Romy Sommer - Not a Fairy Tale

He always got the best table in any restaurant, and he knew everybody who was anybody in this town. The perfect boyfriend, as long as you didn’t expect fireworks in the bedroom. And until he’d ruined it all by proposing.

Juliet wrinkled her nose. “He sounds terribly dull.”

Nina bit back a smile. That too. Paul was surprisingly boring for a star. All the way down to his predictable Prius. She shrugged. “He’ll make a wonderful husband to the right woman.” It just wouldn’t be her.

Juliet winked. “Dom is never dull, but you probably know that already.” She dipped her spoon into her mug and stirred thoughtfully. “I’m guessing he rode to your rescue last night?”

Nina nodded. “He saved me from complete humiliation.”

“That’s our Dom. He has a Knight in Shining Armor complex. He’s always getting into scrapes over women. Ask him to tell you the story about the time he….”

A bell pealed and Juliet jumped to her feet. “Who on earth would ring the gate bell? Everyone Dom knows would walk straight in.”

Nina cursed under her breath. She’d have loved to hear Juliet’s story. “It’ll be my PA.”

While Juliet headed off to let the newcomer in, Nina poured the rest of the creamy cappuccino down the kitchen sink. Much as she loved the taste of real cream in her coffee, she really didn’t need yet another spread in OK! magazine pointing out the cellulite on her thighs.

When Juliet returned it wasn’t only Wendy who followed her into the kitchen, but Chrissie, too.

“Your entourage has arrived,” Juliet announced.

Chrissie frowned at her. Either the botox was wearing off or her publicist was seriously unhappy today. “Why haven’t you taken any of my calls?” she demanded, sliding into the seat Juliet had vacated across from Nina. The confrontation seat, Nina was discovering.

“I’m sorry. I left my phone at the party,” Nina explained. Chrissie terrified her, but she was good at what she did and Nina was even more terrified of losing her. Especially now that she needed all the good PR that money could buy.

“I have it. I checked. Everything’s still in there.” Wendy handed over Nina’s purse, cell phone and a large Louis Vuitton hold-all. “And I brought the things you asked for.”

Nina sent her a grateful smile.

Chrissie looked a little mollified. “I’ll have an espresso. Black, one sugar,” she instructed Juliet before turning her back on the blonde. Juliet stuck a tongue out behind her back and Nina had to bite her tongue to stop herself laughing.

Wendy wasn’t as restrained. Her giggle earned a quelling glare from Chrissie.

“I have a Plan,” Chrissie announced. “I think we should work with the story Paul’s putting out there, but turn it around. We’re going to say you’ve met someone else and fallen head over heels in love. You didn’t plan to, but it just happened.”

Not quite the plan she’d had in mind. Nina shook her head. “Remember the fallout when Kristen Stewart was caught cheating on Robert Pattinson? I don’t think that would work in my favor.”

Chrissie smiled. “It’s risky, but here’s the cincher.” She paused for dramatic effect. “He’s going to be a completely ordinary man. Not a star. Just a Regular Joe. It’ll be like the reverse of George Clooney dating the waitress. People already see you as down to earth, so we’ll play on that and win you sympathy.”

“Who’s the lucky guy – anyone I know?”

“Dane has some out-of-work actors on his books. I’m sure one of them will jump at the role for the right amount.”

This was what she’d come to – having to pay someone to pretend to be her boyfriend? Sheesh! And people thought the life of an actress was all glamour.

“How is an actor a regular guy?” Juliet asked from the coffee machine. Chrissie ignored her.

“I have a better plan,” Nina said. “I don’t need a new boyfriend, just a new job. This is the perfect opportunity to reinvent myself as an actress with a little edge. I’m done with rom-coms. I still want to go after the role of Sonia, and I’ve asked Dominic to train me.”

“Who’s Dominic?” Chrissie asked.

“The man whose hospitality you’re enjoying.” Juliet plonked an espresso cup in front of her so hard she splashed coffee on the counter. She’d added cream to Chrissie’s cup, too.

“Oh, the stunt man.”

“Stunt coordinator . What would be in it for Dom?”

Chrissie finally looked at her. The two blondes eyed each other.

“Who are you?” Chrissie asked, looking down her nose at Juliet.

Juliet crossed her arms over her chest. “Consider me Dom’s manager.”

Though Juliet had to be at least a head shorter than Chrissie, Nina thought they were pretty evenly matched in the formidability stakes.

“ If we go with this idea, we’d pay him, of course.” Chrissie said. “With a bonus thrown in if Nina gets the role.” She glanced around the open-plan living area, which was probably half the size of Nina’s bedroom. “He could get a bigger place, perhaps something up in the hills.”

Juliet shook her head. “Not everyone wants to live in the hills, and not everything is about money.”

Nina shuddered. As much as she agreed with the last sentiment, not everyone wanted to live by the sea either.

“He’s a stunt man and getting on in years. His career won’t last forever,” Chrissie said.

Nina flinched at her publicist’s callous tone. Besides, Dominic wasn’t any ordinary stunt man. He was bright and energetic and magnetic, and he clearly had friends in high places. He didn’t want Nina, or her fame or money, or he’d have made a move on her a long time ago. The way most men did.

“So what does Dom want?” she found herself asking.

Juliet’s cool, gray eyes met hers, and Nina had the oddest sensation that this formidable blonde knew exactly how much that question had been burning inside her, and that she wasn’t only asking how to get Dom to agree to train her.

Juliet smiled as her gaze flicked past them. “Ask him yourself.”

“Ask me what?”

As one, the four women turned to the kitchen door where Dom stood, holding a panting, creamy-colored Labrador on a leash. He wore trainers, baggy board shorts that hung low on his hips, and a sleeveless shirt that clung to his chest with sweat. Though Nina didn’t notice them in that order.

Another blush began to burn her skin.

Dom stepped in through the open door. “What are you doing here, Jules?”

“I brought you some groceries.”

“Kathy’s already been.” He scowled at her. “I’ve told you I don’t need anyone to do my shopping.”

“Of course you do.” Ignoring his glowering expression, Juliet moved to give him a quick peck on the cheek. She had to stand on tiptoe to reach. “And how else are you going to have clean sheets for your guests?” She fired a quick, mischievous glance in Nina’s direction.

“I have a housekeeper.”

Juliet dropped to her knees to scratch the dog’s ears. It tried to lick Juliet’s face and she laughed, pushing the dog’s head away. “Down, Sandy. Sit!”

So this was Sandy! Nina’s chest suddenly felt lighter and she wanted to laugh. Not quite the harem she’d imagined, nor did Dominic appear to appreciate Juliet’s attentions.

Nevertheless, he didn’t send the blonde away, nor did he bat an eyelid when, quite at home in his kitchen, Juliet filled the dog’s water bowl and set it down for Sandy.

Nina cleared her throat. “We were talking about what sort of payment to offer you to train me up for the role of Sonia.”

“I haven’t agreed to that yet.”

“I still think my idea is better,” Chrissie muttered.