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Sterling winced at the nickname. Without saying whatever it was he looked like he wanted to say, he turned and left.
Reese rested her forehead on the smooth wood of the door after it closed. She had been trying to tell herself that she was just enjoying a friendship with Sterling. But moments like this made it so clear that she wanted more. It made it so that she couldn’t lie to herself about her feelings.
Flopping back in bed, she turned the volume back on the television. The Property Brothers was almost over. She had missed all the ugly and hard work of renovation and only saw the happy couple and their beautiful, finished home that looked just like the dream house they always wanted.
Chapter Fifteen
Reese had been worried about jealousy as she helped fake this relationship, but what she should have been worried about was pulling it off at all. The whole thing was incredibly awkward and Sterling was not making it easier. Reese had never been on the set of a movie or TV show, but trying to take a few casual couples shots made her think of how actors were always saying that those romantic scenes in movies were never romantic on set. Hopefully, they did a better job at their very public lunch, but she couldn’t really imagine Sterling faking it in public when he was so resistant in private.
“Scoot a little closer together,” Reese said, gesturing with the hand that didn’t hold the iPhone. Morgan giggled and pressed her hips closer to Sterling. They were in the lounge at the back of the bus, Sterling’s request. Probably so that he didn’t have to do this in front of anyone, if the embarrassed look on his face was any indication.
“Better,” Reese said. Morgan was practically in Sterling’s lap, but it seemed like every time she wiggled closer, his body subconsciously leaned further away, even if he didn’t exactly move from his seat. “Sterling, just put your arm behind her on the couch.”
He shot Reese a look that she didn’t know how to respond to, then lifted his arm behind Morgan. She snuggled into his chest, smiling as her hair fell over him. Reese caught movement in Sterling’s Adam’s apple. His jaw tightened and Reese realized that if she didn’t start taking pictures, there might be explosions. Morgan looked up at him adoringly, but he stared out toward the window, his face firm and unsmiling.
Reese changed positions so that she was standing to Sterling’s side. Mostly the back and side of his head was in view. With Morgan curled into him, grinning that grin, it would pass. The look on her face and the way she was leaning against his chest made it look real. Even though Reese saw the reality behind the picture right in front of her, she still felt a tremor of jealousy. She wanted to be in Sterling’s arms. For real.
“Sterling, can you just look at Morgan? I’m behind you so you can smile or not. Doesn’t matter.”
He looked down at Morgan as Reese began to take pictures. She moved as much as she could without getting his angry look. Morgan suddenly burst into laughter, covering her mouth. Tears were running down her face. Reese paused.
“Sterling, you look like I’m about to kill you.” Morgan said. Without warning, she moved her hands, jamming her fingers into his side. Sterling burst into laughter and Reese took a burst of photos, knowing this moment would quickly end.
Sterling jumped up. “No tickling! I think we’re done. Are we done?”
“I’ve got what I need,” Reese said. At least a few casual-looking photos that would work.
“Reese, add that to the contract. No tickling,” Sterling said.
Morgan only laughed. If she was annoyed that Sterling had practically run away from her, she didn’t show it.
Reese rolled her eyes. “Sure. Next free moment I have.”
They hadn’t created a contract per se, but in a painful meeting, Reese created a Google doc of the expectations for the fake relationship. It was something she suggested and almost forced them to do, knowing that expectations could make or break even fake relationships. And hearts.
It was fairly simple. They had agreed not to share hotel rooms and not to kiss on the mouth in public. Mostly things would be G-rated, with hand-holding, hugging, and kisses on the cheek or forehead. If needed. Sterling wanted to do the bare minimum to sell this and he wanted it over amicably as soon as the tour ended. They had the other guys in the band sign non-disclosure agreements as soon as Reese realized there was no way any of them would believe in this fake relationship.
A few staged photos like this one and they were golden. Rumors and stories were already flying after the lunch Reese set up at a romantic restaurant on the road between Dallas and Kansas City. It had been lunch, not as good as dinner, but that’s what they had to work with. Paparazzi didn’t hang out in the middle of nowhere on Highway 69, but Reese dropped the name of the location on Twitter and made the reservations using Sterling’s real name. Fans did the job well enough, mobbing the restaurant and posting tons of pictures to social media. They were officially, publicly dating. Reese called one of the big celebrity sites with a statement after the fan photos started circulating.
Kevin seemed pleased with how things were moving. Reese texted him a few of the photos the first chance she had, just to show that she was playing ball his way.
His text came back almost immediately: Perfect. Knew you had it in you.
Reese shook her head. She didn’t want to have this in her. This kind of thing was not why she did what she did. Controlling the narrative was one thing; creating a false one was another.
Sterling had escaped the lounge like he was running for his life. Morgan drummed her fingers on the table. “How are the pictures?”
Reese handed her the phone and watched Morgan’s mouth tighten as she looked. “You don’t like them?” Reese asked.
“I’m sending a few to myself,” Morgan said. She pushed a few buttons and then handed the phone back to Reese and flopped back on the couch. Reese sat down beside her. “The pictures are great. The reality … not so much. You warned me. I know.”
“I’m sorry,” Reese said. “He’s not handling this well. I didn’t expect that, especially after he agreed to it. He probably didn’t think it through.”
“He’s not one to share personal things. It’s one reason we hired you and why he barely does in-person events or interviews. He’s a bit prickly anyway, but the introvert in him hates the spotlight.”
“His whole life is the spotlight,” Reese said.
Morgan shook her head. “There is a vast difference between the spotlight on a stage and the metaphorical spotlight when you’re sitting across the table from some reporter. Most people would be okay with the second, but crack under the first. Sterling is the opposite.”
