Chapter 6
6
K ate’s mind raced as she tried to make sense of the events that had unfolded. She had always admired Vanessa from afar, but never in her wildest dreams did she think she would end up sharing a passionate kiss with her.
Her heart still pounded in her chest as she sat down on Vanessa’s sofa, trying to calm herself down. She barely had time to process the kiss that she’d been crazy enough to initiate, for appearances sake, never mind the kiss that Vanessa had started before they’d gotten into Vanessa’s car. That had completely taken her by surprise.
Kate couldn’t help but replay those moments in her mind. The way Vanessa had looked at her, the way their lips had met, and the electric energy that had coursed through her body. The way Vanessa had taken control, pinning her against the car door… It was all so surreal.
She knew that they’d just been putting on a show for that photographer, but it was hard for Kate to remember that after the way that Vanessa had kissed her.
Kate closed her eyes for a second, trying to steady her heart rate. Up until this point, she’d just been focused on getting to safety. She couldn’t think about the kiss when they were being aggressively chased. She couldn’t think about anything other than getting to safety.
“Hold on,” Vanessa had said, her voice surprisingly steady as she accelerated through a yellow light. The car’s engine roared as they weaved through traffic, taking sharp turns down side streets Kate hadn’t known existed.
Kate couldn’t tell her that she lived only ten minutes away from the restaurant, because she knew that Vanessa would want to get back here, to the safety of her own home.
And even though she was safe in Vanessa’s living room, Kate’s hands still trembled. She’d seen paparazzi encounters in movies, but experiencing one firsthand had been terrifying. Her heart rate was only now returning to normal.
The reality of her new life hit her. This would become her normal too. Photographers hiding in bushes, car chases through the city, every moment of intimacy potentially captured and splashed across tabloid pages. Kate’s chest tightened at the thought.
Vanessa’s heels clicked against the hardwood floor as she entered the living room, her phone illuminating her face. “He’s still out there. Sitting in his car at the end of the driveway.”
Kate’s shoulders tensed. The photographer’s persistence made this all too real, although thankfully, Vanessa’s home was secure. The driveway was long and windy and the tall electronic gates at the foot of it would mean there was no chance of him making it any further.
“I need a drink. Would you like one?” Vanessa’s composed voice cut through Kate’s spiraling thoughts.
“I’ll have whatever you’re having.” Kate watched as Vanessa left the room.
Kate stared at the pristine white walls of Vanessa’s living room, her mind drifting to tomorrow’s headlines. The photos would be everywhere . Splashed across gossip sites, social media, and tabloid covers. Their kiss in that alley would be the top entertainment story of the day, dissected and analyzed by millions. Their kisses. Kate swallowed. Those two moments would be all over the internet tomorrow.
Her throat tightened. But this was exactly what they’d planned. What Elliot had wanted for Vanessa. Yes, the timeline had just been accelerated, but it was what they’d wanted.
And yet…
The memory of Vanessa’s lips against hers, the way her hands had gripped Kate’s waist… None of that had felt manufactured. Kate’s skin tingled at the memory of her touch.
But she couldn’t let herself get lost in those thoughts. This arrangement wasn’t about her growing attraction to Vanessa. It was about taking control of her own story. After years of dodging questions about her dating life and carefully monitoring every word she said in interviews, she would finally be free. No more vague answers about “the right person.” No more attending events with male co-stars to generate buzz. No more lying.
Kate ran her fingers through her hair, trying to ground herself in the present moment. By this time tomorrow, everyone would know, and she’d finally be living her truth.
Her gaze drifted to the doorway where Vanessa had disappeared. The sound of ice clinking against glass drifted from the kitchen.
Vanessa returned, two crystal tumblers in hand, amber liquid catching the warm light from the table lamps. She extended one to Kate. Their fingers brushed during the exchange, sending a current through Kate’s arm.
“Thank you.” Kate lifted the glass to her lips, the whiskey’s warmth spreading across her tongue.
As Kate sipped her drink, Vanessa wandered over to the large glass windows overlooking the city, her posture relaxed yet somehow still exuding an aura of tension. “Well, that should give the tabloids something to talk about for a while.” Her voice was casual, as if she were commenting on the weather rather than their intense encounter.
Kate’s throat constricted. That kiss—those kisses—had been anything but casual for her. She took another sip of her drink, welcoming the burn as it slid down her throat. She could still feel Vanessa’s hands on her body, still taste her lips. But Vanessa seemed completely unaffected by it all. Unmoved.
“Elliot will be pleased,” Vanessa continued, turning back towards Kate with a slight smile. “We certainly delivered.”
Her words landed like a bucket of cold water on Kate’s simmering thoughts. She suddenly felt foolish, realizing that for Vanessa, their kisses had been nothing more than a business transaction. A means to an end.
Kate’s stomach twisted. This was a job for Vanessa. She had to remind herself of that. The passionate, all-consuming moment in the alley was just another performance for her. One that Kate had agreed to.
Kate berated herself inwardly for getting carried away, for thinking there could be something more between them. Her shoulders stiffened as she kept her gaze on Vanessa, searching for any hint of something beyond professional distance in her eyes. But Vanessa remained composed, her face illuminated by the warm glow of the lamps, her expression inscrutable.
“We did.” Kate forced a tight smile, her voice unwavering despite the lump in her throat. She took another sip of her drink, relishing the burn that washed away the taste of Vanessa’s lips from her mouth. She wouldn’t let herself think about how soft they’d been. “I imagine Elliot will want to have another meeting. You know, adjust the timeline.”
Vanessa inclined her head, her eyes holding a glint of amusement. “He definitely will. He’s not used to having someone else call the shots.” She settled into an armchair across from her. “We’ll still want to keep things believable without being too... dramatic.”
Too dramatic. Like pinning someone against a car and kissing them senseless? Kate pushed the thought away. That had just been Vanessa ensuring the photographer got the perfect shot, nothing more.
“Right.” Kate cleared her throat, embracing the role of professional actress discussing scene parameters.
Kate watched as Vanessa lifted the crystal tumbler to her lips, taking a slow, deliberate sip. The amber liquid caught the light, creating tiny prisms that danced across Vanessa’s throat as she swallowed.
The silence stretched between them for a few seconds while Vanessa’s eyes traced over Kate’s features, her gaze thoughtful and penetrating. Kate’s skin prickled under the intensity of her scrutiny.
“Are you happy?” Vanessa’s question pierced the quiet. “By this time tomorrow, the whole world will know you’re not straight.”
Kate tried to keep her expression neutral, but inside, her emotions were all over the place. She wanted to be happy about her impending freedom, but the events of the night kept replaying in her mind, blurring the lines between their arrangement and her true feelings.
“I am.” Her voice was steady, but her heart hammered in her chest. “I wanted to come out on my own terms, and this—” She gestured between them, warming to the topic as she continued, “—this solves my problem too. So yes, I’m happy about that.”
Kate took another sip of her drink, welcoming the burn as the whiskey slid down her throat. She was determined to focus on the positives. Tomorrow, she would wake up to headlines about her and Vanessa, and she would be out to the entire world.
As Kate set her glass down, Vanessa’s eyes remained locked on hers, as if searching for something beneath the surface. “Listen, Kate. I want to apologize.”
Kate’s muscles tensed. Was Vanessa rethinking this?
“Tomorrow, your problem will be solved. One day of headlines and it’s done. But my... situation.” Vanessa paused, her fingers trailing along the rim of her glass. “That’s going to take longer to fix. The headlines about Lauren and Ruby won’t disappear overnight.”
The knot in Kate’s chest loosened slightly. This wasn’t about the kiss at all.
“I know you agreed to this arrangement, but I just want to say that you’re giving more than you’re getting.” Vanessa’s gaze met Kate’s, earnest and direct. “You’ll have to keep up appearances with me for weeks, maybe months, just to help salvage my image. I want you to know how grateful I am for that.”
Kate’s throat tightened. If Vanessa only knew that spending time with her wasn’t a hardship at all. That pretending to be attracted to her wouldn’t require any acting on Kate’s part.
“You don’t need to thank me,” Kate managed. “We’re helping each other. Being seen with you, for however long, helps me too. That wasn’t just some drunken kiss. This is real.” Kate blinked before she cleared her throat. “I mean, people will think this is real.”
Kate’s heart sank at how easily Vanessa discussed their arrangement, but then she caught something in the older woman’s expression. A slight tremor in her fingers as she set down her glass. The way her gaze dropped to Kate’s lips for the briefest moment before darting away.
“Real.” Vanessa repeated the word, her voice dropping lower. “You know, you were very convincing back there.”
The air between them crackled with unspoken tension. Kate’s skin tingled as Vanessa’s eyes met hers again, this time with an intensity that made her breath catch. There was something different in her gaze now. A flicker of vulnerability that hadn’t been there before.
“So were you,” Kate said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Vanessa stood and walked towards the kitchen, her tumbler empty now, but Kate didn’t think that was the only reason she was leaving the room. The weight of their conversation seemed to hang heavy in the air, stifling the space between them.
As Vanessa’s footsteps faded, Kate let out a slow breath. She rose from the sofa, needing to move, and wandered towards the windows, drawn to the dazzling view of the city skyline. She focused on the bright lights in the distance. In the reflection of the glass, she caught a glimpse of Vanessa returning with the bottle of whiskey. Kate turned, looking over her shoulder, just as Vanessa lifted her eyes to meet Kate’s in the reflection.
Their eyes locked, and for a fleeting moment, something passed between them. Kate saw it in the subtle softening of Vanessa’s features, the way her eyes warmed with a hint of unspoken understanding. Or perhaps it was something Kate wanted to see.
As quickly as it happened, the moment was gone. Vanessa blinked, the flicker of vulnerability vanishing, and her expression closed off once more.
She refilled Kate’s glass, their fingers brushing again as Vanessa handed it to her.
Vanessa pulled out her phone again. “He’s still parked out there.” Her thumb swiped across the screen as she cycled through different camera views. “You should stay here tonight,” Vanessa said as she looked up. “It would look strange if you left now anyway.” She set her phone on the coffee table, face down. “There’s a guest room at the top of the stairs. First door on the left.”
Of course, it made sense. What new couple wouldn’t spend the night together after such a public display of affection? If that photographer was still there in the morning, he’d get another shot of them leaving together too.
“That’s probably smart.” Kate gripped her glass tighter, hoping her voice wouldn’t betray the flutter in her chest. “I don’t have anything with me though.”
“I can lend you something to sleep in.” Vanessa’s eyes left hers as she sat down again. “And there’s a new toothbrush in the guest bathroom.”
“Thank you.” Kate looked away for a second. “For letting me stay.” She searched Vanessa’s face for any hint of reluctance, but found none.
“It’s the least I can do after tonight.” Vanessa held her gaze. “Are you okay?”
Kate nodded slowly. “Yes. Obviously shaken, but...” She trailed off. “I’m just glad you were driving, honestly. And that we made it here safely.”
“I always used to have a driver, but over the years I’ve gotten out of the habit. I like the freedom of driving myself. Although it comes with its own risks.” Vanessa’s voice was steady, but her eyes held a hint of concern.
Kate took a deep breath. “There really wasn’t time to say anything, but I live only ten minutes away from the restaurant.”
Vanessa’s expression softened. “I’m sorry. I should’ve asked. And I’m sorry that it’s already gotten like this. I thought we’d have a few quiet weeks before any real paparazzi threats.”
Kate waved off the apology. “You don’t need to apologize. I knew what I was getting into.” Even as she said the words, she wasn’t sure if she believed them. Yes, she had agreed to the fake relationship, but she hadn’t anticipated the danger of it all. “And I was the one who decided to give that photographer something.”
“Still.” Vanessa’s voice was insistent. “I want to make it up to you. Starting with making sure you have proper security at your place. Unless you already have it?”
Kate’ shook her head. “I just have the very basics. I haven’t lived there that long and until now, I haven’t had a need for it.”
“Okay. I’ll have my security team do an assessment and get a solid system put in.”
“Thank you,” Kate said softly, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension.
Vanessa’s gaze held hers, and for a moment, Kate saw something other than the confident movie star she’d always admired. She saw a woman who had been hurt, who was still reeling from the betrayal of her partner, and who was now doing her best to pick up the pieces.
Vanessa nodded before she stood up. “I’ll go find you something to wear.”
Kate watched Vanessa disappear up the stairs to get her something to sleep in. The enormity of what lay ahead crashed over her. Weeks, maybe months of this, of being close to Vanessa while maintaining professional distance. Of pretending their touches and glances meant nothing when they set her skin ablaze.
This arrangement had seemed so simple when Elliot first proposed it. A mutually beneficial solution to both their problems. But now, with the taste of Vanessa’s lips still lingering on hers and a whole night ahead in the guest room just down the hall from her, Kate realized just how complicated things had become.