Page 16 of Fake It 'Til You Sleigh It

Beautiful?True, but I’d eat my Santa hat before giving her that kind of ammunition.

Smart?She’d probably take it as an insult to her other qualities.

My brain scrambles for a safe adjective, coming up empty.

“You’re fine,” I end up saying. I instantly regret it.

“You’re an asshole,” she says, slamming her laptop shut.

“Yes, people love me. That doesn’t mean I can make people likeyou.I’m not a magician.”

“Get ready to pull a rabbit out of your ass, because this is happening. We have two weeks to convince everyone we’re madly in love.”

Something’s off. Chase is wound tighter than usual, which is saying something. She’s holding back, but what?

“You have no idea what you’ve done. The media circus, the rabid fans… it’s not all autographs and selfies, you know.”

Chase scoffs, waving a dismissive hand. “Please. You do it. How hard can it be?”

I laugh. “It’s a full-time job. The constant updates, the carefully curated posts, dealing with the die-hard fans. Tell me, have you ever been followed into the bathroom? You think directing is stressful? Try having millions of people watching your every move, hanging on your every word.”

“I can handle it,” Chase insists, her jaw set in that stubborn way I’ve come to know all too well.

I stand up. “No. I’m not doing it. I’m not participating in some subscriber scam.”

Her eyes narrow dangerously. “If you don’t…”

She hesitates. Since when is she so careful with her words? I can feel it, like when a performance isn’t genuine. Chase is many things—bossy, frustratingly attractive, probably plotting my demise this very second. But indirect? Not her style.So why does this feel like she’s hiding something?

For a moment, her voice goes soft, like she’s temporarily possessed by an actual human being. “Ethan, I.. I need this or...” Then, faster than I can say “what the fuck,” she’s back to her usual bossy self. “Or you can kiss your ‘King of Christmas’ crown goodbye. The network’s drawn the line: a million subs, otherwise we’re both fired.”

What she says hits me like a gut punch. I need this job. The money, the fame—it’s not just for me. I have people who rely on me, but there’s no way in hell I’m telling Chase that.

Then again… maybe this PR nightmare is my golden ticket out of rom-com purgatory. I’ve been dying to do more than just flash my abs and dazzle old ladies with my smile. This could be my chance to go from handsome face to Hollywood heavyweight.

I shrug. “Maybe I’m done being typecast. My agent’s been pushing me to move into action flicks. Says this body’s being wasted on feel-good movies.” I flex for emphasis, enjoying the way Chase rolls her eyes. “There’s this surfing biopic that’s got me pegged for the lead.”

“Oh, please,” Chase snorts. “Christmas owns you. And you love it.”

I lean in, my voice low and cocky as fuck. “Face it, ice queen... You need me more than I need you. I’ll play along with your little scheme, but only if we do it my way.”

Chase leans back, arms crossed, holding in her rage. “I’m listening. But this better blow my mind, or I’m swapping you out for a blow-up doll. It’ll give a more convincing performance.”

“Starting with shit like that. You might be a hotshot director, but social media is my kingdom. You need me, my fans, and mybrilliant fucking ideas. It takes a lot more than just pretending we’re a couple. If this is a social media campaign, we’re equal partners, sweetheart.”

“Absolutely not,” Chase fires back.

I shrug, turning towards the door. “I guess I’ll be hitting the waves. Cowabunga, dude!” I mime riding a surfboard and then wave goodbye with a hang loose sign.

Chase pinches the bridge of her nose. “Wait, okay,” she grits out. “Partners.”

I grin, dropping back onto the sofa. “Next, I want you to go to bat for me with the executives. I want to direct a movie.”

The laugh that bursts out of Chase is so sudden and loud, it echoes off the bare walls. “You? Direct? Oh… you’re serious?”

“Yeah. Why is that funny?”

“Pretty boy, you have no idea how difficult my job is. You can’t just smile your way through it. Directing is hard work.”

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