Page 6 of Beyond the Red Carpet

“First, would either of you like a drink? I have an excellent Cabernet breathing.”

“That would be lovely,” Kate said.

Vanessa left them and moved to the kitchen, pulling three glasses from the cabinet. She took a steadying breath. At least the familiar routine of hosting gave her something concrete to focus on, a momentary reprieve from the surreal nature of this meeting.

“Now then,” Elliot’s voice carried from the living room. “Let’s discuss how we’re going to make this work, shall we?”

Vanessa carried the wine and glasses into the living room. She poured with steady hands, distributing the glasses before sitting across from them in the armchair.

Elliot wasted no time. “We’ll start with some low-key sightings together. Paparazzi, of course, but we’ll also need social media posts. Nothing too overt at first. Just subtle hints that you’re spending time together.”

Vanessa listened, her gaze flicking to Kate, taking in the younger woman’s reactions. Elliot continued, mapping out a series of orchestrated appearances and suggesting ways to make their relationship seem authentic to the public eye.

“And we’ll want some intimate photos, maybe a kiss...” Elliot trailed off, seemingly lost in thought, no doubt imagining the tabloid headlines that would ensue.

Vanessa took a sip of her wine, her mind elsewhere. Why was Kate really doing this? The money was a factor, no doubt. She’d offered an amount that would be hard to refuse, especially for a rising star. But there was more to it, she sensed.

Last night, after agreeing to Elliot’s scheme, she’d looked up Kate’s recent work. Kate’s talent was evident, and her profile was rising. Her last three roles would have netted her a decent paycheck, so money alone didn’t quite explain her willingness to participate in this charade.

As Elliot outlined the next steps, his phone buzzed with a call. He glanced at the screen, his eyebrows furrowing. “I need to take this. It’s one of my other clients.”

Vanessa didn’t miss the satisfied glint in his eyes. It wouldn’t surprise her if he’d staged that call to create an opportunity for her and Kate to talk alone.

“By all means,” she said. “We can continue without you.”

Elliot stood, smoothing his suit jacket. “I won’t be long.”

Vanessa watched him leave, his footsteps echoing in the hallway, before turning back to Kate. They were alone for the first time since this idea had been thrust upon them. Kate shifted in her seat, her fingers wrapped loosely around the wine glass.

Vanessa studied Kate as she swirled the wine in her glass, her fingers slender around the stem.

“I’m so sorry about what happened with Lauren,” Kate said, her voice soft, breaking the silence that had settled between them. Her words carried a trace of nervousness. “The last few weeks must have been...” She trailed off, her eyes flicking down as if searching for the right phrase, some expression to encapsulate the chaos and hurt Vanessa had endured. “Difficult,” she finished, her tone tinged with sympathy.

Vanessa met Kate’s gaze. “The hardest of my life,” she said. It was a simple statement, but it held the weight of her world, the wreckage of a decade-long partnership, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

“I was surprised when Elliot approached me with this idea,” Kate said, “but I understand why you’re doing it. Taking control of the narrative or whatever Elliot calls it.”

“Why are you doing this?” The question escaped Vanessa’s lips before she could overthink it.

Kate’s eyes widened, caught off-guard. “I...”

“For the money, I assume?” Vanessa pressed, her gaze sharpening. “It’s a substantial sum. No one would blame you.”

Kate shook her head, her cheeks flushing. “I can’t take your money, Vanessa. I agreed to this for another reason entirely.”

Vanessa raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. “Oh?”

Kate set her glass down on the coffee table, her movements deliberate. “I want to be honest with you, Vanessa. This fake relationship... It’s a chance for me to come out.”

Vanessa baulked, the wine glass freezing halfway to her lips. “Come out?”

Kate leaned forward. “I’ve wanted to come out for weeks now. Elliot advised me to wait—to find the right opportunity, not just blurt it out on some red carpet.”

Kate took a breath, her eyes never leaving Vanessa’s. “I knew I was gay since I was seventeen, but I made a conscious decision to come to L.A. and try to make a name for myself first.” Her voice wavered. “Time just got away from me. One role led to another, and I kept thinking that after the next one, then it would be the right time to come out. But the truth is, I’ve been feeling so guilty about hiding who I am.”

Vanessa stared at Kate. That was probably the last thing that she could have imagined Kate saying. Clearly, her gaydar was rusty, but then again, Vanessa hadn’t used it in ten years.

“Kate.” Vanessa set her wine glass down. “Are you sure this is how you want to do it?” She leaned forward, searching Kate’s face. “I know how persuasive Elliot can be. Look at me,” she said with a hint of a smile. “I’m actually entertaining this whole scheme.” A soft laugh escaped her lips. “But this is your story to tell. It should be on your terms.”

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