Page 43 of The Fake Family Deal

By the time Priscilla is done talking business, thanking me again, playfully ripping into Ellis, and making sweeping statements about the future, everyone is tired of listening. They all turn back to their dinners and conversations when she sits down, and I shrink into my seat, avoiding everyone’s eyes.

Everyone except Ellis.

He holds his glass up to me and we clink them together. “Cheers,” he says with a smile, his hand coming to rest on my thigh.

“Cheers,” I echo.

“Stay tonight,” he says, and it’s not a question.

“Okay.”

One more night ofus. I can be happy with that. This is the start of the rest of my life. Tomorrow, I’ll pack up, take Lila home, and start looking for a house. But for tonight, it’s just us.

His smile widens as he brings his glass to his lips. “To my wife,” he whispers.

I whisper back, “To us.”

CHAPTER 21

ELLIS

Itold the editing team that I would give them five times whatever their current budget was to get the show on the air as quickly as possible, and to my delight, they’ve absolutely delivered. It’s amazing what flashing millions of dollars at people can do for their productivity.

That’s why, a week and a half after filming wrapped, we’re here in my office watching the very first edit of the show.

They’ve already started advertising, too; my face and Marina’s have been plastered all over social media, and we look so good that Beautiful Babyis already starting to see spikes in its popularity.

It pains me to say it, but Priscilla was right. Taking part in the show has done miracles for sales.

The credits roll on the first episode, and everyone in the office applauds it, including me. It has been said before that I’m the kind of person who loves the sound of his own voice, and I have to say it’s true.

I like the way I look, too. Cameras flatter me.

The producer smiles and unplugs her laptop from the screen. She turns to me and says, “So, Mr. Whitlock, I hope you’re all happy with everything. I have to say, it’s turned out great from where I’m sitting.”

“Very happy,” I say. “This is awesome. You know, I was really dubious about this, but you guys pulled it off. I’m impressed.”

“I’ll pass your compliments along to the team,” she says with a gracious nod. “They’ve all worked their asses off this week to pull it together. We’re making the final touch-up, but we’ll be ready to air it before you know it.”

“Can I give them a bonus?” I ask. “Can I giveyoua bonus? You’re the one in charge, right?”

“That’s up to you, sir. But yes, I suppose, as executive producer, you could say I am in charge.” She says it with grace and diplomacy, but I can see behind her eyes that she very much would like a bonus.

“I’ll see what I can do,” I say, winking at her.

She raises an eyebrow at me as if to sayhaven’t I just produced a show all about your marriage?but she doesn’t comment any further.

I let the team linger around for a while, chatting among themselves. It’s good to feel the sense of hype and energy in here. Too often, it’s dreary and dull, and no one seems excited to be here. If only I could make every day feel like this.

The producer packs up her stuff and says goodbye. I pull out my phone and make a note to myself to see about tipping her, and the whole staff. They deserve it.

I stand up and gesture at the group. “All right, everyone,” I say. “Back to work. Let’s getBeautiful Babyflying off the metaphorical shelves.”

Everyone nods and applauds again, then they start to file out of the meeting room. I sigh peacefully, watching them go, and sit back in my chair. They have to get back to work. It’s what I pay them for. I can take a few more minutes, though.

That’s when my phone buzzes.

I pull it out of my pocket and look at it. It’s a message from Marina. Another one.

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