“Well, how do we do that?”
“I’m glad you asked.” He tilted his head, those gray eyes zeroed in on her like a laser. “I have a proposal for you.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Not that kind of proposal. A business proposal. You might be aware my reputation has taken something of a hit recently.”
Gross understatement.
“Right. Well, I’m sure you realize the negative publicity isn’tparticularly good for your movie. Obviously my female fans would prefer to root for an actor they admire.”
“Obviously.”
“We’re on the same side here. We both want the film to be a resounding success. And I think we agree that the negative publicity about me oruswon’t help matters.”
Us?Seriously, how was this even happening? She crossed her arms, a flimsy barrier against whatever was coming next. “Go on.”
“My manager, Spencer, and the studio’s PR person, Patty, think the appearance of a relationship between us would help matters.”
Tired of him towering over her, she dismounted the mower. “So instead of them just gossiping about me being your plaything, I’d actually pretend tobeyour plaything. Ha! No thanks.”
“That’s not at all what we’re suggesting.”
“That’s what it sounds like.”
“We’re talking about an actual dating relationship.”
“Do you even know what that is?”
His jaw knotted as those gray lasers cut right into her.
Probably shouldn’t have said that out loud. She hadn’t meant to get personal, but the man got under her skin. She opened her mouth to apologize, but he spoke first.
“The studio thinks it’s brilliant. Think about this from your fans’ point of view: their favorite author is in an exclusive relationship with the man playing the hero she penned. As far as publicity goes, what could be better?”
She closed her mouth as his words hit their target. That did sound rather perfect. She was no publicist, but even she could see this playing well in the media.
Still. She swept her gaze over Liam. It also might turn into a disaster. She took a few steps toward the shoreline, seeking the peace the rippling creek offered even as she envisioned this ruse going off the tracks.
“You’re not seeing anyone, right?”
Nice of him to assume so. She sent a scowl over her shoulder.
“Spencer read your interviews.” He stepped up beside her. “What are you so worried about then?”
“How do you know I’m worried?”
“It’s written all over your face.”
She threw her arms up. “Exactly. I’m no good at pretending, Liam. How do you expect me to convince the public I like you?”
He flinched. “Don’t feel like you have to sugarcoat it.”
“I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. But we do seem to rub each other the wrong way.”
“We got off on the wrong foot, that’s all.”
“Well, I’m not an actor! Maybe you can pull this off, but I’m not so sure I can.”
