Page 88 of How to Kiss a Movie Star
“Slow is good. She seems like she’s holding up okay.”
“More than okay,” I say. “She’s been amazing.”
“Tonight will be the true test,” Joni says. “You think she’s really up for this full-time?”
“Maybe not the way I’ve done things in the past. But I’ve been wanting to handle this part of my career differently anyway. If I set some stronger boundaries, say no to stuff that isn’t essential. I think we can make it work. And I want to—because I really like her.”
Joni’s expression softens. “You know I’m up for anything that means we all get to slow down a little.” Her eyes dart behind me for a moment before coming back to me. “Speaking of slowing down, what do you say you let Audrey sit out the rest of the afternoon?”
I frown. “What? Why?”
Joni motions behind me. “Because I think she needs a nap.”
I turn and look through the bedroom door to see Audrey curled up on the edge of the bed.
“Besides,” Joni says. “She’s got a lot more getting ready to do for tonight than you do.”
I nod. “It’s probably better if she isn’t there when everything goes down with Simon anyway. And after our conversation, I’m sure Claire is going to be fine even without Audrey nearby.”
“Claire would be crazy to say anything suggestive now, even if she hadn’t apologized to you. Audrey’s face is all over the internet. You’ve sold it. You’re in a relationship. No one is doubting that now.”
“My face is all over the internet?” Audrey asks, appearing in the bedroom doorway.
Joni winces, like she maybe didn’t want Audrey to hear her. “Don’t go looking,” she says as she reaches over and swipes a handful of grapes from my mostly empty plate. “But yes. And TMZ has already figured out who you are, thanks to Flint introducing you to Lea asDoctor Audrey Callahan.”
“Someone heard that?” I ask.
“There was a reporter sitting ten feet behind you,” Joni says. “Of course she heard you. I wouldn’t stress about it though. We knew this would happen. I didn’t want you to freak out about it, but it isn’t a bad thing.”
“What do you mean they know who I am?” Audrey asks. “I mean, they know my name, sure. But what else have they figured out?”
Joni reaches for her phone, scrolling while she talks. “Honestly, every time the story updates, it seems like they have a little more information. They found your faculty photo from Carolina Southern, and it looks like there are links to a few more articles you’ve published.” She holds up her phone screen so Audrey and I can both see it. “This is kinda cool though. You’ve gotten so much attention that Amazon has sold out of your book.”
“My book?”
“Reforestation and Biodiversity,” Joni reads. “By Doctor Audrey Callahan.”
Audrey lets out a surprised laugh. “The only people who ever buy that book are college students who have to because it’s on their syllabus.”
Joni shrugs. “Maybe people will learn something, then.” She stands and points at Audrey. “Hey, guess what? You get the afternoon off. I suggest a real nap instead of a two-minute one on the way back from the bathroom.”
Audrey's eyes dart to me. “Oh. I’m fine. I’ll be fine without a nap.” A yawn muffles the last few words of her sentence, and she stifles it with her fist. “Ignore that,” she says. “It’s just a little bit of jet lag. But I swear I’m okay.”
I smile. “Stay and sleep. For real. I can manage without you for a little bit. Especially now that I’ve talked to Claire.”
A flash of uncertainty flits across her expression, but she nods. “Okay. If you’re sure.”
“I’ll give you two a minute to say goodbye,” Joni says, moving toward the balcony to get Nate. As she crosses back through the room, she says, “You know, since this is a totally fake relationship that doesn’t have anything to do with real, actual feelings.”
Nate follows quickly behind, and they both disappear out the door.
“She knows?” Audrey asks as soon as the latch clicks closed behind them.
I nod. “She guessed.”
Audrey nods and moves into the bedroom, dropping onto the edge of the bed. She kicks off her shoes. “Do you think we need to check in with John? If people know who I am, I worry someone might show up at the house.”
“That’s a good thought. I’ll have Nate check in with him and tell him to be extra vigilant.”
