Sam takes a step forward, a large grin on her face and her hand extended. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m a huge fan of your work.”
Jennifer smiles wide and returns the gesture. “It’s a pleasure to meet a fan. Thank you so much.” She turns back to me. “Well, I’d better get into hair and makeup. Maybe we can go out for a drink tonight? I’d like to have the chance to catch up.”
“Sorry, Sam and I are on a flight back to Vancouver after this is done. I’m in the middle of filming, remember?”
She taps her fingers against her forehead in a duh motion. “Silly me. Well, have a safe flight back. Maybe we can get drinks when you return.” I nod my head but don’t supply an answer. “Sam, it was nice to meet you. Don’t trust a word he says.” She laughs and walks off to her room. I push open the door to my changing room and slam it closed behind Sam.
“What a bitch.” I toss myself on the small couch and prop my foot on the coffee table, shaking it back and forth with aggression.
She shrugs and leans against the makeup table. “She seems nice to me.”
“Trust me, she’s anything but.”
There is a knock on the door, and Sam hurries to open it.
“Hi. I’m José, the makeup artist. I’m here to get Tait ready for the show.” She moves aside, allowing him to enter. “Mr. Flanigan, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He smiles and shakes my hand.
“Call me Tait. It’s nice to meet you, too.”
I have a seat in the makeup chair, and Sam takes my spot on the couch. José pulls brushes and different makeup out of his waist pouch, but I’m not even paying attention as he gets me ready for the camera. My eyes are glued to the beauty sitting behind me. She’s scrolling through her phone, biting her thumbnail.
“Sam, what are you reading?”
She looks up and locks eyes with me. I offer a smirk, and she shakes her head, giving me a small smile in return before looking down. “Not much. Just checking social media. Nothing exciting.”
José strokes the brush over my nose one last time and then packs his supplies. “Knock ‘em dead.” I wave as he walks out, leaving us alone again.
I change into my suit—a navy pair of pants with a matching suit jacket and a black shirt underneath. No tie and the top two buttons are undone. My shoes are black and shiny. I look good, and based on the way her eyes follow my motions, she thinks so as well.
I stride toward her. “Well, looks like we have twenty minutes. Whatever shall we do?”
“Maybe you can tell me why Jennifer is such a bitch?”
I sigh. “Maybe another time.”
* * *
We standon the side of the stage waiting for James to introduce me.
“Can I get a kiss for good luck?”
“What is with you and thinking a kiss brings you good luck? Just go out there and be the real you. Not the cocky asshole you try to be.” She covers her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide. “Sorry, that wasn’t supposed to come out.”
I lean down, my lips pressed against her ear. “It’s fine, I’ll give you some spanks later for that sassy mouth. Also, you look beautiful in that dress.” She shivers as I pull my lips back and stand up tall.
“Please welcome our next guest, Tait Flanigan,” James announces. The audience claps and cheers as I walk out on the set waving and smiling. James extends his hand, and I take it, giving him a firm handshake. He motions for me to sit on the lush black leather seat and I do, a final wave and smile to the audience before he begins talking.
“Welcome to the show. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us.”
“Thanks, James, it’s a pleasure to be here.” I have a smile plastered on my face.
“Right now, you are filming your new movieKeep Her Safein Vancouver. What’s that like? How’s it going?”
“Filming is wonderful, and we’re having a fantastic time. We’re like a big family up there.”
“A family, huh? I guess that makes you and Caleb like brothers then, right? Fighting with each other.”
My face drops, and I look over toward Sam. She’s nodding at me to continue. “Only pretend. I’m assuming you’re talking about the punch he got on me a little over a month ago? We have a few fight scenes together in this movie, and we wanted to give our fans a show. Turns out his aim sucks and he got me. It’s all in good fun though. Caleb and I get along just fine.”Only a half-truth, but better than a full lie.
