“Hm? I’m going to take that as sharing, because I’m frigging starved.” Remi grabbed a cupcake and licked the frosting right off. “You can breathe now. I’m a normal person.”
The breath Willow hadn’t realized she’d been holding rushed from her lungs.
“I was just trying to see if you were like the usual fangirls who knock around with the actors. The two of you are all over the Internet. The newest, hottest couple. At least they’ve kept the bloodhounds away from the set.” She looked down at the drink and the cupcake and handed the bottle to Willow. “Can you please help me open this while you find your voice? If I ruin my nails, I have to sit in the chair for another half hour.”
Willow uncapped the bottle and handed it back to Remi, taking a long swig of her own, feeling like she had just been whirled in a blender and the world was still spinning.
Remi lifted her cupcake like she was toasting and took a drink. “I’ll pay for this tomorrow. Can’t afford the extra pounds.” She rolled her eyes and bit into the cupcake. “Oh my Lord. This is the bomb!”
Willow smiled. Baked items were the ultimate equalizer. “Thank you. I haven’t seen you at the craft services tent in the mornings.”
“The camera is very unforgiving. I don’t eat much while filming, but after the day I had, I need this. I’m not on camera again until late tomorrow, so I have time to get it out of my system, detox and dehydrate again. Tricks of the trade.”
“Sounds fun,” Willow teased, feeling more like herself again. “Anytime you need a good sugar fix, hit me up. My bakery, Sweetie Pie, is right down the street.”
“Thanks. But do you deliver outside Sweetwater to other rural New York locations or Cape Cod? Because when I’m not filming, that’s where I am. As my alter ego, of course, and I rarely leave my house.” She took another swig of her drink and eyed the bottle. “This is awesome, too. I’ve never had it.”
“It’s cheap and fruity. I’m not surprised.” Oh, damn, was she going to put her foot in her mouth all night? “I’m sorry. I’m still a little rattled to be sitting here with Remi Divine. And yes, I will deliver wherever you are, under whatever name you use.”
Remi smiled and took another swig of her drink. “Probably just as rattled as I am to be sitting with you.”
“Please.” Willow laughed and grabbed a cupcake.
“It’s just as nerve-racking for actors as it is for people outside the industry. Will I be hated because of my looks or celebrity, or worse, will people like me only for those reasons? Zane must have told you that.”
“Zane and I don’t actually talk about the industry very much. I’ve known him since we were kids. So to me, he’s just funny, sweet, smart, and smart-ass Zane. I haven’t thought about those things. That has to be tough.” Gazing down at the blue frosting on the cupcake, she remembered waking up in his arms on the couch that morning and realized that what she’d said wasn’t true.
“Actually, Zane’s much more to me than just anything,” Willow clarified. “I don’t mean to negate his acting, because clearly he’s incredible at his job. But I love the man he is, and it wouldn’t matter what he did for a living.”
Remi sighed. “I envy you. As I said, I never know if a guy likes me for me or for who they think I am.” She finished her drink and grabbed another.
“I can see how that would be frustrating.”
“I have to kiss your fiancé,” Remi said softly. “I figured you’d pretty much hate me because of that.”
“So did I.” Willow laughed. “But you’re not exactly hateable, and kissing you is his job.”
“So, you’re not jealous?”
“Wicked jealous. And so freaking more jealous now that I’ve met you. I mean, if you could ugly it up a bit, that would be good.” Willow waved her hand toward Remi’s robe. “And maybe wear a snowsuit or something.”
Remi laughed.
“I could pull a few of your teeth with pliers. That would help, too.”
Remi covered her mouth. “My teeth?”
“You don’t really need them anyway.” Willow took another drink and smiled at Remi. “I’m female, so yeah, I’m jealous. But I want you to nail that scene and show the world how amazing the two of you are. And now I’m going to change the subject, because I have to picture something other than you two in a lip-lock or I’ll lose my mind.”
“Just so you know, I hate kissing scenes. Truly hate them. I’ve had nightmares about him pulling away and saying I suck at kissing. So, yes, please change the subject. Quickly.”
“You have not!”
“Have to. Subject change, please.”
Laughing, Willow asked the first thing that came to mind. “How did you get into acting?”
“It’s a weird story.” Remi took off her heels and stretched her toes. “My brother had a friend who said his uncle was in the industry back in the day and well connected. He said he could get me into the business. It all happened so fast. We met at a party, and the next day he brought me to meet his uncle, who took me to meet his colleagues. It turned out he was a fluffer, and . . . oh my Lord. You can imagine what my reaction was.”
“At least you had an in. What’s a fluffer?” She popped the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.
Remi swayed a little. “I’m such a lightweight. I’m already buzzed.” She lowered her voice and said, “A fluffer is the person who, before Viagra, kept male porn stars aroused.”
Willow choked on her cupcake, coughing and spewing crumbs all over Remi’s robe. Remi burst into laughter and patted her on the back so hard they both tumbled off the stairs and spilled their drinks.
“Oh my God! A fluffer!” More laughter burst from Willow’s lungs, causing Remi to laugh harder. “And his uncle? A guy? Was it gay porn?”
Remi squealed. “I don’t know! Can you imagine? ‘Excuse me, sir,’” Remi said between laughs. “‘May I fluff you now?’”
Willow roared and grabbed Remi’s arm. “What did you do?”
“I screamed something like, ‘I’m not doing that!’ and ran out of the room.” She laughed again. “It was awful. I hid in my room for a month afterward. And when my brother found out”—she breathed deeply, regaining control—“first he beat the crap out of his friend’s uncle. Then he made it his goal to get me into real movies.” Her voice became serious and thoughtful. “I owe everything good in my life to Aiden, actually. He’s the kindest, most determined man I know, and I’m lucky to have him as my brother. He’s twelve years older than me. He raised me, and he manages my career now, but he also owns all sorts of businesses.”
Hearing Remi had been raised by her brother sobered Willow up. She’d like to say she was sorry if they had lost their parents and hug her, just because her heart was aching for her and everyone needed hugs. But she didn’t know Remi well enough to do either of those things, so she said, “Sounds like he’d get along well with my brother, Ben. He’s a venture capitalist and just as protective of me and my three sisters. Too bad Aiden’s not around. We could all have dinner one night.”