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Court snorted but didn’t argue. It must have been true.
Campbell directed us into the dining room. He had coffee made, and while he poured for Court, English got out a large notebook full of her blocky handwriting.
“Okay. So, let’s start with what you want before I get into what I have,” she said, snatching the cup out of Court’s hand and taking the first sip. He just shook his head at her and then poured another mug. “I know that when we talked last, Blaire, we were working out endorsement deals for your career. But since then, things have…changed.” She arched an eyebrow at the pair of us.
“Yes, we’re a couple,” Campbell said. “Which you probably guessed when you took Blaire on.”
“Obviously,” she said with a smile. “Half of the world already thinks that you are. The rest are hoping you aren’t. What do you want to do about that?”
Campbell threaded his fingers with mine and nodded his head. I swallowed. “I think we’re ready to go public.”
“Okay. Explain. How public? Make a TikTok video public? Be seen together at a gala public? Answer questions from paparazzi public?”
Campbell laughed at my horrified expression. “What do you think, English?”
“We should do what you’re most comfortable with. I would probably schedule everything to happen all at once.”
“You already planned for this,” I guessed.
She nodded. “I’m the best for a reason. Need to be ready for all contingencies.” She flipped the page over. “So, since you’re already known online, you’ll start with a video. Maybe you kiss on-screen. That sort of thing. That will release exactly a half hour before you appear at this event.” She tugged out a card and passed it to Campbell.
I glanced over his shoulder and read about the gala for music education in local schools. The letter was thick solid black card stock with embossed gold lettering. It was fancy.
Campbell groaned. “I’ll need a tux?”
“Obviously,” English said with a laugh. “We’ll send you to the event together. I’ll have handpicked reporters there to speak to you with specific questions to ask at the entrance. You’ll be prepared with answers from yours truly. And then it’s up to you. You can go quiet for a few weeks and just let it kind of die down and blow over. Which is probably your best bet. I see a lot of people go work the media circuit and be seen in clubs and such.” She cringed. “It’s a lot of wasted energy. Plus, it looks like a PR stunt, which you are not.”
“It sounds good. Though I didn’t bring anything nice enough for a gala,” I said.
English smiled brightly, and Court groaned, “Oh no.”
“I guess we’ll have to go shopping then, won’t we?”
Campbell laughed. “That’s a good plan. You think it will blow over?”
“You’ll get questions about your relationship for a while, but if you just let people know, make it firm but polite, and then don’t talk about it, it will be smooth and steady.”
“I didn’t realize this much planning went into a relationship announcement.”
English beamed. “It doesn’t usually, but that’s how rookies make mistakes. When you’re as famous as Campbell Abbey, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
“All right,” I said with a shrug. What did I know about Hollywood?
“Now, Campbell, go show Court around. He’s fidgeting.”
Campbell stood and did as he had been told. “Just as bossy as ever, English.”
“Bossy girls get shit done.” She waited until they were gone, and then her smile dropped. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“What? You just had this whole plan.”
“And it’s a great plan. I made it after all. As long as you’re comfortable.” She put her hand on mine. “I know you love him.” I balked because I hadn’t even said those words yet. “He’s an amazing guy. I’m lucky to call him my friend. But dating a celebrity is scary. Trust me, I know. I was married to Josh Hutch once upon a time.”
I gaped at her. “The movie star?”
She nodded. “Yep. I want to watch out for you first. This will come down harder on you than him.”
“Do you think it’s a bad idea?”
“Telling the truth is never a bad plan. But public outcry will fall on you. People will want to be you. They’ll want what you have. They’re going to be jealous. And jealous people are mean. You handle social media like a pro, but this is next level. I’ve lived it, and I know how devastating it can be to see what total strangers say about you on the internet. So, you have to be a hundred percent sure.” She shot me a meaningful look. “Are you?”
I gulped. I was totally sure about Campbell. Things were tricky with our past, but I had never been happier since I’d let him back into my life. I was here in LA. I was sure this was what I wanted. Right?
