Free Rising Star by Karen Webb Page B

became bored and fidgety too and Selena
wished for another run down the beach. Anything to break the
monotony. Can’t we just get this over with? She sighed heavily as
the day wore on. Betsy had her change into two more evening gowns,
a pale yellow, off the shoulder number with a long, flowing hem,
and last of the day, a pale blue gown with a heavy hem. It reminded
her of the dress Cinderella wore to meet her prince. The hem was
too big, with too much lace and Jake had to give Selena a hand
mounting the horse. The dress flounced out around her on Catalina’s
back and she felt like a complete idiot. She breathed a sigh of
relief when the photo shoot was finally over and she was back in
her jeans and boots. She didn’t take off the makeup since she was
going to dinner with Matt. She didn’t know when she’d have the
chance to look this good again. Matt followed her outside where
Jeffrie was patiently waiting. Matt shook Jeffrie’s hand pleasantly
and told him the address of his favorite restaurant.
    “ Do I need something better
to wear to dinner?” Selena knew she was underdressed for Hollywood,
although Matt was wearing jeans too. But, she thought, Matt would
look good if he was wearing mechanic’s coveralls and smeared with
grease.
    “ Don’t worry about it, you
look great,” he answered with the mischievous light back in his
eyes.
    Jeffrie drove north through Malibu and
turned into the lot of a small café set into the hillside. It had a
covered balcony in front overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
    The waitress recognized Matt and sat them at
the front of the balcony, with a magnificent view of the ocean.
Selena could feel the stress of the day beginning to ease from her
shoulders and stomach as she looked at the amazing view and the
beautiful man across from her. Matt took her hand and held it on
the table, his thumb circling gently on her palm as he stared at
her. Selena felt the same buzz of excitement as before. Like an
electric current passing through their hands. She stared back at
him, feeling as if she couldn’t tear her eyes from his, she was
mesmerized by the mischievous blue twinkle.
    “ Hey, you dirty dog, I
wondered where you disappeared to.”
    Selena and Matt looked up quickly at the
voice, the magical spell broken. Selena sucked in her breath when
she realized the voice belonged to Paul James. He’d been in more
movies than she could count and she’d had such a crush on him a few
years ago. His blond, California good looks still took her breath
away.
    “ And now I understand,”
Paul answered his own question as he stared at Selena. “I figured
it was something like that.”
    Matt made the introductions and Paul took
Selena’s hand gently, smiling roguishly.
    “ Would you like to join
us?” Selena asked politely. Paul was still holding her hand as he
stared at her, the roguish smile still in place. Selena felt
slightly star struck as she looked at him.
    “ Nah. I’m getting takeout.
I have friends waiting at my house. It was nice to meet you
Selena.” He winked at her and smiled the roguish smile again, then
went inside with a wave to Matt.
    “ Wow, Paul James?” Selena
asked when he was gone.
    “ Yeah, we’ve been friends
for years. Hey, I thought you didn’t like movie stars?”
    Selena’s face reddened as she realized she’d
been caught. “Uh…I just think he’s a really great actor,” she
stammered.
    “ And what about me?” His
voice dropped an octave as he took her hand. “Do you think I’m a
great actor?”
    “ Even better than Paul
James,” she almost whispered. “I watched some of your movies before
I came out here. You really are the best.” She flushed as she
remembered sitting in her small room, falling in love with his
on-screen characters.
    Still holding her hand, Matt leaned across
the table and kissed her. “Thank you, Selena.”
    Their mood lightened as a waiter appeared.
They ordered fresh shrimp and scallops and coleslaw and fries. It
was a very