Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 145634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
“What about now?” I raise my voice in frustration, shifting in my seat. “It’s obvious that things are good between us. We’re fine,” I tell him.
“It’s uncomfortable because you’re under scrutiny now, which is never a good thing unless you have a plan.”
“What’s that mean?” I ask, hating how he’s pussyfooting around. “Just tell me what’s going on.”
Every second that passes makes my body hotter, my muscles wind tighter. It feels like they’re trying to take her away from me. I won’t let it happen. Not again.
“It may seem like the relationship is forced in some ways. Like you have something on her and you’re using that to your advantage.”
“Shut your fucking mouth,” I spit at him, quickly standing from my seat and sending the chair backward, slamming into the vanity. And for the first time since I’ve met Mark, he’s quiet as he stares back at me.
“That’s what people are saying?” I practically yell at him, pacing in a small area of the room. “I would never use her.”
I start to defend us. I want to tell him that I love her and that she loves me. That she’s with me because she loves me, which is more than any other person has ever shown me in my entire life. She’s the only one.
“It’s just the worst possible scenario. That you got her the part for …” Mark doesn’t finish.
“It’s not true.”
“No one’s saying it is, and it’s important for you to believe me when I say that I believe you.” He holds my gaze, waiting for something from me, but my head is spinning, my hands are clenched and I feel like a caged animal.
I know better than to let my anger get the best of me, but I need her and I don’t have a damn clue where she is.
“Why? Why would anyone even think that?” I ask him although I didn’t mean to say the words out loud.
“The interview-”
“It was only one-” I interrupt but he’s quick to interrupt me right back, not letting me stop him from telling me the truth.
“And moments on the set. When the scenes are done and she looks less than comfortable.” He clears his throat and doesn’t ask me for an explanation.
I don’t have one that I can give him either.
It’s hard hiding a secret that’s damning. It’s even harder having a reminder. I know she thinks about it. I do too.
“What can we do?” I finally ask him. This mess needs to be cleaned up, fast and preferably via a new story in the papers.
“No one’s running with that idea yet, they’re all waiting for ammunition,” he tells me and I nod my head.
“She won’t give them any,” I tell him as if it’s a promise I can make.
“We have a meeting.”
“With who?” I ask defensively, ready to turn down whatever reporter has questions. I’ll tell them what Mark says they need to hear, but I won’t allow questions. They need to stay out of our business. And Hally needs coaching before she puts herself in that line of gunfire again.
“With Harlow and her agent,” Mark answers, rising from his seat. “I think it’s in your best interest,” he adds and motions toward the door.
CHAPTER 16
Harlow
“Do you think I’m going to be fired?” I ask Lydia as I take in a deep breath and try to keep myself from getting sick. I’ve barely seen her this last week. Moving out of her dressing room and into mine changed our dynamic … as did me getting the lead.
“Because you fucked your ex?” Lydia asks, cocking a brow like I’m ridiculous. Her dressing room is completely different from when I last saw it. I think she’s spent more time shopping than she has on the set. Which makes sense since her scenes are finished and she doesn’t have anything else to do.
She moves a bag from Neiman Marcus off the bed and sets it down on the floor, rummaging through it. “Sweetheart, if they fired everyone who slept together, there would be no one left to cast,” she says jokingly and then looks up at me. “You’re fine,” she reassures me when she takes in my still-worried expression.
“It’s a PR meeting, love. Everyone has them. You’re going to be fine,” she tells me again as she stands up with a small box in her hand. “I got you something,” she says sweetly, barely containing a smile and holding out her hand.
“It’s for you, take it,” she says, shaking the small box.
“You really didn’t have to do that,” I tell her as the box falls into my palm. It’s heavier than I thought it would be from the size of it. It’s only a few inches wide and tall.
“Yes I did, crazy pants!” Lydia says and pulls her long hair up into a ponytail, but then lets it fall. “You got the freaking lead, so I should be throwing you a parade.”