“Being nice?” I offered.
She snorted and rolled her eyes at me. “Um,yeah. But beyond that. What’s critical to Scarlet?”
“Sincerity,” I answered.
“Yes, exactly!” Gwen chirped. “You need to make her believe that you’re truly sorry about what happened.” She paused. “Dumb question, butareyou actually? Do you feel any remorse about the way you acted and what you said?”
“What are you, my therapist?” I huffed at her.
“Do youhavea therapist? I thought you preferred puppies.”
“Gwen, stop.YesI regret being a dick to Scarlet and all her fans just because I was pissed off at an asshole reporter who intruded on a private moment. As you’ve probably noticed, I have a temper. I fight back when someone corners me. That means that occasionally there’s collateral damage.”
“Harrison,” she chastised. “Those girls aren’t?—”
“Okay, okay,” I sniped back at her. “I promise not to use militaristic language with Scarlet Rush. You have a script for me, right?”
“Oh my God, ofcourseI do. For the meeting with Scarlet, and then for your appearance on the show tonight. They’re already in your inbox, which I’ve seen you check a dozen times, yet my message is still unread.”
“Did you put a return receipt on your email?” I demanded.
“Absolutely yes. Why wouldn’t I? We’re about to head into a meeting that is the crux of the whole plan you’re paying me anobscene amount of money to bring into action. You think I’m going to let you duck out of doing your part?”
“Fine,” I replied.
I navigated to her email and scanned what she wanted me to say.
“This works.”
“Yeah, I know it does. Lucky for you, I can navigate your foul moodsandScarlet’s vibe to create a perfectly on-brand message. Those are can’t-miss talking points that’ll get you out of this nightmare.”
“Yeah, I can say all of this, but the truth is I’m not…” I trailed off and reread the message.
“Not what?” Gwen pushed.
“I’m not exactly known for my charm,” I admitted. “I’m not sure I can sell it.”
Gwen rolled her eyes, as if I was being ridiculous. “Sir, you’re delusional. Because I know for a fact that when you want to be charming youoozeit. I’ve been on the receiving end. I know what it’s like when you lock onto someone and really listen to them. When we were in Aspen, you made me feel like I was the most interesting, funny, beautiful woman in the world.” Her expression softened, and it tugged at my heart.
I bit my tongue to keep from admitting it wasn’t my supposed charm that made it seem that way—I just did what came naturally when faced with someone who actuallywasthe most interesting, funny, beautiful woman in the world.
“Harrison, you can do this. And I know it won’t be an act, because deep down, youdocare about building a bridge withScarlet and her fans. You have a heart. It’s hidden, but it’s gigantic.” Her voice dropped an octave. “I’ve seen it firsthand. You wouldn’t have been able to keep Susan with you all these years if you were actually a dick. And you volunteer at an animal shelter. That’s God-tier big-heartedness, since those places are really freaking depressing.”
I wanted to look at her, but I couldn’t. There weren’t many people I let in, but for the past week, the adorably pushy woman sitting next to me had battered down the walls that normally protected me and forced me to live differently. But that was a fantasy, a vacation blip. We’d both known it. In the real world, I had no time for lazy mornings in bed and last-minute changes to our schedule to fuck once more.
I pointed to my laptop screen. “Do you want me to memorize this? Because I can, without a problem.”
She looked mortified. “Oh no way! Please just try to inject those talking points into your veins and use them naturally as the meeting unfolds. Harrison, you’ve got this. You’re going to be great.”
I scanned the email again. “Yeah, unless she’s an absolute fake, I don’t know how she could stay mad after this masterpiece.”
“Aw, thanks,” Gwen said sheepishly. “I guess you do value my work.”
“Hey,” I replied. “You wouldn’t be here if I didn’t appreciate you.” In all the ways I should and so many ways that I shouldn’t.
We both went quiet again as our eyes met.
It didn’t matter how hard I tried to convince myself otherwise. Gwen Ackland was irresistible. Her dress shifted when shegestured dramatically, which was often, so I kept getting glimpses of a black lace bra beneath it.
