Page 80 of The Boss I Can't Stand
Sierra looked uncertain. I took her hand. “It’s all okay. You haven’t done anything wrong, and I don’t want you blaming yourself.”
“I think I’m just a little rattled at the idea of airing out my dirty laundry with Trey for the sake of publicity.”
“It’ll be all right,” I said. “We don’t need to go into a lot of detail. We’ll just make it clear to the press that we’re solid and you were as surprised as everyone else to see the article surface.”
Her face shifted, just a fraction, her eyebrows twitching, her jaw tensing, but she nodded, staring out the window as we arrived at the event space. I’d rented a private screening room at the Directors Guild of America, and by the time I exited the limo, buttoning my jacket, I’d managed to shove all my emotions into a little box in the back of my brain.
Trey’s interview. Sierra’s reaction. Jillian’s plan. It would all still be there tomorrow. Tonight was about the movie.
I walked around the limo, opened Sierra’s door, offered her my arm, and escorted her inside. The evening began with hors d’oeuvres and chitchat as the guests arrived and drinks were served. I did my duty—greeting friends, smiling and schmoozing with the press, and selling Sierra and me to a curious crowd.
“Can you ask the staff to get the gift bags on the seats?” I said discreetly to Sierra.
She nodded, disappearing from my side.
“Hey there, Lockhart,” Tony Stafford said, waltzing up with his whiskey and a firm handshake. Tony worked forLA Weekly. We had a long-standing relationship that went all the way back to our college clubbing days. “You’re a busy guy. Been trying to get my secretary to lock you down for lunch for months.”
I laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. “Just running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Making a movie, keeping a fiancée happy. It’s not for the faint of heart.”
“It isn’t any easier when you’re married,” Tony joked. He cocked his head, sipping his drink. “Couldn’t help noticing you and the Mrs.-to-be are in the press again. Hearing some very interesting things onRumorz.”
I knew he was angling for info on the Trey interview. These press types lived and breathed breaking news like that. I sighed, shaking my head. “Jealous exes always crop up when you’re the most happy.”
“Can I quote you on that?” he asked, shooting me a wry grin.
“Only if it’s attached to a glowing review.”
He laughed. “You’re gonna have to send the poor guy a consolation prize. Seems like he lost out on a good one.”
“Sierra’s amazing.” I glanced around for her in the crowd. “She’s really turned things around for me—made me see the world in a whole new way. Just like in the story we’re trying to tell inEvery Day.”
I shifted the conversation back to the movie, leaving a trail of breadcrumbs as I mentioned a forthcoming press release from Hart of Gold Productions, just like Jillian had instructed in her email. People couldn’t help but follow a good trail, and I knew Tony would let the info slip as he chatted with other guests.
By the time people left here tonight, I wanted them buzzing aboutEvery Daywhile also using the publicity from Trey’s interview to skyrocket those reviews to the top of everyone’s For You page.
“Anyway, you’re right,” I said, shaking Tony’s hand once more as the doors to the screening room swung open. “I should probably send the guy a muffin basket.”
The group eagerly started for their seats, and I looked around for Sierra once more, frowning as I realized I’d lost her in the crowd.
28
SIERRA
“Miss, the doors are open now.”
I squeezed my phone tighter, watching Trey’s smug smile on-screen as Milli asked him another question. I wanted to be shocked by his actions, but in truth, this was exactly the kind of scummy, competitive bullshit I should have expected him to pull. What? Had he finally gotten sick of seeing my face plastered all over the tabloids? Of people talking aboutEvery Day?
“Miss?” A tap on my shoulder.
Huh? I whirled around, coming face-to-face with a young woman in a black and white uniform. She gave me an apologetic smile.
“Sorry,” she said. “I just didn’t want you to miss the film.”
My eyes lifted to scan the almost empty room. I’d hidden myself in a corner next to the bar, away from the crowd, watching and re-watching Trey’s interview. The guy had looked Milli dead in the eye and said he still loved me! The last time we’d spoken in person, before he’d ghosted me, I’d told him I wanted to see him more than a few times a week, and he’d said we were moving a little fast.
But now he somehow loved me?
Ugh…What a jackass!
