Page 106 of The Backup Bride Proposal

“I did. I don’t know how you all do that—the faking of the love thing.”

He laughed. “It’s called acting. You just replace yourself with the character. It’s that character’s feelings and emotions, not yours. If we make it look real, then we’ve done a goodjob. If we do a good job, we get booked for other jobs. That’s how we become successful.”

“I see. It’s just that easy, huh?”

“No, it’s not easy at all.”

“Because you can be good—just like a lot of actors can be good. But there are only so many parts out there, right? Which means unless you’re the top one percent who’s constantly in demand, it’s always a fight to get the good roles.”

Mae had nailed it. Which was pretty impressive for someone who wasn’t on the inside of the business. “Pretty much.”

“So are you?” she asked.

“Am I what?”

“In the top one percent.”

Kane took a long swallow of his beer. “Not even close. I do okay. I work fairly steadily. But I figure I’m average.”

“Huh.” She leaned back and studied him, and when their server returned they put in their order. “I’ve always considered your work above average.”

His lips curved. “You’re not talking about my acting, are you?”

“Not at all.”

“So you think I’m a hack.”

“I didn’t say that.” She leaned forward to take a sip of tea and scoop some queso onto a chip. “However, now that I know you’re not a true movie star, I’m rethinking our entire relationship. If you’re a nobody, how will I become vicariously famous?”

He snorted out a laugh. “I had no idea that was one of your goals.”

“It wasn’t. But I am a stand-in bride, you know. I have my own reputation to consider, even though no one will see my face.”

“Yeah, but they’ll see your butt, and I speak from experience when I say you have one very fine ass, Ms. Wallace.”

She batted her lashes and tilted her head. “Why, thank you.”

The server brought their food and they dug in. Kane’s enchiladas were excellent—loaded with beef and cheese, and the rice and beans were outstanding. Mae shared a bite of her chimichanga and the chicken was tender and flavorful.

“Good food,” he said after he’d completely obliterated everything on his plate. And some of Mae’s as well.

“It was. I’ll definitely have to come back here. But now my stomach is full and I need a nap.”

“Want me to rent a hotel room so you can sleep off our dinner?”

She gave him a wry smile. “Nice try, but since I blew off most of the day, I have to go to work.”

Too bad, because he wanted to get her alone. But he also respected her work, so he drove them back to the Bellini property, pulling up in front of the main house.

“Thanks for the great day,” she said as she unbuckled her seat belt. “And for the awesome food. I’m only sorry that I found out this late in our relationship what a loser you are.”

“Oh. You’re funny.” He got out and came around to her side of the car and pulled her out, pinning her between the car and his body. “Given enough alone time with you, I can show you just how much of a winner I am.”

“Does that mean sex? And what exactly do you win at? Coming first?”

He rolled his eyes. “I always make you come first and you know it.”

“Hmm. My memory is a little fuzzy. I might need reminding.”

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