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Once the server was gone, he leaned closer to Liz. “I’m sorry about my father. I will talk him out of this crazy idea that we need to get engaged for more publicity.”
She stared down at her menu. “Thanks.”
“I saw how you reacted. I know you don’t like the idea any more than I do.”
“I admit, I’m kind of regretting this whole thing.” She winced, then looked him in the eye. “Not that you’re a bad person. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”
“No, I totally get it. I’m regretting it as well.” He crossed his ankles and leaned a little closer. “Why did you agree to this pretend dating thing, anyway?”
Her cheeks grew pink. “My recent bad publicity. I…I wanted this to be something positive people could talk about. Instead of…you know.”
Liz had bad publicity? Whatever it was, he hadn’t heard about it. He stayed away from the tabloids. They only made him feel terrible. “No, I don’t know. What happened?”
She swallowed, a sour expression on her face. “I’ve gained a few pounds since my breakout movie. Everyone thinks I’m too fat.”
Colton’s jaw dropped. “Too fat? You?” He couldn’t believe it. She looked amazing. How could anyone say she was too fat? It was ludicrous.
“If you’re not a size zero, especially in this business, people talk. And I guess someone caught a photo of me eating that wasn’t flattering and all the tabloids picked up on it. The story exploded. Now all anyone talks about is how I’m going to be a washed-up actress with no work if I don’t lose weight.”
“That’s stupid. You’re gorgeous the way you are. You’re not fat at all. You’re beautiful.”
Liz began rapid blinking, and he thought he’d offended her somehow. “I’m sorry,” he said as she dabbed at her eyes. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“No, you didn’t. I’m just emotional about everything right now. You were kind to say those things.”
“I meant them.” He searched her face. “You are right. This industry is brutal. No wonder so many people have body issues.”
“It really is upsetting. I’d love to speak out about it, but I know I’d get buried. I probably would never work again.” She lowered her gaze, a frown pulling her lips down. “So, instead, I’m pretending to date you.”
“I’m sorry. I know this is stupid. If you want out, I can stage an argument tonight or something.”
Her eyes widened and she shook her head. “Your father would kill us both.”
She wasn’t too far off. But a small part of him wanted to push the limits with his father. “He’s controlling, but not a murderer. Rest assured, I would get a sound tongue lashing, but in the end, what can he do about it? If it’s public, and everyone sees us break up, the gig is up. He can’t mend that no matter how many paparazzi he calls.”
“Yeah,” she said, her gaze dipping again. “But I don’t want to make waves. Let’s just keep to the original contract. We only have to do this for three more days, and then we can break up.”
“Okay.” He had to admit he was a bit disappointed—causing a big scene would have been fun—but at least this way he didn’t have to face his father’s wrath.
They ordered a couple of appetizers and they finished at the restaurant in under an hour. He played the perfect boyfriend, pulling out her chair, taking her arm as they walked out, and shielding her from the mass of cameras as they walked back to the resort.
After they were beyond what even a telephoto lens could catch, he let go of her. “Another date down.”
She smiled at him as they walked along the pathway. “Thanks for making this one quick.”
“What does my dear father have in mind for tomorrow?”
She stopped at her door and turned to him. “You really weren’t paying attention earlier, were you?”
He scratched his cheek. “Can you blame me? He drones on.”
“We have a scuba diving lesson together tomorrow. And then a boat excursion.” She made a face. “I’m not looking forward to the comments I’ll get after pictures of me in a scuba outfit.”
He let out a breath. “Ignore what people say. You shouldn’t be reading those comments anyway. People are mean to every celebrity. Doesn’t matter who you are.”
“I know. It’s hard to stop reading them, though.”
“Yes.” He totally understood. It could become an addiction, to see what others are saying. It’s such a high when people say they love your work, but those comments are always mixed together with the mean ones. The ones that can take your confidence and make you feel like trash.
