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Olivia looks out the window, pretending not to hear every word, which is sweet of her.
“Yes, there was a privacy statement and a waiver for insurance. Mostly studio protocols if you must know,” Denise huffs.
She’s pissed that we took off unannounced, but she’s enraged that we left without signing anything per the terms and conditions of the competition, plus the fact there’s a jet waiting to ferry us to one of the studios at the companies expense.
Something I figure she’s forgotten to tell or get approved by the studio as well.
Maybe a few years ago Jack Mercury could have done what he wanted, but now? I guess we’ll find out when we get there.
But these aren’t really my problems and I’m on the verge of reminding her who’s really the boss of Jack Mercury when she makes a surprise about face.
“You wouldn’t just take off Jack. Not unless...” And I can almost hear her smiling from the other end of the phone.
“What’s she like, Jack? Tell me.” She insists.
I clear my throat and looking over at Olivia I tell the truth.
“Maybe today’s best kept a little more private?” I hear myself tell her, thinking that ought to quiet her down but it only makes her want to know more.
“We can go to the studio,” I sigh, making sure to ask what Olivia wants before committing to that. “But I don’t want a damned camera crew following us all day. Okay?”
It’s the first time I can remember that Denise, my mother, agent, and manager has rolled over when I actually want something done a certain way.
Covering the phone with my hand, I double-check it’s okay with Olivia. I don’t want her to feel like she has to do anything if she doesn’t want to.
“Private jet and studio tour?” I ask her, hoping she’ll say yes. Adding, “There’s food on the plane,” remembering I skipped breakfast and maybe Olivia did too with the whole fainting thing.
I know what I’d rather be asking, but baby steps, Jack. Baby steps.
She nods eagerly and even grips my arm with excitement.
Having her touch me again, gripping me so hard makes me groan with satisfaction as another part of me springs to life under her touch as well.
“That settles it,” I tell Denise. “I’ll call you once we reach the studio if there are any problems.”
“Oh no need Jack, just make sure you and uh… Olivia have a nice time. We can worry about the publicity later. Maybe just a few selfies with you and the lucky lady could tide us over?” she says, making me wonder who kidnapped my mother and put the new, easy-going, and completely understanding Denise in her place.
I have a hunch though, and maybe that was her intention all along? Set me up with someone totally random and just hope for the best because I’ve never found anyone on my own.
Maybe that’s her plan, but it doesn’t matter now.
I’ve got plans of my own, and the more I look down at Olivia, feeling her still gripping me with excitement, the more I’m thinking that maybe today won’t be so bad after all. Even if we do have to do some Hollywood stuff in the meantime.
Chapter Seven
Olivia
I never gave much thought to what the day with Jack Mercury competition would actually mean.
I never thought I’d win either, never won anything in my whole life.
But being in a limo with him, now hearing we’re going on our own private jet to a movie studio?
It’s enough to make me forget about everything else and squeal like a crazed fan for the rest of the ride to the airport.
Jack seems relieved, happy that I’m happy more than anything. He doesn’t even mind that I’m grabbing hold of him, edging my way closer in my seat until we’re actually touching.
Truth is, I’d be just as happy and equally excited if he was driving us to a burger joint in a pick-up truck.
Just being with him, feeling his strong body so close, and hearing him laugh in a friendly way at all the dumb things I can hear myself saying. I know he’d be just as kind and the perfect gentleman no matter where we were headed.
Once it’s clear there won’t be a camera following us around either, I feel more relaxed. Feeling like Jack is making things go a certain way for my benefit and maybe his own as well.
I have to ask him though, sensing something between him and his manager/agent.
“Denise, your agent?” I start to ask, registering his change of expression, which I have to say makes my heart sink just a little bit.
It wouldn’t be the first time a Hollywood actor has a relationship with his agent and I know from my own digging that Jack Mercury has always maintained he’s single.
But there it is, the look.
