Page 69 of She's the Star

“Of course.” She picks up her coffee. “I’m better than that.”

Her conviction is such a turn on. “Agreed. So…I guess the question is, does the statement they prepared represent you in the way you want it to? Because if it doesn’t, you should speak up, just like you did then. I trust you.”

Her eyes crinkle as she smiles. “Good question.” She tips her head to the side. “The statement is fine. It’s just…I’m mad at Teddy. Why do I always have to be the bigger person?”

“You don’t have to. You choose to,” I remind her.

“Ugh. I know.” She takes a drink of her coffee, and then switches her attention to Brian. “Release the statement.”

“Excellent.” He smiles and takes his tablet back. He turns to me. “What kind of media training have you had?”

“Uhh…nothing formal.”

“That’s what I figured. Two of the staff from the PR team are flying in this afternoon. They’re going to come straight here, and they’ll run through the approved list of questions with you and help you formulate your answers. They’ll also help you decide what to wear.” His fingers fly over his tablet as he speaks. “The general consensus is that you should stick as close to your normal style as possible. Teddy is flashy and you’re not, so we want to lean into that. The contrast will be useful in establishing that you aren’t a replacement. You’re a different sort of man.”

“What?” Amber says at the same time I say, “Different sort of man? Wouldn’t it be more authentic if I didn’t plan my answers or try to utilize my wardrobe as a statement?”

The look on Brian’s face makes me feel like a dumbass, but his tone remains reasonable as I sink into the chair next to Amber. “We aren’t trying to be authentic. We’re trying to convince Amber’s fans that the man she’s in love with is Teddy’s opposite.”

In love with. My heart snags on those words. We’ve haven’t called this thing between us love, but I can’t allow that to distract me. “I thought we weren’t trying to smear Teddy.”

“We’re not. The public will draw their own conclusions. That’s why you need to practice what you’ll say.”

Amber weaves her fingers through mine. “I’ll do most of the talking if you want, and I’ll be here while the PR people are here.”

“No, you won’t. You have the charity luncheon today,” Brian replies. “I’ll stay here with Nolan, and Mina will go with you.”

Amber groans. “Why is that today? Why can’t I get a break?”

“Your schedule is clear Sunday through Wednesday,” Brian reminds her.

“I know. I’m sorry.” She pulls her hand away from me and rests her forehead on it. “It’s fine. It’s going to be fine.” It sounds like she’s trying to convince herself.

“Amber,” I say and then I wait until she lifts her gaze. “We’ve got this. I’ll be okay here with Brian and the PR team. We’ll figure out what I need to wear and what I should say. And then, tomorrow, we’ll do the interview, and you’ll have your show and then we’ll get a break. It’s all going to work out.”

I must sound convincing because she inhales and presses her lips to mine in a brief kiss.

“You’re right,” she murmurs against my mouth. She releases me and sighs. “I guess I should take a shower.”

“You should. You really should,” Mina agrees.

Amber rolls her eyes at Mina. “Why are you even here?” she jokes as she stands up and hands Maddy to me.

“So I can make sure you’re at your cleanest?”

“Sure, that’s it.” Amber kisses Maddy’s forehead and then mine before she leaves to shower.

In the normal course of the day, I don’t wear makeup. In fact, I can’t recall a single instance where I’ve had a thin sheen of powder on my face. Until now. It feels odd, but not as odd as the fact that I’m about to sit down in front of a camera and talk to a reporter about dating Amber Hope.

Brian, Amber, and I take the elevator to the third floor of our hotel. We follow the hallway to the last door on the left and push it open.

In my experience, conference rooms tend to be plain and functional, but this one has been transformed into the perfect space for an intimate interview. There are multiple cameras, huge lights, and a small couch sitting in front of a single chair. The floor to ceiling windows along the exterior wall allow the bright sunlight and the blue sky to provide a pleasing backdrop.

We’re barely through the door when we’re greeted by a short man wearing a bow tie and a headset.

“Perfect timing,” he says. He shakes Brian’s hand and then beams at Amber. “It’s an honor to meet you. Is there anything I can get you before we start?”

“I think we’re all set,” Amber tells him.

---