Page 33 of How to Kiss a Movie Star
Joni’s shoulders fall, and she frowns. “I guess that’s true,” she relents. “But if she’s scared off by a single movie premiere, honey, she’s not the woman for you anyway. Maybe this will be a good test.”
I rub a hand across my forehead, suddenly feeling so tired. “I don’t want a test. I want a normal relationship.”
“I know you do,” she says, her tone gentle. “But Flint, you haven’t had a normal life in years.”
I leave the window and drop onto the couch beside Joni with a weary sigh.
She’s at least right about that much.
Without saying anything, Joni slides her iPad onto my lap. There’s a long list of bullet points on the screen. “Just look it over,” she says. “Give it some thought.”
I sigh and pick up the iPad.
The plan isn’t complicated. We would start with a couple of photos on my Instagram account of me and Audrey hanging out around the house, maybe swimming in the pool, but the photos wouldnotshow Audrey’s face. She would just be an unidentified woman spending time with me. Over the next few weeks, up until the premiere, I’d post a few more times, making it clear I’m seeing someone, still without revealing Audrey’s identity.
I like this part of the plan because it will keep Audrey out of the limelight as long as possible. Her life will continue as normal—something that wouldn’t happen if the photos were to give any hint as to who she is. The internet wouldn’t need more than her face to dig up everything there is to know about her.
Finally, Audrey would attend the premiere with me, and we would act very much like a couple.
“Who knows?” Joni says as I hand her back the iPad. “Maybe after spending all this time together, you won’t even have to fake it on the red carpet. You can justbea couple.”
“You know, when I moved back to North Carolina, I thought I was leaving all the Hollywood drama behind,” I say.
“Claire’s too persistent to just let you go, Flint,” she says. “But I really think this plan will work. And it’s so much better than Simon’s idea.”
“What’s better than Simon’s idea?” Nate asks as he ambles into the room. He hands Joni a plate holding the most beautiful tomato sandwich I’ve ever seen. “I brought you dinner.”
“Did that tomato come out of my garden?” I ask, my stomach rumbling loud enough for both of them to hear.
Nate lifts an eyebrow. “Maybe?”
Joni takes a huge bite. She lets out a groan while she chews. “Oh my gosh, this is delicious.” She grabs Nate’s shirt and tugs him down for a kiss. “Thank you,” she says, and I look away. Sometimes the two of them are sweet. Sometimes they’re completely ridiculous.
“Okay, I need some food,” I say as I head toward the door.
“You want a tomato sandwich?” Nate calls after me. “Sorry, man. I should have brought you one.”
“Nah, I think I’m going to head out, actually.”
Nate stiffens. “Where to?”
I sigh. My personal protection officer does not like it when I go places alone. Even in Silver Creek.
“Just to Lennox’s,” I say, deciding on the spot. “I’ll be fine on my own. I promise.”
I don’t wait long enough for him to respond. Instead, I hurry out of my office and into my kitchen, where I grab my keys and a beat-up baseball cap from the hook by the garage door. I cram the hat on, then hurry out to my truck.
Is this really what my life has become?
Conversations about faking out the media and throwing off persistent exes?
Is it really too much to ask that I justlikea woman, date her, then settle down without all this extra drama? I know there are actors in Hollywood who justact,who focus on their art without getting distracted by all the noise. Can I justbeone of them? Can I let all this other stupid stuff go?
Ten minutes later, I pull up to the backside of Hawthorne, Lennox’s restaurant, craving, more than anything else, a conversation about something besides my own stupid life.
The public parking on the opposite side of the restaurant was slam full when I drove past, and I don’t love the idea of navigating a crowded dining room, so I’m hoping if I sneak in the back and find Lennox, he’ll be able to feed me without making a scene.
I push through the back door and slowly make my way toward Lennox’s kitchen. The Stonebrook Farm catering kitchen occupies the back half of the building, but it’s quiet tonight, so there must not be anything going on at the farm.
