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I held my breath, waiting for the punchline.
“As luck would have it, your little display with Davis worked to your advantage,” he added.
The air rushed from my lungs. “For real?”
“Apparently, an inside source claimed Davis was hitting on Scarlett, and because the media like a little drama with their love stories, they’re abuzz with the news that your confrontation occurred after he hit on her.”
I scrubbed a hand over my face and laughed. Having the media on my side for once was a new experience.
“Who even leaked those photos?”
“That’s beside the point,” Trainer said. “What matters is your little publicity stunt is working. Everyone is talking about this new version of you and crediting love for finally settling you down. In fact, Talk Tonight wants to host you. Apparently, they want to discuss your new romance. Think you can handle that?”
I grinned, and my thoughts flashed back to last night and the kiss Scarlett and I shared in the car. Whatever reservations she had about us, I’d squash them; I was sure of it. Maybe all the positive press would help.
“Just say when.”
“Tomorrow. You fly out tonight. If we’re lucky, I’m going to get you a few other press events and book you through the end of the week.”
“But I have school,” I said as my excitement fizzled. Being gone all week meant I wouldn’t see Scarlett.
“School? I tell you that your reputation is soaring, that everyone thinks you’re a changed man, and you’re worried about school?”
When I said nothing in the following silence, Trainer added, “Maybe this girl has changed you.”
“Would that be the worst thing?” I asked, hearing the challenge in my voice.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Trainer laughed. “All these years I’ve been on your back about cooling it, and all I needed this whole time was to find you a girlfriend.”
I rolled my eyes.
“As for school, I’ll give your tutor a call. It’s not like you expected to stay at Lakeview the rest of the year, and I imagine we’ll hear from the studio any day now.”
I blinked down at the street where a cab pulled over and a couple stepped out. They held hands as they walked into the restaurant in the building across the road, and I envied their freedom to simply be together. But Trainer was right, and I knew it. I hadn’t attended a physical school in years. Lakeview was simply another way to further solidify my relationship with Scarlett. Soon enough, I’d start filming again, and I’d need to go back to tutors and virtual class. What surprised me was how much I’d miss it. Or maybe it was only Scarlett I’d miss.
I released a breath, focusing back on the present. “And what about Davis?”
“Look, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Davis,” Trainer said. “I had no idea he was going to be your costar’s replacement.”
“Yeah, it would’ve been nice to have a warning.” I pushed away from the window.
“It’s one film, Thorne. His role is minor. You’re the star. Don’t screw this up because of emotion. Despite some of your past behavior, you’ve earned this.”
“Watch out, Trainer, that sounds a lot like encouragement and not a lecture.”
“You always were a smart-ass,” Trainer muttered. “Just be ready. Caroline will be calling with the details of Talk Tonight.”
“I’ll be waiting.” I hung up and stared at my phone and contemplated Scarlett and how I wanted to share the good news with her.
But I glanced at my watch and realized the time. Almost seven a.m., which meant she’d be on her way to school by now, a reminder that while her life would stay the same in the coming months, mine wouldn’t. Soon enough, I’d go back to the long brutal hours of filming. Days and weeks on set and doing schoolwork in my spare time. And once the film wrapped up, there would be publicity tours. I’d be traveling while Scarlett was here, and everything would be different.
As much as I wanted it to work, maybe she and I never really stood a chance in the outside world. Maybe we’d never be anything more to each other than a means to an end.
Chapter 24
SCARLETT
Iwokeupwitha jolt. Bolting upright in bed, I pressed my fingers over my lips as the breath rasped in and out of my lungs.
