The Trouble with Dating a Movie Star Read online

  The Trouble with Dating a Movie Star is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2014 by Z.N. Willett

  All rights reserved.

  Cover design by Jada D’Lee Designs

  Cover Images by: iStockphoto / Alphavisions ©

  Shutterstock © / Karuka © / Cutts Creative ©

  Book design by Integrity Formatting

  Editing by Donna Wolosin

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author. Except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Z. N. Willett

  Visit my website at www.znwillett.com

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Thank you to my family

  for always cheering me on,

  and to my BFF for encouraging me to find my voice.

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Have you ever experienced that moment when your body starts to tingle uncontrollably, and your heart speeds up? When you start fidgeting as you try to gain control over your breathing before your mind becomes totally blank? That moment when you see him for the first time….

  Except mine was in a movie theater. Along with hundreds of other women, that all gasped when Andrew Hughes walked onto the screen.

  The trouble started when my best friend Erin brought me to a movie that she had been raving about. It was during midterms of my freshman year of college, and we both needed a break.

  The moment Andrew walked on screen, my heart ached. My hands actually started to tingle, and the air in my lungs collapsed at the first sight of him.

  It was an unexplainable attraction and my body responded in ways it never had before. I couldn't take my eyes off of him and wanted more of him. That day changed my life forever. I couldn’t get him out of my mind. Every waking moment, he was there teasing me and then haunting my dreams. I wouldn't say I was obsessed, or even a fangirl. But, I was motivated. I had found my muse.

  Six years later, that muse has helped me to become a best-selling romance author. No one except Erin knew that Andrew Hughes was the reason to my success, and the primary reason I was able to overcome writer's block. Writing about romance and having non-existing relationships of my own wasn't motivating.

  Seeing the fairly new actor on film had opened up my mind to all sorts of possibilities. Possibilities I would love to explore with him if the opportunity ever became available. However, he was a movie star with a long-term girlfriend made it an impossible dream. It also didn't help that they were Hollywood's sweetheart couple.

  Word on the streets was that Brittney Price and Andrew Hughes started dating during their first film together and have been going strong for about three years. There had been rumors of secret rendezvous throughout the years, but the more recent break-up rumors had received a lot more press.

  One could hope.

  Yet, Andrew would always be available to me anytime. I just had to close my eyes and imagine his sexy, bronze, messy hair gripped in-between my fingers as we kissed vigorously. His ever changing hazel-green eyes locked to mine. As his hand inched down my arm while his fingertips lightly circled my bare flesh. Goose bumps followed his touch…

  I needed to write that down.

  It was raining and cold, but it came as no surprise as I was in Washington, D.C. right after the election. I was on my way to Erin's house when she called and asked me to meet her at The Anchor first. The Anchor was in the heart of Georgetown, and was our place in college where we would go to grab a pint and hang out. I missed Erin and couldn't wait to see her. She also wanted me to meet her new boyfriend, Miles.

  Since I had started working on book number two, papers and reference books in my tiny office in Dallas had taken over my life. I had no time to talk or catch-up with friends and family, few as they are.

  My publisher, Elena, said that I needed someone to help me with my upcoming book tour as well as to organize my life. I wouldn't say I was disorganized. I just needed an extra hand. Especially now that I was getting offers to turn my first book into a movie. I welcomed the help and my new assistant, Keira.

  The Anchor was a short drive from my hotel, and my plane had arrived early. I usually flew into Washington Reagan, but for this trip, I flew into Dulles in Virginia. The Washington D.C. metro area encompassed parts of Virginia and Maryland. The District was surrounded by the two states. It was common to cross the borders and mostly a necessity to get anywhere. My hotel was in Arlington, Virginia, which gave me enough time to shower and change before I was to meet with Erin at the pub. I still ended up arriving before her, forgetting that she was always fashionably late.

  The place was crowded, and no tables were available, which was typical for a Friday night. I worked my way up to the bar and sat down on a stool gaining the bartender's attention. "What can I get you?"

  "A Shandy, thanks," I yelled over the crowd.

  People were mingling all around me, and I decided to watch the game until Erin arrived. Two pints down and Erin still hadn't arrived. I sent her another text. She was on her way, but that was fifteen minutes ago and now three beers later. It was time to find the ladies room.

  As I stood up, I turned into what seemed to be a human tank. As we collided, his drink spilled down my blue blouse. "What the—I'm sorry, miss! Hey Jack! I need a towel," he shouted towards the bartender.

  "It's okay," I said as the sticky liquid continued to slide down my chest. "Was that a full glass?"

  He laughed and started patting down my shirt. "Here, let me help."

  "Ummm…that's okay. I can do it." He actually blushed as I grabbed the towel from his hand. The tall, muscular guy looked sweet, and he had the cutest dimples when he smiled.

  "Hey Wade, how long does it take to get my beer?" a voice asked from behind me.

  "Drew. Sorry man. I kinda gave it to her."

  "Well, how nice of you," he said, amused.

  I turned around to face the idiot. "Yes, how nice of him indeed. Maybe, if he hadn’t been in such a hurry to get you your damn drink, it wouldn't be on me!" And that's when I wished I had just shut the heck up.

  The first thing I saw was his perfect square jaw and plump rose-colored lips as they curled up to one side. Then, a pinkish hue made its way onto his olive cheeks as I made contact with clear hazel-green eyes. His smile grew wider as
his thick brows arched up amused. My mouth dropped.

  Andrew Hughes.

  Wet and hard were two things I often dreamed about when I dreamt about Andrew Hughes, but that night was a nightmare.

  All I could do was gawk at him as his eyes drifted from mine to my very wet chest. I didn't have to guess what he saw. My blouse was drenched. I was cold and had on a new very sheer bra. The coldness mixed in with the fact that Andrew Hughes stood only inches from me….

  Yeah.

  When he looked back into my eyes with that intense stare of his, my heart raced. Everything I felt the first time I had seen him on screen didn't compare to the sensory overload my body was now experiencing. There was something new this time around, and I couldn't breathe.

  "Hey, are you okay?"

  Still. Couldn't. Breathe.

  "Ummm, Wade, something is wrong." I heard the panic in his voice.

  "Miss, are you okay?" Wade came around and started to wave his hand. "Drew, I think something's wrong with her."

  "Should we call 911?"

  "No!" I gasped as they both looked at me. Shaking my head as I tried to catch a breath, words finally spilled out, "I'm fine. Give me a minute."

  "Are you sure? I think you may need help."

  I did. I was standing in front of Andrew Hughes, wet and embarrassed. Never in my strangest dreams had I ever imagined meeting him like this. "No, sorry…I think I'm just…cold." Both of their eyes fell to my chest. I needed to get out of there. "Excuse me," and I ran to the restroom. Heading immediately to the mirror to confirm what I already knew—yup, wet and hard. I then used the hand dryer to dry myself off, but the damage had already been done.

  I had made a complete fool of myself in front of Andrew Hughes, and there was no changing it. First impressions were everything. I wrote about them. It's your moment. The one that both of you would always remember. I looked in the mirror at the large beer stain, and decided I couldn't face him again. My moment was over.

  I high-tailed it out of the restroom and headed straight for the door, diverting the bar at all costs. Almost outside, I felt a bit of relief rush over me until a large hand wrapped around my arm, halting my movements. "I hope you're not rushing out because of me. I am sorry, miss…"

  "Andria. It's Andria, and no, I just needed to be somewhere." I kept my gaze on the door, wishing I could just appear on the other side of it.

  The gentle giant looked at my blouse. "At least let me take care of your shirt."

  "That won't be necessary." I was already embarrassed enough.

  "I insist, and Andrew wanted to speak to you—"

  "No! I'm fine, really." Seeing Andrew again was the last thing I wanted.

  "Hey, Wade. Did you find her—hey," Andrew said smiling.

  I stared, and then finally forced myself to smile. What the hell was going on with me, I thought.

  "Miss—"

  "Andria. Just Andria," I stumbled out again.

  "Well, Andria, I'm sorry for...being rude. I'm Andrew." He extended his hand to me.

  I couldn't stop the huge embarrassing grin from breaking out across my face. "Nice to meet you, Andrew," I said as I shook his hand.

  "This is Wade, my brother-n-law and beer-spiller."

  "It wasn't entirely his fault," I let out a humorless chuckle.

  We stood there for a moment looking at each other. I could feel myself starting to get dizzy, and then realized I had forgotten to breathe again.

  Wade spoke up. "So Andria, please let me take care of your shirt."

  "Thanks again, but that's okay. It will come out in the wash."

  "You were heading out?" Andrew asked.

  "Yeah…I need to meet someone." It became difficult to keep eye contact.

  "Oh." He sounded disappointed, but that had to be my imagination.

  "Well it was nice meeting you, Andria." Wade sent me a huge grin.

  "You too, Wade." I turned and looked one last time at Andrew. "It was nice meeting you too, Andrew."

  "Likewise," he said.

  I knew I stared a little too long, but I wanted to hold that moment—even if it was a disaster—for a little bit longer. What I couldn't understand was why he was staring back. I smiled, and he returned the gesture. We stood there smiling for what seemed liked forever, even though it was probably just a few seconds. "Well, I better go." I turned around and walked out the door. Actually, I ran straight to my car and sat there. I wasn't sure how long, but eventually I heard a knock on my car window, which startled me as I yelled out, "Erin! Geez, you scared me!"

  "Why are you sitting in your car, Andria? I have been trying to call you! When I couldn't find you in The Anchor, I was going to take off. But, I saw what looked like you sitting in a car. Surprise, here you are. Why? What's going on? Have you been here all night?"

  "Erin get in, you won’t believe what just happened."

  I filled Erin in on the grand cluster fudge of meeting Andrew Hughes for the first time. She poured us drinks as we sat on her couch. "Wow, Andria. Just wow. You've thought about this moment since…"

  "Forever and I messed it up! I actually raised my voice at him, Erin. I don't know. I was mad, and wet, and mad. Not sure why. Wade was a sweetheart, but when Andrew came up…how could I have made such a fool of myself?"

  "You didn't make a fool out of yourself. It wasn't your fault, and you handled yourself well," she said and placed a comforting hand on my arm.

  "How, Erin? I couldn't speak. I was frustrated with myself for being so incredibly stupid!”

  "That's better than saying something stupid." Erin winked playfully at me.

  "Not helping."

  "Look on the bright side. You finally got to meet Andrew, and you said he sought you out."

  "No, Wade sought me out."

  "He came right behind him. Hey, cheer up. You met Andrew Hughes. Cheers." She clinked her glass to mine.

  "When do I get to meet your new boyfriend?" I desperately needed a change of subject.

  "You are going to love Miles," Erin sighed and smiled brightly, as her hazel eyes twinkled with happiness.

  All I knew about him was that he was an accountant by day and a musician by night. Erin had met him when he was assigned by his firm to handle Erin's finances.

  Erin and I were childhood friends and grew up together in Arlington, Virginia. We were total opposites. She was interested in beauty pageants and clothes while I spent most of my time reading books or at the Smithsonian. She was taller than me, thinner than me, and had a body that I would kill for. Her golden brown skin was always flawless, and Erin’s curly brown hair was maddening. I had inherited my wild curly auburn hair from my mother. Even though her hair was redder and her curls tighter, I inherited the unruly part. As I grow older, it has changed, and now that I straighten it, it’s become more manageable.

  Both of our fathers were in the Military and Erin’s worked at the Pentagon. We even went to college together at Georgetown. While I majored in English lit, she majored in art. She went on to work in fashion, and now manages a high-end clothing boutique. Erin was also my official stylist. I was her guinea pig, but most importantly she was like a sister to me.

  I was the only child of Dan Moore and Sophia Thompson. Dad now lived in Baltimore, Maryland and was counting down retirement from his military desk job, while my mother and her husband Bob lived close to me in Dallas, Texas. Mom stays home, and Bob's a contractor.

  Erin and I stayed up late into the early morning talking, until I was reminded that I had an early meeting with one of the interested studios regarding the movie deal in six hours. I was stunned when people liked my book enough for it to be a best seller. But I was more than shocked when several studios told me they wanted to adapt the book into a film.

  Erin was the one who encouraged me to write. At first, it was just a way to express my thoughts. I was never one who felt comfortable speaking, and she pushed me to write my thoughts down and not to be embarrassed by them. I spent most of my freshman and sophomo
re year in college writing stories that eventually became chapters for my first book. I shocked her—myself more I think—and she said I had finally let loose my inner freak. Sharing them, however, took another several years. When my publisher, Elena Martinez, took me on, my life changed.

  Four hours later, I stumbled out of bed, took a shower and grabbed some coffee in the lobby of my hotel on the way to my meeting. I was thankful that Erin had already preplanned my outfit since it was an important one. Nothing over the top: navy suit, white button down blouse, and a pair of ridiculously high-heeled shoes—I barely could walk.

  Elena had flown in the publishing house’s attorney and I was to meet him at a building downtown. For some reason, the studio people were in town for an event, and I was thankful it was during my Thanksgiving visit with Dad. I was heading to Baltimore the next day to have dinner with him and his girlfriend, Pilar, along with her family.

  On my way I grabbed a hot coffee to go, and noticed a lot of commotion in the lobby. Nothing too unusual, but I sensed something was off.

  The hotel was old, grand, and beautiful. The lobby had large chandeliers that stretched from the entrance to the front desk. The furniture was made of dark wood and rich tapestries. It looked as if you had stepped into the nineteen twenty's where men wore dinner jackets, and women sat in the parlor with spectacles in hand.

  While I waited for the Valet, I could hear people frantically speaking, as well as a couple of girly squeals. I turned around and spotted a mob surrounding what looked like one person. I watched as they all walked in unison to several waiting black SUV's.

  I watched them dispersed as I took another sip of my coffee. At that moment, I also made eye contact with Andrew Hughes. I choked, and the hot liquid burned down my throat.

  There I stood and watched as Wade shoved him into the car and then jumped in the front seat. We both stared at each other and I tried to look as if my throat didn't just receive second-degree burns.