a story—he was missing something.

She wanted more of that story. “Let me buy you a beer.”

A waitress stopped to flirt with Max. Undeterred, Avery ordered them both another drink.

He liked that she didn’t display any displeasure or jealousy in the attention he so frequently received. She was also direct. This woman was becoming more and more like a unicorn. Unseen, mysterious and magical.

“The next one is on me.” Max chuckled as their new drinks arrived.

She quickly shook her head no. He couldn’t help but watch her as the curls bounced to and fro. One word left her lips, “Nope.”

“Oh come on. What kind of man lets a woman buy?”

“The kind that keeps company with me.”

Avery questioned herself: Where was this coming from?

“Well Ace you are interesting company.”

The strangest part is that Avery could feel herself keeping up this playful banter.

After a swift thought, she puts her beer down, “Okay. You want to return the drink favor?”

Max was about to get the attention of another waitress.

“No more drinks. You and me Kelly. Dance floor.”

Avery stands fighting the urge to pull her dress down. Her clutch in one hand and her other using her pointer finger to beckon Max. She coaxes him to go back out into the noise.

Their beers finished and on the table the duo make their way to the music.

There was a mix playing. Off went Ariana Grande and on came Avery’s shower favorite.

Demi Lavato- Sorry Not Sorry.

In that moment she was just Avery. And she was just having fun with a new friend.

The way that yelp of happiness left her, made Max aware that this was her jam.

“Show me that Ace up your sleeve girl!”

And she did just that. No one approached them but everyone watched.

Avery’s hair was in her face, curls bouncing from side to side. Her hips switched with the beat and she wasn’t sorry. She guessed the three beers had set in because something in her allowed her normal reserve loose for the evening.

She noticed that Max was noticing her and not really dancing. She walks up to him, those hips not missing a beat and she whispers in his ear, “You can’t dance or something?”

The Hollywood star gave her a diamond smile, “Or something.”

“I guess I’ll bring the dancing to you then.”

She danced around him, on impulse she patted his butt. The only look of surprised he showed was a raised eyebrow.

Avery yelled, “Come on Max! Show me what you got! Work off that beer you owe me!”

Max was a leader, always had been. He took over, braking out his best dance moves. He was relaxed for the first time in a long time. His chest popped and the rest of his muscles ebbed and flowed like water. He hadn’t moved like this in years.

As soon as the thought of regretting this in the morning entered his mind, it just as fast exited as he watched Avery retaliate. There was some move he swore she stole from Beyoncé who in all honestly stole it from Tina Turner but, who’s worried about dance history?

The sass in the air slap, Avery’s walk better than any model he had every seen. Though her bottom was the second attribute he noticed, her legs being the first—he had never seen a butt move like hers.

The floor was his again and they went back and forth once more until Max bent over and grabbed her by the legs, pulling Avery close.

Before Max stood and spun her around, all she could see was Michael giving them the thumbs up from the front of the crowd. This made her fist pump in the air in acknowledgment.

It hadn’t hit her what they just did all of this in a downtown Los Angeles club until they were laughing together outside. The cool air welcomed from the hot dancing that just went on inside.

“I guess that’s your power song?” Max laughed as he texted his driver for a pickup.

“More like my shower song.” More honesty.

He pictured her naked but immediately decided, now wasn’t the time.

“Well Mr. Kelly.” Her voice cut into his thoughts before they could go anywhere else. “It was very pleasurable meeting you.”

She taps her phone, finds the Uber app and is about to head home. She hadn’t really gotten any details other than Max’s hidden talent of pop, lock and dropping it on the dance floor.

This was going to take some time. Another meeting or two should do it.

Hopefully.

A light shines in her face before she can finish selecting a cab. Max’s Uber app is open. He already slected an UberSelect. She justed needed to punch in her address. “No. Allow me to get you home.”

His smiled was genuine. “It was lovely meeting you as well Ace.”

Avery shook her head in disbelief but used his phone; something tells her this would get her another chance to meet him somehow.

“Maybe one day you’ll tell me how you got that nickname?” As he inquired, she handed her phone back. She only had three minutes before her ride was here.

“One day?” As in he wanted to see her again?

Max nodded, “One day.”

They both goofily grinned at each other as a red 2017 Mercedes CLA met Avery at the curb.

He got the back door for her, “One day.”

“Until then Mr. Kelly.”

He tipped his imaginary hat to her and closed the door. Max watched as the Uber took her as far as he could see before getting into the back of the Range Rover.

“You know Mike, you disappear when Tracey comes around. The night I find the unicorn I can’t shake you.”

“A unicorn, Mr. Kelly?”

“You know, when you meet someone unlike anyone you’ve ever known before.”

“Ahh. Well, look at it this way…With your theory, as long as I’m near there will be no more Tracey and more time with the unicorn.”

Max’s smile faded, “I didn’t get her number!”

“You didn’t get a phone number?!” The driver and the bodyguard couldn’t believe it.

“Yeah I was too busy making sure she got home safe.”

The driver was impressed at his chivalry,

An idea popped into Michaels head, “That’s it! You got her address.”

Max frowned, “Thanks Mike. That’s not stalkerish at all.”

“Hey anything for a unicorn right?”

“Well,” Max looked out the window into the night life of Los Angeles, a small smile broke his frown,“…maybe one day…”

[hollywoodprint]

3. My Chance

“Ainsley. You’re positive this will work?”

It’s Friday morning and Avery was given the day off for the first phase of Operation Max. Ainsley set Avery up with her own hair stylist. It was not starting off so well.

Why did Avery have to change everything about herself for this article?

“Oh yeah.” Ainsley sent Avery a link to Max’s latest photo op from a downtown club last night. “You got this Ace.”

Ainsley was the only person Avery allowed to use the nickname. Anyone else who tried it out for size was not met with warmth.

She couldn’t understand how she not only inherited her maternal grandfather’s name but his nickname as well.

A shoe repairman during the day and a club owner at night, her grandfather was not to be trifled with. He gambled good, that’s how Avery Maddax got the nickname Ace.

“Explain this to me again? How is this supposed to go?” Avery opened the link and was met with a photo of Max Kelly kissing his ex wife. To her it looked like the woman was enjoying the PDA session more than the guy. Still how do those two keep appearing in tabloids? Their divorce was a year ago, not that Avery kept up with that sort of thing.

“Step one.” Ainsley paced back and forth in front of a sitting Avery. “We make you over.”

“I still don’t see how this is relevant to the job.”

“Phillip and I have a goal Ace. We want something about Max Kelly that no one else has. In order to do that, you can’t approach him like a reporter.”

“But I’m not a reporter.”

“But you do look like one.”

Avery looked down at her tailored navy slacks, her cream button up and grey flat ballerina shoes, her hair was in a pain ponytail.

Maybe she looked a little reporterish.

“How long do you think it will take to get the article?”

“A weekend, a week tops. Depends on you Ace.”

The hair stylish spun Avery around to face the mirror. She frowned into her reflection, “And we’re starting with my hair?” She pulled on her unnaturally straight hair. She was going to miss it.

Her cousin nodded, “Next is make-up and then clothes. The last step will be dropping you off at the club tonight.”

“Tonight?”

Ainsley fully grinned, “Yes my dear cousin. Tonight. Do you have your pen and paper ready?”

She laughed at Avery’s confusion as she sat in the salon lobby waiting on the first part of the transformation. The mom-to-be snacked while she started coming up with the game plan for Avery’s clothes.

Avery just knew something was never going to be the same after tonight.

All too quickly her hair was finished.

The straight hair was gone and her natural curls were in full bloom on the top of her head. She never understood why people were so obsessed with her curl pattern when she was younger.

Finally at the age of twenty-six she understood.

Maybe she wouldn’t miss the bone straight hair that she kept out of her face on a daily bases. She felt different somehow and they had only just begun with the first change being her hair.

“This screams dangerous but the fun kind.” Ainsley came up behind her cousin, playing in the curls.

It framed her face, it made her beautiful smile shine brighter. Megawatt bright. It seemed that for the first time Avery was actually seeing herself.

The hair artist moves forward, taking off Avery’s black cape, he set her free about the world.

Ainsley pulled out her company credit card; this makeover was on The Autograph. Paying for the hair, the girls went out to hail a cab.

“Next up is the mall.” Ainsley raised her arm to get a cabs attention, “Remember the friend that did my make up for my wedding?”

Avery vaguely remembered saying she’d do her own make-up because Ainsley’s friend was piling the foundation on like they were preparing for a runway show.

“Maybe?”

“Good.” Ainsley opened the door of the cab that stopped before them, “Because she is our next stop.”

Groaning Avery rolled her eyes but climbed into the cab. “I’m going to end up looking like RuPaul.”

“No way! I guarantee Danielle will have you looking like Beyoncé.”

Mumbling to herself Avery crossed her arms, “I’m not trying to sleep with the guy Ainsley.”

“I know that but you do want him to talk to you. No one ignores Beyoncé.” Avery received three snaps in z-formation.

She laughed then. Her cousin wasn’t exactly wrong. Hopefully she would pull off this vision Ainsley had and make this article something that would get her from behind her desk and out in the field.

Avery was starting to believe it was where she belongs.

Her make-up was kept natural but powerful. Upon request there was barely any foundation. Highlighted cheekbones, groomed eyebrows, a golden but smoky eye and just a hint of red lips that was more like a chapstick then a lipstick.

This was something Avery could probably actually do for herself now that it was demonstrated easily.

She tried her hardest not to smile at herself in the mirror.

Is this how others saw her?

“What did I tell you Cuz? BEYONCÉ!” Ainsley winked and gave Avery the ‘ok’ symbol.

Five stores later the day was over, but the night had just begun. There were shopping bags filled with Max Kelly attraction wear for a week.

“Now we’re going out to dinner because mama bear needs food and you need to nervous eat so…”

Avery rolled her eyes, her voice was loaded with sarcasm, “Oh gee. Thanks Ains.”

“Anytime Ace. You just do what I know you’re capable of tonight. I want the hungry, educated and cunning Avery James at that club. Hook, line and sinker Max Kelly in.”

All eyes were on the girls at the restaurant.

As they were seated at a table for two Ainsley grinned at the menu. “I think just about every guy in here wants you on his dinner plate.”

Avery shifted in her seat, she’ll never get used to this dress. A red bandage style, embracing her body—not her usual choice. It was summery sexy with a high low skirt. It reminded Avery of a lotus leaf and here she was coming out of the dirt.

The dress hugged her in the right places and it showed off those mile long legs. She was starting to believe she could actually achieve a goal tonight.

Confidence was still there but the nerves were taking over as the cab stopped in front of the line at LA’s latest hot club.

Ainsley spoke softly but strongly, “You got this in the bag Ace. Think of the creative freedom you’ll rightfully enjoy after you pull this off.”

“I may never get the chance to get inside and talk to him if I’m in that line.” It was down the street and curved around the corner.

Ainsley waved her off, “Oh no, you’re getting inside. Your name is on the list. You’re Ace James baby.”

Now she had an alias?

Avery hid her face in her hands, “Oh good grief.”

“Go!” Ainsley just about shoved Avery out of the cab, “I’ll take your new digs to my place. You can pick them up tomorrow when you come and give me the scoop on tonight.”

“Strictly off the record?” This was something they used to ask of each other as youngsters when telling something they didn’t want their parents to know. It was apart of their sisterly code.

Her finger to her lips, Ainsley whispered, “Shhhhh!” The other person usual response to let the secret sharer know their story is safe.

Smiling to herself Avery left Ainsley in the cab. She took her time stepping up to the bouncer. With each step her confidence grew. The bouncer didn’t even ask for her name. She was immediately let through to the club.

Blaring today’s music from the speakers, this club was everything Avery was not used to do. No disco ball but an interchange of colors splayed around the room. There were bodies everywhere. Dancers in cages moved with the lights and music. People crowded the bar.

And no Max Kelly in sight.

[hollywoodprint]

A snippet of Chapter 3

[hollywoodprint]

2. But Is He For Real Though?

“Chase, come on buddy! ONE MORE DRINK!”

One girl hangs onto Max’s left, and then magically a second one joins his other side.

Chuckling to himself, Chase shook his head, “Dude, you know I just got married right?”

“Psfft. Please! These ladies are for my entertainment.” The taller of the two men wiggled his eyebrows manically.

“Umhmm.” Chase was growing bored of the whole club scene. Loud music, disco balls and sleazy chicks. This never was his style. However, it was Max’s. He and Max supported each other since day one. Chase wouldn’t stop now.

With one look from Max, the ladies disappeared and it was just the guys alone behind the purple velvet VIP curtain.

“Where is your bodyguard?”

“Michael is enjoying a drink, on me, so I can have a drink with my best friend.”

Max handed Chase a beer and set back on the couch, “Man I have literally known you all my life. We share a birthday and we were born in the same hospital. We’ve been roommates from day one in the same nursery for the first week of our lives!”

Chase smacked his forehead having heard this all of their lives speech a thousand times before, “And to what do I owe the pleasure of the over dramatics?”

“You just got back from your island honeymoon, you start your awesome new job on Monday—”

Jokingly, Chase points out, “—You’re just sour that I’m no longer your personal assistant.”

Max raised a hand in submission, “I’m not mad at you Mr. Advertising Executive, You’re doing what you love. I of all people understand that.”

Chase shrugs and takes a drink while Max keeps talking.

He leveled with Chase, “Look I love Kristie like a sister. I didn’t mean any harm with those delicious young ladies that just left. I know you well enough to know you’d never do anything to jeopardize your relationship with her. Hell you’ve never been that type of guy.”

Max purposely left out the ‘but I am.’ part.

Instead they shared a knowing look as Chase waved him on. He needed Max to get to the point so he could get back to his new bride.

“The condo feels empty without my roommate, if I can be sappy for a moment.”

“Just for a moment huh? Max A Million sappy for just one moment?”

“Okay several more moments that would go by faster if you’d just be quiet.”

Chase said nothing more so Max lifted his beer, “I want to raise a toast.”

Rolling his eyes Chase lifted his beer to Max’s, “Didn’t you do this enough as my best man last week?”

“Hush now. The superstar is talking…”

Max clears his throat and begins again, “Chase, you are my best friend. You know things about me no else does. I just want you to know that I appreciate your friendship and I wish the best for you and Kristie and your children. I’m proud of you man. You did the whole college thing. Came out afterwards to help me organize my life, which is still a mess, but you stuck around and helped me make the most of this Hollywood world. You’re a good guy and a true friend and I better have some football Sundays with you or this marriage isn’t going to work for the three of us.”

Chase wasn’t the crying type but a tear almost shed. This was nothing like Max’s speech at the dinner rehearsal or the reception last week. Chase knew it really came from his heart and so he laughed at his big kid best friend. He hoped for him, that maybe he could find some peace in his life too.

The men stood when their beer bottles were empty.

Their mothers always called them the twins, though they looked nothing alike.

Chase was tall at about six feet but Max was taller. Chase was blonde and pale for a Californian where Max had dark hair and tan skin that his Greek grandfather blessed him with. Both men hit the gym at the crack of dawn and they were both the ones to call when you needed heavy furniture moved but that is where the similarities ended.

Max was actually two whole hours older but you couldn’t tell by their personalities.

Chase wanted the American dream. A house, car, wife, he even adopted his wife’s two little ones from a previous relationship.

Max was still running the streets like a wild man. He had tried settling down once but found it wasn’t for him. Chase figured it was just the person Max had married. Only time will really tell if he was right.

They shook hands and hugged before exiting the VIP curtain.

“Alright dude. I need a week with the Missus. Our babies are still with their grandmother so I’m enjoying a few more days with my wife.”

“Well don’t let me intrude on you going to pound town.”

Chase’s head dropped but he leaned over to yell at Max, “First of all no one says that anymore! We are no longer teenagers.” He playfully shoved him, “And second, just…no Max, find something else to say.” Chase sighed but it couldn’t be heard over the pulse of the techno music.

Max was laughing at himself, as he so often does, while they were heading for the exit of the club.

Chase ordered his Uber, “No lady tonight Max? Are you feeling okay? That’s not like you dude.”

Just as Max was about to open his mouth to give a smartass retort, an overly tanned leg came into their view. Pink high heels on orange skin should never happen.

Both men immediately cursed themselves for not leaving the club sooner.

Tracey.

They should have guessed she would be here. They somehow usually end up running into her when out and about the town. Chase could never prove it but he swore she stalked Max.

After all these years, the break ups and make ups they had, even getting married and then divorcing less than three years later—you’d think she would be over Max but she was always never too far from him socially. It didn’t help that Max threw her a bone every now and again still after the divorce.

“Congratulations Chase. Good to see you always.” She flipped her hair, quickly dismissing him; they didn’t get along from day one.

Chase mumbled not so softly, “The feelings are not returned.”

Tracey didn’t give him a second thought. Instead she slowly approached Max. What was supposed to be movement in a sexy way turned out to be more like a slither.

“Should I stop by yours tonight Maxie?”

It took everything in him not to push her away. He detested the nickname she had for him. Max looked down at his petite, bleach blonde ex-wife. He immediately knew she just had plastic surgery somewhere. She was so done up that she no longer resembled the original Tracey he and Chase met as children. The Tracey he had loved.

Usually he was drunk enough to say yes to anything she wanted. Tonight, he was just sad. The whole situation was pathetic honestly.

“No Tracey.” He looked around for his bodyguard; Michael was nowhere to be found. Probably getting the car.

She whimpered, “But Maximus, I want you.”

Hopefully Michael was getting the car.

Max’s head started hurting from the way she whined his name.

He was getting ready to deny her again when Chase stepped in to save the day, “You might want to take no for an answer. I’m sure your boyfriend, the old geezer Hollywood producer, would not be happy if he saw you two pictured together.”

Chase nods his head to their left.

Max looked over as he was gently removing Tracey’s hands from his shoulders when he heard the cameras clicking. He groaned. They would be on someone’s website tomorrow.

Never one to miss an opportunity, Tracey links their hands together and pulls Max in for a full on kiss. She’d risked the break up with her current beau.

It took everything in Chase not to throw up.

Tracey walked away shortly after. Laughing and satisfied she got a few more seconds of fame; she entered the club and disappeared into the crowd.

Chase waited a beat, “Bummer Friday night, huh?”

Max gave him a death glare, “Where were you just then?”

“Well I was actually,” Chase’s Uber shows up just a hair before Max’s driver pulls up in the black Land Rover, “trying my best not to die from the glare of her skin.”

“Chase.” Max said his name in warning.

“It’s not my fault one of these days someone is going to throw water on her and she’s gonna melt.” Chase was referring to the wicked witch that was Tracey from Napa Valley.

Max waved Chase off in his Uber. Making Michael get back in his front passenger seat, Max opens his own back door. Sliding into the backseat of his own vehicle, he wiped his ex-wife’s kiss from his lips.

From the look on his face Michael knew, “Tracey again?”

All Max could do was nod.

He promised himself then and there that last month was the last time he got ‘I miss you’ drunk.

[hollywoodprint]

A snippet of Chapter 2

[hollywoodprint]

1. When Is It My Turn?

It’s the same mundane world everyday for Avery. It doesn’t really bother her all that much, she can be a creature of habit. It just seems like there is no end to it all. There is nothing more for her than who she is now, a young single woman in Los Angeles.

A person with a degree in English and Creative Writing yet she’s a secretary for a surprising long lasting magazine called The Autograph. This position with the celebrity-based company was supposed to be temporary but she’s held on to her job steadily for the past 3 years. It was close to becoming a career if she stayed comfortable.

She moved from warm Georgia to beachy California after college. She thought it was time to branch out from the place she knew everything about. She got a job at the magazine because her cousin had just gotten accepted onto the staff as their new photographer and a secretary position had just opened up when she moved to town.

So Avery was away from home but not too far. She had Ainsley, who moved from photographer to junior stylist in a matter of three years. Ainsley just got her own gossip column to write with the magazine.

Honestly, magazine aside, Avery would always have Ainsley. In that she knew that if she did one day leave the magazine, there’s one person she can always depend on.

Today, Avery did the usual. She answered inbound calls, made outbound calls, asked her bosses appointments to have a seat and wait, filed paperwork, copied and scanned documents and took notes for her boss, Phillip. Everything was as it had always been.

Then lunch happened.

Avery’s flats were quiet as she walked on the plush carpet to Phillip’s door. She knocked twice before poking her head in. She knew Ainsley was in session with the editor-in-chief and wouldn’t be bothered by a quick interruption.

“I’m going to lunch now. I’ll be back in a half an hour.”

When Phillip looked up he gave a small smile, nodded in acknowledgement and Avery turned to go until she noticed the grin on her cousin’s face.

“Phil, Ace could do it.” That nickname isn’t her favorite but Avery dealt with it. For Ainsley. For family.

“Do what?” Avery was instantly confused and yet something told her that no matter what it was, it was not something she wanted to do.

Phillip shook his head in incredulity, “Really? Avery? I don’t think so. She’s still too green.”

Avery chewed on her bottom lip. She was not about to let that comment get her down. Her cousin speaks out interrupting her peptalk, “Avery go to lunch. Let me talk to Phil some more. We’ll call you back here in a bit.”

After inquiring about their hunger needs and receiving the message that they had none—she left to get a sandwich from the shop across the street from Diamond Towers.

The office was strange when she returned. It felt different even before she realized she was being stared at from everyone as she passed their desk.  A mix of disbelief and sympathy in their eyes.

Was there food on her face?

Did she have on mix-matched socks again?

Not trying to think too much into the change in the office atmosphere, she sat her leftover chips and drink from lunch on top of her desk. Somehow throughout the rest of the day the rest of the meal would become an afternoon snack.

Shortly after clocking in from lunch, Philip paged her to his office just as Avery got comfortable at her desk. She moves swiftly and after entering, her boss and her cousin make her stand in the middle of the room.

“But her hair.” He lifted the plain brown ponytail on her head. “It wouldn’t entice a blind man.” Philip may not be a lot of things but he was always brutally honest.

“Easy fix.” Ainsley stood from the other side of the room. Her sheer black plenum top gave life to the animal print pencil skirt she also wore. Avery always envied how her cousin was so well put together. After all they were raised by the same parents, couldn’t they have rubbed off on her in that sense too?

Phillip was circling Avery’s curvy body. “Her clothes defiantly leave something to be desired.”

Ainsley crossed her arms in determination, standing up for Avery. “Changeable.”

Ainsley continued to counteract any objection Phillip was trying to find. After it looked like he was going to lose the battle, Phillip sat at his desk, swiveling in his black executive chair.

He sighed as he faced the cousins.

“Alright. She can do it. But you’re managing this project. Mentor her and you have to explain the assignment. I’ve got a business meeting.” He stands, grabs his daily soda and exits his office.

Avery quickly realized this was what the long faces from coworkers were all about. How had she become apart of office gossip? She always did her best to stay out of the limelight.

Finally Avery had spoken for the first time since being summoned. “Ainsley what’s going on?”

The short beauty looked sheepish, “Due to some things changing for Tim and I in the near future.” At the mention of her husband Ainsley rested a hand on her belly, a sign that Avery picked up on and she hugged her cousin, trying not to squeeze too tight.

“You’re having a baby! I’m going to be a big cousin!”

After they hugged, Avery leaned away and Ainsley winced, “You might not be excited for me just yet.”

“Why not?”

“Phillip wants to do a story on a star. Think big. Like story of the year.” Avery’s eyes widened as Avery continued, “Since I’ll be busy soon, I won’t be able to give it the full attention it needs. My social ability with celebs are a bit limited since I can’t drink and morning sickness is for more than just the morning.

He asked me whom I should send in my stead. I said you.”

Avery immediately sat. Stunned. Excited. So stunned. “I—wha—who is the story?”

“Max Kelly.”

His face popped into mind. Brown hair and bright green eyes. Muscular build and a chiseled jaw.

He was everyone’s favorite.

Avery wasn’t into celebrities all that much, even after working for the Editor-In-Chief of a big magazine. The perks of celebrity parties came with it but wasn’t the best part for Avery. If she was honest, it had to be the gift bags. The gifts were usually something she could never afford nor would choose for herself. Watches. Make up. Purses. One time there was a top of the line camera.

And Max lives that kind of life everyday.

She had a feeling she was not going to like this assignment but she chose to wait and hear her cousin out.

While Ainsley give her more details, Avery sat quietly, excited to prove herself but apprehensive on the fact that this new move in her career depended on a playboy.

“How do you even know he’ll go for me Ainsley? I’m nothing like any of the girls he’s pictured with.”

“You’re better, beautiful and I’m biased but you have so much more to offer than Miss Plastic Barbie Of The Night.”

“You’re forgetting one important detail.”

Ainsley gave her a confused look.

“I’m black Ainsley. Max Kelly is your average all American white playboy. I’m not going to play by his rules.”

Her cousin grinned from ear to ear. “Exactly Ace. You’re the key.”

[hollywoodprint]

the 411 on Hollywood Print

[hollywoodprint]

[hollywoodprint]

New Story

I'm writing again people. Look for Hollywood Print Sundays at 6pm EST XOXO