Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
LIAM
A s our limo pulls up to the Chinese Theater, Chloe’s eyes are wide, taking in the sea of people.
“I don’t know if this is a good idea.” She turns to me, her voice tight. Her fingernails dig in hard to the black leather seat, like a cat who just realized it’s about to be dropped into a bathtub.
I understand her hesitation. There is no going back from here. Do I really want a girlfriend? Even though it’s not real, it’s still a distraction.
Doubts swirled around my mind this morning, but one look at my mother and I knew it’s the right thing. She needs peace. She deserves it.
Plus, this could be fun , I tell myself. Chloe is chewing on her lower lip. Her intense concern is cute, and I relax.
“It’s too late, sweetie .” I grin at her. “They’re gonna love you.” I take her hand as the driver opens my door.
I hear a cacophony of people calling my name.
“Liam, who’s your lucky lady?” a man’s voice calls from the crowd.
Chloe emerges from the limo behind me and tries to straighten her gown. It’s a lacy, black sequin dress that hugs her curves in all the right places. The plunging neckline reveals her milky cleavage and a slit all the way up her thigh shows off her long, sexy legs. I was impressed that the stylists convinced her to wear this dress and I plan to tip them especially well.
I decide that I am going to enjoy this business arrangement.
Chloe is absolutely exquisite apart from her worried expression. I lean in close to her so she can hear me over the crowd. “Remember to smile.”
She forces a smile on cue, and I squeeze her hand as I lead her up the red carpet, both of us showing off our plastered-on grins. It’s after seven o’clock but it’s still light out and I’m grateful we don’t have blinding camera lights flashing in our faces. The limelight is not something I relish, but I’ve gotten good at playing the game.
We stand in front of the media banner for a few photos. I pull Chloe in close to me, my arm around her waist. I notice she feels stiff, and her smile looks especially plastic as she scans the crowd, clearly overwhelmed.
I put my mouth close to her ear. “Chloe, you’re doing great,” I reassure her. “And you are hands down the most gorgeous woman here.”
Her eyes snap to mine, searching my face, looking more confused than anything now. It’s not the reaction I was hoping for.
“You look especially beautiful when you smile.” I grin and raise my eyebrows, reminding her of her job. She mouths “oh” and complies by perking up the corners of her berry red lips.
With spots in my eyes from the camera flashes, I pull Chloe through the crowd. The executive movie producer, Bill, stops me to chat for a minute. It’s the third horror movie I’ve financed for him, and he’s delivered every time. Tonight’s vampire flick, Neck Bite , should be the most lucrative yet.
I notice Chloe studying Bill’s feet, clad in his signature flip-flops, contrasting with his expensive suit. He’s the brilliant creative and eccentric type and, when you’ve made as much money as he has, you can wear whatever footwear you want on the red carpet.
“Bill, this is my girlfriend, Chloe,” I introduce her with pride, my hand on her bare back.
“You must be special to get this guy to commit, Chloe.” Bill chuckles, shaking her hand before running it through what hair he has left on top of his head.
Chloe laughs nervously. “I try my best.” She shrugs, her cheeks turning rosy. Her embarrassment is totally unnecessary but very adorable. I rub my thumb gently across the bare skin on her back, trying to comfort her.
“Liam!” A female voice calls out. Suddenly, a reporter is pushing a microphone in my face, a camera guy behind her with a huge rig on his shoulder.
I’ve known the reporter, Susan, for years——a blonde woman who has obviously had some work done on her nose, lips, maybe other things. She’s a brash yet highly effective reporter for an entertainment news outlet.
“Tell us who your mystery woman is!” she exclaims, delighted that I brought a date. Bill chuckles and excuses himself.
“Good to see you, Susan. This is Chloe Middleton, my girlfriend.” I give my best grin.
Chloe glances at me, perhaps surprised I know Susan. To her, this is an alien world.
“Chloe, how did you meet Liam?” Susan shoves the microphone in Chloe’s face, and I clench my jaw, irritated at her for shifting the focus to Chloe.
Chloe is a deer in headlights. “We, um…”
“Met online,” I explain.
“You’ve been a notoriously single bachelor, Liam.” The microphone is back in my face. “What made you want a relationship now?”
I look at Chloe and our eyes lock. As I consider Susan’s question, I take in Chloe's expression. She looks vulnerable, clearly out of her comfort zone, and an unexpected urge to comfort her washes over me.
Instead, I hold her gaze and answer the reporter's question. "Being with Chloe felt genuine," I say. "I can't imagine being with anyone else." The moment stretches between us, unexpectedly intimate despite the crowd around us.
“Excuse us,” I cut off Susan before she can ask anything more. I grab Chloe’s hand and lead her inside the movie palace. I say brief hellos to a few friends we pass before we take our seats in the auditorium.
I watch Chloe as she looks around in awe, her lips parted. An ornate chandelier illuminates the spectacular ceiling with a starburst design encircled by dragons and other Chinese characters. Oriental murals are illuminated between intricately carved marble columns flanking the auditorium.
The theater is stunning, but I take advantage of the moment to watch Chloe. She is exquisite, her green eyes taking in the space, her brown hair swept up into a sophisticated twisted low bun that reveals her long, beautiful neck. She notices me staring after a minute and smiles nervously, the dimple in her right cheek making an appearance.
“Thank you for bringing me. This is amazing.”
I smile, aware that most of the night has been painfully uncomfortable for her so far. “You’re a good sport.” I take her hand in mine again and notice her surprise. She glances around at others taking their seats. The lights are still up, and eyes are on us. She exhales, as though realizing our audience is the reason for my affection. Of course, it is.
“Well, I may not be such a good sport when I duck out of the movie,” she warns. “I don’t love scary movies.”
I grin, amused. She isn’t afraid to confront people’s real demons in her coaching, yet she can’t stomach pretend bad guys?
"I'll keep you safe, don't worry," I reassure her. Though my tone is playful, I mean it sincerely. I've hurt her before, and I have no intention of doing it again. This might be business, but I want her to feel comfortable.
As I hold her hand tighter, we lock eyes, and I feel an undeniable pull towards her. Neither of us looks away, and the moment feels charged with something I can't quite explain, but I know I like it.
The theater lights suddenly go dark as the screen illuminates. If this were a real date, I'd kiss her right now. Instead, I settle back into my seat. I can't allow myself to cross that line with her, or at least, not too far.
This is business , I remind myself. It can be fun, but not too much fun. The last thing I need is for Chloe to develop feelings for me and start expecting something more.
As the production company’s logos flicker across the screen, accompanied by ominous piano music, I become acutely aware that I'm still holding Chloe's hand. I can feel her tensing up, bracing herself for what promises to be another uncomfortable ninety minutes.
I should let go, but I don't.