I open the door and two of the producers are already there, sitting at the head of the table. John flashes me a quick smile but his expression is impossible to read. I hurriedly take a seat and try to act calm and confident. I’m feeling anything but.
“We are just waiting for Mackenzie,” says John.
Typical. Waiting for Mackenzie, what else is new? Turning up on time is wasted whenever he is involved.
I didn’t know he was coming to this meeting too. Is it a good sign that they want to talk to both of us? Or does Mackenzie merely want to smirk at my downfall? Glory in his defeat of me? My head is spinning and my palms are sweaty.
The far wall of the conference room is all windows, and the sun is blaring in. The air-con is doing a fair job, but it still feels a little stuffy. I wish I hadn’t left my sunglasses in my car. It’s too bright in here.
He walks in like he doesn’t have a care in the world. His usual hoodie and jeans combo looks damn fine on him today. Shades cover most of his face again but he still manages to look haughty.
His mother walks in next. She is staring at her phone and doesn’t bother to acknowledge anyone’s presence. I can see where he gets it from. She doesn’t take a seat and lurks by the foot of the table, making it clear she is not prepared to stay for long.
But Mackenzie takes a chair. Choosing to sit opposite me, across the broad, polished table. His attention fixes on the producers at the head of the table and I don’t even know if he has seen me.
“Thanks for coming boys,” says John.
Like we had a choice. Nausea rolls my stomach. I just want him to get on with it now. Tell me I’m fired so I can go puke my guts up in the bathroom. Anything he has to say is going to be better than this awful anticipation.
“We’ve been watching the forums carefully and taking note of our feedback group.”
Oh god, they are not going to ax the show are they?
“And we have come up with an idea that will drive the fans really wild.” John pauses dramatically.
“Kit and Mackenzie should pretend to date.”
I feel my jaw drop. My gaze automatically goes to Mackenzie, and he is actually looking at me for a change. It’s hard to see through his sunglasses but I’m pretty sure he is as shocked as I am.
“Attend some dinners together, some red carpet events. Get the gossip mill going. It will be priceless promotion for the show.”
“I have a girlfriend. I’m… I’m straight,” I stutter.
John looks at me like I’m stupid. “Fluid sexuality is really popular in the current climate and a staged break-up will get you in all the magazines.”
Sally nods enthusiastically. I can practically see the dollar signs in her eyes. I need to renegotiate my contract with her. Ten percent is too much for what she does. Especially if I’m the one fake dating Mackenzie Jones. I’m doing all the hard work. She is just sitting in at this meeting. She has done nothing.
“Gay is super trendy,” says Miranda, pursing her lips as if she disapproves. “Fine, he will do it.”
I stare at Mackenzie again. She didn’t even ask him. I swear she didn’t even look at him, so unless they communicate by mind-meld, she has just decided his fate like she has every right to.
His shoulders slump a little and he looks down, but he says nothing. He is not going to argue. But I swear he is not happy about it.
Everyone apart from Mackenzie is staring at me, waiting for my answer. Part of me wants to say no, since it seems he can’t, but I’m not a saint. I can see what this will do for my career. Besides, dinner with Mackenzie where he will have to talk to me, is entirely too enticing a prospect.
“Sounds like fun to me, I can’t wait,” I drawl, hoping my tone will annoy him.
Mackenzie glares at me through his shades while everyone else grins. It’s done. I’m going to be fake dating one of Hollywood’s brightest stars. The excitement makes me giddy. The possibilities are endless. This is great news for my career.
Sally starts talking to John, hashing out the details and finally earning her pay. Miranda starts doing the same with Richard, the other producer. I look over at Mackenzie again. He is slouched in his seat, staring down at his lap. He looks miserable, and despite my glee, I do feel bad. The table is wide, so he is too far away to talk to without shouting over everyone else. He’d only bite my head off anyway. And what would I say? ‘Sorry you have to fake date me?’ Surely, he could have said no if he really didn’t want to.
Is it the idea of dating anyone that is pissing him off, or is it because it is me? Does he think he is lowering himself because I’m not good enough? Is it that despite how trendy it is, he doesn’t want to be seen as gay?
So many questions. I always have so many questions when it comes to Mackenzie. But now, I’m going to get to ask them, over dinner, where it will just be the two of us and he can’t glare at me because the whole point is getting good snaps for the paparazzi. He will have to smile at me, look at me. Pretend he likes me.
I can’t wait.
Chapter eleven
