Jace
“Are you ready for your premier next week? Elodie asks, as she takes a bite of her chicken dish.
“I think so. I’m just waiting for the fashion coordinator to confirm what I’m wearing and that’s pretty much it.”
The conversation is fine. I guess. It’s a little forced, mundane maybe and slightly awkward.
It’s just nothing like what I have with Lennox and I hate that I find myself comparing the two.
Elodie has all the traits I should be interested in.
She’s beautiful, driven, and so talented.
I feel like we’re both here because we have to be, not because we want to be, and as I take in her stiff body language, looking deeper into her empty eyes, it’s an exact replica of myself. I wonder if she’s as miserable as I am.
Placing my fork and knife down, I glance around. They sat us in the back of the restaurant at a private table but I still double check to make sure no one is nearby.
It’s nearly empty, except for the waitress in the far corner, so I lean forward and ask the direct question. “Do you like me, Elodie?”
Her hand freezes, mid-chicken stab, and her gaze urgently flickers to mine.
“Of course, I like you.” She smiles awkwardly.
I sit back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest. The closed off gesture isn’t aimed at her but more at the thought that’s just crossed my mind.
“Is my mother paying you to date me?”
Her eyes drop to her lap and she sets her fork down. Grabbing her napkin, she pats the corners of her mouth and then takes a sip of water.
I wait patiently, not pushing for a reply but I’m anxious to hear what she’s going to say.
“No. But she did offer.” She glances up to me, sorrow filling her sweet expression.
I nod, absorbing her response.
“What are you doing here with me then?”
She looks around, a look of uncertainty passes over her face before she leans forward and whispers, “I have a girlfriend.”
The smile that breaches my face is one Lennox would be jealous of. “You do?” I say with more excitement than I expect.
She smiles back as she blushes and drops her gaze.
“Yeah, we can’t say anything. It’s just…
it’s new and not public, obviously. So, I thought maybe this would be a good media distraction.
” She shifts forward quickly. “Please don’t think I was using you, that was never my intention.
I just thought if your mom was asking me, you might have needed the same thing.
” She presses her hand over mine in an assuring, platonic gesture.
“I totally understand.” I smile back.
She breathes a sigh of relief and sits upright in her chair like the confident Elodie I know. As if her confession took an anchor off her shoulders and she can finally relax.
“Is there something going on that made your mom approach me?”
I hesitate. My mind immediately goes to Lennox, but I shake my head no.
She hums, taking another bite of her salad.
“I know that look. I’ve had that look before. Still do, sometimes.”
“And what look is that?” I ask, curiously.
“The look of longing for something you can’t have, or at least something you think you can’t have.”
“It’s complicated,” I reply back, not meeting her gaze because I feel like she can see right through me.
“It usually is in our line of business.”
I’ve been so focused on making this something it’s not, I’ve failed to really see Elodie. Of course, she’s dealing with the same things I am. Maybe not in the overbearing parents department, but the same things that come with lifelong fame.
“So, can you tell me about her?”
Her entire face lights up as she starts sharing details of her secret relationship. Where they met, how they talk, where they sneak away to. She’s never looked happier with a genuine smile and laughter the entire conversation.
“So, why did you kiss me at the cafe in New York then?” It was so awkward and I know she felt it too, but the public ate it up, of course, because that’s just what they do.
The moment she leaned over and pressed her lips to mine, it was soft and delicate. It wasn’t horrible, I guess. I just know now what it’s supposed to feel like.
Lennox’s wanton green eyes flash in my mind, and even the memory of him kissing me makes my stomach flip.
“I saw them hiding across the street and I don’t know,” she shrugs, “thought it would help the image. But, it’s a good thing we’re at the top of our acting game because that was…” She sucks in air through her teeth.
“Oh god, so bad. So, so bad,” I add, chuckling and she giggles, nodding her head agreeing with me.
“So, you don’t need a dating scapegoat for the media?”
I shake my head.
She sighs relieved. “Friends then?”
“Absolutely,” I say, thankful she suggested it being I don’t really have any.
At least an hour goes by and we talk like old friends before we finish up and head toward the exit.
Tonight turned out to be so much better than I expected. I feel light, happy even.
We exit the back entrance of the restaurant, both of us smiling and laughing. A stark contrast from how we entered.
Howard is waiting for us in the side alley with the car door open. We slide into the seat as Elodie pulls out her phone and a notification of a live link pops up on her screen.
“Oh my gosh, AdventureAndi is going live.” She’s practically bouncing in her seat as she clicks on the link.
When the screen comes into focus there’s a girl I don’t recognize standing in front of Chikara Tower, one of the skyscrapers in downtown Los Angeles.
“I’m here with a very special surprise guest, in front of the tallest building in LA, and we’re getting ready to rappel down the side of this massive glass Goliath.
” She shifts the camera view to look straight up from the bottom and she's absolutely right. It’s a gorgeous glass fortress standing tall amongst the other half size cement structures surrounding it. It’s both majestic and intimidating.
“Yes, you heard me right, we’re rappelling eighty stories down to raise money for the Wings of Hope foster home and you’ll never guess who my special guest is tonight.” She holds the phone further away from her body, smiling wide as the crowd behind her goes wild.
A figure appears behind her and I think I’m seeing things. I blink hard, refocusing, and when my vision clears he’s still there. Those bright forest green eyes, shaggy hair, the color of midnight messily flopped over to one side with that razor sharp jawline and the smile I’d recognize in any room.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Lennox Rome!”