Josh turns to me. ‘You don’t have to wear it, baby. In fact, the only person who needs to wear one is Brandon, because we all know he’s had a crush on me forever.’
‘No way, Lander. I want photos out of this. And you’re wearing one, bro, because you legit love yourself more than anyone I know.’
I roll my eyes internally. I’d say Josh is actually remarkablyhumble for someone who’s had such a high level of fame for so long. I’ll wear the stupid T-shirt, but I’ll wear it for Josh, not for Brandon the Bully.
In the end, we all put them on, and it’s quite funny, actually. Katie and Marina and I knot the bottom of ours to make sweet little crop-tops, and I wear mine with white denim cut-offs. Hurrah! It’s a safe-to-wear-white day!
Even Josh puts one on, good sport that he is, and we grab group photos on the lawn, the house behind us, looking utterly gorgeous with its stars-and-stripes bunting and banners, its huge flag waving proudly. Josh puts them on his Instagram, and I brace myself for enormous amounts of online flak.
It’s an amazing day. I adore being a fly on the wall, watching the pride and patriotism in everyone’s eyes as they celebrate this momentous occasion. I’m not sure we Brits do a great job on that front.
We eat till we’re broken. Potato salad; corn on the cob; barbecue chicken. Sadly, I have to give the burgers and hot dogs a wide berth. But, as Josh promised, the Maryland blue crab is in never-ending supply. Greer even has the chef make some gluten-free crab cakes specially for me, which I find really touching. Hopefully, it means she approves of me. I’m still oddly intimidated by her.
And it’s not just the food that’s divine. The carnival atmosphere is infectious, and we have the most incredible view of the water, with red-white-and-blue-decorated pontoons gliding up and down the river all day. This must be the best holiday ever if you’re a kid.
I feel like a kid myself, totally swept up in the relaxed, happy vibe. The weather is glorious, and all feels good with the world. I’m so at home here, in this gorgeous place, enjoying Josh’s family’s unstinting American hospitality, even though I have no place as a Brit in these celebrations.
After we’ve had our fill of potato and crab, and of patriotically themed meringues piled high with strawberries and blueberries, Greer materialises at Josh’s elbow.
‘May I steal her away?’ she asks Josh.
Josh mock-frowns. ‘Five minutes. That’s all. I can’t survive without her longer than that.’
She beckons to a couple of old Adirondack chairs overlooking the water, and I collapse into one gratefully, one hand on my full tummy. The sparkling water is still full of boats and pontoons.
‘I’m very glad you’re here,’ Greer tells me. ‘I can’t believe he managed to keep you away from me at Cannes.’
I blush. ‘Sorry about that. It was a bit of a crazy week.’
‘I’m sure it was for you. How are you feeling about it all?’
‘It all feels like a dream—I’m still processing it.’
‘I can imagine. What you’ve achieved with your very first movie, is something most actors never come near to achieving. It’s quite incredible. Your performance was simply stunning. You have such a dazzling career ahead of you, my dear. It’s very exciting. I hope my son isn’t taking up all your time when you should be focusing on your next steps. And I hope you have a good team around you, to advise you.’
‘I do.’ I nod vigorously. ‘I have an amazing agent, and a great publicist. She’s pretty busy at the moment. I trust them completely. And Josh isn’t taking up my time—I wish I could see more of him, to be honest. It’s tough, having him so far away, though it’s amazing to be here, with your family…’ I trail off.
‘We’re delighted to have you here.’ Greer nods matter-of-factly. ‘And you’re quite the attraction—so many of our friends are excited to meet you. You’re the woman of the moment, don’t you know? I’d be very surprised if you don’t get an Academy Award nomination.’
I cringe. So many people have said that to me, and it’s sucha surreal concept that I daren’t consider it as a possibility, even for a second. So I demur. ‘Oh, I don’t know about that… Cannes can be a funny beast.’
‘It can, but I know an Oscar-winning performance when I see one.’ She pointedly raises her eyebrows in the direction of myI [heart] JLT-shirt. ‘Just don’t let my son distract you. I know how distracting he can be. This is your time. You have to put your career first. There’ll be time for love later.’
CHAPTER 12
Elle
Tonight, I last till midnight without collapsing in an exhausted heap. I tell Josh he absolutely should not come to bed with me, and Brandon agrees, but Josh is having none of it.
‘You’re going home tomorrow, baby,’ he whispers in my ear, ‘and you think I’d rather hang out with this fuckwit than have you naked and calling my name?’
He gets me, every time. The scent of him, and that dirty edge to his voice. ‘You’re very presumptuous. What if I’m too tired?’
I’m not too tired. I’m too tired to make small talk and keep drinking with his friends, but I’m never too tired for him, especially when I have to drag myself away from him tomorrow and, as Greer reminded me, focus on my career.
Not ten minutes later, I have him lying beneath me, his arms folded behind his head. I’m straddling him: he’s all mine. I definitely have an unfair advantage over Brandon.
I love this stubbly look on Josh. I love it when that dirty blonde hair is messed up and screaminggrab me.I loverunning my hands down the hairy tautness of his forearms, over the bulk of his biceps, and back down over his chest. And I particularly love the rush of power and desire that comes over me when the back of my hand moves lower, down that happy trail, looking to strike gold. I lick my lips.
