“This won’t be a permanent part of our lives,” she appealed to Cam.“Will it?”
“Crimson is a permanent part of our lives, there’s no getting away from that.”
“How sweet,” Roxie said, fanning her face.“What a touching sentiment.”
Cam just smiled.“As for playing to the cameras or fabricating our lives for the sport of others?Those are optional.”
“Reserved for birthdays and special occasions.Treats for when you’re very, very good,” Roxie said.“Have camera crew, will travel.”The woman glanced to the side and left her stool.“Tevin, you look like you need help.Where is Hatfield with our questions?”
As Roxie went over to join her crew, Cam picked up his sandwich.
“I don’t want to talk about us,” Ariella said, volume low.
“Now?No, I don’t think this is the best time to plan our future.”
“Not with you.Not about us, the real us.With the camera crew and all the people—what if they ask about now?About my life now?About romantic interests?”
“Say only what you want to say.Rox will protect you and you get to see the questions before.Nix any you don’t like.”
“Us is a big thing, but we don’t know how we’ll navigate it yet.Sometimes when there are too many people involved…”
“No one will pressure you.And you’re right, this is us, it’s no one else’s business or right to dictate, or comment on, our lives.”
“I’ll do Crimson because I know it’s important to the plan.I won’t stay late.”
“Come back here after and we’ll talk.Or I can come get you.”
Sweet, but risky.“We got away with it once, I don’t think we’ll get away with it again.”
“Can I tell you a secret?”Roxie’s voice rose behind her.
“Knox sleeping with Jane again?”Cam asked, amused.
“Ha-ha,” was Roxie’s response as she resumed her previous position.
He glanced at her.“Their relationship was secret for a while.At first, only Roxie knew about it.”
“That was an accident and it wasn’t only me, Merci knew too.”Whoever that was.“For being facetious, I’m not going to tell you the secret.”
“Oh no, what a shame,” Cam said, happy to shrug it off.“Where are the questions?”
Roxie pushed a tablet across to her.Only fair she should get first pass when… Oh, boy.She’d never done a formal interview.Never done any kind of interview, except for a job.The media thing was astounding.The questions didn’t scare her, especially knowing she could veto them, but did people really want to know this?Her feelings about Spence?Their private life?
She raised her eyes to Cam.“This is what your family do?Now I understand why you moved a continent away.”
“We don’t do this to our own, usually.It takes a certain level of confidence to be comfortable with prying.”
“A level of confidence most in the business have,” Roxie said.“Remember this isn’t live.You can stop, ask questions, take a break.There’s no clock.”
Could she sneak in a make out session with her unicorn?Those usually calmed her.Well, no, they riled her, but in a way that infused her with the confidence this might require.
“How will it work?”she asked.“How does it fit in with the big picture?”
“We get footage of us out and about together, which shows you’re part of my life.You’re my new friend, no one else’s.We do the Hatfield interview so explanations can be made without the pressure of the probing media who won’t cut you a break.”
“And this will air…?”
“At a later date,” Roxie said.“Soon.Though it likely won’t be before the mainstream media discover your identity.”
