Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
CLOVER
When I arrive at Poppy’s Coffee, it’s relatively quiet. Seeing as it’s the afternoon, most people have gotten their caffeine fix by now, leaving it as the perfect place to come and relax, eat some of the artisanal baked goods, or even a great spot to hunker down and do some emailing.
Anita is standing inside the entrance when I arrive, already holding two steaming mugs.
“Clover!” she greets before gesturing to a table in the far back corner that seems relatively private. Her sandy blonde curls bounce with the movement, and her oversized black glasses slide slightly down the bridge of her nose as she inclines her head.
When we’re seated, Anita slides one of the mugs in front of me.
“So...?” I ask.
“You booked it,” she confirms.
All the air escapes my lungs in a quiet whoosh. If I were standing right now, I’m sure I would’ve melted onto the floor.
“Really?” I squeak out, convinced that somehow I’ve gaslit myself into thinking this news is true.
“Studio heads just reviewed the footage and gave the green light. You’re in,” she continues, matter of factly. It feels as though all my limbs have filled with helium and are floating away.
“Really?” I croak again as adrenaline flows through me. It’s giving “broken record,” but I can’t help myself.
“Yes, they said it was great, and they’d fire over a contract for me to review by tonight.”
“Holy shit…”
Anita studies my face closely. “This is a huge, Clover. This kind of thing doesn’t happen. Starlight never casts relative unknowns. I need to make sure you understand, and you’re ready to take on everything this entails.”
“Of course. I am.” I breathe, desperate to show her how I’ll do whatever it takes for this role.
“Good. Remember, it’s not just your reputation, it’s mine. We don’t want you to get relegated to commercials if this goes south. Understood?”
I nod vigorously.
“Excellent. Now, the studio is going to set you up with a nutritionist and trainer. You’re already in great shape but we need to make sure you can meet the physical demands of the stunts, since you’ll be doing those yourself.”
“Of course.”
“This is going to be rigorous. Before we sign on, I need to make sure you’re up for the challenge,” she cautions.
“I am, I can do this. When does filming begin?”
“A few months,” Anita confirms as she sips her delicious-smelling chai latte. I stare at the black coffee Anita’s set in front of me.
“And there’s one little detail,” Anita muses around the foam of her drink.
“What is it?” I take a sip of the bitter drink. Definitely not what I would’ve ordered but hey, it was free.
Anita turns around to ensure no one could overhear us, and her voice drops to a mere whisper. “You’ll be entering a fake relationship with Roman Everett in order to promote the film.”
I choke on my coffee as her words sink in and droplets go flying.
“I have to what?” I say through a series of coughs.
Anita rolls her eyes, clearly thinking me dramatic, which, duh, I’m an actor.
“Clover, please,” she says as she hands me a napkin. I blot the spilled bits of my drink on the table. “It’s not real,” she reassures.
“So what is it then?” I ask, pushing away my mug.
“There will be an additional contract for the PR relationship, and it will outline specifics.”
I continue to look at her like she’s grown another head.
“It’s all for appearance’s sake. You and Roman go out on some dates in public together, show off the chemistry you have, and get people talking.
It gets picked up by magazines and news outlets, and soon more and more people are talking about you two and talking about the movie.
It’s a PR move that’s worked for plenty of films,” she assures.
Me? In a fake relationship with Roman Everett? The same guy who spoke so poorly of me not even a few hours ago? The same guy who seemed to loathe being in my mere presence? A fake relationship? With him? It’s laughable, really.
“Is this negotiable?”
“Do you really want to ask that?” Anita says, expression hardening.
I swallow, worried I may have just pissed off my best ally in Hollywood. “No,” I whisper.
Her expression softens. “Look at it for what it is, it’s an extension of your role. Just some more acting,” she says flippantly.
“And Roman’s on board with it?”
“Yes.”
I’m not sure who’ll dislike this more, me or him.