The Love Script, page 8
“It suits your face.”
She paused, then tilted her head. “So you don’t think I should trim it?”
I slid a lock of her hair through my fingers, pausing to examine the ends. This wasn’t the best weave I’d seen. In fact, the ends were downright shaggy. “No, I think a trim will only enhance your look.” I dropped the lock. “Maybe take two inches off to make it really shine.”
Relief filled Crystal’s eyes. “Sounds perfect.”
I motioned for her to follow me to my booth and threw a cape around her neck once she sat. I reached for a brush. “I’m assuming we’re keeping your current part?”
She froze. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Nothing. Sometimes people come in and change it up. I was simply trying to gauge your preference.”
Air went out of her like a flat tire. “Yes. This same part. Just the two inches off.”
I nodded. My mind drifted from brunch to Lamont. What was he doing now? Earlier he’d said today was an off day for set as was tomorrow. Tomorrow we were supposed to get together again.
Seriously, how was this my life? Me, Nevaeh Richards, planning an outing with one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors. I’d pinch myself if my hands weren’t already occupied cutting hair. Focus on Crystal.
I blew out a breath and did just that. She seemed very nervous, eyes widening with each snip of the scissors. What she couldn’t yet see was how the weave was coming to life.
“Just wait,” I murmured. “You’ll look fabulous when I’m done.”
“Are you sure?” Crystal asked hesitantly.
“Positive.”
Finished, I spun her around, allowing Crystal to take in her reflection. My heart picked up speed as she looked into the mirror. Did she like it? I gave her a handheld mirror, then spun her around so she could see the back. She looked stunning if I did say so myself.
“Oh my word,” she whispered.
I tensed. “Is that not what you were envisioning?” Had I done something wrong?
“No.” She shook her head, watching as the hair slid right back into place like a hair commercial. “This is so much better.”
Relief poured through me, and I grinned. Another satisfied client.
Clients moved in and out of my chair with a swiftness, but each one left delighted with their style. My mind went on autopilot as time clicked by. Soon, I looked up from the leaving customer to see I had about another hour before quitting time.
What would I do about dinner? There were a few food trucks that parked near my neighborhood. One of them would win the eenie meenie miney moe festivities and provide me with dinner. Until then, the little Dove chocolates I stored on my counter would have to power me through. I balled up the purple wrapper and tossed it into the trash, making a swoosh sound.
“Nevaeh, you have another client,” Jewel said.
I turned away from the trash can with a ready smile on my lips. “Good evening.”
The young woman’s eyes widened. “No way!” she screeched.
My head jerked back, and my finger raised automatically to rub the ear that was still ringing.
“You’re Lamont Booker’s girlfriend, aren’t you?” she cried.
Lord, sound the trumpet. Only Jesus didn’t call me, and a black hole didn’t swallow me up, so I switched the subject. “How can I fix your hair for you today?”
She pointed to my empty chair, to me, then dropped her hands. “This is the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me. I told Shanice that you were just a regular person. I recognized those overalls, and they didn’t come from a shop on Rodeo. Only she didn’t believe me. She said Lamont Booker had to be dating a celebrity. Swore she saw you on Hulu’s Love and Lost, but I’ve seen every episode and knew you weren’t a cast member.” The teen shut her mouth.
Too late. The damage was done. Heads swiveled in the shop, and an evil gleam—okay, so maybe not evil, but definitely predatory—entered Jewel’s eyes.
“I said the same thing earlier.” She nodded to the teen. “You almost can’t tell because of all the black and her hair in an updo.” Jewel mimed a bun.
“Oh, you can tell,” the teen prattled on. “She’s got the prettiest dimples ever. Even when she’s not smiling, like now.” She gestured toward my face.
I could only imagine it was stuck on stupefied. Something inside snapped, and my spine straightened. “Do you want your hair done or not?”
“By you? Of course!” She sat down. “I can’t wait to tell Shanice. Can I take a picture with you?”
My stomach twisted. Nothing had prepared me for this. Had I thought that people would gawk? Of course. Did I think people would talk us up on their social platforms? Without a doubt. Had I ever considered someone wanting to take a picture with me? Nope. Never even crossed my mind.
Was taking a picture with her the right thing? I could only pray it would work to Lamont’s favor and not hurt his cause or platform. Lord, let this be the right thing.
Ten
Lamont
First date at Le Feu. Think it was a success.
Tuck
What in the devil’s den is Le Feu? Some inferno club?
Chris
🤣 It’s a Michelin star restaurant.
Lamont
Two stars
Tuck
I never understood why people took a tire company’s opinion as gold for which restaurants are the best to eat at. I’d rather read Yelp reviews.
Lamont
I picked it because it’s paparazzi-free. I didn’t want to toss Nevaeh into the deep end.
Chris
Too late. They know who she is.
Lamont
What? How do you know that?!
Tuck
Bro, even I saw that. Some fan snapped a picture where she works and shared it.
Lamont
Give me a sec, still searching.
Chris
http://thecheese.com/who-is-nevaeh-richards
There you go.
Tuck
That’s the one I saw too.
Lamont
No, no, no! She’s going to . . . Actually, I have no idea how she’ll react. The picture with the fan doesn’t look so bad.
Tuck
Not at all. The deer on my daddy’s walls hold the same expression.
Chris
🤣
Lamont
You need to exit the chat if all you’re going to do is laugh, ol’ man.
Chris
That’s fine. I’ve got an interview to do. Peace out.
Tuck
I’ve gotta go too. Tell Nevaeh we’re praying for her.
Lamont exited the text thread and hit the speed dial for Nevaeh’s number as he paced out on his balcony. The smog seemed heavy over the skyscrapers off in the distance. A foreshadowing of what his girlfriend’s—that was still weird to think—mood would be? Bryan had promised to keep Nevaeh’s name out of the tabloids, which he had, but apparently that didn’t help. Not even a full twenty-four hours had passed since the PR statement hit the media outlets, and already she’d been discovered.
“Hey,” Nevaeh said, her voice sounding forlorn.
“I saw The Cheese. You okay?”
She scoffed. “I’m surprised you didn’t see the breaking news segment on StarGazer.”
He rubbed his forehead. “How did they discover your identity?”
“I’m guessing the enthusiastic customer at the shop sold it to them or they picked it up from The Cheese.” She groaned. “How is this real life?”
Lamont stopped pacing, searching for words to help. “It’s not, but it is.”
“I hate that that makes sense.”
“Me too.” He resumed his prowl up and down the walkway. “I thought for sure it would be a few days, maybe even a week or two, before they figured out who you were.”
“I certainly didn’t think it would be the first day we had brunch.” She gasped. “Do you think it was actually Blake Smythe who said something?”
“Why would he?” The actor had his own run-ins with the media. Lamont couldn’t imagine him outing someone else.
“To take the heat off of himself. Didn’t he just marry again for the fifth time to someone younger than his youngest daughter?”
Lamont grimaced. Blake’s newest wife was twenty-six, four years younger than his daughter, actress Jeudi Smythe. “I don’t think he’s that type of guy.”
Nevaeh snorted. “This is Hollywood. I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“I take it this means your fangirling moment is over.”
“No,” she drew out. “I’m just upset. Monica told me to leave early because I brought unwanted attention to the shop.”
He froze. “She can’t do that. Can she? I can have my lawyer look into it.”
“No, please don’t. It’s not like she fired me.”
“Well, if she does, let me know. We’ll get it taken care of.”
“Let’s change the subject.”
Lamont rubbed the top of his head and resumed his pacing. “If we must. But first, please let me know if you can’t handle this—” He winced. He hadn’t meant that to come out accusatory. “If this is all too much, then I understand. We can break up.” Though did one date constitute the need to break up?
“No, I said I was in. Besides, your reputation isn’t repaired yet, and we still haven’t done any of the interviews Bryan planned.”
Lamont ran a hand over his face. “Are you sure?” His tone dipped low.
“Yes.”
How come her resolute answer didn’t bring him immediate peace? Would she lie to calm him down? Despite them being in a “relationship,” Lamont had no idea how to read Nevaeh.
“Are we still getting together tomorrow?” she asked.
“I want to.” He sank into the lounge chair. “We can do breakfast.”
“But brunch is so much better. Besides, tomorrow is Saturday, and everyone likes a good brunch in this area.”
That was true. Lamont could barely keep the days straight sometimes. “All right. Do you have a specific place you’d like to eat at?”
“No, but let’s make it low-key wherever we choose.”
Hmm. “Is it okay if we eat in Beverly Hills?” He didn’t really want to venture out of his zip code on the weekend if he didn’t have to. Unfortunately, that meant Nevaeh would have to. “I can have a car pick you up and take you to the restaurant, if that’s okay with you.”
“Uh, sure. Though we haven’t picked a place yet.”
“I’ll figure it out. I’ll send a car to get you at ten. Is that good?”
“Sounds great.”
They hung up, and Lamont groaned. Being in a relationship was so much work. Trying to figure out what the other person was thinking and feeling made his mind work harder than pistons in an engine. He’d never been good at figuring out what his girlfriends needed from him in a relationship. Granted, he’d been full of himself and dabbling in other vices that meant he didn’t have to care.
This time around, Lamont wanted to ensure he and Nevaeh walked away unscathed. Their origin story meant their relationship was already on shaky ground. Lamont couldn’t help but think about all the manipulation Diva threw his way. Was he doing something similar? He shook his head. Nevaeh knew where he stood. Somehow, this had to work, had to be better than his past relationships. At least there was mutual respect.
He wiped his face and stood, glancing at his watch. His trainer would be over in about fifteen minutes to go through Lamont’s current exercise regime. He had to be athletic for his current role, and Diego helped Lamont maintain that physique.
He slid the glass door open, latching the lock behind him. Lamont quickly changed into a workout tank and shorts and switched out his dress shoes for tennis shoes. While he waited for Diego to arrive, Lamont could warm up by jumping rope. He took the stairs two at a time, descending to the bottom floor.
The black-and-gray nylon cord hung from a hook near the mirrored wall in the gym. Lamont reached for the rope, then grabbed each wooden handle. He didn’t bother counting or even timing himself. Lamont simply let the steady sound of the wind whooshing by his ears lull his mind into a blank space. He pushed out the worries about his reputation, worries about whether he was making a mistake dating Nevaeh, worries about his mother’s health. All of it pushed to the side.
Diego walked into the room. “Already warmed up, I see.” He slapped hands with Lamont, sliding his palm back, then snapping his fingers.
“Yeah. Needed time to clear my head.” Now that he’d stopped jumping, the thoughts were back, clamoring for attention.
“Well, if you need a good workout, then you’ll love today’s routine.” Diego rubbed his hands together.
Lamont bit back a groan. He didn’t want to be worked so hard that he’d need to soak in a tub of ice water. At the same time, he needed peace from his thoughts. “Bring it on.”
Diego led Lamont through every torturous exercise there was. Burpees, cherry pickers, mountain climbers, 180-degree jumps, lunges, squats. By the time their hour-long session was over, sweat dripped from Lamont onto the rubber mat that lined the gym floor.
He used the edge of his tank to dry his face. “Thanks, man. That was a great session.”
His body felt like it had gone through a noodle press, but at least Lamont wouldn’t give the production company reason to question his physique. So what if they were waiting to see if the news tide would change before deciding if Lamont would receive the proverbial pink slip.
Diego grabbed his duffel and headed up the stairs to exit. Lamont trailed, wondering if he should shuffle to the elevator instead of willing his feet to lift up and land on the risers. That seemed like too much of an ordeal.
“Come on, Booker. You’re not tired yet,” Diego called over his shoulder.
Lamont huffed out a breath but followed. “Kindly show yourself out.”
“You love it, or you wouldn’t keep booking appointments.” Diego laughed.
“Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment.”
Diego smirked when they got to the main floor. “Nah. But you want to keep those leading roles coming.” He lifted his chin. “I do couples sessions as well. If your girlfriend is interested.”
Nevaeh working out? The thought made him want to laugh. She didn’t have the workout vibe or even the outdoor vibe. Though maybe she would be willing to go hiking one weekend.
Lamont fixed a thoughtful expression on his face. “I’ll ask her.”
“You do that.” Diego waved, then left.
Lamont guzzled the bottle of water in his hands. His phone rang before he could swallow the last drop. Bryan Wilkinson flashed on his screen.
“Why is Nevaeh’s name in the press?” Lamont asked.
“Hello to you too.”
He huffed. “Sorry. How are you? Why is Nevaeh’s name in the press?”
“I’ve been better. My main client is leaving me voicemail after voicemail about something that can’t be helped. Plus, he thinks he’s my only client.”
Lamont rubbed his face. “I apologize. Truly. I just feel bad. We promised her some breathing room.”
“Hey, are they calling her phone?”
“No.”
“Camping outside her place?”
“No.”
“Then she’s not being harassed, and we did what we could. You have your calendar up?”
“No, why?”
“I’ve got an interview tentatively scheduled for you and Nevaeh with Meredith Walsh at Luminary. She’ll bring her photographer along so they can get photos for the front-page spread they’re planning.”
Lamont gulped. This was getting real. “Appreciate that, Bry. What day?”
“Monday.”
“As in the twelfth?”
“Yep.”
At least it was before the charity event. That could work. “When are they running it?”
“I forgot to get that info. I’ll ask when I call to confirm the time.”
“All right. Let me text Nevaeh. If she can do it, then pen us in.”
“It’s two in the afternoon. Text me back with a yay or nay.”
“Got it.” Lamont tapped on the text message icon and typed up a question for his new girlfriend.
Lamont
Can you interview in person at 2 p.m. Monday? It’s with Luminary.
Nevaeh
Does the 5 have traffic?
His lips twitched.
Lamont
Take that as a yes?
Nevaeh
An emphatic yes. Don’t forget that. Maybe I need exclamation points.
He laughed.
Lamont
I didn’t know you liked being on the front page of magazines that much.
Nevaeh
Oh my word. I need to tell my parents.
Lamont
What’s wrong?
Nevaeh
They don’t pay attention to entertainment news, but my mom’s one guilty pleasure is her subscription to Luminary. She’s been a subscriber ever since I can remember. If I don’t tell them in person, they’ll kill me.
Nevaeh
Figuratively speaking of course.
Lamont
Do you want me to go with you?
Ellipses appeared, disappeared, and appeared once more. Lamont stared at his phone, waiting to see what decision Nevaeh came to. Was meeting parents this early in the game a no-no? She had met his mother. Granted, she had known her for a year already. . . .
Nevaeh
Sure. I usually go to their house for Sunday dinner. Will you be on set?
Lamont
Sunday is my guaranteed day off for this current project.
Other contracts he hadn’t been so lucky to get Sunday off, so when he did, it felt like extra freedom.
Nevaeh
Great. Would you like to come?
Lamont
Yes. Thank you.
Nevaeh
I’ll pick you up. What should I wear Monday?
Lamont
I’ll ask Bry. The interviewer may already have an idea of how she wants us to appear.
Nevaeh
Okay. Let me know.
He stuffed his phone back into his pocket, then ran up another flight of stairs to his room. A call to his personal stylist was necessary. Nevaeh needed some Hollywood-worthy wardrobe items, especially if she was going to appear on his arm at publicized events.
