Page 9 of Beyond the Red Carpet

“No,” Kate said, her gaze shifting to Vanessa.

“We’re fine, thank you,” Vanessa said, picking up her fork.

The waiter left them alone again. Kate picked up her own fork, grateful for the momentary distraction of food. She needed these few seconds to compose herself, to steady her racing pulse.

“You know, everyone remembers Ava Gardner’s beauty in that film,” Vanessa said. “But what stays with me is Maria’s loneliness.” Vanessa’s fingers played with the stem of her wine glass. “The way she kept trying to break free of other people’s expectations.” She took a sip of wine. “And the irony doesn’t escape me,” Vanessa said, a wry smile playing on her lips. “Here we are, trying to shape our own story, just like those men did with Maria. Though I suppose at least we’re the ones writing the script this time.”

“Maria Vargas was just a character in a movie,” Kate said, keeping her tone light. “And we’re just two actresses having dinner.”

Kate watched Vanessa take another bite of her salad, still processing their conversation. The whole evening had taken on a dreamlike quality - the intimate setting, the easy flowof conversation, Vanessa’s undivided attention. If someone had told her a week ago she’d be sitting across from Vanessa Prescott, discussing old Hollywood films and sharing meaningful glances, she would have laughed it off as fantasy.

But this wasn’t a real date. Kate had to keep reminding herself of that fact. The warmth in Vanessa’s eyes, the way she leaned in when Kate spoke, the subtle flirting about blonde actresses - it was all part of their arrangement. Vanessa was simply being professional, making sure they could create convincing chemistry for the cameras.

If they could maintain this easy rapport, if Kate could keep her actual feelings tucked away beneath the surface, they might be able to pull this off.

Kate took another sip of wine, letting its warmth spread through her chest. She could do this. She could separate the fantasy from reality, her genuine attraction from their staged romance. After all, she was an actress. A good one. Pretending was what she did best, even if her racing pulse suggested otherwise.

5

The kitchen’s warmth dissipated as Vanessa led Kate through the narrow back corridor of Nico’s restaurant. Their heels clicked against the weathered tile floor, echoing off the exposed brick walls. The scent of garlic and herbs lingered in the air.

“Nico always keeps this exit clear.” Vanessa pushed open the heavy metal door, holding it for Kate.

Kate stepped into the doorway but paused, turning back to face Vanessa. The dim security light cast shadows across her features, but her blue eyes caught the glow. A strand of blonde hair had escaped from behind her ear, and Vanessa’s fingers twitched with an urge to tuck it back into place.

“I had a wonderful time tonight.” Kate’s voice carried a note of sincerity that transcended their arranged circumstances.

Vanessa remained in the threshold beside her, conscious of the minimal space between them. “So did I.” The words came out softer than Vanessa intended. She cleared her throat.

She’d chosen this place for its discretion. Nico kept the paparazzi at bay, and the back entrance allowed for private exits. But something caught her eye. A slight movement in thedecorative shrubs across the street. The glint of a camera lens peeked through the leaves.

Her hand shot out, a spontaneous reaction to the threat across the street. Her fingers closed around Kate’s wrist, slender and delicate beneath her palm as she turned to step out into the alley. The warmth of Kate’s skin surprised her. Vanessa drew her back into the shelter of the doorway, their bodies momentarily pressed together.

Vanessa lowered her head to Kate’s ear. “There’s a photographer across the street.” Her lips nearly brushed Kate’s skin. “What do you want to do?”

Kate pulled back, her eyes meeting Vanessa’s gaze. A breath escaped her lips. “Are we really doing this?” The proximity amplified every detail of Kate’s face. Her ocean blue eyes, the slight part of her lips, the way her throat moved as she swallowed.

Vanessa’s fingers remained wrapped around Kate’s wrist, her thumb resting against Kate’s pulse point. The rapid beat beneath her touch matched the quickening of her own heart. Vanessa’s gaze locked with Kate’s questioning eyes in the dimly lit doorway. The unspoken weight of their situation hung between them.

The evening replayed in Vanessa’s mind. Their easy conversation over wine, Kate’s smile, the way she’d listened with genuine interest as Vanessa shared stories from her theater days. There had been no awkwardness, no forced smiles.

“Yes.” Vanessa released Kate’s wrist, missing the warmth as soon as she let go. “If you’re ready for this.”

Kate stepped closer, her voice dropping to match the intimacy of their position. “I am.” A smile played at the corners of her mouth. “But hand-holding and quiet dinners won’t make headlines, Vanessa. We need something... more. Something that convinces everyone this is real.”

The suggestion in Kate’s words sent a shiver through her. “What are you saying? That Elliot’s plan isn’t going to work?”

“I’m saying that tonight was supposed to be a friendly dinner where we get to know one another better.” Her eyes darted to the shrubs. “That photographer is probably here for somebody else. What if we took advantage of him being here?”

The logical part of her brain screamed to retreat to her car, because this wasn’t part of Elliot’s carefully crafted plan. His strategy involved calculated appearances, planned photo opportunities. Not this spontaneous, unscripted moment in a back alley.

Kate’s fingers brushed against her arm. “Let me take the lead. Just trust me.” Kate’s voice held a confidence that caught Vanessa off guard. Before she could process the words, Kate’s hand slipped into hers, pulling her from the doorway’s shadows into the alley.

Vanessa’s heels clicked against the pavement as Kate guided her forward with surprising authority. The sounds echoed off the walls, matching the thundering of her heart.

This wasn’t how Vanessa had pictured their arrangement unfolding. In her mind, she’d been the one to guide them through this. She was the veteran actress, the one with years of experience navigating Hollywood’s spotlight.

But Vanessa found herself yielding to Kate’s direction, allowing herself to be led into whatever scene Kate had in mind.

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