Page 3 of The Uncomplicated Café
“No, thankfully. Goodness knows we don’t want to reshoot, since Harry is already in a foul mood thanks to you.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” Jayce felt slightly guilty that the no-kissing clause he had written into every contract irritated the director, but not enough to change his mind. When he kissed a woman, he wanted it to mean something.
“Hey, don’t apologize. Rob loves the clause. He says I should only film movies with you from now on.” She laughed but kept her voice low enough to not be overheard by the film crew.
“Too bad you couldn’t sneak him onto our flight. Bali would make the perfect honeymoon destination.” He’d only met her fiancé once, but he’d instantly liked his easy, down-to-earth demeanor. The guy’s only flaw—if it could even be called a flaw—was that he couldn’t stand anything to do with Hollywood. According to Stacey, their relationship had only survived because she’d managed to keep it a secret from everyone except for family and a few close friends. He considered it an honor to be included in the tight-knit, clandestine circle. Not that he’d shared his own secret with her. At least, not yet.
“I know. We talked about it but decided it wasn’t worth the risk. We’re eloping after the RCAs in a few weeks,” she said, referring to a prestigious award ceremony honoring achievements specific to the romantic comedy genre held in Hollywood each year. “And honestly, if we weren’t each nominated in multiple categories, I’d skip the ceremonyaltogether. That’s how excited I am!” She beamed as if the mere thought of her impending marriage lit her up from the inside.
“I’m happy for you two.” He tried his best to sound sincere.
“You know, for one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, you’re not very convincing,” she said with a lighthearted smile.
“Sorry. It’s not you guys. It’s—”
“I know, I know,” she groaned, hinting he may have shared his philosophy one too many times. “You don’t believe in love. Which is ironic sincePeople Magazinejust named you the Swooniest Star on Screen.”
“I believe in love. I’m just not convinced it lasts. At least, not for most people.” And definitely not for his parents, who went from blissfully married to bitterly divorced by the time he hit puberty. As if dealing with razor burn and body odor wasn’t bad enough.
“’Tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.” Stacey recited Tennyson’s old adage with exaggerated theatrics.
Jayce chuckled at her melodramatics, holding up his hands in mock defeat, although he still wasn’t convinced. But hey, if other people wanted to risk the kind of soul-crushing pain caused by an inevitable breakup, who was he to stop them?
“You two were fabulous!” Gretchen Schroeder stumbled across the sand in her ridiculous high heels. Would it kill the woman to wear a pair of flip-flops?
He exchanged an amused glance with Stacey. They’d shared the same agent for years, and her absurd antics—like wearing a black Prada pantsuit on the pristine white beaches of Bali—no longer fazed them.
“Another blockbuster on the books.” Gretchen wiped a damp strand of overly bleached hair off her forehead. “Ugh. I can’t wait to get out of this wretched humidity.”
She teetered on the uneven ground, and Jayce reached out a hand to steady her. He knew better than to remind Gretchen she could’ve stayed in Los Angeles.Good ol’ Gretch. For better or worse, their agent slash publicist believed in being hands-on. While they occasionally found her dedication annoying—and Stacey struggled to keep her relationship with Rob a secret—they couldn’t deny the woman’s results. Their careers had soared ever since they’d signed with her, save for one tiny speed bump.
“This film is going to put you back on top after our momentary blip,” Gretchen declared with inflated confidence. Ever since their romantic comedyTacos and Tangodidn’t do as well as they’d hoped, she’d refused to mention it by name. She’d sidestep around the title with terms likeblip,hitch, andfluke. “And I have just the strategy to catapult you beyond the stratosphere of stardom.”
Jayce bit back a groan. By “strategy” she meant a publicity stunt. What would it be this time? ForTacos and Tango, she’d arranged for them to help teach tango lessons at a rec center in an underserved community. He was pretty sure they would’ve preferred free tacos instead, but when Gretchen got an idea into her head, she ran with it. And it usually worked. The operative word beingusually.
“What is it?” Stacey asked warily. “I’ll do anything as long as it doesn’t prolong the press tour.” They’d agreed to a two-pronged promotional attack—one tour after filming and another shortly before the film’s release. Unfortunately, when it came to being an actor, the actualactingonly accounted for half the job.
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head. The schedule won’t change. But I’ll need you both on board with my plan.” Gretchen shot a pointed glance between them. “I’m talking full cooperation.”
Would she cut to the chase already? “What’s your brilliant ploy this time?”
“Not a ploy. It’s a tried-and-true tactic. It’s worked for countless actors before, and it’ll work for you two. If you do exactly as I say.”
Good grief. At this rate, the movie would be done with postproduction by the time she finished her pitch. “What’s the plan, Gretch? We’ve never said no to one of your schemes before.”
“Again. Not ascheme. A strategy.” She fanned herself with the edge of her Hermès scarf. “It’s no secret you two make the perfect couple. It’s why you’ll win a BOCA this year,” she said, mentioning their nomination for the Best On-Screen Couple Award for the millionth time that month. “With Stacey’s big Bambi eyes and her ability to pull off the sultry ingénue paradox, and Jayce, with your dark Italian good looks and a charm that’s both roguish and boyish, you’ve been America’s favorite sweethearts for years. And it’s time we give the fans what they want.”
Uh-oh. He didn’t like where this was headed…
“By the time you two land back in LA we’ll haveaccidentally”—she punctuated the word with air quotes—“leaked your off-screen romance.”
His heart slammed into his stomach.
“And not just your boring, run-of-the-mill boyfriend-girlfriend situation,” Gretchen continued. “You two areengaged.” Her lips curled into a devious smile, reminding Jayce of a cartoon villain. “Your fans will eat it up.”
And you know who won’t?Jayce thought.Stacey’s actual fiancé, Rob. He turned to gauge her reaction.
She met his gaze, her face pale. Her pleading glance said everything he needed to know.
