Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“It’s true,” Erin said. “A swipe of her makeup brush and she’ll make you feel like a Hollywood star.”
Opal looked less than impressed. “I’m so sorry. I know you’re both trying to help me figure this out, but I’m just not a makeup girl. I leave my hair to air dry. Sometimes I use a tinted lip balm. That’s about it.”
“Because that’s all you need,” Crystal said. “You’re naturally gorgeous. But being on camera is different. The lighting will wash you out. Your pretty features will get shiny. You need just a little bit of makeup to enhance what’s already there.”
Opal was silent. Erin squeezed her arm. “I know this is not what you signed up for when you took Damien’s offer of mentorship, but sadly, it’s all part of becoming successful. If I know my brother, he thinks you’re good enough to make the big time. So the sooner you get used to the limelight, the better.”
Opal still looked worried, but it was clear that Erin’s good sense was getting through. “Okay,” she said, turning to face Crystal. “I trust you guys.”
Opal had a small makeup bag in her luggage and some curling tongs, and while Erin went to fetch them, Crystal told Opal to take a seat at the kitchen counter. She switched on the overhead lights to simulate the rig the camera crew would bring with them, and asked Opal to close her eyes and try to relax. “Just imagine you’re on holiday and getting ready for a lovely dinner with your friends.”
Opal’s frown disappeared and her jaw softened. When Erin returned, Crystal got to work on Opal’s clear skin, sculpting and shading and making sure to powder anywhere that might look shiny under the lights. She added two coats of mascara to her long lashes and carefully lined her lids with a dark brown kohl, which would make her blue eyes sparkle on camera. A slick of rose-pink gloss and she pronounced Opal finished. Erin gave her a hand mirror.
Opal grinned. “Wow, I actually look good.”
Erin laughed. “Don’t sound so surprised. You’re a knockout, and Crystal is a professional.”
“You look like you, just a little polished,” Crystal said, and then asked Opal how she usually styled her hair for gigs. She followed her lead, making soft waves in Opal’s long, shiny hair.
As Crystal worked, Erin told Opal she’d take her through some practice questions that might be asked in the interview, and help to refine her answers. She also explained how to massage an interview question to squeeze in the message that Opal herself really wanted to give.
“It’s all about subtle redirection,” Erin said.
With her hair finished, Opal stood and did a little spin. “Should I change into something else? I have a couple of dresses with me.” After a quick discussion, Erin and Crystal decided that what Opal was wearing was perfect. She was dressed like somebody going into the studio to lay down some tracks, not show up for a fancy interview, and Crystal felt that would come across to people who were watching.
By the time two media vans rolled through the gates, they were as ready as they could be. Crystal only hoped their gamble would pay off.
But when she realized the top-rated national media show was going to film her practicing in Damien’s studio, Opal suddenly said, “I can’t do it. I’m not ready.”
Damien said, “I know it’s not ideal, but we’ll explain that you’re working on brand new material. That’s the whole point.”
“I’m so nervous. Don’t you ever get nervous?”
“Sure, I do. Just imagine you’re sitting in your favorite coffeehouse, singing to the regulars who come to hear you play.”
She snorted. “Easy for you to say. Who do you pretend you’re playing for if you get nervous?”
She obviously didn’t believe he ever suffered from nerves, but to everyone’s surprise, Damien said, “When I get nervous, looking out over a hundred thousand fans, I imagine I’m singing to Crystal.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Damien did not relish having strangers on his property. He especially did not love having reporters inside the gates. In fact, it made his skin crawl—and soon they were going to be in his recording studio, his most sacred and cherished of places, watching him work. He had spent so long guarding his privacy, and now this. But deep down he knew he’d brought this on himself. Nothing to do but be philosophical about it. Hopefully, Crystal and Erin were right and they’d be able to turn the negative publicity into something positive, something that might help launch Opal’s career without tainting her reputation or his own.
So, he pulled himself together and put on a welcoming smile when Roxy Thanton climbed out of the van. Roxy was an ex-supermodel, her image often splashed across the gossip pages of magazines with A-list men, and she was known for being a fashion icon. In person, she was every bit as polished, with her long blonde hair pulled into a swishing ponytail and a skintight black dress. She was undeniably gorgeous, but she wasn’t Damien’s type. Not by a long shot.