Page 33 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

“She’s one of the all-time greats.”

I wrap an arm around him and lean my head on his shoulder as we walk. “I’d still rewatch one of your movies over one of hers.”

“Because you like fluffy rom-coms over three hour dramas.”

“I bet you, Rachael knows who you are.”

He puffs a laugh, his shoulders tightening. “There’s no way.”

I giggle, tugging on his arm. “Wanna go back and find out? ”

“Are you crazy?” he lowers his voice, his face glowing red. “I’m not going back there. How embarrassing.”

I giggle again. “I didn’t know big-time celebrities got embarrassed.”

“Rachael is A list. She’s big-time.”

“I have a feeling I saw a video of her lip-syncing to one of your songs.”

He scoffs. “Whatever.”

“Do you not remember those girls who were ogling you earlier? You’re famous, remember?”

He goes redder. “Joze, don’t. Seriously, you’re freaking me out. I mean, it’s Rach, Rachael Freaking Ray-Ramon.”

I grin wider and kiss his heated cheek. “Okay, cutie. I’ll stop teasing.”

Wyatt turns me toward a storefront. “Quick, let’s go in here. I need a subject change.”

I send him a wink. “I bet there will be another sales clerk who’ll be going gaga over you.”

Wyatt rolls his eyes, following me into the store. There’s a funky techno beat playing overhead, the floor tiles have a high shine, and there’s a dramatic lighting design highlighting the different sections of the store.

Compared to the previous boutique, this has a more youthful, energetic feel. It’s still a little too hyped for my liking, but I might be able to find clothes that fit my preppy aesthetic.

“Mr. Hayes,” an enthusiastic voice calls out. A woman of about twenty-five dashes towards us, her shiny black pumps clicking against the tiles. “It’s so incredible to see you again.”

Wyatt reluctantly shakes her hand. “Ah, thanks.”

She plants a hand on her chest. “My name is Marsha. You probably don’t remember me. ”

Wyatt winces. “Ah, no, sorry. B-but, it’s not because you’re for-forgettable or anything.”

Marsha sucks in a breath, her face growing a shade paler. “I’ve been following online about your recovery. I’m so sorry you’ve been out of action for so long. It must be killing you not to be performing.”

Wyatt scratches the side of his head, trying to rid his discomfort. “Uh, yeah.”

“Sorry, it’s probably the last thing you want to talk about. I’ve been such a fan since Talent Quest, and it’s such a thrill to see you again.”

“And how do we...?”

“We actually worked together.”

Wyatt’s eyebrows lift. “We did?”

She cups a hand around her forehead and averts her eyes bashfully.

“Umm, yeah, well, kinda, I guess.” She shakes her head, lowering her hand.

“Oh my gosh, sorry. I’m totally losing my cool.

I mean, we get celebrities and high profile clients here all the time.

I should be able to keep it together. But, umm, Wyatt, you have me falling apart. ”

Wyatt glances at me and then back at her. “Oh, ah, sorry?”

She giggles, swatting a hand. “Don’t apologize. It’s my bad. I can’t keep my fangirl in check.”

“ Sooo ,” he draws out the word. “How did we work together?”

“It was on the set of ‘Without You,’” Marsha replies, composing herself. “I worked in the wardrobe department; fitting you, Portia, and Simon McAlister.”

Wyatt nods, trying to act like it rings any bells.

“Anyway, I moved away from sets and found a place in retail,” she says. “I actually feel more at home here.”

“That’s awesome.”

“Do you and the other Circle 8 guys still hang out?” Marsha asks. “You all looked so close when I’d see you between scenes.”

Wyatt glances at me again. “ Ahhh . ”

“Well, you haven’t seen them in a while, right?” I say, hoping to help.

Marsha’s eyes widen with intrigue. “They didn’t visit you when you were in...”

Wyatt folds his arms and his jaw flexes as he shakes his head.

“I think they’re all busy,” I tell Marsha. “Wyatt hasn’t been working, so I think they’ve been working the other Circle 8 kids really hard.”

She presses her lips into a line and nods sheepishly. “Sorry, it’s none of my business. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s okay,” Wyatt says. “You were being super nice about it. I, I just had no idea wh-what to say.”

“Well, it’s great to see you again. Are you staying close by?”

Wyatt hangs a thumb over his shoulder. “Yeah, in one of the hotels.”

“The Gran Palacio?” Marsha questions. “I think you guys stayed at that hotel for the ‘Without You’ press tour. I remember the paparazzi kept trying to snap you and Portia together.” Marsha covers her mouth, letting out a soft chuckle. “Poor Simon got no attention.”

“Oh,” it draws out of me. “I’ve seen those pictures. Oh my gosh, I think it was the same hotel. How did I never put that together?”

Wyatt shrugs, again having no answers.

Marsha extends her hand to me. “I’m sorry, I haven’t caught your name yet.”

I shake her hand. “Josie.”

She smiles, glancing at Wyatt. “Are you Wyatt’s new PA?”

I mumble a laugh. “Ah, sure.”

Wyatt clicks his tongue. “Umm, no. She’s my girlfriend.”

My jaw drops faster than Marsha’s.

Wyatt.

Freaking .

Hayes.

Called.

Me.

His.

Girlfriend.

He smirks, searching deep into my eyes. “That’s okay to say, right?”

I nod eagerly, my grin stretching to reach my ears. “Ah-huh.”

Wyatt smiles, curling his hand around mine and giving it a gentle swing.

“I’m sorry,” Marsha rushes. “I just... You...” She clears her throat, regaining composure. “I just didn’t realize you and Portia... Umm, never mind.”

Queasiness ripples through my stomach.

Portia.

Everyone thinks Wyatt and Portia are together, despite them never making it official in the press. And Marsha saw them together on the set of their rom-com. She has a first-hand account of their relationship.

Crap . I’m totally making out with some other girl’s boyfriend.

No, not some other girl. A freaking model/actress/singer.

I swallow hard, resisting the urge to hurl on the shiny floor.

Wyatt squeezes my hand. “I’m not dating anyone named Portia.”

“I’m sorry,” Marsha rushes, mortified. “I’ll keep my fangirl in check. I’ve just been a touch obsessed with you and Portia. When I heard you were making another movie together, I almost called to get my old job back.”

Wyatt’s eyebrow raises. “But you’re happy working here, right?”

Marsha nods. “Yes. I’m so sorry for being inappropriate. It’s really none of my business who you date.” She looks at me and smiles. “But you two do look awfully cute together.”

Wyatt gestures at me. “Josie is the one shopping today. ”

Marsha beams. “I’d love to help you out today. Do you have a particular style in mind?”

“Nothing too flashy,” I say, distracted by the lighting display in the corner of the store.

“And we’re staying in the penthouse at the Gran Palacio,” Wyatt adds. “Can you charge everything back to the room?”

“Not a problem. I’ll just need your signature on the invoice before you leave.” Marsha snaps her fingers and turns toward the counter. “I just got some new arrivals in, Josie, that might be perfect for you. Give me one moment.”

When Marsha moves back to the counter to unwrap her new stock, Wyatt clasps my hand and waits for me to meet his eyes.

“I saw you get rattled,” he whispers. “You know it’s only you in my heart, right?”

I lift on my tippy toes and peck his lips. “I do. I should be over the moon that you called me your girlfriend. I don’t want anyone else’s comments to ruin things.”

Wyatt eyes Marsha, muttering, “Does she make you uncomfortable? We can leave.”

“No, it’s fine. If we go to another store there will just be another salesperson who’ll bend over backwards to kiss your feet.”

Wyatt mumbles a laugh. “ Eww .”

I laugh with him, until I catch discomfort in his body language. “Hey, you okay?”

Wyatt turns to me for clarification. “Circle 8 is my management team, right?”

“Yeah. I think they’re Circle 8 Management, and the stars are Circle 8.”

“Huh?”

“Circle 8 is the name of your group,” I explain. “Like, all you teen stars who signed with them are called the Circle 8 kids. They’re like your colleagues.”

“Oh. So, Portia is Circle 8?”

“Mm-hmm. There’s 8 of you. Hence the name.”

“And if one of us leaves?”

I shrug. “They get replaced. You replaced someone.”

He winces. “I did?”

“Yep. And someone else was replaced a few months ago.”

“Sounds like a machine.”

Marsha beckons me closer. She shows me a few new pieces, and also walks me along the clothing racks. We narrow down my style, and she helps select a few outfits for me to try on in the fitting room.

As I walk around with Marsha, I can’t help keeping an eye on Wyatt.

He’s just so effortlessly gorgeous. His arms fold around his middle and his gaze wanders the clothes with slight curiosity.

When Marsha picks out a short sleeve, white knit crop top and pairs it with a lilac and mauve tartan skirt, both eyes leave Wyatt.

The outfit is super cute, and I take it and two other outfits to the fitting room.

As I enter my stall, the giggles of two girls break my concentration. I pull back the curtain two inches and watch the girls link arms as they slink their way toward Wyatt.

“Umm, hi,” one girl says, followed by a mass of nervous laughter.

Wyatt warily lifts a hand. “Hi.”

“Oh my gosh,” the other girl gushes. “It’s really you.”

Wyatt clutches his elbows and his posture straightens. “Have we met?”

This sends the girls into another fit of giggles.

“Ah, no,” one says, clutching her friend. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“We’re huge fans,” her friend gushes.

Wyatt combs his fingers through his hair, and the girls almost collapse. “Well, thanks. ”

The girls raise their phones and ask in unison, “Can we get a photo?”

As if on cue, Wyatt’s security guard approaches the three of them.

“It’s okay,” Wyatt tells the man in all-black. He then smiles at the girls, and lifts his index finger. “One photo.”

I grip the wall of the fitting room as my heart thunders in my chest.