Page 62 of The Holiday Fakers
Brody’s gaze travels between Marv and my mom.
“You okay?” I ask him quietly.
He smiles. “Yeah, sure. I’m glad there’s some positive publicity out there.”
I blink. Is that why he gave the family our rooms? In the hope this would happen?
Marv claps his hands. “Right, let’s strategize. Erica, where’s this coffee shop?”
“Not far. Follow me!”
I hang back with Brody and let the others lead the way.
Almost immediately a pretty woman stops him, her hand on his arm.
“Oh my gosh, can I get a selfie?”
Brody gives her a dazzling smile. “Sure!”
I’ve never felt so invisible. The woman doesn’t even acknowledge my existence as she tucks her caramel-blonde tresses behind an ear and cuddles up to Brody, her phone held out in selfie mode.
I rock back on my heels, waiting impatiently, and being reminded of yet another reason why I wouldn’t want to date a celebrity.
“Oh my gosh, thank you!” she gushes after taking far too many photos. “How long are you in Hideaway for?”
Brody slings an arm around me. “We’re here until the New Year.”
Her gaze finally flicks to me. “Oh.” Then her attention is back to the star of this show. “Well, maybe see you around?”
“That would be great. Happy Holidays.”
She saunters off confidently and I bite back a sigh.
“What is it?” Brody asks. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He rolls his eyes. “When a woman says nothing’s wrong, it usually means there’s a big, fat something wrong. Is it about that woman? She’s just a fan.”
“A fan who wants to bone you.”
“She doesn’tknowme. It’s a fantasy. It’s not real.”
And I don’t know you either.
“And isn’t the whole reason why we’re out here to get candid shots from the public?” he continues. “To see me in a different light?”
“For the job.”
“Why else would I be doing this?”
I rock back on my heels again as if I’ve just been shoved. Yes, he’s doing this in the hope he’ll get a job, but what about Ethan, my family?
What about me?
I thought I was rediscovering the old Brody, but this is a stark reminder that he’s Brody two-point-oh. And I don’t know who that is.
“Did you give the family our rooms at the Hideaway Hotel to get some good publicity?”
