Page 32 of Filthy Rich

The Pacific is pretty far from here, so the waves are teensy, but you can see it. I don’t really care, but apparently oceanview places cost way more. It’s like everything else in Hollywood—inflated and misguided.

“You know,” Adam finally says, “every actor’s career makes some sort of parabolic curve. You gain in popularity, demanding more and more money, gaining more and more fans.” Adam drags one hand downward, downward, downward. “Until you don’t.” He brushes his hands together. “Your popularity, your fans, and the amount of money you command goes up. . . until it doesn’t.”

He’s straight-up pissing me off now.

“We all want you to be the next Tom Hanks.” Adam smiles. “And I think you have it in you to do it. You’re smart, you’re handsome, and gosh darn it, people like you.”

I roll my eyes.

“But Tom Hanks didn’t get derailed by making poor relationship decisions,” Eddy says.

“Really?” I’m the one lifting both eyebrows now. “Do you care to tell me why it’s a poor decision to date Octavia?”

Eddy and Adam share some kind of look.

“Because her face is burned?” I swear, I am going to punch someone really soon. “That can’t be the reason.” I start to pace. “She pays her taxes. She works hard. She’s smart. She’s kind. She never attacks people on set or off. She’s got an amazing voice, and?—”

“It’s her face,” Adam says. “And I can’t say that anywhere but here, in this private apartment, and if you ever say I said it, I’ll lie, but Jake, the optics are bad, okay? And what I wish the world was and what it is aren’t the same.”

I can’t believe I’m hearing this.

“You shouldn’t be dating anyone really,” Eddy says. “It’s not just her. Lots of guys are good looking, but you’re well-spoken, you’re clever, and you’re single. You’ve always been single. Rumors, but nothing more, and along with your clean-cut image, it really plays right now.”

“It plays all the time.” Adam shrugs. “You even have a pretty decent fan group that’s hoping you’re gay and the few women are a cover-up.”

“But dating someone, especially someone about whom everyone will have an opinion?” Eddy sighs. “It’s complicated, and complicated is always bad.”

“Tom Hanks was married—twice,” I say. “And it really seems like his second wife broke up his first marriage—a marriage with kids, I might add. So don’t tell me?—”

“That was a different time,” Adam says. “It was before social media. Now all anyone remembers is that he’s been with Rita for a million years, and that he sure made cute movies with Meg Ryan.”

I roll my eyes. “Look, I appreciate that you guys want what’s best for me, and that you’re trying to help, but I’ll remind you that what I do when the camera isn’t rolling isn’t really your concern. That’s my life, and it’s the one place where I get to call the shots.”

“Alright.” Adam drops onto the corner of my sofa.

I take some small satisfaction knowing that it’s about as comfortable as a nearby park bench.

“Let’s play this out.” Adam drops his head on his hand and leans over the armrest. He’s hoping it’ll be more comfortable, but he’s wrong. Their firm’s interior decorator sucks. “Let’s say you get good press for dating Olivia.”

“Octavia,” I say.

“Right.” Adam nods. “Let’s say women like that you don’t care about her looks.”

“I do care,” I say. “I happen to think Octavia’s face is beautiful.”

Adam frowns. “Fine. Then, that. And let’s say women believe you, but think about this. If people love her, then how are they going to react when you break up?”

“Why would we break up?” The whole idea pisses me off. “What if we got married?”

Adam splutters.

Eddy coughs.

“You’re the one who started this.” I start pacing again, my hands jammed in my pockets. “So let’s play it out. Let’s say Octavia and I get married. Actors get married. It happens.”

“Okay.” Adam frowns. “And now you’re suddenly stuck playing action roles, because your new wife with the. . .” He clears his throat. “Beautiful face is all anxious about you kissing someone else.”

“Please.” I snort. “Stop saying dumb stuff.”

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