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Bernie stops between Adelaide and me. “An on-set romance. Not original, but nothing grabs people’s attention and gets them talking more than a romance between costars.”
I stare at him. Foolishly, I expected him to say they were going to double the marketing budget or bring in a big-hitter to do a cameo.
“You want Adelaide and I to date?” My forehead creases, and I glance away from Bernie to see Adelaide’s reaction.
“Date. Don’t date. Fuck. Don’t fuck. I don’t really care. But as far as the world is concerned, I want you two to appear like the happiest fucking celebrity couple out there. I want the paps making up a stupid celebrity couple moniker for you two, and I want teenage girls scribbling Mrs. James Crawford in their notebooks, you follow?” He crosses his arms and stares down at us. It’s an order, not a request.
We both nod.
“What is it you want us to do exactly?” I ask.
He tosses his hands up in the air. “You don’t have to do much now, but maybe get coffee or let Adelaide pick out an outfit for you on Rodeo Drive. Let them think something’s happening even if it isn’t. But closer to Vanguard’s release, you’ll have to be been seen together a lot. Let the press trickle questions in their magazines, on their blogs, on their shows about whether you are or aren’t dating. Eventually, let them snap a picture of you two kissing to really fuel the rumors. It’s not rocket science, for fuck’s sake.”
“How long are we supposed to pretend?” I ask, since Adelaide is strangely mute.
Bernie shrugs. “Who knows? We’ll see how it goes. Just wanted to make sure we have an understanding.”
I blow out a breath and push my hand through my hair. Though I hate the idea of pretending anything to the press, he has a point. Couples sell movies. Whichever film is able to capitalize on the organic interest of the press and the public’s appetite for scandal will come out on top. Hollywood is a strange place, where it’s good for business if people are talking behind your back, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s truth or lies.
“I assume this isn’t up for discussion?” I ask, looking at Adelaide, who’s playing with her hands in her lap.
“There’s nothing to discuss,” Bernie snipes. “We’ve all got a lot riding on this film and this has to happen. You’re both the leads.”
My jaw tics, but I nod.
“Adelaide?” Bernie questions.
She looks up from her lap and nods.
“Good.” He slides his hands over his stretched-out shirt. “I’m glad to see that we’re all on the same page. Go grab a couple of meals together off set, make sure the press can easily snag a couple shots, and the rumor mill will start.”
Adelaide and I are silent as he walks past the kitchen to the door of the trailer.
The sun streams in as he stops on the first step, looking at us over his shoulder. “This does mean that any fucking you two do with other people needs to be behind closed doors.”
My thoughts go to Lilah. Old habits die hard, I guess. I still hope she’ll get her shit together so that we can be a couple.
“Understood.” I nod, and the door slams behind him.
Moments later, a production assistant pops his head in the door. “You’re both needed on set.”
“Coming.” I step in front of Adelaide and offer her my hand.
She accepts it with a small smile, and I lift her from the chair.
Once we’re out of the trailer and walking back to set, I look at her. “You were quiet in there.”
“He gives me the creeps. You know how he is with women. I prefer not to be on his radar.”
It’s true. Bernie does have a reputation for being a misogynistic ass. I’ve been at parties and heard the way he speaks. He openly talks about hooking up with various women, even though he’s married.
“Gotcha. I think it’s best to stay off his radar—man or woman.”
“Agreed. What do you think of his plan?” She stops walking and looks at me, her big hazel eyes wide with uncertainty.
“If I’m honest, I don’t like it.” Her expression falls, and I’m quick to correct my mistake. “I don’t mean because it’s you. It has nothing to do with you. I just don’t like pretending for the press. Lies always catch up to you.”
That fateful night on a Virginia mountain gnaws at me and I suppress a shiver.
