“Hello hello,” he said, striding over. “I didn’t know you lovebirds were dining out tonight.”
Kenzie clapped her hands. “This is too fun. Can we join you if I promise not to talk shop?”
Across from me, Lila’s expression went from relaxed to tense in a nanosecond.
Before I could wave them off, Beau slid into the booth beside her, as Kenzie did the same on my side.
“Listen, guys, not to be rude,” I said. “But we’re on a date.”
Lila gave a tight nod, eyes down. “Which means, you’re not invited to sit with us.”
“We’ll just stay for a drink,” Kenzie said. “And I have good news that you’re going to want to hear right away.”
“Yeah, wait until you hear this,” Beau said.
“I just got off the phone with the producers,” Kenzie said, practically vibrating with excitement. “They love what we haveso far for the pilot. They’re excited to see more. Lila, you’re going to be thepremiereof the season.”
Lila blinked. “What?”
“They love the chemistry, between you and Beau. And we used the footage we have to put together a trailer, which we put on social. You’re trending like wildfire already. They want to do a full promo push starting next week.”
Beau grinned. “Guess we’re the golden couple of the season.”
My hand tightened around my glass. Couple?
Lila looked like someone had pulled the ground out from under her. “But I thought they wanted to see the pilot first?”
Kenzie waved it off. “Plans change. You’re the buzz. And we’re doubling your social coverage—behind-the-scenes clips, exclusive interviews, flirty reels. This is going to be life-changing. For all of us.”
Beau flagged the waiter and ordered another bottle of wine. “They love the dynamic between me and you, babe. In fact, they want to fuel rumors of our romance before the show airs.”
Lila’s lips thinned. “I don’t want that.”
“Sure you do,” Beau said, grinning. “Don’t you want to be rich?”
“I don’t want my private life all over social media,” Lila said. “Especially since it’s all fabricated.”
Kenzie leaned in. “You two might need to cool it on the public dates, okay? We want everyone to be speculating about you and Beau, not our first renovation subject.”
Lila shook her head. “That’s not what I signed up for.”
I was about to step in when I caught movement from the bar.
A man with a camera. Not a phone—an actual DSLR with a long lens. Pretending to scroll, but angling the camera toward Lila and Beau.
I leaned in. “Don’t look, but there’s a guy taking pictures. Of you. And Beau.”
Her head turned slightly, her face going pale.
Kenzie didn’t even flinch. “Just a little buzz-building. It’s good PR.”
“You set this up?” I asked.
Beau grinned. “Kenzie’s like a legit genius.”
“I cannot believe this,” Lila said.
I stood, my voice calm but sharp. “We’re going. You can pick up the bill, since you’re such a genius.”
