“Whatever. I didn’t expect this, but since it just kind of fell into our laps, I have to ask: Is she single?”
“What? How would I know?” But he did know because he’d researched her in great detail. She never went into specifics about her love life, but given that her book was a romance, it followed that journalists would ask about her relationship status.
“Yep, she’s single,” Spencer said. “Says right here inSouthernLiving. ‘There’s no one special at the moment, but of course I want a happily ever after just like everyone else.’ The article’s only six weeks old.”
Liam had read that one already. “What’s your point?”
A full ten seconds of silence passed.
“Spence.”
“Wait, I’m reading.”
Liam sat up in bed and ran a hand through his hair. A seagull called outside the window, drawing his attention to the horizon where the clear blue sky met the sapphire sea. The morning sun gleamed off its surface like glittering diamonds.
He threw back the covers and got out of bed. Only a few people were on the beach. Two sea shellers, a walker, and a jogger with a golden retriever in tow. He wanted to get out there before the heat soared well into the nineties.
“Listen, I’m gonna go for a jog. I’ll just call you later.”
“No, no. I think I’ve seen enough...,” Spencer said, though it was pretty clear to Liam he was still reading. “Never would’ve thought of her given that you got off on the wrong foot and all, but—”
“I didn’t do anything!”
“—she might be just what we’re looking for.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ve been on the phone with the studio—that’s what I wanted to talk to you about before you left town. Patty from PR thinks it would be helpful if you were in a steady relationship for a while. This author, Chloe, is attractive, well spoken, wholesome... close-knit family, quiet life... Very different from your usual.”
He didn’t like the direction of this conversation. “My usualwhat?”
“Your taste in women isn’t exactly a mystery, buddy. You only date beautiful actresses.”
“I’m not dating Chloe, if that’s where you’re going with this.”
“Afraid she’d turn you down?”
No doubt she’d do just that. But he also disliked the idea of the tabloids gossiping about her. There was something kind of adorably innocent about her. Something he wanted to protect. It’d be a shame to rob her of a quality he’d found to be quite rare. He gave his head a shake.
“Listen, it doesn’t have to be real. It just has tolookreal. Actors do PR relationships all the time. Do I have to start naming names?”
“Maybe I’d consider something like this, but not with her. Someone in the business. Someone used to being hounded by the paps and smeared in the tabloids. We can talk about it when I get home.”
“I don’t think you understand the damage being done to your career with each negative story. The studio wants to get on top of this. If you’re worried about getting Chloe on board, use the film as leverage. She won’t want your negative reputation tanking her movie.”
Ouch.But fair point. His female fans wouldn’t continue supporting him if they thought he was a womanizer. They’d stop going to his movies and he’d soon find himself a has-been.
He wanted the film to be a success too. Not only for his career but to prove to Chloe that he could, indeed, play her paragon of a hero and quite well, thank you very much.
“Plus a relationship between the two of you would be great publicity for the movie.”
Another idea flittered into his brain. “What about Daisy? Wouldn’t it make more sense to involve my costar?”
“Daisy’s engaged, remember? You need to stay far, far away from her off set. You get that, right?”
“Hey, I’m not a home-wrecker.”
“I know you’d never do that. But you have to avoid the appearance of anything romantic once the cameras are off. You know better than anyone how an innocent picture can be misconstrued.”
