Page 72 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

“Just wait until everyone hears about this new lady in your life. The make-up girls will be devastated.”

“No more than usual,” Adele commented in an amused voice. She explained, “Every single production Logan has worked on, the make-up girls have fallen madly in love with him, so they will be very disappointed to learn of your existence. You’re the only one who isn’t famous that he has fallen for. I’d almost think he was changing his playboy ways.”

It was all being said for Federic’s benefit. He lapped it up like a dog.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news but,” Adele paused dramatically. “There’ll be another photographer around set today. He’s working on an article the LA Times are running. He was scheduled for later in the week, but there was some kind of mix-up. I’m afraid we’ve had no time to ready you for this.”

Jane’s heart plummeted. “But you said you’d rehearse with me…”

Adele issued a curt nod. “And we will. This isn’t an interview, luckily, just some candids he’s been brought on to shoot. It’s normal procedure. Some shoots have a permanent photographer, some actors hire their own so they can flood their Instagram feed with images. This production seems to only employ them on an ad hoc basis. You won’t even have to pose for them. Just go about your day as normal and be your normal loving selves.”

Easy for her to say.

Shedidn’t have to pretend to be a whole new person, in a relationship that wasn’t even real, with a man she was starting to develop real feelings for.

“Yes Ma’am.” There was only the hint of an eye-roll from Logan. While they might have to participate in this role-play, he didn’t like or believe in it.

This was a very strange business they were all involved in.

“Is that what you’re wearing?” Adele suddenly turned to Jane, a hand on either hip. Her eyes flicked up and down the length of her and apparently found her wanting.

Jane glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She wore a simple duck-egg colored top that covered her arms — and the wounds she had sustained — a pair of jeans and strappy leather sandals.

“I didn’t think I needed to dress up.”

“This will be the first time the public will meet you. We would have thought this whole thing through better, then again, we weren’t informed of the press today.”

Frustrated, Jane gritted her teeth. “But I like this outfit.”

She might as well as not replied. The woman was long past hearing her.

Adele dialed a number faster than the speed of light and was on a call before Jane could blink. “It’s me. I may need help. Do you have something chic but not too dressy? I’m thinking daytime Jessica Alba style. No, not Nicole Kidman, we want femininity and warmth. Like your pretty fourth-grade teacher.”

“Isn’t that what she’s already dressed like?” Logan’s voice cut through the madness. “I happen to think she looks wonderful as she is.” His smile seemed more genuine, as if this wasn’t for Federic’s benefit this time. “Leave her alone. She’s fine. Let’s not turn this into a stunt.”

Adele shot him a dirty look that would have made lesser men cower.

“I know you’ll find this hard to believe, what with your big movie-star-ego-brain, but I actually do this for a living and I do it well. Maybe you should listen to me, it is after all, what you pay me for.”

“Jane doesn’t belong in our circus, Adele. She didn’t ask for this. How about we let her make her own decisions? I’m sure she’s more than capable of them.”

Jane shot him a grateful smile. Adele shook her head, unswayed by anything but her own certainty. The room waited for Jane to answer.

“I’d prefer to wear my own clothes, but maybe Federic can do something with my hair? I never know what to do with it.”

The stylist fell over himself to help. “Of course, Sweetie! Come, sit in my throne. Logan’s about done, anyway.”

Giving them the stink eye, Adele spoke into her phone.

“Apparently we’re fine… but pull some clothing and leave it on a rack in case we change our minds.”

She glanced at the slim wristwatch that dangled from her wrist.

“I’ve got to sort out my other A-Lister now. She seems to have gotten herself in a little trouble last night and I need to bail her out before the press catch wind of it. Jane, I suggest you hang out around here. We can bring you magazines or movies to watch, food, drink, whatever your little heart desires. But stay close to the trailer. And keep Loki with you. We want to see the three of you together, one big happy family.”

With a wink, she left, taking all the air with her. Without her, the trailer seemed suddenly lifeless. Catching the expression on her face, Logan laughed.

“You’ll get used to her. She can be a bit abrasive, but she has never let me down.”

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