Chapter 13 #2
I turn off speaker and put the phone up to my ear, not particularly wanting Quint to hear whatever my publicist has to say.
“Hi.”
“Aurelia. What is going on with you? Are you having some sort of late-twenties crisis or something? You know, I might even be able to spin that one. I hear that’s all the rage.
Take a break from LA, come back refreshed and ready to accept a gold statue.
Did you see what Annie Kennedy did after her year off?
Major career breakthrough. Mark my words, she’s going to win Best Actress. ”
“Hold up. I’m not having any sort of crisis.
” Well, at least not the kind she’s talking about.
“I just needed a break from Hollywood and some peace and quiet before filming starts. I figured Hollow Hills would be the perfect place for a reset. Plus I can get to know the place before we start filming.”
“That was a good idea, but you really should have shared that information with me. I could have spun this before someone else got ahold of the story. ‘Hardworking Aurelia Lane. Dedicated to her job. Stepping into the shoes of some real cowboys to really get into character.’ Instead, you’re seen running around with one of the cowboys. ”
“I’m not running around with him. We’re just friends.”
I pace over to peer into the kitchen. Quint is sitting at the table, staring out the window. I follow his gaze to the gorgeous green pasture to see a brown horse lunging at a spotted one. The spotted one kicks up its heels and they both go racing across the field. These horses are winning at life.
“Uh-huh. Well, that’s not what everyone thinks now.”
“What does it matter what everyone thinks?” I spin my ring around my finger on repeat.
She laughs. “Oh, honey, you know better than anyone how much it matters what the press and the fans think. They can make or break your career. And currently, yours is broken. I can fix it. That’s why you hired me. But I can only do it if you trust me and listen to me.”
“She’s right, you need to let her in. Let her fix this,” Belinda chimes in, and when the two of them present a united front, I know I’ve got no chance of getting out of whatever scheme they’ve got planned.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever she’s about to propose.
“Here’s what I see.” I can almost picture Janine holding her hands out in front of her like she’s setting the scene. She leans into the dramatics. I’m honestly surprised she never pursued a career in acting herself.
But she seems to prefer manipulating the lives of everyone around her, and she’s damn good at it.
“Everyone thinks you’re dating this cowboy, so that’s what you’re going to do.”
My heartbeat picks up and the sick feeling in my stomach intensifies. I don’t like where this is going at all.
“No.”
“Aurelia, you need to listen to me. It’s perfect.
We start with the truth. Every story works better if it begins with a thread of truth.
You moved out to Balsam Grove early to get to know the family, the ranch, the horses.
You needed a break from the chaos. Secretly, you’ve always been a country girl.
Love nature, the peace and quiet. Well, wouldn’t you know.
You fell for this boy. What’s his name again? Quinton?”
“Quint.” The man himself looks back when I say his name, but I shake my head and point at the phone.
“Right, Quint, that’s a good strong name.
Well, you met him. We’ll make up a good meet cute story.
” Already got one of those, but I’m not sure I want Janine spilling it by sharing it with the world.
“And you fell for each other immediately. It’s the ‘opposites attract’ of it all.
Everyone loves a celebrity falling for a nobody.
We’ll paint him as sweet, wholesome, and head over heels for you. It’ll sell. The people will love it.”
I walk back to my room, not wanting Quint to overhear us talking about him like he’s just a pawn to be moved at our will.
“I can’t ask him that, Janine. He’s not a star. He has no idea how this all works. How common these PR ‘relationships’ are.” I hold up the air quotes even though there’s no one to see me. “Back me up, Belinda.”
“I’m sorry, but I think she’s right. This will go a long way toward repairing your image. Everyone sees you as the woman who drove Brad away, ended their favorite show early. This will paint you in a brand-new light. They want to love you, they’re just confused right now. You can win them back.”
Right, because it wasn’t a cheating boyfriend and a toxic work environment that drove me away. I’m just that bitch.
“Not like this. There’s got to be another way. I can’t involve him in my drama.”
“Well, why don’t you ask him before you say no. He’s an adult, capable of making his own decisions. If he says no, we can work on another solution. But let him be the one who decides. We can even arrange payment to sweeten the deal.”
Oh, great, so now she wants him to be my paid escort. Just when I thought I might be able to have some kind of normal friendship.
“Do I have a choice?”
“Of course. There’s always a choice, hon. But honestly, there’s only so much more I can do for you. Your career is failing, and if this thing gets out of control it’ll blow the remains of it into pieces too tiny for even me to reassemble. So I suggest you think long and hard before you say no.”
And on that reassuring note… “Fine. I’ll ask, but if he says no, that’s it. We’ll find another way.”
“Excellent. Go talk to him and call me back right away. I’ll need to start planning immediately. Set the gears into motion.”
Click. Janine disappears from the call, leaving me alone with Belinda.
“I think this will be good. Go talk to him. You can call me back first and then we’ll face Janine together,” Belinda says, but right now I’m not so sure she is on my side.
I hang up, walking a few tight circles around my room before I venture out toward the kitchen. Evey step feels like my socks are made of lead, and I have to force my feet forward.
Quint is still staring out the window. The sun is shining on his face, highlighting his wide lips and long lashes.
He’s freshly shaved, no hint of the scruff he sometimes sports.
Have I occasionally imagined what that would feel like between my thighs?
Maybe, but that’s not what this is about.
Especially not if I’m going to be paying him.
Pursuing my attraction then would be a terrible idea.
“Hey, Quint, can we talk?”