Page 91 of Faking Ties

I nod and wait for Brian to open the door for us. This time, I’m ready for the flashes, the screams, the chaos of the red carpet. Maybe it’s easier knowing I don’t have to stop for interviews. Or maybe it’s easier after doing this a few times. Or maybe it’s just because Hunter is by my side.

We pose for a few minutes before we’re ushered inside and into a room with a long table on a platform and what feels like a hundred journalists inside. There are multiple microphones, chairs, and name cards spaced out on the table.

“Can you hear me okay?” I whisper to Stella, but facing Hunter so it doesn’t look like I’m talking to myself.

“Yes,” she says.

“You’ve got this,” Hunter says, helping me up the three steps to the platform. “And remember, you don’t have to answer anything you don’t want to.”

I nod and shake out my hands before taking a seat in front of my name card. The seat that happens to be between Jax and the lead actress.

“Doll,” Jax says, leaning into my ear. “I’m surprised.”

“Why?” I ask quietly, not wanting the mic to pick up on my response.

“You didn’t listen.” He glares at Hunter who’s still standing where I left him.

Stella says in my ear, “Tell him ‘So? You knew I wouldn’t.’”

I relay the words and Jax chuckles, trailing his fingers down my arm. “You want to play, doll? Game on.”

I shudder in disgust and move my chair a few inches away from him and closer to the actress. She gives me a strange look, but I smile back. Stella’s too silent in my ear after Jax’s declaration. Not for the first time, I wish she’d clue me in on what she’s thinking.

A minute later, a woman comes on stage and explains she’s the host for the event and that there is a translator off to the side who’ll help with the language barrier.

The first journalist asks their question, gesturing toward Jax, and we all wait for the translation. “Can you tell us about your process of creating, acting, and directing the movie? How did you manage everything?”

Jax beams at the reporter. “That's a great question, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride. Wearing all threehats definitely kept things interesting on set. But here's the secret.” He leans closer into the microphone as if he’s really telling a secret. “It involved a whole lot of coffee, a fantastic team, and a story I was truly passionate about bringing to life.”

The room hangs on his every word, and I hate to admit it, but he’s good at this. At making the reporter feel special for asking their question.

The next question comes my way. A man asks, “What was the collaboration like between you and Jax on the movie?”

Stella instantly replies in my ear, and I say the words aloud. “We were both incredibly dedicated to making the film the best it could be. He had a clear vision for the story, and that helped guide our work together on the soundtrack.”

I fiddle with my bracelet under the table. I’m not sure if I came off naturally or if there was too much of a delay of me relaying the information from Stella. It’s more difficult than I originally thought to repeat the answers at a natural pace.

When the next question goes to the actress next to me, I relax for a moment. The question after is for me. They ask, “Were there specific scenes where the music takes on storytelling itself?”

I again relay Stella’s answer, talking slowly, trying to copy it word for word as she tells me. “For me, the music was another character in the film. It wasn't justbackground noise; it helped to tell the story. There are scenes where?—”

Stella cuts off and I don’t know where she was going with this.

I clear my throat. “Where…” What the hell was she going to say?

The lights beat down on me, causing my lower back to drip with sweat. This can’t be happening right now. Technical difficulties at a time like this?

Stella shouts “dialogue minimal” in my ear and I say, “The dialogue was minimal… But the music carries the weight of the characters’ feelings.”

I finish in a rush, piecing together what Stella’s trying to tell me through the unstable connection. Fuck, that was horrible. I sounded like an idiot and not at all like the poised and polished woman Stella is. Jax gives me a strange look, but I ignore him and stare straight ahead. Even so, I can feel his gaze drilling a hole into the side of my head.

I don’t get a break, and the next question goes to me.

“Hunter and you seem to have a perfect connection. Do you have any advice for fans hoping to find a love like yours?”

Stella says in my ear, “Answer honestly if you want.”

I smile at the reporter, comfortable with this question since Hunter and I have answered something similar to it in Rome. “Aw, thank you. The best advice I can give is to be yourself and prioritize findingsomeone who makes you laugh and supports your dreams. Don’t settle for anything less than someone who brings out the best in you.” I cut a glare to Jax, and his face reddens at my subtle diss.

---