SIX
Bella
It’s 2:50 pm and I’m not even close to finished with the press junket which was supposed to finish before lunch.
Disaster!
I haven’t even had time to get to my phone to call Will and let him know. He’s going to think I’m blowing him off, or I never intended to see him.
The guy interviewing me sniffs and looks down at his phone. “And what will your next project be, Ms Owens?”
I thought Roksana went over this with all the reps to save me answering this one a hundred times. I cast a look over at her, but she has her head down, typing something on her laptop and hasn’t heard.
With a sigh, I look back at my interviewer. “Well I’m taking a short break from filming, now that ‘Starblade’ has released. I’ve been sent some exciting new options and I’m weighing up which role is going to be the best fit for me right now. I’m excited to spend some time in London as well and connect with my fans. It’s been a great opportunity for me, having never been to the UK before.”
The interviewer grunts. “What about your love life? Rumors say you’re back together with Austin Kane, and I’ve even heard speculation that you’re engaged.”
I stare at him for a moment. Engaged? That’s a new one. “Ah, no. I’m afraid those are only rumors.”
He looks put out. “So you’re not back with Austin?”
I just smile. I hate it when they try to bait me to talk about this. I’ve worked with Austin on many films, and I’m sure we’ll work together in future, though I’d rather not. In this industry, it’s almost unavoidable when you get as big as we both are. So I hate saying anything bad about him in the press, but I also hate the way he seems perfectly happy to spread information about me that’s blatantly untrue. “Perhaps you have some other questions about ‘Starblade’?” I say sweetly.
Roksana looks up. “Yes, final question. I’m afraid we’re running behind schedule.”
Where was that ten minutes ago? I sigh, but there’s no point complaining. This junket is a huge part of why I flew to London in the first place for the British debut of the movie.
The interviewer clears his throat. “No. No more questions, then. Thank you.” He gets up to leave, and Roksana hands him the press package and shakes his hand.
“It was lovely to meet you, Ms. Owens,” he says.
“Likewise.”
He’s escorted out of the hotel suite. I take the opportunity for a sip of water while the next one comes in. I’m famished, but there wasn’t time to stop for lunch.
I almost choke at the sight of Will being ushered in, a sheepish look on his face. He has a bunch of pretty flowers in his hands. “Sorry,” he mouths to me.
Roksana takes the flowers. “So lovely. Let me just get these into a vase.” She bustles away and I lean close. “No, I'm sorry. I couldn’t call, but this is taking so long. I thought it would be done by now.”
His cloudy expression clears into a look of understanding and he seems to relax a little. Did he think I invited him here for this? I feel terrible.
I’m about to say more, when Roksana comes back. “If we could be quite quick, Mr...?”
“Preston.”
“Yes. Mr. Preston. What network did you say you were from again? I can’t seem to find you on my list.”
He looks desperately at me, but I’ve got nothing. I haven’t told Roksana I’m going on a date this afternoon. It was all so spontaneous, and I know she’d tell me it’s a bad idea. I’m not really ready to let anyone know about my impulsive decision to hit on this guy. Not until I at least know if he’s interested or just being polite. His message suggested he’s genuinely interested, but that’s before he sees the girl beneath the fame. The real me.
Most people run a mile!
Roksana is still looking expectantly at Will.
“Ah, Bad Wolf magazine.”
She makes a face, but writes it in her notes and returns to her seat.
Will sits down and we look at each other for a long, awkward moment.
I’d love to tell him what I’m really feeling. How I’m longing to let him take me out of here and escape to someplace we could be alone. I can’t, though. So I just wait for him to ask me something.
Eventually, he coughs. “Ah, so, Ms. Owens. Did you um... did you like working on the film?” His searching look suggests he’s trying to read if this was the right sort of question to ask, so I give him a bright smile. “I certainly did.”
Seemingly reassured, he continues. “And would you like to do it again? Work with this director, I mean?”
“Well, this was my first time working with this director, but I’m very excited to ah...to work with them again. To see more of them .” I give him an intense look; I hope he’s picking up what I’m putting down.
Roksana looks around at my strange wording, but says nothing.
Will blinks. “I see. And what will you be working on after this?”
Roksana chooses this moment to butt in. “Ms. Owens is really more interested in talking about—”
“It’s OK. I’m happy to answer,” I tell her.
She gives me an odd look.
I turn back to Will. “I’m actually taking a little break after this.”
When his brows raise, I give him a tiny nod.
He smiles. “Well, thank you, Ms. Owens. My readers at Bad Wolf will be delighted to hear that.”
“They will?” Roksana murmurs.
When Will leaves, I turn to her. “How many more?”
She looks at the list. “One. Unless any more turn up who aren’t on my list. That last one was very strange. At least he was quick.”
I can only laugh.
Somehow I make it through the final interview. I’m sure I give the worst answers to the poor young woman’s questions because I make them all as short as I can manage. I try to give her a smile when she gets up to leave, so she knows I’m not angry with her or anything.
When I poke my head into the other room, the crew are still packing up tables and press kits. There’s bustle everywhere, but no sign of Will.
My heart sinks a little.
What if he didn’t pick up on my message to wait around? In another, smaller room, one of my costars is finishing with her last interview. I can hear the quiet sound of their conversation.
Come to think of it, the male voice of the interviewer is deep and familiar.
I giggle to myself. Poor Will. Did he get roped into doing all the interviews?
I sneak closer to have a look.
My costar, Prana, is facing away from the door, so she doesn’t see me. Over her shoulder, Will throws me a pleading look.
I jerk my head toward the exit, hoping he understands.
I’m just about to make good my escape when Roksana’s voice calls to me across the busy living area. “We’re due to go over the new scripts that arrived last week,” she calls.
I turn with a smile pasted on my face. “I want to stretch my legs for a minute first. I won’t be long. Why don’t you get something to eat?”
Not waiting for her answer, I duck out the door and into the long carpeted hallway of the hotel.
I just have to hope Will can extract himself from the interview and he knows I’m waiting to see him.