“And I am,” I insist, meeting his gaze steadily. “Last night was a professional obligation. Carrie and I have been friends for years—you know that.”
“Friends?” David interjects, swiping to another photo on his tablet. “Because this doesn’t look like friendship to me.”
The image shows Carrie with her hand on my chest, leaning in close to whisper in my ear. From this angle, it looks like we’re about to kiss.
I run a hand through my hair in frustration. “She was telling me to relax. That’s all. I was nervous about leaving Lizzy to fend for herself.”
“And what about this?” Art slides his phone across the table. “Your girlfriend and Walker Prince look rather cozy.”
The blood drains from my face as I look at the photo of Lizzy and Walker, his arm draped over her shoulders as he smiles down at her.
“I’d like to know what’s going on with those two,” Art continues, voice deceptively calm. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like she’s Walker Prince’s girlfriend. Not yours.”
I stare at the photo, my heart hammering in my chest. Lizzy’s eyes are bright as she smiles, tilting her face up at my nemesis. She looks stunning. And from the look on his face? He thinks so too.
“It’s not what it looks like,” I explain, voice strained. “Walker and I have history. He was just trying to get under my skin.”
“By cozying up to your girlfriend?” Art raises an eyebrow.
Standing from my chair, I place my palms flat on the table, leaning in to emphasize my point. “Listen. Lizzy and I have been friends since we were kids. We have history that goes back way before any of this,” I growl, waving a hand at the tablet in irritation. “What we have is real. It’s always been real. Last night was just a misunderstanding.”
The three men exchange glances.
“Look,” I continue, softening my tone. “I know what you’re thinking. But Lizzy isn’t like anyone else in this business. She’s genuine. She’s not interested in the spotlight—she’s just an artist who’s more comfortable in her studio than on a red carpet.”
Art interlocks his fingers and places them on the table as I continue.
“I’m also not going to stop being friends with Carrie. You all know she was never my girlfriend to begin with. That publicity stunt got way out of hand. Carrie has been there for me through some tough times. She asked me for a favor and made a good point about it being good publicity for both of us. That’s it.
“Now. If you’d prefer, I could just finish filming The Treehouse, and then go on my merry way. I’ve also been thinking about what I could do if this doesn’t work out.”
“Oh? And what would that be?”
“Starting my own production company.”
My words unexpectedly cut through the air. I hadn’t planned on saying that out loud. It’s been nothing more than a vague thought in the back of my mind, but now that it’s out there, I can’t take it back.
His eyebrows shoot up to his receding hairline. “Is that so?”
“Yep.” I cross my arms over my chest, confident in my decision. “I’ve got the capital. I’ve got the connections. And I’ve got the passion. If you guys don’t want to give me a shot, I’ll just go make my own movies.”
David and Jeffery exchange another look, but Art’s expression remains unreadable.
“Interesting,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “I had no idea you were considering such a drastic move.”
My heart races as I shrug. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while. The directors gig with Paramount would be ideal, of course, but it’s not my only option.”
Art studies me for a long moment before nodding slowly. “Well, then. I suppose we should get down to business, shouldn’t we?”
For the next hour, we discuss the details of the current project, what to expect going forward, and how to spin my relationship with Lizzy to our favor.
By the time we’re wrapping up, I can tell they’re still not completely sold, but they’re willing to give me a shot.
As I walk out of the building, my phone buzzes in my pocket. When I see who’s calling, I answer immediately.
“Evo. Everything okay?”
“Technically,” he says, voice tight. “But we’ve got a situation. Some paparazzi recognized Lizzy at the Walk of Fame. Things got a little heated.”
