Hollywood Harlot

Chapter 11

Back in the main lobby, Bella glanced around, looking for Jake. Instead, Jordyn ran up to her.

“Bella! Wasn’t last night amazing?” she gushed.

Bella was starting to realize that Jordyn was a gusher in general.

She smiled. “It really was, Jordyn. I can’t wait to see the main event.”

Jordyn giggled. “Me too! I’m so excited. What are you up to right now?”

“Jake and I were going to run into town this morning, but I seem to have misplaced him.”

Jordyn grabbed Bella’s hand. “I actually saw him head out a few minutes ago. I bet he’s down there already, but you’re lucky because I’m on my way, too. Ride with me and we’ll find him together.”

Bella’s eyes widened slightly and her blood boiled. He’d just gone off without her, leaving her stranded without any communication at all? Jordyn must have sensed the tension because she squeezed Bella’s hand gently.

“Give him time, Bella, he’s still working through a lot. I know he can be a jerk, but I can tell you really do mean a lot to him, so just try to be patient.”

Jordyn started walking to the front doors and Bella followed her.

“You’re right that he can be a jerk, and I’m sure he has been through a lot. But it doesn’t matter, I’m just here for the week and then I’ll never see him again. Jake has made that perfectly clear.”

A blast of icy air greeted the girls as they stepped outside and Bella pulled her jacket tighter across her chest. Jordyn glanced at her sideways.

“Ah,” the bride-to-be said, “I see.”

Bella wasn’t completely certain what she meant, but decided it wasn’t worth exploring right now. She was angry that Jake pulled the escort card on her after she had made it perfectly clear she didn’t like the suggestion she was a possession to be paid for. But the reality was, she had agreed to the arrangement, and she really did need to see through the week if she wanted to get paid. Completing this week was the best shot at the start to a new life that she’d had since before she left college, and she really didn’t want to give that up. So when they found Jake, she’d smile and spend the day in town with him, but that was it.

Jordyn drove them down the mountainous road to the quaint little village waiting below, chatting happily about flowers and her cake and the photographer the whole way. As they pulled onto the main road in the tiny village, literally called “Main Street,” Jordyn pointed out a forest green Jeep parked in front of Spring Creek Brewing.

“That’s Jake’s Jeep,” Jordyn said. “Looks like he got started without you.”

Bella took a deep breath in. “You can just drop me here,” she said.

Jordyn pulled her SUV into a space next to Jake’s. “Oh, no way I’m doing that,” she said, grabbing her keys and hopping out. “Let’s go.”

Dutifully, Bella followed her inside the brewery. Inside, there was a giant copper machine along the back wall, which Bella assumed was where they made the beer. There was a long rustic bar down the center of the room, and Jake sat at the far end of it, four empty bottles in front of him.

“Jacob McGreen!” Jordyn shouted from where they stood. “It’s only 9am!”

Jake turned toward the girls, a sloppy crooked grin on his face, his hair disheveled. Bella’s heart softened a little at his pathetic appearance.

“I’m sorry, I don’t own you,” he slurred to Bella as they approached him. “I know that.”

“Jake,” Jordyn tsk-tsked, walking behind the bar to grab a bottle of water.

“Does your family own this place too?” Bella asked Jordyn in surprise.

Jordyn laughed. “No, but Jake’s best friend does, Greg. We have a free pass to help ourselves to anything.”

“Apparently,” Bella said, glancing at the pile of empty bottles.

Jake sighed and grabbed Bella’s hand, pulling her to him. “I’m sorry,” he muttered again, dropping his head to her chest. “I really am.”

Bella sighed. “What was that all about, anyway?” She asked quietly.

“I don’t know?” He said, muffled as he was talking into her chest. “You’re just so beautiful and last night was so good but you just keep running back to Alex, and that’s your choice since he didn’t hire you, so you must really like him, but I want you to really like me.”

Bella ran her hand through his shaggy hair. Jake…” she started, and then glanced over at Jordyn, who was not-so-discreetly watching them. “Drink some water,” she gently lifted his head from her bosom and handed him the bottle.

He looked so legitimately remorseful, and cute in a messy way. She couldn’t resist cupping his face in her hand and smiling at him.

“You’re not off the hook, but it’s okay,” she whispered to him quietly.

“Bella,” he whispered back, and she gently leaned in to kiss his cheek. He reached around with his free hand and embraced her tightly, burying his head in her hair.

Jordyn cleared her throat from behind the bar, reminding them she was there. “You seem to have this under control,” she said to Bella, walking to the two of them. She gave them each a quick peck on the cheek and headed to the door.

“Jake, behave,” she said, “And Bella, call me before you leave town.”

Bella nodded.

A swinging door in the back suddenly burst open and a tall, gorgeous man with sandy blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes came walking out, a plate in his hand. He set it down in front of Jake. The scent of freshly baked soft pretzels and delicious gourmet creamy cheese filled Bella’s nostrils.

“Eat up, buddy,” the man said, wiping his hands on a towel over his shoulder and extending one to Bella.

“Greg,” he said, shaking her hand firmly. Bella smiled up at his warm eyes and instantly felt comfortable with him.

“Nice to meet you, Greg,” she said, “I’m Bella.”

“Of course you are,” Greg winked, “And you’re just as pretty as Jake said.”

Bella blushed and looked at Jake, who was dipping the pretzel in the cheese. He didn’t even look up.

“You’re apparently also responsible for this mess,” Greg said, grabbing Jake on the shoulder.

“Leave her alone,” Jake grunted, still eating.

Greg laughed and walked back toward the kitchen. “Help yourself to anything,” he called back over his shoulder to them.

Jake sheepishly looked up at Bella again. “I don’t know what it is with you, Bella, but you make me crazy.”

Bella pulled up a stool next to him and sat down, scooting as close as she could. “I know,” she said slowly. “But you’re sending me very mixed messages.”

Jake sighed and ran his hand through his hair, then grabbed another bite of pretzel. “Because I didn’t want this,” he said.

Bella smiled sadly at him, “Want what?”

“You, I guess. I just wanted a simple escort to be on my arm for the week. But I didn’t expect you. And I…I like you,” he finished lamely.

Bella shrugged, “I like you too.”

Jake grunted. “Then why do you keep running off to Alex when you are supposed to be here with me?”

Bella sat back, surprised. “That’s what all of this is about?! You’re jealous?”

“No,” Jake shook his head, “I just don’t like you talking to Alex.”

Bella crossed her arms and glared at him. “Jake McGreen, give me a break. We agreed I am here for the week and I’ll make public appearances with you, and we agreed we’d do whatever we choose to do with each other. But at no time, in any circumstances, did we talk about me not being allowed to talk to other people.”

Jake pouted and took another bite of pretzel.

“Seriously, Jake,” Bella said, “You’re gonna have to get over that one, because I’m a social person and I like to talk to a lot of different people. But just because I enjoy talking to someone else, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy talking to you. Does that make sense to you?”

Jake grunted again and Bella couldn’t help but laugh. “What am I going to do with you?”

Jake’s eyes twinkled. “I can think of a few things,” he said, his gaze dropping to her lips.

She shook her head. “Are you about done here? I believe I was promised some new clothes.”

Jake stood up. “But you didn’t try any of the beer. They have a world famous maple syrup lager.”

“As tempting as that sounds, I think you’ve had enough for the both of us today. I’ll have to try it another time.”

Jake nodded and they walked to the door together. Outside, a very light flurry had begun softly falling. Bella looked up to the sky and smiled. “Beautiful,” she breathed, spinning around once in a circle with her arms spread wide.

“I agree,” Jake said, and when she looked at him, she saw he wasn’t looking at the snow, but instead, directly at her. She blushed again.

“You really are beautiful, Bella. I don’t know what to do with you.”

Bella smiled. “Just enjoy the time we have together, then. We only have five days left.”

The silence settled upon them, as neither of them could think of anything to say to that cold, hard fact. There was a deadline on their contract, and no matter how much they enjoyed each other’s company, their real lives awaited once this winter fairytale was over.

Suddenly, Bella noticed the Jeep parked right in front of them, and she pointed to it.

“I’ll drive us back to the lodge in a little while, but first, show me the shops!”

Jake put his arm around her and started walking down the sidewalk in the picturesque little town. “You can drive shift?!” He asked, surprised.

“Of course I can! I fear you may underestimate me,” she replied lightly.

They walked a few more moments in silence before he stopped in front of a trendy little boutique. He opened the door for her and ushered her in.

The door hadn’t even closed firmly behind them yet when a woman came bouncing around the corner, “Jake McGreen, as I live and breathe!”

Bella muttered, “Do you know everyone in town?”

Jake laughed and said, “Small town,” as he opened his arms to be embraced by the bouncy older lady approaching them.

“Mrs. Collins, it’s nice to see you,” he said warmly.

She held him out at arm’s length. “Now let me get a good look at you, you always look so skinny on TV.”

Jake laughed. “I’m just fine, Mrs. Collins, I promise. Do you mind if we take a look around?”

“Of course not, dear, please do. And who, exactly, is this?”

“This is my girlfriend, Bella.”

As Bella reached her hand out to shake with the older woman, her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat. Even though she knew it was just pretend, it still felt nice to hear Jake call her his girlfriend. She hadn’t heard that label in a long time, but even when David had called her that, it never made her feel so warm and happy inside as it did right then. The older lady firmly shook Bella’s hand and clasped over their firm handshake with her other hand. She looked Bella directly in the eye and her eyes seemed so sparkly. Bella instantly liked her.

“I am so happy to meet you, dear,” Mrs. Collins said. “Take a look around my little shop. I hope there’s something suitable enough for you fancy Hollywood types in here.”

Bella laughed lightly. “I’m sure everything will be perfect,” she said, turning to look at the racks of clothes and shelves of accessories behind her. “I’m very excited to be here.”