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“That’s the idea,” Leilani adds confidently.
I cross my arms, staring at my socked feet that I hadn’t bothered to put regular shoes on while rushing back here to see what the fuck was going on. Again, I can’t pretend I’m not a little thrilled at the idea of the internet shifting its focus from my past, there’s no denying that. And to think that doing something like this could help Lila as well…It should be a no-brainer. Because we are friends. It would be easy and harmless if it weren’t for the weird awkwardness that seems to hang between us now. Mostly on my part, I think. And now I’m going to be gallivanting with her in public to perpetuate rumors that there might be something between us? That’s sure to make things even stranger.
Still. I’m not sure there’s another option here. Especially if Lila wants it. Especially if it could help her.
But the question is…Will she want to agree to this? I find the possible answer to that question is more important to me than it should be, for reasons I don’t quite understand.
“I’ll want to speak to Lila,” I tell Leilani. “After her team. I want to make sure she’s okay with it.”
“Of course,” Leilani answers. “She’s heading into the studio now. You could meet up with her after.”
I nod. To myself more than to her. “Okay. I’ll do that.”
“So…you’ll do it? If she agrees?”
Do I really have a choice here?
“Yeah,” I say, feeling a little insane. “As long as she agrees.”
Leilani has a gleam in her eye that feels predatory; this woman really loves what she does, I can tell. But my mind is far away, wondering what the hell Lila is going to think of all this. Will she think it’s crazy? Will she even think twice about it at all since we are friends first and foremost? Why do these thoughts make my head spin slightly?
Just be friends. Just like you would otherwise.
It sounds so simple. And it really should be. It is, I tell myself.
Fuck, I think with a groan. Jack is going to be a pain in the ass about this.
Seven
DELILAH
I’ve been scrolling for the last fifteen minutes, and with every post, the strange, roiling sensation in my gut seems to get worse. I’m used to a small level of notoriety, nothing major, I mean this is just local cable, after all—but seeing thousands of people speculating over my possible sex life is…odd. Especially since the other person being discussed is someone I’ve never even seen naked; not for lack of imagination, of course. My brain can do some pretty amazing things with memories of a younger Ian shirtless by the pool. Current me has had a nice time also working into the mix the new knowledge of all his tattoos.
“So,” I say finally, drawing out the o as if the extra few seconds will force my brain to catch up to the situation. “Everyone thinks Ian and I are…together?”
“They’re speculating,” Gia corrects.
I frown. “Right, I can see that.”
“You sure you didn’t plan that spoon bit?”
I twist my neck to glare at Ava, who is shrugging from the corner of Gia’s already-crowded office. “No. It wasn’t even a thing! It’s nothing that hasn’t happened a million times before with cooking duos.”
“Right,” Theo snorts. “Except the duo in question is hot.”
“You’re not helping,” I hiss.
Ben clears his throat from the edge of Gia’s desk, where he’s been contemplating quietly in between stolen glances at my agent. “Like I was saying, Delilah,” he starts, “this could be a good opportunity.”
“Yeah, you said that, but I don’t even know what that means.” I throw up my hands. “What exactly are you asking me to do here?”
“We’re not asking you to do anything,” Gia stresses carefully. “We would never ask you to do anything with your personal life for the sake of views.”
“Oh, but she could strongly advise it,” Theo snorts.
Gia’s eyes narrow as she shoots Theo a withering look, masking it quickly as she gives me a—what I assume is—pacifying smile. “All we’re saying is that we have an opportunity to capitalize on the buzz this is getting.”
“I have yet to hear anyone spell out what sort of opportunity is not being suggested,” I sigh.
