“This is a business deal, nothing more,” Mr. Mayer assured Papa. “You gain something; I gain something. All we’re doing is trading services.”
I glanced at Mr. Hayes, but it was still hard to read his expression. Did he want to pretend to date me? He was under contract to MGM Studios, so he didn’t have a say in the movies he acted in. But he could refuse the plan.
Couldn’t he?
I wasn’t eager to stage a relationship with him, but if it meant saving Bennett Studios, I would do almost anything.
“I don’t like it,” Papa said. “What if people learn the truth?”
“Who would ever know if the five of us don’t tell them?” Mr.Mayer watched Papa closely. “I’m being generous with you, Grant. But I also acknowledge that I need this for Spence and for us.”
Papa looked like he was going to protest again, so I stepped forward. We had to do something drastic to save our family’s studio. “I agree to your proposal, Mr. Mayer.”
“Ally.” Papa’s voice held censure.
I turned to him. “I know what I’m doing. This is the answer we’ve been praying for.”
He studied me for a moment and then sighed before looking at Mr. Mayer. “I am accelerating the production of this film and will need full cooperation from Mr. Hayes every day. I hope to release the movie as soon as possible, and after it has successfully launched, Ally will be under no obligation to continue the farce.”
“I see no problem with those stipulations.”
“Good.”
“I will have my lawyer draw up some legal documents and bring them by your studio tomorrow.”
“Fine.” Papa addressed Mr. Hayes, his face serious. “I want you at the studio at eight tomorrow morning—sober. And if you hurt Ally in any way, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or professionally, you will have to deal with me.”
Spencer pulled back in defense, his jaw clenching.
“He agrees,” Mr. Mayer said, sticking out his hand.
Papa glared at Mr. Mayer for a moment and then shook his hand before turning and leaving the ballroom.
“Please excuse us.” Mama offered a stiff smile and followed him.
“Well”—Mr. Mayer clapped his hands together—“I’ll leave you two to get acquainted. I trust you’ll both be professional but, more importantly, believable and discreet. No one must know the truth.” His gaze narrowed on Spencer. “I don’t need to reiterate the consequences if you mess this up. This is your last chance.”
The muscles in Spencer’s cheek twitched.
After Mr. Mayer walked away, Spencer turned to me, a spark of irritation in his face as he said, “It appears that you have your work cut out for you, Miss Bennett. You’re a good actress, but areyou good enough to convince people that you’d fall for a worthless guy like me?”
His voice suggested he was teasing, but his eyes told a different story.
“I enjoy a good challenge.” I smiled. Though this wasn’t a challenge I would have signed up for under any other circumstance, it was one I would take on for my family. Spencer’s scandal was still fresh in everyone’s minds. His girlfriend, Fanny Parker, caught him cheating on her with an up-and-coming actress named Mabel Collins. When Fanny saw Mabel leaving Spencer’s house late one night, she hit her with her automobile. The impact put Mabel into a coma for several days as she fought for her life. Fanny had gone to jail, but thankfully, Mabel had started to recover, and Fanny was released. Both actresses had fled Hollywood shortly after, and Spencer’s reputation was in tatters.
“I enjoyed your performance inGold Rush!last year,” I said to change the subject.
He reached inside his coat and paused, glancing at me. “I suppose you don’t want me to drink.”
I blinked several times and then said, “I’d prefer if you didn’t, since it’s not only illegal but not good for you, either.”
Slowly, he removed his hand and sighed. “I can tell this is going to be a long affair.”
“I’ve been doing a little research about the gold rush,” I said, steering the conversation back. “Your performance was so convincing, I thought perhaps you had done some research, as well.”
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m just curious about the movie that earned you a nomination for best actor.”
