Page 385 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
As I look at Audrey’s drawn expression, noting the dark circles under her eyes, I have to wonder if he’s right.
Not for the first time, I wonder what would have happened—ifanythingwould have happened—had I never asked Audrey to come to LA. What if I’d just asked her out? Expressed an interest and told her I wanted to take her to dinner?
Just like every other time I’ve asked myself the question, doubt roars up to squelch the idea. I may not like the idea of lying to everyone, but the reality is, Audrey wouldn’t have said yes had all I done was ask her out. For exactly the chaos we’ve just endured. She would never choose this.
She would never chooseme.
For that reason, I have to be grateful Joni took Simon’s hair-brained idea and turned it into something I could actually swallow.
It’s bought me time with Audrey, and I’ll never regret that.
Whether it will make a difference in how the press handles the movie, that’s still up for debate. The pictures of Audrey on my Instagram account have put a stop to Claire’s veiled comments and innuendo, but for how long? If this business has taught me anything, it’s that you only have so much control over any story,and things can spin out of control at any moment. The best I can do is hold on for the ride.
“Oh, heads up,” Kenji says. “Mark Sheridan will be at the premiere tomorrow night. His RSVP came in late, but he’ll be there.”
I sit up a little taller in my seat, angling my body so I can better look at Kenji—no small feat seeing as how he fills up half the backseat all by himself. “He’ll be there? Should I take that as a good sign?”
Kenji shrugs. “I don’t think it’s a bad one.”
“Mark Sheridan?” Audrey asks, leaning around me to look at Kenji. “He’s the one who did the documentary on offshore drilling.”
Kenji’s eyebrows go up. “Most people know him for his multiple Oscars, but sure. Off-shore drilling.”
“He actuallywonone of those Oscars for the offshore drilling documentary,” I say, and Kenji lifts a hand in acknowledgment. “But the most important thing,” I say, looking back at Audrey, "is that he’s the executive producer for a movie I really want to work on. If he’s here, I can only hope he’s interested in meeting me in person.”
“This isn’t the one you just had a meeting about the other day? The one you’re producing?”
I shake my head. “Something different. That one is already a sure thing.”
She nods. “Sounds like a big deal.”
“It’s a great role. It’s thoughtful. A little cerebral. And it’s atoughcharacter. Butgah—when I read the script, it felt right in my bones, you know?”
Audrey reaches over and squeezes my hand, her lips lifting into a smile that sends a bolt of heat straight to my heart. “I like it when you talk about your work,” she says.
I hold her gaze. “You do? You know my work ismovies,right?”
She rolls her eyes and tries to tug her hand away. “You make me sound like such a troll. I’ve watchedtwomovies with you now, and I loved them both. So there.”
I grin and hold her hand a little tighter. She’s not about to get away from me. “Two down, only thousands more to go.”
“The point,” she says, wagging a playful finger in front of my face, “is that you light up when you talk about acting. I can tell you really love it. I’m just saying that’s fun to see.”
“Well, we want him to light up for this role,” Kenji says. “It’s the kind that could land him another Oscar nod. Maybe even a win.”
I settle back into my seat, loving the way Audrey leans into me, her body flush against mine. “Only if I do it justice.”
“For now, just focus on making a good impression when you meet Sheridan,” Kenji says.
I nod. “I can do that. What time do we start tomorrow?”
“Early,” Kenji says. “Eight a.m. Interviews will run until four, then you’ll have a couple hours free before you walk the red carpet at six p.m. sharp.” He looks from me to Audrey, then back again. “You’re going to feel jetlagged in the morning, and you always get puffy when you’re jetlagged. Stay in tonight. Even if Simon asks. And no alcohol. Alcohol also makes you look puffy.”
Audrey snickers beside me, and I nudge her knee with mine.
“Simon will definitely ask,” I say, knowing my publicist well enough to sense exactly where his priorities are.
“He will. And he’ll probably want you to show up somewhere Claire is going to be.” Kenji looks toward Audrey. “Don’t let him cave, Audrey. Simon is very persuasive. Keep him in tonight. Tomorrow’s a big day. You both need to rest up.”
