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“Oh, yes he does,” JulieAnn says. She looks past me to the brick wall. “This is actually a nice backdrop, Kenny.” She motions to the photographer. “Why don’t you get some shots right here. I just love the rustic feel of this wall. It’s speaking to me . . . either that or I’m really high. Probably both.”
Pictures? Is that why she brought Trey here? “JulieAnn, what’s going on?”
“Oh, right. Sorry, dear,” she says and then kisses the air on either side of my cheek. “Hello, darling. Hello. I’ve come with amazing news. You got the audition with Henry Wilson. It’s set for tomorrow evening, so I want to get a few shots of you and Trey before we head back to Hollywood. The headlines will read . . .” she puts her hands up to emphasize, “Trey has stood by Malia throughout rehab. Now recovered, they’re back together and stronger than ever.”
The actress in me understands how a reconciled relationship would help to promote the movie and ultimately my career, but I’m so tired of living a lie that a knot forms in in my stomach.
JulieAnn pulls Trey and me together and in front of the brick wall. She’s surprisingly strong for being so small. “Perfect! Now, give us some kissing. Don’t be shy. Throw some tongue in there. Let’s really sell it this time.”
What? No, not more lies. I still haven’t gotten a chance to tell Jax about my decision not to confess to the public about the rehab stint. How will he respond to my fake relationship with Trey being rekindled? And what if Audrey sees a picture of Trey and me in a magazine showing us as a couple?
Trey moves in, and I put my hand on his chest to stop him. “Whoa there, Trey. I thought our fake relationship was over.”
“Not over, darling,” JulieAnn says. “Just on hold while you recovered from your drug addiction.”
Trey sighs like I’m being an errant child. “We made a deal, remember?”
I gently push him back. “I remember you broke any deal we had when you fake cheated on me.”
The corner of his mouth quirks up. “You know, you seem pretty angry for this being a fake relationship.” He covers my hand with his and drawls out his words intimately. “Let me make it up to you. And when we’re leading together, the pictures will be golden for promoting the movie. This will be the time of your life.”
I’m sure his charms win girls over all the time. But my eyes are only for one person, which makes me immune to Trey’s womanizing. “This is just getting too out of hand.” I pull my hand out from under his. “Besides, I got the audition, didn’t I? We don’t need to carry on with this anymore.”
JulieAnn’s phone rings. “Get the shots,” she orders the photographer before taking her phone call.
Trey moves in again and flashes light us up. Like a practiced dancer, Trey pulls me into his arms in one swift and elegant motion.
I put my hand on his chest again to hold him back. “Trey, I’m not going to kiss you.”
“Oh, come on. This whole thing was your idea in the first place. We’re both professionals. Just think of it as an acting job. That’s all we’re doing here.”
He lowers his head, and I block his kiss with my hand. How do I get out of this without offending my future costar?
“Malia,” he says, exasperated. But before I can say anything, he’s pulled from me and thrown up against the brick wall.
Jax has him by the collar.
“Keep your hands off her,” Jax growls. Trent is in good shape and handsome, but he pales in comparison next to Jax—both in muscle size and looks. And this is really bad . . . like really, really bad.
“Stop it,” I sputter. “Let him go!”
Jax acts like he hasn’t heard me. His attention is all on Trey, who attempts to struggle out of Jax’s vice-like grip. “Hey, I wasn’t trying to attack her. It’s just a business deal.”
I cringe, realizing exactly how bad that sounds.
Jax seems to agree, because he presses him harder to the wall. “She’s not a prostitute.”
Trey’s eyes widen, realizing his mistake. “No, I didn't mean—”
“Jax,” I pull on his arm. “He’s Trey Wentworth.”
“I don’t care who he is.” Jax curses, keeping Trey pinned. “He was pushing himself onto you.”
“Whoa, whoa.” JulieAnn has returned and runs over awkwardly in her platforms. “Don’t mess up his face. Not the face.”
“Look,” Trey lifts his hands in surrender. “This is just a silly misunderstanding. I know Malia. Malia, tell him please.”
“Jax, just let me explain.”
