“No hate here.”
“Yes, I can tell you love short women by all the tall actresses you date.”
“I don’t date them because they’re tall; I date them because they’re actresses.”
She tilted her head. “Explain.”
“They know the drill—the paparazzi, the rumors, the business. It’s a lot to take sometimes.”
“Fair point. I guess I’m about to find out for myself.”
She was. And he should probably prepare her. “I’ll be honest—their so-called reports can be less than flattering. It’s not much fun to read negative things about yourself that may or may not be true.”
“Thanks for the warning. I’m sure that won’t be very pleasant. And I’ll be honest with you too—part of my reason for agreeing to this is that I need to grow my social media following. I’m planning a slight genre shift, and my publisher wants me to have a bigger platform.”
“Understood. I think we can make that happen.” This kind of thing was hardly new to him. Other celebs usually liked going out with him for the attention. Oftentimes he was just a commodity. It didn’t feel great, but he was using them too. Sometimes he needed a date for an event, and he enjoyed the female companionship. At least Chloe was honest about what she would get out of it.
“Is this your first time doing this?”
“What, a PR relationship? Yes.”
“Will the media ask me questions?”
“Sure, but you can just say, ‘No comment,’ and leave it at that.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“Hopefully it will be.”
“But shouldn’t we know things about each other that a normal couple would know? And what about your family? Won’t they want to know what’s really going on?”
“There’s just my mom and she’ll be fine. She won’t pry.” Half the time she had her head down a bottle and the other half she was too obsessed with getting his dad back to worry about Liam’s love life. “But yes, knowing some basics about each other wouldn’t hurt.”
She covered a yawn.
“But all that can wait till tomorrow.”
“Do we have plans tomorrow?”
He stood. “We do. I’ll pick you up at noon.”
She cut him a wary look on the way to the door. “You’re a little bossy.”
“I’m used to getting my way.”
“Is that so?”
He turned at the door. “Wear comfortable clothes and expect to be photographed.”
She groaned.
He bit back another grin. “Let the games begin.”
Chapter8
Dread slowed Chloe’s steps as she took the stairs to Meghan’s porch. Then she tapped on the door. Despite a late night, she’d awakened early this morning, uneasy about her deal with Liam and all the implications it might have on her life.
Meghan opened the door. Even in a ratty robe with zero makeup and an exaggerated scowl, her friend was beautiful. “It’s about time. You’re dating Liam Hamilton and forgot to mention it to your best friend?”
