AllFreeNovel
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Chapter 10
“Your agent wants me to date you while you’re home,” I say, my voice hollow.
I sit back in my chair and lift my fresh beer bottle. I blink once. Twice. I’m trying to decide why her agent cares if Allie dates me and then I try to decide if that’s why she’s here with me now.
“Is that why you came out tonight?” I take a look around the bar, half expecting to find someone in the corner in dark sunglasses snapping pictures of us.
“Jax. No.” She reaches across the table but I’m too far away for her to touch. She pats the worn wooden surface before pulling her hand back. “I wasn’t going to bring it up, but…”
“But?”
“It’s working. You and me.” She lifts and drops one shoulder. “We’re convincing.”
“Ha!” Heads swivel in my direction at my loud crack of laughter. “Didn’t we have a conversation about how we don’t want to date each other? Weren’t we shooting for ‘friendly’?”
“Yes. You’re right.” She waves a hand, sweeping the topic aside. “Forget I asked. It was a dumb idea.”
Silence creeps in, but the idea of dating Allie has hooked into my brain. “Why would your agent suggest that anyway?”
“The comments.” Her eyes widen like her meaning should be obvious.
“Did you just say ‘the comments’?” I have no idea what the hell she’s talking about.
“On the website where the pic of us at Taco Bell debuted. They’re not being nice to me, but they love you.”
I didn’t think it was possible for me to be more confused. “Who’s they?”
With a patient sigh, she pulls her cellphone out, sweeps the screen and then hands it over. I scan the “comments” unsure how to feel.
Nina may have bad taste in restaurants, but he’s yummy.
Who is that guy??? I want him for myself!
I live in Ohio and haven’t seen a guy that hot here EVER.
H.O.T. That beard. Dark hair. Call me, gorgeous!!!
“Your face.” Allie giggles.
“This is…” I needlessly show her the screen.
“Nuts? Welcome to the fishbowl.”
“ ‘I wish I could see his eyes,’ ” I read. Then I scroll down. “Someone replied that they’re ‘sapphire blue and TDF.’ What the hell does TDF mean? And how did whoever typed that know my eye color?”
“TDF is to die for. And I couldn’t help myself.” She snatches the phone and smirks.
“That was you?”
“I’ve had a lot of time to myself.” She props her elbows on the table. “My agent believes a couple of staged public appearances could paint me in a different, more approving light. We could control the narrative. She’s pissed about how the whole thing with Xavier went down and likes the idea of upstaging him during his film release.”
“Oh yeah?” Interest sparks. I like the idea of upstaging that prick, too.
Allie nods. “Mm-hmm. You and I made headlines and that was enough to insinuate that I’ve moved on. If we can turn those whispers into shouts, maybe it’ll take the spotlight off the Oscar and Millie and Xavier.”
“I’ll do it.” It’s out of my mouth before I think about it. But what is there to think about? It’ll help Allie’s reputation, and we’re already hanging out anyway. Bonus, it’ll bury Xavier McCormack. Not as satisfying as breaking his nose, but I’ll take it.
“What’s the plan?” I ask.
