Page 30 of Beyond the Red Carpet

Kate’s heart plummeted. Her mind flashed back to the after-party, to Vanessa and Evelyn Coleman standing beside one another, their bodies close. She remembered the way Evelyn’s hand had lingered on Vanessa’s arm, a gesture that seemed to carry more intimacy than simply friendship. Evelyn was married though, so maybe that was what Vanessa meant.

A rustling sound came from the woods. It was distant, but it still made her turn her head, although it was too dark to see anything. “Please tell me that’s the photographer Elliot mentioned and not a bear,” Kate whispered.

“Don’t worry. I spotted him earlier when I got in.” Vanessa took a sip of wine. “He’s been lurking around since sunset, taking photos through the trees. But I made sure that Elliot told him to stay outside the property line. So he can’t hear us, and I just can’t handle that level of invasion.”

Kate’s muscles relaxed. At least they wouldn’t end up as bear food tonight. Though the idea of being watched was always going to be weird.

Kate watched as Vanessa set her wine glass on the deck’s edge. Her movements were slow, deliberate, as she shifted closer in the water. The space between them vanished.

“I suppose we should give him a decent shot.” Vanessa’s voice dropped low.

Kate’s breath hitched as Vanessa’s fingers traced along her jawline, guiding her face closer. The touch sparked electricity across her skin. Kate’s heartbeat pulsed in her ears. She knew this was just another performance, a necessary facade. But her mind couldn’t quite convince her body as Vanessa’s lips brushed against hers.

Kate sighed as Vanessa’s hand cupped the back of her neck, pulling her into the kiss.

It was electric. Vanessa’s lips molded against hers, soft and inviting. Kate’s mind spun as the kiss deepened. Water lapped gently against them in the jacuzzi, steam swirling around them. Kate’s fingertips grazed Vanessa’s shoulder, dipping beneath the surface to trace the damp skin there.

Kate’s heart thundered in her chest as Vanessa’s tongue traced her bottom lip, and Kate responded, parting her lips, letting herself fall deeper into the kiss. For theseprecious moments, she could pretend this was real. That the photographer in the woods didn’t exist. That this wasn’t just another performance for the cameras.

But it was. And that knowledge sat like lead in her stomach, even as the kiss continued to steal her breath away.

When they parted, Kate’s forehead rested against Vanessa’s. Her heart hammered in her chest. “I never should’ve agreed to this,” she whispered, the words slipping from Kate’s lips in a hushed confession.

Vanessa pulled back, just far enough to meet her eyes. Their gazes locked, and Kate wished she could take those words back.

19

Vanessa’s heart stilled. The steam rose between them as she searched Kate’s face, trying to decipher the meaning behind that loaded statement. The warmth of Kate’s breath mingled with her own, and Vanessa’s fingers tightened on Kate’s waist beneath the bubbling water.

“What do you mean?”

Kate’s eyes widened, a flash of panic crossing her features as she put some space between them, reaching behind her for her glass. “Forget I said anything.”

But Vanessa couldn’t forget. The words echoed in her mind, matching the thundering of her pulse. She recognized that tone, that look. Her hand found Kate’s arm under the water, holding her in place before she could retreat further.

“Kate.” Vanessa waited until those blue eyes met hers again. “Tell me.”

The jets hummed around them. In the distance, a twig snapped, the photographer shifting position, no doubt capturing this moment of charged silence. But for once, Vanessa didn’t care about the audience. Her focus remained on Kate’s face, watching emotions play across it like light on water.

Kate swallowed hard. “This isn’t fair to you.” Her voice cracked. “Any of it.”

“Not fair to me?” A dry laugh escaped her lips. “Kate, if anyone’s getting the raw end of this deal, it’s you. You’ve just come out to the entire world, and you can’t even ask a woman out.”

Kate’s eyes dropped to the water’s surface. “The woman I’d want to ask out wouldn’t be interested anyway.” She took a long drink.

The words hit Vanessa like a physical blow. Her chest constricted as she pictured Kate with someone else. Another young actress maybe. The thought shouldn’t hurt this much, but it did. She drew in a steadying breath, forcing her voice to remain even.

“You never know.” Vanessa tried to keep her voice casual. “Not until you ask.”

Vanessa watched as Kate turned to put her glass down behind her. The movement drew Vanessa’s attention to the droplets trailing down Kate’s shoulder.

“But I’m not sure that I can live with the rejection or the embarrassment,” Kate said with a sigh.

The vulnerability in Kate’s voice tugged at something deep in Vanessa’s chest. “Is she out?”

Kate nodded.

“Single?” Vanessa’s throat tightened around the word.

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