Page 8 of Not that Impressed (Houston Pumas #3)

ELLIE

Using my scheduled filming time to have cameras trail after me at my friend Isla Emerson’s launch party for her new clean makeup line is another perk of the show.

The Being the Bennets crew will capture me and Janelle mingling with people at the event, and thousands of women will order because Janelle and I endorse it.

None of Isla’s guests balked at signing the waivers for the show, like one of the production assistants who worked Janelle’s volunteer event said Will did.

Why have I let that man get under my skin?

Isla’s party planners rented out the Solace House estate for the party and it’s divinely gorgeous.

The house has a main portion and two wings flanking it, all in a neoclassical style with tall, Corinthian style columns and stone balustrades lining the balconies on the second floor and the walkways on the main floor.

The expansive lawn has black café style tables sprinkled around, and by the time Janelle and I arrive, it’s already filled with Isla’s friends, influencers, and executives dressed in cocktail party attire.

I’ve been to enough events like these in the past few years that it’s not exciting anymore to get all glammed for a party, but I’m happy to do it for Isla.

The September evening is perfect too, like Isla somehow ordered seventy-two-degree weather just for tonight.

She greets us with kisses to our cheeks and squeezes our shoulders.

“Isla,” Janelle says with a smile, looking around. “This is gorgeous.”

Isla does a soft clap, grinning from ear to ear. “Isn’t it?” She takes my hand and one of Janelle’s, squeezing them. “Don’t forget your swag bags.”

I have to laugh. We already have samples of all of Isla’s makeup. We’ve been using it on the show for months to build excitement for her launch. “We won’t,” I promise.

A woman I don’t recognize saunters up to Isla on the arm of a tall, broad-shouldered, and frankly ridiculously handsome man.

I recognize him immediately. Grayson Hollis.

He was a running back for the Pumas, but they cut him last year without comment.

Plus no one has picked him up in the time since.

There’s been a ton of speculation that rivalries on the team might have caused it, but the situation doesn’t make sense to me.

He was decent enough that I don’t think it’s playing that got him cut, but what else could it be?

The Pumas franchise has been pretty drama-free for the most part, and Dad hasn’t said a word about what happened with Grayson.

“Isla!” the woman squeals, breaking away from Grayson to wrap her arms around Isla. He looks at me and Janelle in turn and gives us a nod. We’ve never met, but his expression holds recognition. Not surprising for a former player from my dad’s team.

“Janelle, Ellie,” Isla says when the woman lets her go. “This is Ruby Hart and …” She falters as she looks at Hollis.

He jumps in before the silence is awkward. “Grayson Hollis,” he introduces.

We all shake hands, and Hollis meets my gaze with a smirk that says he knows that I know who he is. His eyes are mischievous and so blue it’s a bit startling. His fingers slide out of mine slowly, and I don’t know what to think about Ruby hanging on to him possessively. Are they dating?

Isla turns back to me and Janelle. “I told you to bring a plus one,” she says. “Where’s Charlie Baldwin?” She raises her eyebrows and bites back a grin.

Janelle blushes. A few celebrity gossip accounts have already posted pictures of Janelle and Charlie at her volunteer event, speculating about them even though nothing about the way they interacted looked romantic.

Someone who saw Janelle and Charlie at his party said something and the gossip is building.

“He was a volunteer at the event. He came to bring a recognizable face and spread the word.”

Isla gives Janelle a knowing look, but Ruby jumps into the conversation, asking Janelle about the Radiant Dew foundation of Isla’s that she’s been using, and Grayson turns to me, lowering his voice.

“You know Charlie Baldwin?” he asks.

“Kind of,” I admit. “He moved in down the street from my parents.”

“So you probably know Will Pemberton,” he says, and tightness pulls his expression, telling me there’s totally more to this story.

I raise an eyebrow to convey my own thoughts without saying anything. There’s a camera capturing these interactions, and I glance over at it. “I’ve met him.”

Hollis follows my gaze, and his expression smooths. “I played on the Pumas with him, which you probably know.”

I nod, grateful to be talking to a guy who doesn’t assume I’m all beauty and brat and no brains. “I do.”

“Gray!” Ruby squeals again and grabs his arm. “Look who’s here!” She points somewhere off in the crowd, and I follow where she’s pointing, but it’s not obvious who she means. Before she explains, she gives Isla a finger wave and air kisses and pulls Grayson away. He smiles at me as he follows her.

Isla and Janelle both turn to me. “What?” I ask .

“They’re not together,” Isla says.

“I don’t know why you told me that.” I’ve perfected a bland expression over the last fourteen years of filming that’s always believable. Isla shrugs, and I tuck away the triumphant smile that would show my hand.

Grayson Hollis is attractive, and we share an unfavorable opinion about Will Pemberton. I wouldn’t mind seeing him again sometime.

Isla grabs my arm and gives a quiet cry of pleasure. “He’s here.”

I fix my face into a pleasant expression, readying myself to talk to Isla’s new collab partner, Colin Hurst.

He approaches with a slick smile, one that he probably thinks is charming but is oozing fake vibes. “Isla Emerson, you are glowing .” He chuckles in a breathy way like he’s so clever, but the way Isla is—well, glowing—over his praise, says she either believes him or she’s much better at acting.

I’m hoping for the latter.

“Thank you so much for coming,” Isla gushes.

“I wouldn’t miss it.” He leans in and leaves a lingering kiss on her cheek. Then he quickly pulls away, bright eyes turned to me. He holds his arms out wide like he’s coming in for a hug.

Curse these cameras. I’d like to shove him away from me but I need to play nice, especially for Isla. I allow him to hug me but give him a quick pat and try to step away.

He just laughs. “Oh, come on, El—” This man does not know me well enough to use a nickname. “—give me a proper hug.”

I slide a hand up between us to cover my lapel mic. “Take your hands off me now.”

Colin laughs louder, but he steps back. “Good to see you.”

I smile pleasantly again as I step back and don’t respond. He doesn’t hug Janelle, but he still leans in for a cheek kiss. Janelle expertly tilts away as his lips reach her so it looks like he kissed her, but he didn’t touch her.

“Isla,” I say brightly. “You should go introduce Colin to the Phillips.” Travis Phillips is a former Pumas player and one of Isla’s dad’s best friends. Also, if Colin steps a toe out of line, Travis won’t hesitate to correct him, especially around Isla.

Isla claps softly. “Great idea.” She slides her arm around Colin and leads him away. I let out a relieved breath. I clock the cameras around me and then angle my hand away before spelling out He’s the worst in sign language.

Janelle makes a fist in front of her and nods it. Yes.

Isla.Is.GLOWING

So grateful that @Mr.Colin came to support the launch of the Glow True Line. I’m blown away!