Page 34 of You and Me, For Real
“I was hoping to meet this mysterious dog trainer.”
“Maybe another time.” Assuming Ashton agrees to work together again. “Since we’re all wrapped up here, you ready to go?” I place a hand gently on her back to usher her toward the parking lot, forgetting my legs are tangled in a leash. I lose my balance and collapse into Scarlet.
With a yelp, we both tumble to the ground—me on top of Scarlet.
She’s laughing like I orchestrated the entire fiasco. She swats my chest. “Get off me, you big oaf.”
The interaction is like slipping into ourMalibu Shorescharacters as a couple. I can’t help but laugh at her playfulness. I like this side of Scarlet, but it’s rare. Instead, she tends to seesaw between being extremely shallow or overly controlling.
I untangle from the leash and grasp Scarlet’s hand, helping her off the ground. “Sorry about that.”
She’s still laughing, combing her fingers through her ponytail. “Sure you are.”
I reach into her hair, removing bits of grass and leaves. “You know how I am. Smooth with the ladies.”
She smiles coyly. “You are to me.”
Her breathy tone draws my attention from her hair to her face, my hand freezing mid-pluck. I drop my hand and step back.
“I also came to discuss something with you.”
My stomach tenses. “What’s that?” I start walking in the direction of the parking lot, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ashton.
“My dad. He wants to set up a meeting with you about the film.”
Scarlet walks alongside me. To onlookers, we’re a family out for a Sunday stroll in the park together. Luke trails a few paces behind us.
“He wants us to meet him a week from today, seven o’clock.”
“Us, huh?” My stomach clenches. Is he not happy with how I’m holding up my end of our contract? Is he going to pressure us to do more live interviews? I’m not sure my conscience could take it.
“Yeah, you know, an opportunity for us to have a little family get-together. Looks good for the tabloids and all that. Your dad is invited too, of course.”
“Right. Can’t miss a photo op.”
“While I’ve got my phone out, how about I put something in my calendar for just the two of us?”
I withhold a groan. When did my personal life become such work, too?
“I’m not sure about my schedule.”
Scarlet turns behind me. “Luke, do you have his calendar handy? Can you take a look?”
“Actually, we have a couple of pending meetings to pin down first. Then I’ll hit you up for your schedule,” Luke chimes in, increasing his stride to walk next to us.
“Oh. Okay.” The disappointment in her tone is evident.
We reach the parking lot. “I’ll be in touch soon, I promise.” Here I am leaving her to dangle, just like Ashton did to me.
“You promise?”
I hold up my hand. “Absolutely. Scout’s honor.”
“Good. Then I’ll talk to you soon.”
I give her a quick hug before following Luke to the SUV.
“Thanks for stepping in for me back there.”
