Run, Girl (If You Can)

Jennica had never felt so fabulous. This dress cost more than what she made in a year and the makeup was flawless. Her golden brown tresses were coiffed to perfection and she didn't even want to think about how much the jewelry she was wearing cost. It was probably worth more than her life.

"Voila, you're done my little masterpiece," the stylist said with a satisfied look on his face. "Why don't you go downstairs and show off how good you look."

She didn't have nearly enough guts to try and 'show off' in front of the son of one of the richest men in New York so she went down the stairs meekly and silently. Aaron didn't even comment, just nodded and indicated for her to follow him.

He didn't speak at all until they had been in the car for fifteen minutes. "I assume that idiot told you what to expect."

Jennica was a bit startled to hear Aaron refer to her neighbor as an idiot and it took her a minute to respond. "Yes, he told me to smile and nod."

"Precisely. Don't speak unless spoken to. If someone asks about anything you're wearing, I've prepared a list. Memorize it."

She glanced at the piece of paper he handed her and her eyes nearly popped out of her skull. So…expensive…she hadn't even heard of half of these designers, which meant they were exclusive.

"Have you acted in any significant roles before? If you have, you are allowed to mention those as well if they ask," he said in the same brisk tone he'd been using all along.

Jennica was tempted to rub her arms to ward off the chill that came from his voice.

"Um…I was in the Les Miserables movie adaptation earlier this year and got to sing in the background of a few scenes…And I'm about to become an understudy for an Off-Broadway play in a few months! Rehearsals start next week."

She thought about anything else he might consider noteworthy. "Oh! I was in a car insurance commercial three years ago."

"It might be best not to mention the car insurance commercial."

Jennica frowned. That had been her big break!

It was her first paid gig; everything else had been Community Theater up to that point. That commercial helped her land a bunch of different gigs as a movie extra or in small roles in Off-Off-Broadway productions over the past few years.

She shook it off easily enough. This man would never understand her world so there was no point taking anything he said seriously. She would do this once, get paid enough to tide her over for a while, and never have to think of it again.

Although…didn't Aiden say he was in love with someone his parents didn't approve of? Did that mean she was a normal, middle-class person? Geez. He'd probably never win her over if he was this snobby.

She spent the rest of the car ride memorizing the clothing and jewelry list and practicing the mannerisms of a successful, confident actress. Aaron didn't say a single word and left her to it. He was an awfully cold and taciturn person.

Jennica was very curious what kind of woman this ice cube would fall for. She wanted to ask but didn't dare offend him. If she did that, she might not get paid.

The cocktail party was being held on the rooftop of a prominent building in midtown Manhattan. The twinkling lights strung around the tree trunks and light poles created a starry sky effect since not a single star was visible in the city from all the light pollution.

She gingerly tucked her arm through the crease in Aaron's elbow and held her head high.

Actress mode was engaged. Jennica felt confident that she could do this. Looking around, she appeared just as glamorous as anyone else here.

"Aaron! I see you found a date after all. Who might this stunning young woman be?" an elegant woman appearing to be in her early forties asked.

"Mother, this is Kimberly Thayne. She's an actress Off-Broadway," Aaron said frostily.

Wow. What a way to speak to your mother! It was as if he didn't even know her.

Jennica was shocked by his treatment of her but also by the fact that she didn't look nearly old enough to have a twenty-four year old son. It barely registered that he used a fake name for her.

"I see," the woman replied neutrally. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Please do enjoy the party."

After she left, Jennica leaned over and whispered, "Why do I get the feeling she wasn't actually that happy to meet me?"

Aaron nearly smiled but there wasn't the slightest bit of warmth in it. It was a bit terrifying, actually.

"She wants me to pick a socialite to marry. Bringing an actress as a companion is acceptable for this kind of casual affair but she knows as well as I do that I could never seriously date someone with your career. She's upset that I'm not taking things seriously."

"You're still pretty young, why does she want you to get married so badly?"

His entire countenance darkened and Jennica flinched. Apparently this was a sensitive subject.

"It's a status symbol. My parents—but mostly my father—wants me to marry someone that will bring benefits to the Hale family, particularly through a business alliance. They don't care about what I think on the matter at all."

No wonder he was paying her to be his fake date. He wanted to protect whoever it was that he really cared about. But what was he going to do if she actually accepted him? She would be exposed to his vicious world eventually.

"I'm sorry," she said lamely, not knowing what else to say. She didn't know enough about how things worked in his life to offer advice.

Aaron actually sighed, showing a bit more humanity than she had seen all night. He seemed tired and sad.

"I'm used to it. I'll figure something out. They can't take my happiness away this time."

She had to wonder about the backstory behind 'this time' but wasn't able to ask because they were approached by a snobby-looking woman with raven hair and magnificent sea green eyes. Aaron's demeanor changed instantly and he became the coldest she had seen him all night.