“Yes, I do, and I realize that we never said we were more than friends with benefits.”
“I don’t consider you a casual hookup,” I assured her.
“Look, David, I’m a big girl and have lived here all my life. The rules are different for people in this business.”
I recalled this morning when actors who were married showed up for breakfast with someone other than their spouse, and no one even batted an eye. If you went by that as an indication, the rules were indeed different for them. I also knew that back home, no ‘good girl’ would post that she ‘banged’ someone, either. Maybe Halle was right. The rules of normal behavior didn’t apply to celebrities in the bubble known as Hollywood.
“David, I realize this isn’t how you normally act, and I don’t want you to think that I feel like you’re a Hollywood douche.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“This was me being oversensitive. Neither one of us promised that we would see only each other. If that were the case, I would have been upset about Mia luring you into her slutty plans,” Halle said with a half-smile.
“I do have more fun when you’re with me,” I said, waggling my eyebrows.
“Let me make you a deal. Tonight, do whatever you want, and don’t worry about me. If some A-list celebrity wants to drag you into a bathroom, do it. You only get a few nights in your life like this one, and it’s not right for you to be focused on worrying about me. I want you to let your freak flag fly and have some fun,” Halle suggested.
“Freak flag?”
“Bite me. I was on a roll.”
“Does that mean we can skip this place and go to Jess Geiger’s? I’m sort of over the corporate party scene. I doubt they would appreciate me ripping my shirt off and dancing on the bar,” I teased.
“There are probably some older ladies who would pay good money to see that.”
I kissed Halle.
“Think your mom would …” I said with one eyebrow raised and trailed off as I saw her expression. I had to grin at that. “Too soon?”
“Shut up and kiss me. I need to get the image of my mom putting hundred-dollar bills in your underwear out of my mind.”
◊◊◊
All my castmates and crew from both
My mom and dad and Rita and Stewart were having a good time, so they decided to stay. When I mentioned my invitation to Jess Geiger’s after-hours party, Ben Doman and Zak Verwood announced I’d be taking them with me.
Neither Isabel nor Bec looked too keen on the idea. If this party turned out to be as wild as advertised, I wouldn’t want my boyfriend anywhere near the place, were I them.
I told Scarlet and Lexi that they could come if they wanted, but I didn’t expect them to work anymore tonight. Lexi had to deal with the Chloe meltdown tomorrow, so she said she would pass. It made me happy when Scarlet decided to hang out with my parents at the museum party. She really was a smart girl.
Ben and Zak had used Uber, so they caught a ride with us.
“I heard this is like the Playboy Mansion on steroids,” Ben shared.
“It can’t be as good as the party David took me to where they had porn stars,” Zak said.
“Zip it,” I ordered.
Obviously, I wasn’t quick enough because Bec’s eyes narrowed.
“Porn stars?”
“Wasn’t that was for your friend’s bachelor party?” Zak asked.
“Dude! You are so going to be my best man,” Ben chirped.
“I hadn’t heard you were getting married,” I said.
“He’s not,” Isabel said. “At least, not to me.”
Her comment reminded them that their girlfriends were in the car.
“So, congrats on winning …” Zak started.
◊◊◊
When we pulled up, there was a security guy at the gate.
“Name?”
“David A. Dawson,” Manaia said.
“I need to see Mr. Dawson.”
The security guy held a tablet with my picture displayed. He counted the number of people in the car and checked my invitation. I must have rated because he let us through after giving Manaia instructions to drop us off at the door.
Manaia had to park in a lot across the street. I thought that was a great idea if you threw a lot of parties. This way, the neighbors wouldn’t be pissed when cars lined the street. It also meant that drunks weren’t wandering around, peeing in their bushes.
When we walked to the front door, a young gal greeted us.
“Welcome, Mr. Dawson. Here is your key fob. It gives you access to room seven upstairs for your personal use. Wave the device in front of the keypad, and it will unlock the door. If you need anything, just push the button, and someone will be there. Do you prefer blonds, brunettes, or something different?” she asked.
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! It sounded like the rumors about these parties were true. Party hos!
Isabel and Bec immediately grabbed their boyfriends’ hands to slow their roll. I looked at Halle and could see her trying very hard not to let on that that last question had bothered her.
“Thanks, I’m good.”
She let us in with a nod as she noted my preference.
