Page 4 of Beyond the Red Carpet

“The industry loves a good parallel narrative.” Elliot held her gaze. “Lauren chose youth and vitality? Well, Vanessa deserves her own fresh start.”

“With me?” The words came out smaller than Kate intended.

“The press loves nothing more than a rising star.” Elliot’s hands moved with practiced animation. “And you are blazing across their radar. Your latest film’s creating a lot of buzz.”

Her throat dried. “That’s different.”

“Is it? The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Vanessa needs someone the public can root for. Someone genuine, talented, and yes-” He paused. “Someone who’s been wanting to share their truth with the world.”

Kate sighed. Of course, Elliot would leverage her desire to come out. He’d been tempering that impulse for months, always finding reasons to wait. Now here he was, dangling it like a prize.

“You’ve been wanting to do this for a while now, and I’ve told you to wait.” His voice softened. “And when I asked you to wait, I never could have imagined an opportunity like this coming your way. What better way to come out than to be on the arm of a legendary actress like Vanessa Prescott?”

The mere thought of standing beside Vanessa, of being introduced as her girlfriend, even if just for show, sent Kate’s pulse racing. She’d watched Vanessa’s coming out interview so many times she could quote it verbatim. The grace, the dignity, the way she’d owned every word.

“Think about it.” Elliot’s voice cut through her thoughts. “You get to come out on your terms, with built-in support from one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses. Vanessa knows what it’s like to come out when no one is expecting it. And she gets to show Lauren, and the world, that she’s moved on with someone...” He waved his hand in Kate’s direction, “...who is absolutely perfect for her.”

Kate’s heart pounded in her chest as Elliot’s words sank in. This is not what she had in mind when she’d told him months ago that she wanted to come out. She’d been trying to decide between a one-on-one interview or spontaneously coming out on the red carpet some day. Fake dating Vanessa Prescott had not been one of the options.

But now that it was… Would it really be so bad?

“What do you think?” Elliot’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Will you do it?”

Her chest tightened at the thought of standing next to Vanessa at events, sharing secret glances, playing the part of…

A detail nagged at her, something that didn’t quite fit. She lifted her gaze to meet Elliot’s expectant expression.

“How did you propose this to Vanessa?”

The corner of Elliot’s mouth twitched, almost imperceptibly. He adjusted the cuff of his sleeve, a gesture Kate recognized from countless contract negotiations.

“If you’re asking whether I outed you-” Elliot’s voice took on a defensive edge. “I would never betray your trust like that.”

Kate’s shoulders relaxed a fraction, but the knot in her stomach remained. “Then how did you pitch this idea to her?”

“I simply suggested that I knew someone who might be perfect for what she needs right now. Someone talented, discreet, and...” He paused, smoothing an invisible wrinkle from his pants. “Someone who understands the complexities of Hollywood’s expectations.”

“So she doesn’t know that I’m gay or that I’m thinking of using this as a way to come out?”

“No.” Elliot’s response was immediate.

Kate exhaled, running her fingers through her hair. The thought of Vanessa not knowing felt both relieving and terrifying.

Kate pushed herself off the arm of the sofa. “How can you be sure she’ll even want me?”

“Kate-”

“No, really. Vanessa Prescott could have anyone. There must be dozens of actresses who’d be more…” She gestured vaguely at the air, searching for words.

“More what?”

“More her type.” The more Kate thought about this, more problems started to pop up. “She’s used to being with someone established. Someone powerful. Lauren Sanders isn’t exactly an easy act to follow.”

Elliot’s eyes narrowed. “Is that what this is about? You’re comparing yourself to Lauren?”

“I’m being realistic.” Kate wrapped her arms around herself. “What if she wants-” The words caught in her throat as an imageof Vanessa’s smile flashed through her mind, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners during interviews. Kate’s chest tightened. “What if I-”

She stopped herself, heat rising to her cheeks. She couldn’t say it out loud, not even to Elliot.

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