Page 125 of Collateral Damage
Cooper’s jaw tightens. “Who filed it?”
Perry sighs. “The network has an anonymous complaint submission form for cast and crew to use without fear of retaliation.”
“The network?” Coop tsks. “Iamthe network.”
“Then maybe you should know about this,” Perry points out. “As much as I’d love to sweep this under the rug, we have to take it seriously. Last thing we need is negative attention before we launch.”
“What do you suggest?” I ask.
“Fact is, you’ve gone public, and that’s not changing.”
“Fucking right,” Cooper mutters.
Perry holds up his hands. “While I’m happy for my friends, I’m also invested in my career. We need to control the optics. Call me the bad guy, but we only have a few choices to handle this properly.”
I tilt my head. “What do you have in mind?”
“One, you guys don’t come to set at the same time. If you’re not seen together while you’re here, there’s no room for anyone to claim anything unprofessional is happening.”
I press my lips together. It’s not a terrible idea. Doesn’t mean I like it.
“Nope. Not doing that,” Cooper growls. “What’s option two?”
“Glad you’re keeping your sense of humor about this, Coop,” Perry jokes.
Cooper doesn’t laugh, but I crack a smile.
“The network has offered to hire an ethics consultant.”
“A what?” I question.
“An ethics consultant,” Perry repeats, leaning casually against the couch. “Someone to come in, observe you two, and ensure everything is above board.”
“I’m sure this was my father’s idea,” Cooper chides.
“You mean spy on us?” I ask, my voice flat and unsurprised.
“Spyis an ugly word,” Perry says, but doesn’t refute that’s exactly what’s happening. “I can’t say if your father is behind this, Cooper, but I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“I don’t think we have a choice.” I look eyes with Cooper. “We have to do the professional thing and agree.”
“Fine, bring in the consultant,” Cooper relents. “I guess a spy is a necessary evil. I’m not willing to avoid my girlfriend at work.”
“Are you sure?” I ask.
He gives me a weak smile. “Think you can keep your hands off me?”
Perry rolls his eyes and fakes a gag.
Icankeep my hands off Cooper at work, and it’s fair someone could be uncomfortable with us, but we’ve been really good about keeping things professional since we returned to the city.
This whole thing is annoying.
“I’m renting a third apartment,” Cooper announces. “Whatever is vacant in the building. I don’t care. This show has taken all my personal spaces, and I’m over it.”
“There’s only a handful of weeks left of filming.”
“Don’t care. I want privacy for me and Syb.”
