Make It Happen - Elyssa Patrick Page 0,1
to be on the new reality show, It Girl. You’re getting a makeover.”
Yup.
This was officially the worst day of her life.
It could be worse. She could be covered in ice cream, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry on top of her head. Instead of a chocolate-dipped woman, she would be Woman á la Mode.
Muffled laughter broke out, and he turned around, glaring at his crew. They were certainly getting a kick out of the situation—laughing at him looking less than perfect. It wasn’t that funny.
“You’re kidding,” she said, drawing his attention to face her once again.
“I’m not. You have been selected to be on It Girl.”
Her hazel eyes widened. “The show where you’re going to make over some woman into a pseudo-celebrity?”
“That’s the gist of it, yes.” Sam roamed his gaze over her and ran a hand through his hair.
He had to make her into a star of sorts? He almost laughed at the absurdity of it. This project would be challenging. Just looking at Kate Templar, he knew she needed him.
“The goal is to transform you into a woman who gets noticed.”
“I get noticed,” she said defensively, hands landing on her hips.
“Anyone covered in chocolate would get noticed, Miss Templar.” He leaned forward and pulled out a piece of eggshell from her hair. Unlike Humpty Dumpy, Sam would be able to put all the pieces of Kate Templar back together again. Only she wouldn’t look like some victim of a chocolate war. “What happened?”
“It was the mixer,” she said through clenched teeth as if that explained everything. “Listen, I’m sure you had thousands of applications––”
“More like five hundred and twenty-five thousand. The idea of the show was––”
“A result of a bet on a talk show,” she finished. “You said you could transform any woman into It Girl by the end of August.”
He totally regretted that hasty bet, which had gone viral. He only had three months to make Kate Templar famous. If he didn’t, he would have to admit defeat.
And he didn’t like to lose. Ever.
Kate Templar was going to become an It Girl, even if it killed her––or him. He was going to get her picture in magazines, score interviews for her, bring her to important parties and introducer her to everyone who was someone. Basically, turn her into a woman who everyone wanted a piece of.
“Since you have so many applicants, you’ll be able to find another.” Kate stepped back, attempting to shut the door.
He stopped her with a well-placed foot in the opening.
Kate glared at him. “Mr. Brody, I’m not going to do your show.”
“How can you not want to be on the show?” He couldn’t believe for one second that she didn’t. After all, what woman wouldn’t want a makeover or a chance at a million dollars? “You should at least consider it.”
“Um . . . no, but thank you.”
He decided to charm her and pasted his famous Sam Brody smile on his face, the one that had been plastered on countless magazine covers. “Think of it this way. You’ll be getting a paid vacation. Three months in Malibu. A new wardrobe. Fifty thousand dollars once you sign the contract to be on the show. Your life will be better. You’ll never be boring—”
“I’m not boring.” Kate glanced down at her chocolate-covered clothes. “And nothing you can say will tempt me to do the show.”
“Not even for the million dollar prize?”
“Million dollars?”
“Yes, besides the fifty grand, you could win a million dollars if you’re successful. If the judges decide you’ve passed. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime. You can seize control of your life. Do what you want. Forge a new beginning.”
“But I didn’t even enter the contest.”
“Your mother did on your behalf. She wrote a long essay.”
“My mother?”
Sam reached into his coat pocket for the printed e-mail and held it out to her. “Here you go. Your mother’s email moved many to tears.”
“It doesn’t make any sense,” she commented in disbelief. “I’m nobody. I’m just Kate. No one is going to care about me being made into a supposed It Girl.”
“Not true,” he said. “You’re an underdog. People want to see underdogs win. They’ll root for you.”
Hell, part of him had rooted for Kate when he’d first read the letter. And then when she’d hit him with that chocolate? He wanted her to win, plain and simple. As much as he’d been annoyed and frustrated with the laughter from the camera crew, he wanted her to succeed.
She might not look like a winner right