• Book #1 in the West Hollywood Serie
• Cover-Model: Norbi Novak
4.5 Stars!
He walks the red carpet. She’s more familiar with vacuuming one.
When a scandal tarnishes the reputation of hot as hell A-lister, Patrick Walsh, he needs a reputation rescue, pronto.
Enter waitress Norah Peers–a nobody who’s average with a capital A. She’s available, dependable, and has sworn off men for the rest of her natural born life. In other words: the perfect match for a no-strings fake romance.
For the right amount of money, she can avoid waitressing and play the part of his dependable down-to-earth girlfriend. What she can’t avoid–dammit–is the growing steam between them.
But being hounded by the paparazzi and having your life dissected on social medial is a panic attack in the making. And while Patrick might be a charming rogue on screen, in real life he’s a six-foot-two confusing, gorgeous, brooding grump, who keeps her at a distance . . . but also makes her feel like this bond between them might be more than just an act.
Being dumped on cue should be no big deal. Except being fake with Patrick is the realist relationship Norah has ever had. What’s a girl to do, but flip the script, and ask for a rematch made in Hollywood?
Norah + Patrick.
Norah is 30 years old. She's pretty happy working her waitressing job at this little italian restaurant. Plus a second job so she can pay for her grandma's senior living place. Her success with relationships is nothing to write home about.
He's 36 year old Hollywood star.
The way she tries to drag grumpy Patrick out into the light of happiness. So cute.
Oh and another tiny little thing ... again, just me and my weirdness.
Anyway, don't worry - nobody will be bothered by these things! Just me. 🤣
Woot woot! Happy dance! A new Kylie Scott book is out in the world.
CHAPTER ONE
He slunk into the restaurant mid-afternoon wearing his usual
scowl. Ignoring the closed sign, he took a booth near the back. No one else was
allowed to do this. Just him. Today’s wardrobe consisted of black jeans,
Converse, and a button-down shirt. Doubtless designer. And the way those
sleeves hugged his biceps . . . why, they should have been ashamed of
themselves. I was this close to yelling “get a room.”
Instead, I asked, “The usual?”
Slumped down in the corner of the booth, he tipped his chin
in reply. For such a tall guy, he sure went out of his way to try to hide.
I said no more. Words were neither welcomed nor wanted.
Which was fine since (A) I was tired and (B) he tipped well for the peace and
quiet.
Out back, Vinnie the cook was busy prepping for tonight, his
knife making quick work of an onion.
“He’s here,” I said.
A smile split Vinnie’s face. He was a huge fan of the man’s
action films. The ones he’d made before hitting it big time and taking on more
serious dramatic roles. Him choosing to visit the restaurant every month or so
made Vinnie’s life complete. Especially since the restaurant, Little Italy, was
the very definition of a hole in the wall. Not somewhere generally frequented
by the Hollywood elite. Meanwhile, I was less of a fan, but still a fan. You
know.
“Get him his beer,” Vinnie ordered.
Like I didn’t know my job. Sheesh.
He was busy with his cell by the time I placed the Peroni in
front of him. No glass. He drank straight from the bottle like an animal. Just
then, a woman in a red sweater dress and tan five-inch-heel booties strode in
through the front door.
“I’m sorry, we’re closed,” I said.
“I’m with him.” She headed straight for his booth and slid
into the other side, giving the man a dour look. “You can’t just walk out,
Patrick. You’re going to have to choose one of them.”
“Nope.” He took a pull from his beer. “They all sucked.”
“There had to be at least one that would do.”
“Not even a little.”
She sighed. “Keep this up and you’ll be obsolete by next
week. Beyond help. Forgotten.”
“Go away, Angie.”
“Just another talented but trash male in Hollywood. That’s
what they’re saying on social media.”
“I don’t give a shit.”
“Liar,” she drawled.
I wasn’t quite sure what to do. Obviously they knew each
other, but he did not seem to want her here. And she really wasn’t supposed to
be here. Vinnie had okayed after-hours entry to only one person. On the other
hand, if I asked her to leave, she’d probably sic her lawyers on me. She looked
the type.
The woman spied me hovering. “Get me a glass of red.”
“She’s not staying,” countermanded Patrick.
Angie didn’t move an inch. “They were all viable options.
Pliant. Young. Pretty. Discreet. Nothing weird or kinky in their backgrounds.”
“That might have made them more interesting.”
“Interesting women is what got you into this mess.” The
woman frowned, taking me in. Still hovering. One perfectly shaped brow rose in
question. “Yes? Is there a problem?”
Now it was Patrick’s turn to sigh and give me a nod. He was
so dreamy with his jaw and cheekbones and his everything. Real classic
Hollywood handsome. Especially with his short light brown hair in artful
disarray and a hint of stubble. Sometimes it was hard not to stare. Which is
probably why his personality tended to scream “leave me alone.”
I headed for the small bar area at the back of the
restaurant to fetch the wine like a good little waitress.
“We shouldn’t be discussing this here,” said Angie, giving
the room a disdainful sniff. Talk about judgy. I thought the raw brick walls
and chunky wood tables were cool. Give or take Vinnie’s collection of old
black-and-white photos of Los Angeles freeways. Who knew what that was about?
Patrick slumped down even further. “I’m not going back
there. I’m done with it.”
“This isn’t safe.” Angie looked around nervously. “Let’s—”
“We’re fine. I’ve been coming here for years.”
“You just got dropped from a big-budget film, Patrick,” she
said, exasperation in her tone. “The industry may not find you bankable right
now, but I’m sure gossip about you is still selling just fine. This week at
least.”
Novella 4.7
Kylie's YA dramance TRUST
BOOK #3
