The Things She Says(50)

Another hulking bouncer guarded the ropes leading to some steps and nodded to Kris when they approached. He unhooked the catch and stepped aside. The result of Kris being famous or because he’d been here before? Maybe it was because he radiated a sense of authority wherever he went.

At the top of the stairs, another room overlooked the main dance floor. This was clearly the place to be. The people below didn’t reek of money. She’d been mistaken. They reeked of pretense, and there was no comparison. These people had wealth, class and prestige that poured off of them in waves. Just like Kris.

Her eyes darted everywhere, taking in the diamonds and European cigarettes along with the faces of celebrities often seen in magazines and on TV. The music was quieter here as if fame had a dampening effect on acoustics.

“Is that a Jonas brother?” she couldn’t help but ask and then bit her tongue. She was going to embarrass herself and Kris if she didn’t shut up, but she was still off balance from dinner.

Kris smiled without humor and pulled her into the sea of superstars.

Kyla Monroe was ringed by a throng of admirers, a modern-day Scarlett O’Hara in Scarlett Johansson’s body. In person, she looked the same as she did on the screen. Perfect. Every platinum hair in place, flawless makeup, unblemished skin. She must carry a salon in her clutch that beautified by osmosis.

VJ’s stomach clenched. They’d both slept with the same man. Kris had touched Kyla the same way he’d touched her and probably a lot more times. He’d learned how to do that sucking thing with his mouth from somewhere. Scorpions scuttling along her spine—that’s what it felt like to step into the same room as his ex-girlfriend. His beautiful, poised, glamorous ex-girlfriend.

How did people in Hollywood do this?

Like this.

With confidence drawn from who-knew-where, she pasted on a smile and strode forward to take Kyla’s manicured hand. These were the people Kris interacted with every day, and she’d fit in or be crucified. If it was the latter, at least she’d be dead.

“So this is your new friend.” Kyla’s eyes cut over VJ smoothly. “Kris forgot to mention how striking you are. Catch me before you leave, and I’ll give you my agent’s number. You should call him. I’ll put in a good word for you.”

“She’s not interested,” Kris answered for her, fortunately, since she was speechless.

“I’m interested.” A breathtakingly stunning male of the blond Nordic variety had materialized at Kyla’s side. “Introduce us, why don’t you?”

VJ almost fainted when she recognized him.

“VJ Lewis,” Kris said icily. “This is Guy Hansen.”

“I’ve seen all your movies,” VJ gushed as she shook his hand. “I loved the last one about the runaway train. Very edge-of-your-seat.”

“Ah, the magic of editing.” Guy hadn’t released her hand yet, and he didn’t until Kris pulled her away and tucked her underneath his arm.

The glower on Kris’s face could have cooked bacon. VJ did a double take. Jealousy. Because she’d seen Guy’s movies but not Kris’s? Well, it wasn’t her fault the Cineplex in Van Horn played blow-’em-up action movies starring actors with six-pack abs and didn’t show independent films.

Lacing fingers with Kris, she leaned in so only he could hear. “It’s too bad he’s so ugly. Think how successful he could be with a little plastic surgery. Although, he doesn’t speak Greek, so he’ll never be perfect.”

Kris kissed her temple and his lips lingered for an intimate beat. Kyla didn’t miss it. As she glanced back and forth between VJ and Kris, her eyes glittered against the colored strobe lights behind her.

“Babe, run get us some drinks. I’d like to talk to VJ.” Kyla ran a proprietary hand down Kris’s arm and smiled at VJ like the lead in a toothpaste commercial. “He knows what I drink. What would you like?”

VJ smiled at Kyla like the lead in a vampire movie and said, “He knows what I drink, too. And how I take my eggs in the morning.”

Guy whistled. “Look out.”

Kyla laughed and pushed both men aside. “Go. Both of you. Girl talk will only make you vomit.”

VJ shooed Kris off. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine,” she whispered.

Kris backed away, his aura full of sharp angles and his mouth hard. He didn’t take his eyes off either woman as he flagged down a harried cocktail waitress.

“You’re not at all what I expected,” Kyla said, once Kris was out of earshot. “But I can see why Kris likes you.”

Kris liked her because she understood him better than anyone on Earth and enabled him be the real person he was inside.