Summertime, p.6
Summertime, page 6
“Well, did you tell her it was nothing? And that I’m working on the set?”
“Here’s the deal. She really liked the idea of you.”
“What do you mean?” I glance at my dad and he looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here.
“You’ve got that wholesome, sexy vibe. Sorry,” he says to my dad, who rolls his eyes. “And if you could just pretend to be into me for like a month or two, six tops, it would really help me out.”
“What? What do you mean pretend to be into you? Like fake date?”
He nods and I laugh. It dies down quickly when I’m the only one laughing.
“We’d just have to make a few appearances together. No big deal. Maybe a few dinners out together.”
“Is this because you kissed me the other day? Did they see that too?”
I scan the pictures and sure enough, there’s one of us kissing too.
“Sorry about that.” He makes a face. “I think that’s what started this whole deal and really made her see red. I’ve been seen kissing a different girl every time I’m photographed and Catherine is not pleased.”
“Well, I’m not going to kiss you and let you grope me just so you can make Catherine happy,” I tell him. I look at my dad again. His arms are folded and he’s being awfully quiet. “Why aren’t you saying anything, Dad?”
“Because it’s not a bad idea. It would create interest in the film, if people find out Liam fell in love with the director’s daughter while on this set…”
“Fell in love?” I spit out. “I thought it was just a few dinners or something.”
“We wouldn’t have to kiss,” Liam says. “Just a little hand-holding, a little arm around your shoulder…a few laughs. No big. What do you say?”
My dad and I speak at once.
“I say this is a terrible idea.”
“I think you should do it.”
“What?” I turn to face my dad. “I can’t believe this. I can’t believe you’re wanting me to do it.”
“Liam’s a good guy. It’ll help him out, get your name out there more…that’s what you’re wanting, right?”
“I want to make my way as a writer in this town, not as a sidepiece.” My eyes fill with tears and I turn to walk out.
“Please, Summer,” Liam says. “I promise I’ll be respectful. It doesn’t have to be a big deal.”
My head falls back as I glare at the ceiling. I have always struggled with telling people no. It’s maybe my biggest fault ever, and I count it as a doozie, especially in this moment.
“One month,” I tell him. “I’ll give you a month.”
He rushes toward me like he’s going to hug me and pauses when he sees the look on my face. “Thank you,” he says, smiling his pretty Hollywood smile that makes all the girls forget their names.
I nod and turn back toward the door.
“One more thing,” he says, “please don’t let anyone know we’re pretending. Okay, Summer? Not a soul. Not even your mother. And no one on set.”
“That would be for the best,” Dad adds.
I turn and glare at both of them. Because all that’s going through my mind right now is that moment with Hudson earlier…
Looks like that won’t be happening again.
15
AGREEABLE AND FEISTY
I don’t get to go to bed early at all. I’m grilled for hours about the ways we can make this relationship with Liam and me look as authentic as possible. It’s ironic to me that the word authentic is actually used when it’s a fake relationship from top to bottom.
As we’ve hashed out the details of how we’ll let everyone know we’re together the next day, Liam leans in close to me and grins.
“It’ll be fun, I promise. Okay? I’ll be on my best behavior. I won’t be a jerk and grab your butt or anything like that…or-or kiss you, I swear it.” He looks longingly at my lips and I blink slowly.
This guy.
“And I won’t—well, I can’t promise I won’t flirt with you because you’re really hot, you know? But I’ll make it as fun for you as I can. I’m really grateful,” he adds at the end of his mini-rant.
“What did you do that was so bad with that girl?”
He looks embarrassed for about two seconds before grinning. “We got caught having sex on Space Mountain in Disney World.”
“How is that even—?” Disturbing images of body parts, flashing lights, and dropping stomachs take over and make me shudder.
“We were supposed to be the only ones on the ride and it’s honestly not as cool as it s—”
“Enough.” Dad holds up a hand, pausing Liam. “I don’t want to hear the details of this. Don’t make me regret being agreeable to this little arrangement, Liam.”
Liam emphatically nods like he couldn’t agree more. “I will not, sir. I promise to treat our little Summer here like a queen.”
“I’m not little,” I snap.
“I think we should have nicknames, don’t you?” Liam says.
I walk to the door. “I’m going to bed. Seems like the two of you have it all figured out. You can let me know if I’m Snookums or Sweet Pea tomorrow.”
Liam frowns. “I don’t really see you as a Snookums or a Sweet Pea.”
I groan. What have I gotten myself into?
“Before you go, I’d like you to sign this contract, Summer.” My dad has been quietly working on something the past half hour and now he slides the paper across the desk.
“I’ll be compensated for this?” I point to the sum on the paper. It would be a nice sum of money to put away for a future film of my own, or to get my own house once I’m back in Charlotte.
“Does that seem like enough?” Dad asks. He glances at Liam, who nods.
“I’m good for it,” Liam says. “You’re really doing me a huge favor, Summer. I won’t take it lightly.”
I’m kind of touched by his earnestness and then remind myself that he’s an actor. A damn good one. A damn good player too apparently, something that I would do well to remember.
“Thank you. I guess I can’t say no.”
Liam and my dad both sink back into their chairs and I make my escape.
I pause outside my door, looking toward Hudson’s room. We had such a fun night before all this craziness started. It feels so long ago when the biggest thing I was worried about tonight was the fact that I flashed Hudson. And then wondering if he was going to kiss me.
Things can change in such a short amount of time.
What is he going to say about all of this? I hate that my dad doesn’t want me to tell him.
I’m exhausted when I wake up the next morning and am running late. When I get to the kitchen, one of the sexier pictures of me lotioning Liam up is on the refrigerator and so is the one of us kissing. Liam walks in, holding his coffee cup, and Hudson is behind him. Liam puts his arms around my waist as I’m pouring coffee and nuzzles into my neck.
“Morning, Sunshine,” he says. “I’m still thinking about last night.”
I spill coffee on the counter and he rushes to wipe it up for me. I glance back at Hudson who is looking between the two of us with an indecipherable expression. I will him to look into my eyes, to see the truth there, but he never quite makes eye contact with me.
“Everyone’s outside already. Waiting on you both,” he says, walking out of the kitchen and leaving me alone with my new boyfriend.
“Did you have to lay it on so thick?” I say between my teeth.
Liam’s eyes are wide. “I just thought we could use the practice before we take it out in the real world.” He grins. “I think Sunshine fits you perfectly. Don’t you?”
“No,” I snap. “It doesn’t.”
Liam sticks his lips out, pouting. “Well, not if you’re grumbling like that, but if you use your normal voice—”
I walk out before he can finish that sentence. It’s going to be a long month. He falls into step beside me within seconds.
“I was thinking, we should probably have a romantic dinner together while we’re here. Get things rolling with our Hawaiian lovefest.”
“Fine,” I say. “Just tell me when and I’ll be ready.”
He props his arm around my shoulder and beams down at me. “I love it when you’re so agreeable.”
I roll my eyes and he kisses the tip of my nose.
“And feisty,” he adds.
“We said no kissing.”
He holds up both hands. “I said we wouldn’t have to kiss. I never agreed to not kissing your nose.”
I stalk off and try to catch up with the morning tasks I’m already behind on.
My phone starts going bonkers within the next few hours. I have to turn off the sound because I’m getting texts every two seconds. My mom and Autumn most of all, but also friends from school, numbers I don’t recognize, and a few guys I had dates with at UNC that I’d hoped had lost my number. The question everyone wants an answer to, and immediately, is: When did you start dating Liam Taylor?
Hudson hasn’t spoken to me all day except to bark orders in my general direction. Hannah keeps trying to grill me about what’s going on with Liam and me.
She finally says, “I thought the gruff, serious persona was more your type, but you do you, girl.”
We finish filming for the night, and Liam links his fingers through mine as we’re walking back toward the house. “Dinner with me tonight?” he asks.
16
OUT OF MY LEAGUE
I check the mirror one more time before leaving my room. A short chiffon corseted dress with a flowy hemline. It’s both sexy and sweet. I have two loose braids that complete the look, and my makeup is on point, if I do say so myself. If I’m going to be photographed, I hope I will at least look my best.
I shoot a quick text to my mom and Autumn because I’ve avoided them all day.
I promise I’ll fill you in later! Going to dinner now and the days are so long. Love you.
Mom writes back first. You better fill us in! :)
And then Autumn quickly follows. Giving you a break since you’re dating a celebrity and must be SO BUSY, but if you forget about me, I’m cutting you. I laugh and slide on my strappy heels.
When I step into the living room, everyone is in there and they all go quiet.
“Wow, Summer. You look gorgeous,” Hannah is the first to say.
“Thank you.” I smile at her and look for Hudson. He’s looking out the wall of windows toward the beach.
Liam walks up to me and puts his hands on my waist. “Fucking amazing,” he says.
“Watch that mouth near my daughter,” Dad says, and everyone laughs. Well, I can’t tell if Hudson laughs or not because he won’t turn around. “Have fun, you two.”
We walk hand in hand to the car and there’s a driver already waiting. When we get in the back seat, I drop Liam’s hand and he smiles at me.
“How do you feel about seafood?” he asks.
“I love it.”
He sighs and leans back in the seat, still looking at me. “Whew.” He acts like he’s wiping sweat off his brow. “You look really gorgeous tonight.”
“You don’t have to say that.”
“But it’s true.”
I whisper in his ear so the driver can’t hear us. “When we’re alone, you don’t have to pretend with me. It’ll be too stressful if we feel like we’re always on.”
“But I’m not pretending. You really are gorgeous,” he whispers back in my ear.
I shiver when his lips brush against my ear and lean back, staring straight ahead.
He takes my hand in his and puts it to his lips. “Come on, Summer. Let’s make the most of our time together, okay?” he says, still whispering.
I nod, but I don’t look at him. His smiling eyes and quick charm would make it so easy to get confused during all of this, and I’m determined I won’t let that happen. This is a game we’re playing and I will play my part and bring home a nice sum of money. It’s probably one hundred percent more than what I was going to make from being his lackey, since my dad hasn’t mentioned me getting paid in any of our “communication” or lack thereof. The whole thing is bizarre. I feel bad for taking money from Liam, but he and my dad just acted like that was a given.
I should have argued the whole arrangement more than I did.
It’s possible that I have issues. Huge issues. I already know what Autumn will say to me agreeing to this craziness, her starstruck ideas of Liam aside—she’ll blame it on me wanting our dad’s approval, and she’s not entirely wrong.
The restaurant is romantic and sets the mood for seduction with the low lights, the pulsing soundtrack played just quietly enough to stir the blood. We’re treated like royalty when we walk in, being seated at the best ocean-view table.
“You can order whatever you want, but there’s a seven-course meal that they are specializing in tonight and it will be out of this world,” Liam says, setting aside the menu.
“I can put away a lot, but I think I’ll just stick to the mahi.”
He smiles and leans in close. “So, is this going to mess you up with anyone at home, our little arrangement?”
“I don’t have anyone at home, but pretty sure this is going to mess up any options I have for a while, yes.” Thinking of the way Hudson wouldn’t look at me, I deflate into the seat.
He makes a face but is still smiling. I think it’s his default button. Maybe he’s naturally this happy and easygoing? Seems hard to maintain. He reaches out and takes my hand. “Well, I’m sorry for that. Feel free to use me for anything you might be missing—since I’ll be in the same boat.” He leans back as the waitress walks up, and my face is flaming because I think his “anything” includes sex.
I’m so out of my league here.
That’s the most awkward part of the night, though. It does get better. Liam talks about the last set he was on with my dad and asks me about what my life is like back home. I tell him about my mom and Autumn. He has a brother and a sister, and they live on Nantucket.
“Really? I’ve never met anyone who lived there. Year-round?”
“Yep. Top coastal cuisine. We own a restaurant. I grew up working there and my brother and sister are still there. I’m the rebel of the group since I have no desire to take over the restaurant, now or ever.” It’s the only time his voice loses that teasing quality.
“I’m sure they’re so proud of the success you’ve had…”
He makes a face. “My dad’s words and I quote: ‘We both know you don’t have what it takes. Come home when this phase has run out. Preferably sooner than later.’”
“Ouch. I’m sorry, Liam. That’s rough.”
He shrugs and the lightheartedness is back. “I guess we all have something that motivates us,” he says.
He glances over my shoulder and back at me, leaning closer and taking my hand again. Next thing I know, his hand is brushing the hair away from my face and he’s staring into my eyes so intently, I think he’s going to kiss me right here in the restaurant.
“You are so beautiful,” he says. “I can’t believe you’re here with me.”
That clues me in that he’s acting for someone, but geez, the way he delivers his lines. He’s a better actor than I realized.
And then he leans in even closer, his forehead against mine. “Any reason this can’t be real?” he asks.
17
FIRST DATES AND SLIMY SNAKES
Is he kidding me right now? Liam, who according to my sister, is Hollywood’s biggest IT guy right now, is asking if we can have a real relationship?
I feel like I’m leading a double life right now. My life in Charlotte seems so far away, and yet this one I’m in right now feels impossible.
This is why I prefer to stay behind the scenes. I’d rather know who the screenwriter is than the actor. I’d rather date the director’s assistant than…
“Summer?” Liam says, smiling that cute twinkly-eyed smile he has.
“No. No chance,” I tell him. “I prefer to keep my feet on the ground instead of whatever whirlwind you’d take me on, thank you very much.”
“See, when you say it like that, it sounds like a compliment,” he says, laughing.
“Only someone like you who has no insecurities whatsoever could take that as a compliment.” But I’m grinning because his charm is infectious. Even when he’s obnoxious, he’s bubbling over with charisma.
“Who doesn’t want to fly?”
“I’ve never been a huge fan of flying,” I admit. “And I prefer to fictionalize the drama rather than living it.”
Our waitress comes up before he can respond to that, but his eyes stay on me.
“Have you decided what you’d like?” he asks.
“I’ll have the mahi-mahi with garlic-lime oil.”
I have to give it to the waitress—she appears calm and professional as she looks at Liam for his order, but I see her hand shake slightly and realize she’s just really good at her job.
How many people are playing a part all the time?
For some reason, it makes me think of Hudson and how easy it feels to be around him. But I don’t really know him and he’s already giving me the cold shoulder. I mean, who can blame him? He thinks I’ve fallen under Liam’s spell.
I sigh and Liam leans forward, pouring a glass of chilled white wine into my glass. After he’s poured his, he lifts his glass and motions for me to lift mine.
“To embracing flying,” he says.
I roll my eyes but clink his glass and take a sip. The wine is crisp and smooth and I have no idea what notes are in it or all that wine jargon, but it tastes really good. Before long, Liam and I are trading stories about bicycle accidents and prom dates. The food is delicious and I’ve gotten through a dinner with Liam. When we step outside the restaurant a few hours later, there are a couple of photographers waiting. Nothing too intimidating, but they’re persistent. We pause and pose for one or two and then walk hand-in-in hand to the waiting car. When I slide into the back seat, I want to sag against the cushion and catch my breath, but the cameras are still right there.
