Page 47 of Lucky Star

“If you say so, but how does the studio explain away pictures of the two of you? Surely now that Cameron is a huge star there are paparazzi following you guys everywhere too. Why haven’t I seen those pictures?”

The truth was the only paparazzi following Cameron were the ones paid for by the studio. Until the movie premiered next year, he probably wouldn’t have to worry about being stalked by them. Without any major scandal attached to his name or the movie, he and Jillian still had a small measure of anonymity.

Nor did I bother explaining that the reason there weren’t any pictures of Cameron and me out and about is because we’d stopped leaving the house together. For all intents and purposes, there wasn’t an “us” to photograph. This whole thing was hard enough as it was without having to placate her as well. I didn’t have the energy to deal with her brand of crazy.

“What aren’t you telling me?” she asked when I quit speaking. Jane Travers could be many infuriating things, but stupid wasn’t one of them. No matter how badly she seemed to want people to think so.

Time to put on my big girl pants. “Do you promise not to judge me?”

“How can you even ask that?” That she sounded surprised—very nearly offended—would have been funny if things weren’t so dire.

“Right. Okay, no judging.” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes to deliver the news I knew she would freak out over. “There are no pictures of me because … because … I’m a secret.” I exhaled. “I’m Cameron’s secret fiancé, and only a few people know about us.”

One second, two, then three passed as she absorbed my words. “That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard you say, and you’ve shared some doozies over the years. Secret fiancé!” She scoffed. “What the hell kind of a thing is that?”

For once in my life, I actually agreed with my mother.

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