Chapter 13
I stare at my phone screen, my thumb hovering over the share button. If the post were just about me, I wouldn’t second-guess pressing it, but this involves someone else. A woman I want to protect at all costs.
After Karina sent over the photos she received from Antonio, I wanted Mallory to make the final call on which photos were seen publicly, so I texted all of them to her.
Well, almost all of them.
There was one photo in particular I saved on my phone just for me. The picture where I’m hugging her from behind and looking at her with the kind of adoration and chemistry you can’t write into a movie script—the real kind. Mallory is laughing in it, and she seems truly happy.
The world doesn’t deserve to see that photo.
And, quite honestly, if Mallory saw it, the depth of my feelings for her would be obvious, and I’m not ready for that yet.
She might believe I’m only a good actor.
But I’m sure if she knew how I truly feel, she’d back out of our agreement and never look back.
Mallory made it abundantly clear that she had no interest in dating me when we discussed the terms of our contract.
I need to give her time to believe my intentions are pure before I lay everything on the table.
After Mallory selected her five favorite photos, I sent those to Karina this morning to send to the tabloids, along with the story we came up with.
Now, I’m staring at the picture of us that Mallory and I agreed to post as our couple announcement on social media.
It’s one of the first ones we took where we’re holding hands, and her free hand is wrapped around my arm.
While she’s looking at the camera, I’m looking at her with a tilted grin and a warm look in my eyes that translates even through the photo.
The caption I wrote is simple.
My leading lady [red heart emoji].
Hopefully, it won’t leave any room for speculation about who I’m dating. Once the story of how we met and fate brought us together, not once but twice, is shared in the media, the narrative will be abundantly clear: Mallory is my girl.
With a shaky breath, knowing Mallory’s life is about to change, I press share and text Mallory.
ME
Hey, just wanted to let you know the post is live. You’ll need to accept the collaborator position in your direct messages.
MALLORY
I accepted it.
I pause and bite my lip. The need to check on her is there, but I’m not sure if she’ll appreciate it.
I shake my head. She should know that I care enough to make sure she’s okay.
ME
How are you feeling about this?
MALLORY
I’m a little terrified, but seeing as I have an entire security team out front, I think I’ll be okay.
ME
But how are YOU feeling?
MALLORY
You mean about the fact that my life is about to change forever?
I can imagine her scoffing and rolling her eyes as clearly as if she were right in front of me.
MALLORY
I don’t fully know what to expect, but I can deal with anything for a while.
Especially knowing there’s an end in sight.
Her words are a slap to the face. I wish that even an ounce of her was doing this because she felt the pull of attraction or feelings toward me still. I’d even take something smaller than an ounce. An atom. A dust particle. Just some tiny semblance of hope to hold onto.
But, as of now, the outlook is grim, a dark cloud hovering and threatening a downpour at any moment.
I click on the notifications icon—it’s already flooded with thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. They range from people saying they knew it and offering congratulations to those saying hateful things about Mallory wrecking my “relationship” with Brittany.
I want to respond to those comments, letting them know that was all smoke, that the only girl who has ever had any kind of grasp on my heart is the one in the photo, but my agent taught me early on that replying to comments was a slippery slope that would only lead to more hate.
Ones that would not paint me in a positive light and could be a reason I don’t get auditions.
I’ve just exited the app when a familiar face—a man with messily styled dark-blond hair and a cheesy smile—pops up on my screen with an incoming call.
Most of the world knows him as country music sensation, Rhett Hayes.
As for me, I just call him my best friend.
I slide my thumb across the screen, answering the call. “Hey, man.”
“Hey, man? That’s all you have to say?” Rhett scoffs. “No explanation for the fact that I just discovered you’re finally dating your dream girl after all these years, from a social media post rather than from you?”
“Sorry, dude. Let’s just say a lot has happened in the last week.”
“I’d say so.”
“I ran into Mallory over the weekend, and some locals took pictures that ended up in the tabloids.” I sigh. “Now, I’m paying her to be my fake girlfriend.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Rhett sounds like a true Southern man, his accent thick and pronounced over the phone. “It’s not real?”
“It is for me.”
“Oh, no. You’ve got it bad, don’t you?”
“You have no idea, bro.” I run a hand over my chin and dive in, explaining everything that’s happened over the past four days.
Once I’ve finished, Rhett blows out a low whistle. “You’re in big trouble.”
I let out a mirthless laugh. “Yeah, you’re telling me.”
“Why do you think it’s only real for you?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” I sigh. “I apologized and explained how I lost her number, but she still acts like she wants nothing to do with me.”
Rhett clucks his tongue. “Man, it sucks that she hates you after you’ve been pining over her for three years.”
“Way to kick a man when he’s down.”
“Hey, I’m just trying to empathize with you.”
“Try harder,” I joke, trying to ignore the sting of his words. Words that are true but burn like salt on an open wound.
“Do I need to play you a sad song? I’ve been working on one—”
“I don’t need one of your tragic country songs. I need Mallory to fall hopelessly in love with me.”
“Or at least like you,” Rhett says.
“What’s wrong with you, man?”
“You’re the one who said you love how honest Mallory is. I’m shooting it straight.”
“It’s okay when Mallory does it because she challenges me. And, well, because she’s gorgeous.”
“You don’t think I’m pretty?” Rhett pouts.
“Go get compliments from all your female fans. I’m sure they’d love to boost your ego.”
“You know that I hate all the attention from fans.”
“I do know. It’s why we’re best friends.”
“Aww,” Rhett gushes. “Bro, I’m your best friend?”
“Maybe not anymore.” I smile, rolling my eyes.
“You love me. We’re going to be best friends forever. So, don’t let me find out about your engagement on social media next time, okay? I wanna meet her first, too.”
“Maybe you can meet her sometime. And we won’t be getting engaged anytime soon, trust me. It’s fake, remember?”
“I have a good feeling about this,” Rhett says, sounding optimistic. “I’ll write you a love song you can play and say it was commissioned just for her. Girls love that.”
“I’m not sure if that’s Mallory’s thing.”
“Well, just know that the offer’s on the table.”
“Thanks, man.” I glance at the time on my phone, and my eyes widen. “Shoot, I have to go pick Granny up from her physical therapy appointment.”
“I’ll catch you later, bro. Tell Granny and Mallory hi for me.”
“Will do. Later.”
Driving to Granny’s doctor’s office, I run through ideas for fun winter activities I can do with Mallory. If there’s one thing that’s become clear, it’s this: I need to up my game.
MALLORY
I’m freaking out!!
ME
What’s wrong?
MALLORY
My family wants to have you over for dinner tonight. We don’t have to go.
And by “we don’t have to go,” I mean that we shouldn’t go.
ME
I’m so there, it’s insane.
MALLORY
She’s the Man? I didn’t think that was your kind of movie.
ME
It’s highly underrated.
I’m surprised you know it.
MALLORY
My friend, Shayna, is obsessed with all things romance. So, I think I’ve seen every rom-com known to man at least twice.
ME
Even A Chance Romance and Accidentally in Matrimony?
MALLORY
Shay wouldn’t dare make me watch those.
We’re solidarity sisters.
ME
So, my only acting you’ve seen is my commercial? *face with peeking eye emoji*
MALLORY
Yep, your true claim to fame.
ME
Wonderful.
Also, nice try.
MALLORY
***
ME
Trying to distract me from the fact that we’re going to have dinner with your family.
MALLORY
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
ME
Let me know what time!
MALLORY
Fine. I’ll pick you up at five.
ME
Can’t wait!
“Are you ready?” Mallory puts her car in park.
I glance over at her trembling hands. “I think the real question is, are you ready?”
She sighs. “I have to be.”
“But you aren’t.” That much is obvious. I wish I could reach over and take her shaking fingers in mine to steady her.
“No, but they’d be suspicious if I declined a dinner invite.”
“What has you worried? I thought you were close with your family.”
“That’s why I’m anxious.” She frowns. “It feels awful lying to them.”
I nod in understanding. “I hate lying to my parents and Granny, too. I can check with Karina to see if we can amend the NDA, if that would make things easier for you.”
Mallory turns sideways in the seat to look at me. “You’d do that?”
“For you? Anything.” I’m not sure if she catches the true meaning behind my words, but it’s there, nonetheless.
She taps her fingers on the center console. “That’s kind of you to offer, but I feel like we’re too far in for me to change our story now. Telling them this is all fake would only confuse them.”
“As long as you’re sure. You can still back out at any time,” I offer, hoping she won’t take me up on it.
Mallory shakes her head. “No, I can do this.” She starts to open her door.
“Hold on, I’ll get that for you.” I hop out of the car and jog over to the driver’s side, opening it for her.
“I can open my own door.”
“Not when I’m around.”
She steps onto the driveway and mumbles, “Thanks.”