“If I promise, will you read this story with me?” Judy held up the glossy magazine, her eyes turning to dreamy moons.
Livvy laughed. “Sure. But let me eat and take a shower first?” Judy hugged her in response.
A half hour later, Livvy emerged from the bathroom, clad in a fluffy pink robe that had seen better days, her damp hair wrapped in a matching towel. Judy was in her pajamas, a matching set in red-and-white stripes, sitting on the couch with the magazine and a bottle of nail polish.
“Paint my toes?” she asked hopefully. Livvy could never say no to Judy, so she nodded and took a seat. She carefully unscrewed the top from the pale-pink polish and applied it to Judy’s outstretched toenails.
Judy read aloud from the fan magazine. “‘The swashbuckling Flynn Banks was spotted leaving the Evets’s Studios lot hand in hand with his new leading lady, the raven-haired beauty Liv de Lesseps.’ Oooo, Livvy, they called you a ‘raven-haired beauty.’”
Livvy chuckled and moved from Judy’s left foot to her right. “They’re just being kind.” But secretly she was a little pleased at the description.
Judy rolled her eyes and kept reading. “‘Miss De Lesseps is new to the pictures, hailing from the stage. She impressed critics last summer as Lady Macbeth at the Hollywood Bowl, taking over as a mere understudy. It earned her a job with Harry Evets, and she is making her screen debut opposite Hollywood’s favorite scoundrel. The two were seen headed to a small sidewalk café near the studio, where our sources tell us they were preparing to enjoy a cozy lunch.’”
Livvy snorted. “We didn’t even speak. We smiled for the cameras and ordered our food separately. He didn’t even pick up the tab.” She started blowing on her sister’s toes, wanting the polish to get a little tacky before she applied a second coat.
The second she had arrived home the other evening, she hadtold Judy about the studio’s PR scheme. Livvy had considered not telling her, letting Judy believe they were dating. The fewer people who knew they were faking things, the more likely they would pull this off. But Livvy couldn’t lie to her sister, especially not about dating Flynn Banks.
So Livvy had told her the truth. Judy had squealed, insisted it was “just like a movie,” and hugged her. But so far, the scheme felt less like a movie and more like a pantomime, with broad tableaus like this “cozy lunch” to signify the hallmarks of a relationship with nothing substantive to back them up.
“I guess a corn dog and a roast beef sandwich that we took back to our respective dressing rooms is their idea of a romantic outing.”
Judy shushed her. “Let me finish! ‘Flynn Banks has never been spotted out with the same woman twice, but could the lovely Miss De Lesseps finally change his roguish ways?’”
“The answer is no,” quipped Livvy.
“You never know,” answered Judy, a dreamy, wistful turn in her voice.
“Judy, I told you, this is all a studio setup. It’s only for publicity.” She was attracted to Flynn, yes, but this could never be anything more than a charade. She would only open herself up for heartbreak if she started wanting otherwise. Flynn Banks was not the kind of man anyone should fall in love with. Besides, Judy was already starry-eyed enough. The last thing Livvy needed to do was encourage her girlish fantasies.
To remind herself, Livvy looked at the old newspaper still lying on the coffee table. Evelyn had given it to her during another costume fitting. Tuesday’s copy of theLos Angeles Examinerwith another headline all about Flynn, a story from one aspiring actress Rhonda Powers, who claimed Flynn had jilted her at the altar.She suspected Evelyn had given it to her as a warning to keep her distance from Flynn.
But for Livvy, it was a crucial puzzle piece. As soon as she’d seen the story, Livvy knew that Rhonda Powers was the reason that she had been ordered to date Flynn. Harry was trying to kill the story by inventing another romance to distract the public. It was a pretty smart idea, she had to admit.
“This”—she tapped the photo of Flynn in theExaminer, a staged portrait that showcased his wolfish grin and the wave in his dark-blond hair—“this is who Flynn Banks is and always will be.”
Judy shrugged and wriggled her toes as Livvy screwed the top back on the polish. “There’s no reason you can’t have some fun though. When’s he taking you on a real date?”
“None of them are real dates, Judy.”
“Oh, hush, can’t you just play along? You need to practice so you don’t slip up in front of the press.”
Her sister had a point. “Tomorrow. We’re going sailing. Some race to Catalina Island. I have to meet him at the marina. I’d rather spend the day with you.”
“You couldn’t, even if you didn’t have a date. I have dance rehearsal all day; we’re learning a new floor show.”
“Don’t get too tired, and don’t put too much strain on that ankle. You don’t want to make it worse. And make sure you drink plenty of water and bring snacks.”
Judy shook her head in exasperation. “Yes, Mother.” But she gave Livvy a wink. Judy sighed deeply and leaned back against the pillows. “A sailing trip to Catalina sounds divine.”
Livvy wrestled the other cushion and whacked her sister with it. “Cut it out!”
Judy started tickling her until Livvy was breathless with laughter.
“Okay, okay, stop, stop.”
Judy barely lifted her hands. “You promise to at least try to have fun? Dating Flynn Banks used to be your dream.”
Livvy rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me. I didn’t know what he—”
