Total pages in book: 244
Estimated words: 236705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1184(@200wpm)___ 947(@250wpm)___ 789(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1184(@200wpm)___ 947(@250wpm)___ 789(@300wpm)
But I know the secret of this story.
I lived these scenes with TJ once upon a time in London. From the first meeting to the oh no we can’t be together moment, and to the hungry, pent-up kiss in the rain.
The little details, too, are the secret of us, like when Jackson finishes a design for a client and adds a rubber duck in the corner of the drawing.
Like the scene at a garage sale, when they find The Importance of Being Earnest.
Like the moment later that night, when they read lines to each other in bed.
When Liam says in Jackson’s ear, I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being good all the time. That would be hypocrisy.
Then Jackson whispers to Liam: Always be wicked.
My heart climbs into my throat.
TJ’s been leading a double life. A beautiful, wonderful, double life that he finally let me into completely. His most popular book is a treasure map of how we fell in love the first time around.
A map I alone can decipher.
I’m overjoyed. I’m humbled. I’m so ridiculously happy. And I can’t wait to smother him in kisses when I return.
But when I walk past security, my agent’s waiting for me, and she looks more alarmed than when the salacious photos of me landed in The Hollywood Scoop.
35
LET’S BE WICKED
TJ
Ah, it’s good to wake up in my bed after returning to New York in the dead zone, otherwise known as three a.m.
The only reason anyone should be awake at that time is to fuck.
Now it’s mid-morning on a gorgeous March day in New York, so I hit up Nolan for a run on the High Line. It’s been a while, so I’m stoked to see him. Bonus that this run will pass the time while Jude flies across the ocean, and I try not to obsess over whether he likes my book.
I give my college friend the behind-the-scenes on the private Instagram feed, then ask if he wants to meet Jude this weekend for a drink.
He says absolutely and I guess some things are easy like that—like friends understanding you.
On that note, I wave goodbye and run several blocks home. I take a quick shower, get dressed, and settle onto my couch to start a new chapter in my novel. But first, I fire off an email to Mason.
Did Webflix approve my idea for the change in Liam’s character? Also, hello. I am back. I am writing. All is well.
I return to the scene, checking the time far too often. Jude should land any minute, and I can’t wait to see him.
I can’t wait to find out what he thought of Top-Notch Boyfriend.
And I can’t wait to figure out what’s next for us.
When my phone rings a little later, I grab it instantly, hoping it’s Jude. But Mason’s name flashes across the screen. He usually calls when he has good news. So, when I pick up, I say, “Tell me all the good things.”
A peculiar and heavy sigh is his answer. “Are you home? Because I can be there in five minutes.”
Shit. He’s never been over to my apartment.
Panic rushes through me. Did Webflix hate my idea? Did they nix my project? Except, that’s not enough for him to show up at my home. Which means he’s not calling about a deal gone sour. Something else is rotten in the state of my books.
Somehow, I croak out, “Yes. Why?”
“Check The Hollywood Scoop,” he says, then tells me he’s on his way.
I end the call, my gut churning like a blender. With a deep sense of dread, I click on the website.
You got fooled, and you got fooled, and you got fooled!
In a storyline ripped straight from romance novels, Oscar-nominated actor Jude Fox and bestselling author TJ Hardman were playing make-believe all along with their supposed love affair.
Turns out that the epic romance, complete with kisses on Broadway red carpets, appearances at restaurant openings, and sightings at charity concerts was all a ruse.
This intrepid blogger has learned the actor and writer have been faking their romance all along. The reason? To boost Fox’s Oscar image after his rep took a hit from dating the rocker who recently went to rehab. (Here’s hoping it lasts, William.)
Now the high-profile pair is primed to break up their fake romance, per their “orders” from whoever is orchestrating this whole fable. My bet? Their agency is pulling the strings since CTM reps both men.
Why Hardman needs a fake boyfriend remains a mystery to me, but my money is on . . . money. I suspect TJ was paid to pose as Jude’s beau.
And it worked! They’re the toast of the town and they’ve been shipped.
Mark my words. It’s only a matter of time before “FoxMan” posts a “we’re parting ways and please respect our privacy” breakup letter. Straight from their publicists’ pen.