Page 14 of It's Not All Fake

“I don’t know if this is a good idea.” She turns to me, her voice tight. Her fingernails dig in hard to the black leather seat, like a cat who just realized it’s about to be dropped into a bathtub.

I understand her hesitation. There is no going back from here. Do I really want a girlfriend? Even though it’s not real, it’s still a distraction.

Doubts swirled around my mind this morning, but one look at my mother and I knew it’s the right thing. She needs peace. She deserves it.

Plus, this could be fun, I tell myself. Chloe is chewing on her lower lip. Her intense concern is cute, and I relax.

“It’s too late, sweetie.” I grin at her. “They’re gonna love you.” I take her hand as the driver opens my door.

I hear a cacophony of people calling my name.

“Liam, who’s your lucky lady?” a man’s voice calls from the crowd.

Chloe emerges from the limo behind me and tries to straighten her gown. It’s a lacy, black sequin dress that hugs her curves in all the right places. The plunging neckline reveals her milky cleavage and a slit all the way up her thigh shows off her long, sexy legs. I was impressed that the stylists convinced her to wear this dress and I plan to tip them especially well.

I decide that I am going to enjoy this business arrangement.

Chloe is absolutely exquisite apart from her worried expression. I lean in close to her so she can hear me over the crowd. “Remember to smile.”

She forces a smile on cue, and I squeeze her hand as I lead her up the red carpet, both of us showing off our plastered-on grins. It’s after seven o’clock but it’s still light out and I’m grateful we don’t have blinding camera lights flashing in our faces. The limelight is not something I relish, but I’ve gotten good at playing the game.

We stand in front of the media banner for a few photos. I pull Chloe in close to me, my arm around her waist. I notice she feels stiff, and her smile looks especially plastic as she scans the crowd, clearly overwhelmed.

I put my mouth close to her ear. “Chloe, you’re doing great,” I reassure her. “And you are hands down the most gorgeous woman here.”

Her eyes snap to mine, searching my face, looking more confused than anything now. It’s not the reaction I was hoping for.

“You look especially beautiful when you smile.” I grin and raise my eyebrows, reminding her of her job. She mouths “oh” and complies by perking up the corners of her berry red lips.

With spots in my eyes from the camera flashes, I pull Chloe through the crowd. The executive movie producer, Bill, stops me to chat for a minute. It’s the third horror movie I’ve financed for him, and he’s delivered every time. Tonight’s vampire flick, Neck Bite, should be the most lucrative yet.

I notice Chloe studying Bill’s feet, clad in his signature flip-flops, contrasting with his expensive suit. He’s the brilliant creative and eccentric type and, when you’ve made as much money as he has, you can wear whatever footwear you want on the red carpet.

“Bill, this is my girlfriend, Chloe,” I introduce her with pride, my hand on her bare back.

“You must be special to get this guy to commit, Chloe.” Bill chuckles, shaking her hand before running it through what hair he has left on top of his head.

Chloe laughs nervously. “I try my best.” She shrugs, her cheeks turning rosy. Her embarrassment is totally unnecessary but very adorable. I rub my thumb gently across the bare skin on her back, trying to comfort her.

“Liam!” A female voice calls out. Suddenly, a reporter is pushing a microphone in my face, a camera guy behind her with a huge rig on his shoulder.

I’ve known the reporter, Susan, for years——a blonde woman who has obviously had some work done on her nose, lips, maybe other things. She’s a brash yet highly effective reporter for an entertainment news outlet.

“Tell us who your mystery woman is!” she exclaims, delighted that I brought a date. Bill chuckles and excuses himself.

“Good to see you, Susan. This is Chloe Middleton, my girlfriend.” I give my best grin.

Chloe glances at me, perhaps surprised I know Susan. To her, this is an alien world.

“Chloe, how did you meet Liam?” Susan shoves the microphone in Chloe’s face, and I clench my jaw, irritated at her for shifting the focus to Chloe.

Chloe is a deer in headlights. “We, um…”

“Met online,” I explain.

“You’ve been a notoriously single bachelor, Liam.” The microphone is back in my face. “What made you want a relationship now?”

I look at Chloe and our eyes lock. As I consider Susan’s question, I take in Chloe's expression. She looks vulnerable, clearly out of her comfort zone, and an unexpected urge to comfort her washes over me.

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