Page 120 of More For Me

Bodhi

Alot of weird, and very cool, things have happened to me since my best friend started dating a Ransome. This might be the weirdest, though. I’m currently sitting in the back of a hired town-car with Everly on our way to meet two of the biggest actors in Hollywood for lunch.

“Why are you so nervous” I ask Everly. “You grew up with famous people.”

“Who said I’m nervous?”

I reach across the leather of the seat and pick up her hand—the same hand that’s been worrying a small scuffed mark in the leather. “You always fidget when you’re nervous.”

“What if they don’t like me?” she blurts out.

I scoff. “Then they would be insane.”

She makes a face at me. “It’s not a ridiculous idea, Bodhi. They’re Hollywood royalty!”

“And you’re rock and roll royalty,” I remind her. “The Cains have nothing on the Ransomes, love.” I squeeze her hand. “Besides, you already met Juniper. She liked you enough to ask you to design her engagement party dress.”

“I know. But this feels like a bigger deal.”

In spite of my efforts at calming her, I know exactly what she means. Late in the week, Fox got word that he had been officially cast in the unnamed Jimmy Cain project. The part isn’t huge, but his agent says it’s the kind of role that can really establish an actor, whatever that means. And he won’t be working with just Jimmy Cain. Juniper and her twin brother, James, are starring for the first time together, which right away means this thing is going to get a lot of attention.

And Fox is going to be in it. Which is just insane. I think his entire family is still in shock.

The agents, however, are already making big plans. They’ve been in talks with reps from the Cain family, discussing the best ways to take advantage of the promotion built into the Ransome’s reality show. This lunch is an opportunity to get the ball rolling on that. Which is why Everly and I are on our way to meet Alex, Fox, and the Cain twins for lunch at The Ivy, one of the most high-profile restaurants in LA, where there are sure to be cameras outside ready to get shots of the meeting.

I’m nervous as hell, but I don’t want Everly to know that, seeing as how she hasn’t stopped fidgeting since we woke up this morning.

“It’s going to be fine,” I say. “Alex and Fox will be there. Plus, you know, me. And since I’m your favorite person…”

The stress line between her eyes disappears as she smiles over at me. “Pretty high opinion of yourself there, Bodhi.”

I shrug, playing it cool. “If the shoe fits.”

My cool guy facade fades the second we pull up in front of the restaurant. The Cain’s PR people have done their homework—there’s a huge crowd of photographers waiting on the sidewalk.

“Holy shit,” I mutter.

She looks at me with wide eyes. “There’s still time to turn around.”

“Nah.” I hold out my hand, pleased to see it’s steady. “Let’s do this.”

The driver opens our door and I climb out first so I can help Everly. She looks scared for just one second as she takes my hand, then pastes a huge smile on her face. “See?” I murmur into her hair as we make our way to the front door. “You’re a natural.”

Unsurprisingly, the photographers recognize her immediately, calling out to her. What’s way more surprising it that a few of them know my name. That’s a new one.

Everly grins at me. “Maybe that high opinion of yourself was warranted, Mr. Lakra.”

“Shut up,” I mutter, feeling my cheeks heat.

She laughs. “Don’t even pretend like you’re not enjoying this.”

I mean, itiskind of cool. I never thought paparazzi would ever have any idea who I am.

“Everly, when does the new season of the show start?”

“Are the rumors about your cousin leaving the cast true?”

“Bodhi, are you and Everly dating?”