“Fake date,” he said.
Serena nodded. “But then Reggie told me today that youneveragreed to the fake relationship and didn’t know that post on my social was going up. That’s when we realized that we needed to apologize. To you and Marley.”
“Mostly to Marley,” Nikhil said. “She didn’t choose this life. We werefollowedinto her doctor’s office.”
Caroline frowned. “I can’t stand celebrity photographers. Or this studio’s publicity team.”
Nikhil had to agree with Caroline there. “So, they told you I’d agreed to fake date you before that post went up? Why?” He’d been quite clear that his personal life was off-limits.
Serena shrugged. “I guess they thought if my Instagram confirmed we were in a relationship, you’d have no choice but to go along with it. But then thePop Hollywoodpiece went up with the worst possible timing.”
“Who’sthey, anyway?” he asked. “Specifically who told you I’d agreed to the fake relationship?”
“Your handler, Lydia,” Caroline said.
“Of course it was Lydia. She’s not even my handler anymore. My agent fired her while I was in Los Angeles.”
Serena shook her head. “This is my shocked face. And they know she’s to blame, but they want to keep it pinned on us.”
“On me,” Nikhil said. “You’re Serena Vox. I’m the disposable pawn.” He paused. “Okay, so this tells me why you were mad at me the other day—but why’ve you been so hot and cold for weeks? You always seemed like you didn’t want me around.”
Serena exhaled low, then shook her head again. “Yeah, I know I haven’t been very welcoming. Look, it takes me a while to warm up to people—especially to new people I have to work closely with. I’ve been burned too many times. People want or expect more from me than… Anyway, I just like to keep my distance. Keep things professional with people I work with.”
“Except Caroline, apparently,” Nikhil deadpanned, which made Caroline snort a laugh.
Serena rolled her eyes. “Caro pointed out I should be nicer to you because this racism shit was clearly affecting you. It’snot right what they’re saying about you. And I’m sorry I was so cold.”
Nikhil kind of saw her point. She’d been a star almost her whole life—many people had probably taken advantage of her, sold her out, or expected something from her that she didn’t want to give. He’d only been famous a few weeks and his own brother sold him out to the paparazzi.
“I almost wonder if Lydia knew you were dating your stylist, and she did all this to turn the movie into a media frenzy,” Caroline said. “More drama, more attention.”
“I hate this industry sometimes,” Serena said. “Things like this happen all the time.” She looked at Caroline. “Any ideas on how to fix it?”
Caroline pulled out her phone. “Let me call a freelance PR firm. They can brainstorm with us.”
Nikhil put his hand up. “No. No more publicists. Let’s go downstairs and brainstorm with Marley and her friends.”
Serena raised a brow. “Are any of them in PR?”
Nikhil shook his head. “No. They’re an out-of-work fashion stylist, a fashion photographer, a baker, and a real estate developer. Oh, and a lingerie salesperson.”
Caroline snorted. “What, no candlestick maker?”
“The fact that they’renotin the industry is a good thing,” Nikhil said. “Marley’s the one who’s been violated the most here. She deserves to have her support system involved.”
Serena sighed. “You’re probably right.”
Nikhil stood. “You two like Jamaican food?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Marley
Six weeks ago, if someone had told Marley that she would be sitting at her dining table celebrating her mastectomy with her boyfriend, Shayne, Ruby, Reena, Nadim, andSerena Voxand Serena’s stunt double, Marley would have asked exactly what the hallucinogenic substance was that caused such a bizarre prediction. And if someone told her thatNikhil Shamdasaniwas the boyfriend in question, and that he and Marley were now madly in love, Marley would have requested to have some of that drug, too.
It was amazing how different things were now. Back when Nikhil first reappeared in her life, Marley still thought he was the fuckboy who’d ghosted her after prom. But now she saw things differently. She’d pushed him away back then, too. And now they’ve both grown up. They were finally ready to bepartners. She knew it would be hard with the complicated baggage they brought to the relationship, but it would be so, so, worth it.
The movie star and her stunt double being here for her celebration certainly was a head-scratcher, though.
